Lake District

[Panda_]

Hallu,
I'm going up the lake district this weekend for a week break, and would like to try find as much info as possible to make the most out of my trip.
Aiming for more of a photographic trip so would like some nice places to visit. So far, my trip will consist of going up Scafell pike and Lake windermere.
Into most photography, but the usual such as land/nightscapes, waterfalls and macrophotography does me fine!

Trying to find some nice dh/bike trails up there too.

Will be staying HERE if that helps.

Also, a little off topic to photographic locations, but can someone recommend a nice family restaurant/steak house?

[Bawbee]

Panda,

Practically everywhere in the Lake District has a fantastic view, let your eyes be your guide and enjoy

BTW - Windermere is NOT a 'Lake', it is a 'Mere'

[jchrisc]

There are endless opportunities within a short distance of where you are staying. Ullswater, Patterdale, Blencathra, Great Dodd, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike and Stybarrow Dodd for example. Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere are all fairly close.

[Fen]

Scafell and Scafell Pike are damn good climbs.

I hope you're a strong walker as carrying camera equipment up there will be a chore. I've done it myself and got some excellent photos

[Benchista]

BTW - Windermere is NOT a 'Lake', it is a 'Mere'

In fact the Lake District is similar to Scotland in having only one lake (Bassenthwaite Lake/Lake of Menteith respectively).

[jchrisc]

BTW - Windermere is NOT a 'Lake', it is a 'Mere'

In fact the Lake District is similar to Scotland in having only one lake (Bassenthwaite Lake/Lake of Menteith respectively).

But a mere is a lake. Bassenthwaite Lake may be the only lakeland lake with the word "lake" in its name, but that doesn't mean that the others are not lakes. Why otherwise would we call it the Lake District?

Not calling Windermere "Lake Windermere" is more about not duplicating part of the name, (just like we should not call the Avon the "River Avon") but nevertheless it is common usage if only to distinguish the body of water from the town and parish of the same name.

If you look up the boating registration bye-laws for Windermere I think you will find that they define it as a lake and my ancient encyclopaedia says that it is the largest English lake.

[Mojo_66]

It's a lovely place, but if the weather gets bad on the way up Scafell Pike, turn back, it'll be there for a long time yet to try again and it's not a nice place and rather dangerous in bad weather. Personally I prefer Crinkle Crags and Bowfell for a great view of Langdale and Mickleden. Whitewater Dash near Pooley Bridge is very near to where you're staying and a very impressive waterfall, and nearby Gowbarrow is an easy climb and gives great views over Ullswater.

There's also a wonderful Tapas place in Bowness, forget the name but it's not a big place so should be easy to find.

[Benchista]

It's not something to take too seriously, just a bit of fun in the "Ripley's Believe it or Not" style.

[gray1720]

Buttermere is seriously photogenic, with Fleetwith Pike brooding at one end of it and Crummock Water at the other (I had Crummock Water once, but the pills cleared it up in no time).

Bleaberry Fell is also good as it is that bit lower than the hills on either side, so you get the impression of being surrounded by hills and can't see how close the edges are.

And everyone goes to Friar's Crag on Derwentwater (me included...). In fact, I would find where everyone loves to go (currently Cat Bells and Hay Stacks) and go somewhere else - for example the ridge walk from Maiden Moor to Robinson - as you'll get rarely seen views and the few people you meet will all be enthusiasts rather than reluctant school parties. There's also some fantastic little country lanes if you like picturesque roads, just beware the traffic forgetting how windy it is!

And, of course, show us what you end up taking shots of!

Adrian

[Benchista]

Yup.

I always think that pics OF the highest fells are better than pics FROM the highest fells - even on a very clear day, it's hard to do some of the vistas justice, and I think that's particularly true of Scafell Pike - the view of it from Great End or Bowfell are much better, IMVHO, and they're actually both a lot more fun than climbing the Pike anyway - it's not especially hard, but it's very rough terrain with loads of scree, and feels higher than 3210 feet.

Underneath Blencathra is a fair old distance from Windermere, which is far from the nicest of the lakes IMVHO - many think Ullswater the prettiest (which is a lot nearer), but not me - I prefer Buttermere, Derwentwater and my favourite place of all is Wasdale - great walking, great photography, what with England's highest mountain, deepest lake, smallest church and the pub home of the biggest liar. But there are wonders all around.

[Steve52]

I stayed in the Keswick area a couple of years back. Debating going back there later this year.
Pics:
here , Derwentwater , Kirkby Lonsdale and a stone circle above Keswick.

[Panda_]

Cheers for all the comments folks. Have written some places down.

Having looked at some of the locations mentioned, I don't think I'd want to leave the place ;-)
Just sorting all my gear out tonight ready!

[Bawbee]

Just sorting all my gear out tonight ready!

Don't leave anything behind now
Enjoy your break and remember to let us see the images after your return

Hope the weather holds out for you too.

BTW - Won't you miss the 3rd Teste?

[jchrisc]

BTW - Won't you miss the 3rd Teste?

Most blokes manage with only two . . . .