Lake District
From Cartmel To Keswick Via Lake Windermere
Mileometer 37 miles
On the clock An hour, without stops
Landscape Poetic lakes and fells
An A-road amble through classic Cumbria, an essential destination for creative souls ever since Wordsworth wandered there. It’s also a paradise for gourmets, inspiring paeans to its sticky toffee pudding and top-drawer gastropubs. Our route north follows the shore of Lake Windermere – easy to drive, and hard not to love.
Need to know
Start at L’Enclume in Cartmel (A). Take the lane through the village past the church and turn left, following signs to the A590 and the junction with the A592 at Newby Bridge. This leads you to the A592, the…
Worth getting out of the car for
Ramble along the shallow western slopes of Thirlmere, or stroll around Castlerigg stone circle, an inscrutable arrangement of 48 craggy stones, with views over to Skiddaw, Blencathra and Lonsdale Fell. …
Review
We’ve made this pilgrimage to northern England not only for the beautiful surroundings, but also out of greed, imagining dinner at Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume or, at least, lunch at his new brasserie. A detour before we’ve even started, to Cartmel…
Dates for your diary
April St George’s Day parade in Kirkby Lonsdale. June North West Food Lovers Festival at Westmorland County Showfield (01695 732734). …

