Waverley - Allerdale

Waverley Hotel Bar & Grill

The Waverley Hotel, 1 Gordon Street, Workington, Cumbria CA14 2EN Telephone: 01900 603246 / 01900 65892 Email: waverley-hotel@btconnect.com

www.waverley-hotel.com

Welcome to the Waverley Hotel A Welcoming Stay on the edge of the Lake District awaits you at the Waverley Hotel, with a team who always pride ourselves on providing a warm and friendly welcome. If home is where your heart is, then let us look after you in the comfort of our home from home hotel, situation on the solway firth fringing the beautiful Lake District.

With our great location in the centre of Workington with shops, cinema, theatre and park nearby and only moments away from the coast with a scenic drive away from the stunning Lake District, you can take time to explore the diverse coastline and magnificent scenery and villages the Lake District can offer, and at the end of the day, let us offer you a high level of service and attention to detail, giving a taste of traditional Workington hospitality and relaxation throughout your stay.

So whether it’s just for pleasure or the services of a professional and experienced business environment, here at the Waverley Hotel you will receive Workington’s hospitality at its best.

Enjoy all that our hotel has to offer, including: • Ideal Cumbria location easily accessible to the Lake District.

• Affordable accommodation • Free wifi throughout the building • Excellent restaurant • Flexible conference facilities • Close proximity to the Lake District • Numerous Golf Courses in the area • Coast to coast cycle hotel with cycle storage

Eating at the Waverley Hotel We at Waverley Hotel aim to provide relaxed dining in an informal atmosphere with efficient service, excellent food and beverages using the finest ingredients to create satisfying tasty food whether you select a main meal, snack or our 3 course set menu. We have three areas where you can taste our culinary delights...

Bar Area...

For relaxed and informal dining.

Waverley Gril...

Comfortable dining experience with full restaurant service.

Bistro

Intimate and relaxed environment with a modern feel.

Our chefs take great pride in our home cooked foods using fresh ingredients and locally sourced produce where possible.

Events at The Waverley The Waverley Hotel is a premier event venue for Weddings, Christening, Funerals, Birthday Parties, Anniversaries, Engagements, Office Parties and all Christmas Party needs. Our Function and Event Manager will be able to guide you through all aspects of your celebration and assist with themes or any special requires you might require. We can provide entertainment if required and have no Function room charge when catering is required.

We work on a FREE hire service at The Waverley and supply a variety of fantastic catering menus to suite any occasion.

The Waverley Grill is ideal for the following events or occasions: • A la Carte Dining • Family and Friends private and celebratory occasions • Conferences/ Workshops and Seminars • Weddings • Christenings • Funerals • Parties (Children’s, Adults or Themed) • Charity events • Bespoke Private Hire

CONTENTS 43

2 Allerdale 4 Transport 5 Services 6 Events 8 Arts and Theatre 10 Keswick 12-15 Family Fun

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16 Derwentwater 17 Castlerigg Stone Circle 18 Buttermere

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19 Silloth 20-25 Cockermouth 26 Maryport 27-31 Workington

Family Fun

12-15 Lots of things to do for all of the family

32 Walking & Cycling

12 32

33 Golf 34 Copeland 36 Whitehaven 39 Cleator Moor 40 St Bees 41 Wasdale Valley 42 Egremont 43 Gosforth 44 Seascale

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45 Ravenglass 46 Muncaster Castle

Cover to Cover Ltd. 145 Bond Street Blackpool, FY4 1HG T: 01253 406814 E: info@theroombook.co.uk www.theroombook.net

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Allerdale Welcome to Allerdale. If you’re not familiar with the name, we’re the north-west bit of the Lake District – and we think you’ll find we’re a little bit special. Yes, we have lakes and iconic mountains, and all the amazing views the words ‘The Lake District’ conjure up, but visit Allerdale and you’ll find even more than that.

Here, you’ll discover two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the world-famous Lake District National Park and the amazingly historic Hadrian’s Wall. Beyond both of those, there is the chance to discover the hidden charms of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with beaches, dunes and wetlands galore.

Then there are the Lake District hotels – from the small and quirky guest houses to the most luxurious of country houses. Or perhaps you’re looking for a Lake District cottage?

Allerdale has some lovely places to stay, whether you want something small and cosy or a huge self-catering hideaway with family and friends.

And then there are the Lake District restaurants, cafes and pubs with flavours to suit all tastes, whether that’s fine dining or the simplest home-cooked fare. You should seek out our award-winning food producers too. They’re making everything from coffee, gin and beer, to bread, cheese and even muesli.

There are so many things to do in the Lake District and this corner of Cumbria called Allerdale. You could swing through the mountains and the trees, cycle and walk on the fells and the coast, or paddle, sail or row on our lakes and rivers.

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You could discover history in our unique museums, find some culture in our theatres, admire some outstanding architecture or enjoy some retail therapy in lovely independent shops – or you could just sit and admire one of those outstanding views.

Whatever you decide, your next adventure begins here – in Allerdale.

Anyone interested in lanscape prints of the Lake disctrct should visit Frank Josef Photography. In his own words, My goal is to try and capture the splendor of The Lake District and its wonderful landscape, through the camera. I am always trying to come up with new ideas with my work, either with color, monochrome and fine art ideas. I try hard to portray my ideas using fine art materials as the end result.

You can see his work in the images on Derwentwater and Buttermere..

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TRANSPORT Train Stations: For Keswick, Penrith Railway Station, Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7JQ For Silloth, Aspatria Railway Station, Station Road, Aspatria, CA7 2AL Workington Railway Station, Station Road, Workington, CA14 2XE Maryport Railway Station, Station Street, Maryport CA15 6NH For Cockermouth, Maryport or Workington Stations For Information please contact Traveline on 0871 200 22 33

Taxi Services In Allerdale Keswick Davies Taxis - 017687 72676 Derwent Taxis - 017687 75585

Workington Sue’s Taxis - 01900 607005 Josie’s Taxis - 07093 302625

Cockermouth Cockermouth Taxi Co - 01900 826649 Eric’s Taxis - 07879 118222

Maryport Hensons Mini buses - 01900 813650 Rosies Travel - 01900 810393

Silloth Solway Private Hire - 01697 332310 Able Travel - 016973 31508

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SERVICES Cockermouth

Keswick

Workington

Silloth

Accident and Emergency

Accident and Emergency

Accident and Emergency

Accident and Emergency

West Cumberland

West Cumberland

West Cumberland

West Cumberland

Hospital

Hospital

Hospital

Hospital

Homewood, Hensingham

Homewood, Hensingham

Homewood, Hensingham

Homewood, Hensingham

Whitehaven, CA28 8JG

Whitehaven, CA28 8JG

Whitehaven, CA28 8JG

Whitehaven, CA28 8JG

01946 693181

01946 693181

01946 693181

01946 693181

Doctors

Doctors

Doctors

Doctors

Castlehead and Derwent

Castlehead Medical

Beechwood Group

Silloth Group Medical

Surgery

Centre,

Practice Surgery

Practice

Isel Road, Cockermouth,

Ambleside Road, Keswick,

57 John St, Workington

Lawn Terrace, Silloth,

CA13 9HT

CA12 4DB

CA14 3FT

CA7 4AH

01900 705750

017687 72025

01900 64866

016973 31309

Dentist

Dentist

Dentist

Dentist

St Helens Dental Practice

Bupa Dental Care

Bupa Dental Care

Steele I

Market Pl, Cockermouth

Unit 4 Packhorse Court,

14 Campbell Savours Way,

28 Esk St, Silloth,

CA13 9NQ

Workington CA14 3DZ

CA7 4BU

01900 826210

Keswick CA12 5JB 017687 72452

01900 68826

016973 32042

Chemist

Chemist

Chemist

Chemist

Boots

Boots

Asda Workington

Well Silloth

56-58 Main St,

31 Main St,

Dunmail Park, Workington

1-3 Station Rd, Silloth,

Cockermouth, CA13 9LU

Keswick CA12 5BL

CA14 1NQ

CA7 4AE

01900 823160

017687 72383

01900 607720

016973 31394

Post Office

Post Office

Post Office

Post Office

Cockermouth Post Office,

Keswick Post Office,

Workington Post

Silloth Post Office,

Station Street,

4 Bank St,

Office, 12A Murray Rd,

2 Eden St,

Cockermouth, Cumbria,

Keswick

Workington

Silloth,

CA13 9QW

CA12 5JY

CA14 2AD

CA7 4AD

0845 611 2970

017687 72269

0845 611 2970

016973 32957

Vets

Vets

Vets

Vets

Millcroft Veterinary Group

Millcroft Veterinary Group

Millcroft Veterinary Group

Beacon Veterinary Centre

Wakefield Rd,

Southey Hill, Keswick

1, Lakes Rd, Workington

21-23 Station Rd, Silloth,

Cockermouth CA13 0HR

CA12 5NR

CA14 3YP

Wigton CA7 4AE

01900 826666

017687 72590

01900 66666

016973 20242

Police

Police

Police

Police

non emergency No 101

non emergency No 101

non emergency No 101

non emergency No 101

Emergency No 999

Emergency No 999

Emergency No 999

Emergency No 999

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event highlights Ocean Film Festival World Tour: Sun 22 Sep 2019 Taste Cumbria Cockermouth: Sat 28 - Sun 29 Sep 2019 Workington Beer & Cider Festival: 4-5 Oct 2019 The Lakes Autumn Whisky Festival: Sat 26 Oct 2019 Sancutary Scarefest Workington: 26-27 October 2019 Cockermouth Firework Display: 5pm Sun 3 Nov 2019 Cockermouth Lights Switch on: Sun 17 Nov 2019 Keswick Christmas Lights Switch 0n: Fri 22 Nov 2019 Workington Christmas Festival: Sat 30 Nov 2019 Cockermouth Christmas Market: Sat 7 - Sun 8 Dec 2019 Keswick Victorian Fayre: Sun 1 Dec 2019 Keswick Film Festival: 27 Feb - 1 march 2020 Keswick Jazz & Blues Festival: 7-10 May 2020 Keswick Mountain Festival: 15-17 May 2020 Keswick Beer Festival: 5-6 June 2020 Silloth Vintage Rally: 13-14 June 2020 Woolfest Cockermouth: 26-27 June 2020 Keswick Mid Summer Festival: 26-28 June 2020 Cockermouth Live: 3-5 July 2020 Keswick Agricultural Show: Mon 31 August 2020 Silloth Beer & Music Festival: 3-6 September 2020

fully licensed indian restaurant OPEN 7 days a week 5pm - 10:30pm we cater for large parties and functions Follow us at... /Sultan-Of-Keswick @sultanofkeswick 5 St John's street, Keswick, CA125AP 017687 72222

If you are interested in advertising in any of our books, you can book your space online or by email.

If you would like to talk to someone please call us tel: 01253 406814 info@theroombook.co.uk www.theroombook.net

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ART &

Keswick Art Museum Keswick Museum was founded in 1873 by the Keswick Literary & Scientific Society. The town had been without a museum for 3 years because Peter Crosthwaite’s earlier museum (on Museum Square) had closed and been sold. One of the Literary Society’s first committee members was John Fisher Crosthwaite, Peter’s grandson.

At the end of 1874 the museum moved into the Moot Hall at a nominal rent and remained there for 23 years until its new home in Fitz Park was built, opening in 1898. This was the earliest purpose built museum in Cumbria.

The early collections focussed on natural history, including James Clifton Ward’s geological specimens from the first geological survey of Cumbria and James Edmonson’s butterfly collection. Canon H.D. Rawnsley, one of the founders of the National Trust, became a Fitz Park Trustee in the early part of the twentieth century. His fame brought donations and bequest from many quarters including members of the Southey family.

The Art Gallery extension was added in 1905 and was fitted with electricity. The Keswick School of Industrial Arts made the ‘electrolier’ light fittings which still hang in the museum today.

Keswick Museum & Art Gallery Trust was separated from the Fitz Park Trust in the twentieth century and the only remaining trustee is Allerdale Borough Council. The museum has been managed on their behalf by a company formed from a local community group since 2007. The museum was transformed by a complete renovation and extension, re-opening in 2014.

Highly Individual Contemporary British Art

…

Highly Individual Contemporary British Art

…

Contemporary British Art …

www.viridiangallery.co.uk

13 St. John Street, Keswick Tel: 017687 71328 Open daily 10a.m – 5p.m Opposite the Cinema May close Tuesdays out of season

THEATRE

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Theatre by the Lake Keswick Theatre by the Lake has brought the magic of theatre and the excitement of the imagination to one of Britain’s loveliest and remotest counties.

The theatre, hailed by The Independent as “the most beautifully located and friendly theatre in Britain”, opened in 1999. It is set a short stroll from Derwentwater on the edge of Keswick, amid the magnificent western fells of the Lake District.

We have two stages, a 400-seat Main House and 100-seat Studio; we present up to nine of our own productions of classic, modern and new plays throughout the year. Six plays are performed in repertory from May to November by a resident company of up to 14 actors.

We aim to produce a new play every year and our Christmas plays have become firm favourites with family audiences. We aim for the highest standards of production and design and many Theatre by the Lake productions have won multi-star reviews from national and local critics.

The theatre hosts a variety of festivals and visiting companies and is open for 52 weeks each year.

The Alhambra Cinema Keswick This Century old cinema boosts state of the art sound and projection in traditional surroundings See the latest film releases and satellite streamed theatre, opera and ballet.

The Kirkgate Centre Cockermouth The Kirkgate Centre, brings the best cultural and theatrical events to Cumbria. From live streaming of films and opera, to music, theatre and more there is something for everyone. Visit and experience this vibrant atmosphere in the heart of Cockermouth.

The Carnegie Theatre Workington The historic Carnegie Theatre & Arts Centre is one of Workington’s much loved buildings and West Cumbria’s premier theatre, entertainment and arts centre. We programme a diverse range of performances, shows and events across the year featuring family shows, comedy, music, opera, ballet, lectures and spoken word events, rock and pop concerts and musicals from the professional touring circuit and from community based performers.

The Plaza Cinema Workington We screen all the latest blockbusters every day, plus we offer less mainstream films including independent drama, documentary, foreign language, ‘as live’ music gigs and digitally re-mastered classics.

Theatre Royal Workington Our Auditorium was redecorated in 2016 and has a licensed capacity of 149. There is level access to the unraked stalls area and steps lead from the Foyer to the raked balcony seating area. All seats provide a clear view of the stage and have excellent acoustics.

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Keswick

Keswick is a market town in northwest England’s Lake District National Park, surrounded by mountains like Skiddaw. In town, The Cumberland Pencil Museum documents the history of pencils, and the Keswick Museum & Art Gallery displays local artefacts. On a hilltop east of the town, Castlerigg Stone Circle dates back to the Neolithic era. Vast Derwent Water lake is south of town, with boat tours and the Theatre by the Lake.

The mountains surrounding Keswick are just the place for your next adventure, whether you want to climb the highest peaks or search out the best views and most interesting routes. The highest peaks of Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skiddaw are all within easy reach, but so are dozens of other mountains offering miles of glorious walking with spectacular views. Great walks also abound without climbing to the summits. Try the terrace path on the slopes of Catbells, the walk over to Watendlath from Rosthwaite or climb by Grains Gill to Sprinkling Tarn, nestling beneath the craggy face of Great End. Various walks such as Skiddaw, Latrigg, Walla Crag and the walk round Derwentwater can be started from Keswick town centre. Using the local buses and the Keswick Launch gives you the opportunity to explore the whole area without needing to take your car.

Shopping in Keswick is a very enjoyable pastime - the compact streets are ideal for browsing and make a pleasant change from the larger towns and cities. You will be sure to find everything you need from your daily requirements to that elusive special gift to take home.

There are many independent and individual shops offering antiques, books, paintings and pottery, jewellery, speciality foods and local produce as well as clothes, gifts, and traditional toys.

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FAMILY FUN! The Puzzling Place’s ‘World of Illusion’ Takes the theme of Illusion and runs with it. It is home to our ‘Anti-gravity Room’, ‘Ames Room’, ‘Hologram Gallery’ and ‘Eyelusions Exhibition’. It’s a fascinating, fun and social excursion into the wonderful world of optical illusion, which will leave you quite literally, not believing your eyes! As the appeal of optical illusions crosses all age ranges the ‘World of Illusions’ is an ideal place to be enjoyed and experienced with friends or family however young and old. It’s generally the older generation of the family who are left surprised by how much they’ve enjoyed their visit!

TREATS

The Sweetest Little Shop in the Lakes

Re-discover sweets and treats from your childhood!

Over 250 Jars Pick 'n' Mix Retro sweets Bespoke gifts and wedding favours Sweet cart for hire - children's parties, weddings, corporate events etc.

Packhorse Court, Keswick CA12 5JB

www.sweettreatsinkeswick.co.uk

13 KONG Adventure A place where you will find a wide range of activities for all ages based right in the heart of the British Lake District, Keswick, their friendly and experienced staff will be able to help you find the right activity for you.

The centre represents the latest in climbing wall design and construction, including a rare indoor ice climbing wall and caving system, bouldering area, lead walls and a dedicated training room. To complement this, we also have a café and children’s hard play area, which allows anyone from toddlers to grown-ups to get into the mountaineering sports safely under professional instruction, or to play and have a fun time.

Derwent Pencil Museum The home of the first pencil, visitors enter this museum through a replica graphite mine which would have served as the source of the pencil industry over three centuries ago. A journey of graphite and pencil discovery from its humble beginnings as a cottage industry to modern day production.

Keswick Launch Located on the lake shore of Derwentwater near to the Lakeland market town of Keswick, the launch company offers Lake District cruises around Derwentwater throughout the year.

The launches start their journey from the Keswick boat landings and cruise around the lake stopping at seven lakeshore jetties where you may embark or join the various boats. Alternatively, stay on the boat and enjoy the 50 minute trip around Derwentwater.

Hope Park Hope Park is one of Keswick’s main attractions. Located between the town centre and Derwentwater it is a favourite stopping off place whilst walking to the lake. Hope Park has attractive landscaped gardens with a stream and woodland walk, set in magnificent scenery overlooking the fells.

Cafe Hope serves light meals and refreshing drinks for breakfast, lunch and tea (and all those times in between). Relaxed and friendly with indoor and outdoor seating for 90, Cafe Hope welcomes children, dogs and, by prior arrangement, coach tours and groups.

A few steps down from Cafe Hope is the kiosk for the park games. Offering family fun with the very popular 18 hole Crazy Golf course, a 9 hole Pitch and Putt golf course admired and acclaimed by golfers and nongolfers alike,18 hole putting green, boules pit for Petanque and our newest visitor attraction - remote controlled boats. Complete with islands, landing stages and replica launches, our “Mini Derwentwater” is a must for children of all ages.

Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre If you’re looking for adventure, try the mountain bike trails, which make full use of the stunning setting.

The red grade Altura Trail has been built for experienced riders with good off road skills and a higher level of fitness and stamina.The blue grade Quercus Trail is single track with gentle berms, rolling jumps, wide gradual climbs with technical features for the adventurous riders.The Gorse Cycle Trail is a waymarked 10km route, sticking mostly to well-surfaced forest roads and takes you to the best parts of the forest and explores the quieter corners of Whinlatter at Noble Knott. Why not try an orienteering challenge which explores the forest by using a combination of forest roads and parts of the Quercus mountain bike trail.

Navigate your way between control points to score as many points as possible in a fixed time.

The Whinlatter WildPlay trail is for children of all ages. Its 9 different play areas take you on a journey through the trees and include a climbing wall, water features, giant swings and a secret path. There are also two children’s discovery trails, to help explore the forest - maps available from the Visitor Centre.

Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Adventure Centre Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Adventure Centre provides a wide range of exciting outdoor adventure activities, indoor climbing and indoor archery for groups, schools, families and individuals of all ages.

Just a 5 minute drive from the centre of Keswick on Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District National Park, Keswick Climbing Wall and Outdoor Activity Centre is situated next to the historic Castlerigg Stone Circle and offers magnificent views over to the Helvellyn Range.

Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum Situated in a microgranite quarry, the museum takes full advantage of its position within the Northern Lake District. It is close to many of the classic, well-documented sites used by geologists for their excursions. The quarry itself is a RIGS site and displays contacts between the “Skiddaw Slate” and the granite intrusion, as well as other fascinating features.

Keswick Leisure Pool For a great day out for all the family, Keswick Leisure Pool and Fitness Centre is the perfect place to be.

Whatever the weather our superb leisure pool complete with water slide and wave machine makes an ideal location for a wet day or to cool off when its hot. We also have a gym here at the centre.

Lake District Wildlife Park The Lake District Wildlife Park is often called a hidden gem - so tell your friends about us when you’ve been! Set in breathtaking scenery just ten minutes from Keswick, you’ll find there’s plenty to see and do.

Meet over 100 species - from Anaconda to Zebra, Mandrills and Meerkats to endangered species like Asian Fishing Cats, Gibbons and Lemurs.

Spot Meili our Red Panda, often found in the branches of her oak tree. This spring she was joined by a male from Dublin Zoo called Cheru so fingers crossed for little ones next year.

We’ve also got a herd of Micro Pigs - yes they really are tiny. Plus a mob of Meerkats that keep having little ones. Everyone loves the Meerkats. Keeper talks take place all day, find out how to tickle a tapir, what meerkats like for breakfast and how far the lemurs can leap.

There are Bird of Prey Flying displays, Reptile Encounters and a Rare Breed Farm Animal Collection. It’s fun for all the family and a great opportunity to meet some of our most endangered species. Play areas (indoors and out) picnic sites and a café.

Cyclewise Whinlatter - Mountain Biking Hire bikes and create your own adventure following the forest mountain bike trails!

Cyclewise Whinlatter Bike Hire and shop is based in Whinlatter Forest near Keswick and is the perfect location from which to enjoy 3 amazing graded mountain bike trails situated amidst the beautiful forest setting..

Honister Slate Mine The highest, coolest inside and outside Mountain Adventure in The Lake District.

Award Winning Mine Tours; Subterranean Climb the Mine; The Infinity Bridge; Award Winning Via Ferrata Classic and Xtreme; ‘Sky High Cafe’.

The Keswick Spy Mission Treasure Trail By following the route along this self guided themed Keswick Treasure Trail, you and the children are sure to have a great time solving the clues and cracking the code to this pre written Spy Mission.

Your mission is to answer the clues which can be found on existing signs, historical plaques and buildings around Keswick. Prepare yourselves for an enjoyable 2 mile clue solving walk lasting around 2 hours.

Mobile Adventure Adrenaline junkies will be spoilt for choice at Mobile Adventure. There’s a wide variety of activities to get you and your family out in nature and outside of your comfort zone.

Jump in feet first with river trips, kayaking and canoeing. Then bring your trip onto dry land with gorge walking, mountain scrambling, caving and mine-climbing.

Lake District Coast Aquarium The Lake District Coast Aquarium has 55 themed tanks showcasing fish, crustaceans and other marine life found around the Cumbrian coastline, plus a grand tropical marine community reef tank.

Plenty to look at with educational information offered and charming sights to keep the smalls happy like a kreisel tank full of moon jellies! Their new Sea Lab is now available to explore too, featuring a Lobster Hatchery! Sea Lab opened in July 2015 during their extension works.

Cockermouth Sports Centre Only the bravest of hearts take on Cockermouth Sports Centres giant climbing wall. Do you have what it takes? Head down and take on the challenge or use some of the other facilities available! Try out a new activity on your fun family day out.

The centre offers loads of sports for you to try out to get your kids active. The junior gym sessions always have a qualified member of staff on hand to offer advice and make sure your budding athlete is training correctly. If you’re a little more into racket sports, you can hire out the badminton or table tennis courts with plenty of room in the sports hall to hit those big shots. There are even gymnastics sessions available to get your kids to flip, jump and twist their way into a sport! With all the sessions being so fun, getting kids active has never been so easy.

West Coast Karting At West Coast Karting kids over 8 can get in on Britain’s fastest growing leisure activity: karting! this is a top chance for the general public to experience the thrills and spills of motorsport in relative safety and with expert support. Their cool indoor circuit is a whopping 550m in length, comprising enough turns to keep you awake and some great straights for really putting your foot down!

They take safety very seriously. All children are given a very thorough ‘Safety and Go Kart Operation Briefing’ before they enter the kart or hit the track, and marshals supervise the races to ensure as high a level of safety as possible.

The Gincase Farm Park The Gincase Farm Park is a large farm plus play areas, tea room and craft centre, boasting a kilometre of walkways and 16 large paddocks where you can see and pet familiar, rare and unusual farm animals.

There is a nicely interactive ethos to the place so you can bottle feed the lambs in spring and help groom the ponies at other times plus if you’re lucky you can help feed the parrots! When you have seen all the animals in the paddocks and given some a stroke, there is an Animal Barn with other animals Funtastic Workington Funtastic is 10,000 square feet of hardcore play time, with super ball cannons, a daring 9m slide, plus all the classic indoor features we all know and love.

Eclipse Leisure Centre Welcome to the Eclipse Leisure Centre: the West Cumbrian family entertainment centre that’s going to save your rainy day! Features include: Classic Tenpin Bowling with automated lanes and both gutter guards and ball ramps to help give little kids a better chance of success!

Ultra modern Laser Tag Combat Gaming is a futuristic version of hide and seek played with infra red laser guns in an immersive and atmospheric arena! There’s no impact or indeed contact involved, so all they have to cope with is the intense environment and the shock of the vibration that tells you you’ve been hit! Don’t worry though, once you have been you’re not allowed to be shot again for a few moments, giving you the chance to scarper and find somewhere to hide!

Plus there are all the latest video and gaming machines in the arcade zone, Children’s Parties offered in both areas, a big screen TV in the bar and a free parking area. What more do you want!?

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DERWENTWATER When you walk down to the lakeside it is not difficult to see why Derwentwater is one Keswick’s main assets. Derwentwater is about 15 minutes leisurely stroll via Lake Road and the beautiful gardens of Hope Park from the Market Square in Keswick town centre. The lake is three miles long and is fed by the River Derwent catchment area in the high fells at the head of Borrowdale. Derwentwater Foreshore has a rich and prestigious history. In the 16th century the site was used as a landing spot for the local mining industry and in the 18th and 19th century it became the inspiration for Romantic Poets such as William Wordsworth. In Victorian times the Foreshore became a focal point for the newly developing tourist industry which brought tourists to Keswick by railway.

A little further on from the boat landings is Friars Crag with its stunning views of Derwentwater and the Borrowdale valley. The viewpoint is one of the most popular places for photographs. The view was described by Ruskin as one of the three or four most beautiful views in Europe. There is a memorial to Ruskin on the crag, a slab of rock with a bronze portrait medallion. It is called Friar’s Crag because it is said to be the departure point for monks sailing to St Herbert’s Island on pilgrimmage to where the Saint was said to live. The fictionary Old Brown from Squirrel Nutkin in the Beatrix Potter tale was also supposed to have sailed to the island, known as Owl Island in the book. The Lingholm Woods on the opposite side of Derwentwater were used as a background for many of Beatrix Potter’s woodland and nature sketches.

The Derwentwater Walk is a scenic 10 mile waymarked walk around Derwentwater. On flat and easy paths, the walk passes through ancient woodlands and along the shores of the lake. The scenery is stunning, with perfect picnic stops, cafes and restaurants along the way. Look out for the sculpture of the hands which commemmorated the 100 year anniversary of the National Trust’s care of Brandelhowe.

Tens of thousands of walkers will have looked at and wondered at the modern sculpture set in Calf Close Bay, placed there to commemorate the Centenary of the National Trust in the Lake District. carved out of a boulder of volcanic rock from the Borrowdale Valley, the unusual design represents ten segments across ten rings, a century. The hige range of lake levels means a variation from total submergence to standing marooned high on the share. A memorial plaque is set beside the path.

There are four islands in total on Derwentwater, all owned by the National Trust, as is much of the shoreline, Derwent isle, St Herbert’s Island. Lord’s Island and Rampsholme Island.

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CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE It is not just its location that makes this one of the most important British stone circles; considered to have been constructed about 3000 bc, it is potentially one of the earliest in the country. Taken into guardianship in 1883, it was also one of the first monuments in the country to be recommended for preservation by the state.

Although there are more than 300 stone circles in Britain, the great majority of them are Bronze Age burial monuments (dating from approximately 2000–800 bc) containing cremations in central pits or beneath small central cairns. By contrast, their Neolithic forebears, such as Castlerigg, Swinside in the southern part of the Lake District, and Long Meg and her Daughters in the Eden Valley, do not contain formal burials.

The Neolithic stone circles also differ from those of the later Bronze Age in their generally larger size and often flattened circular shape – as is found at Castlerigg – comprising an open circle of many large stones. Castlerigg is about 97 1/2 ft (30 m) in diameter, and formerly comprised forty-two stones; there are now only thirty-eight stones, which vary in height from 3 1/4 ft (1 m) to 7 1/2 ft (2.3 m).

Neolithic stone circles typically have an entrance and at least one outlying stone. The entrance at Castlerigg, on the north side of the circle, is flanked by two massive upright stones, and the outlier is presently to the west-south-west of the stone circle, on the west side of the field adjacent to a stile; this stone has been moved from its original position. It has been suggested that such outlying stones had astronomical significance – alignments with planets or stars – although examination of those in early stone circles elsewhere in Britain has shown that there are no consistent orientations for them.

One of the more unusual features of Castlerigg is a rectangle of standing stones within the circle; there is only one other comparable example, at the Cockpit, an open stone circle at Askham Fell, near Ullswater.

Castlerigg has not been extensively excavated, and it is therefore not known exactly what might be preserved beneath the surface. Three Neolithic stone axes originating from nearby Great Langdale were recovered from the site in the nineteenth century, and similar finds have been made at other Neolithic stone circles.

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BUTTERMERE Buttermere (the lake) offers one of the best round-the-lake walks in the Lake District. The walk is relatively easy and level with a great ‘reward for effort’ ratio. The views mean that your photos make it look like you’ve been somewhere much more rugged.

The most popular view is looking down the lake towards Fleetwith Pike, which drops in a near vertical cliff down from the summit towards the infamous Honister Pass of ‘Tour of Britain’ fame. The lush green fields beside the lake nestle beneath a lowering natural amphitheatre of black rock where Fleetwith meets Haystacks - Alfred Wainwright’s favourite fell.

A three hour walk Buttermere lakeshore path circles the lake for 4½ miles (7km) with one very short stretch on the road and one ‘rock step’ (short scramble) where you may have to use your hands. We recommend that you allow three hours - you’ll want to linger on the way and watch the shadows / waves / mist / sun - depending on what it’s doing on the day.

Walking with children? We recommend going anticlockwise around the lake. You get to start off through the woods where you’ll be a bit more sheltered from any wind. Then on the way back towards the village, you get the added excitement of a tunnel which was carved out in the 19th century by a Manchester Mill owner.

The permissive path along the north end of the lake (closest to the village) closes from 1st April - 30th June each year so that the resident sandpipers can nest in peace. These ground nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to being disturbed by dogs and people. You can still walk round the lake, however - it just means that you need to decide which way you’re going before you leave the village.

Buttermere has two cafés that provide refreshments. Both cafés sell local products with Syke Farm specialising in ice cream made from the milk from the farm’s herd of Ayrshire cattle.

19 Silloth is a town with a population of about 3000, nestling on the shores of the Solway Firth, facing the hills of Southern Galloway and backed by the Lake District Fells. Silloth is noted for its invigorating but mild climate, its leisurely peaceful atmosphere and perhaps, most of all, its glorious sea views and sunsets fine enough to be recorded for posterity by Turner, the famous landscape artist. The town centre is made particularly attractive by thirty six acres of grassy, open space, known simply as ‘The Green’.

The town was inspired by Carlisle businessmen as a railhead and port in the 1850’s. The Railway Company helped to develop the town, and had grey granite shipped over in its own vessels from Ireland to build the handsome Christ Church, which is such a prominent landmark.

The Solway’s outstanding landscapes, diverse habitats and rich heritage have a special character that is recognised as the Solway Coast AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). Here the river Eden discharges its waters into the Solway Firth – a narrow estuary separating England and Scotland – where the eye is captured by the broad expanse of tidal waters, mudflats and grazed fields interrupted by windswept trees and long skeins of geese flying overhead. The mudflats and salt marshes are rich feeding grounds for thousands of shorebirds and winter migrants – a birdwatcher’s paradise – whilst inland, the undulating dune grasslands and raised mires harbour specialised communities of plants and animals.

Places to visit

Soldiers in Silloth Soldiers in Silloth Toy Soldier Experience is a firstclass exhibition/museum displaying toy soldiers and related items as a new visitor attraction in the seaside holiday resort of Silloth on Solway, Cumbria.

Gincase Gincase is in a quiet and beautiful location, only one mile from the picturesque Solway Coast in Cumbria and The Lake District. Our Tearoom, Craft Barn, Gift Shop and Children’s Farm Park are a must visit location for people of all ages.

Bank Mill Nurseries & Visitor Centre Whether you come for a tour of the Tropical House, The Nature Reserve or just pop into the Dunes Coffee Shop for a hot drink or a slice of freshly baked you can be assured of a warm welcome from everyone at Bank Mill..

Davisons The Ice cream factory was set up in oct 2008 by michael and Brenda Davison.

They make traditional dairy ice cream on the premises with 30 + flavours creating new ones all the time.

Silloth Motorcycle Museum Opened in 2019, come and view the vintage race bikes in this intimate collection..

Silloth Search: Davisons Silloth

Fresh Dairy Ice Cream

Search: The Ice Cream Factory

Over 30 delicious flavours of ice cream, all made in our shop in Silloth.

Cones, tubs, sweets & confectionery.

Ice cream made the way it should be

Criffel Street, Silloth, CA7 4BT Tel: 016973 34287

2020

Cockermouth

With its colourful streets and Georgian buildings, Cockermouth is an ancient yet bustling market town lying just outside the Lake District National Park. Steeped in history, and the birthplace of some very famous names, the town is the perfect base for exploring the largely undiscovered Western Lake District.

Before you set off further afield though, there is so much to discover and enjoy in Cockermouth itself, a supremely attractive town which offers a calm and peaceful contrast to the other, more tourist-laden areas of the Lakes.

Cockermouth has an ancient castle, built in the 13th century on the site of an earlier, Norman castle dating from 1134. Unfortunately, the castle was badly damaged after being dismantled at the end of the Civil War and much of it is still in ruins. It is now privately owned, but is occasionally open to the public, usually during the Cockermouth Festival in July.

Opposite the castle, in an unspoilt Georgian house, is the Castlegate House Gallery which specialises in twentieth century British and contemporary art, from many internationally renowned artists, including Sheila Fell, Frank Auerbach, Winifred Nicholson, Grayson Perry and Norman Cornish.

With its plentiful water supply, this proved to be the ideal location for Jennings Brewery, which moved its operation here in 1874 and is now Cumbria’s last remaining brewery.

Throughout most of the year, the brewery offers regular tours explaining the brewing process and shedding light on intriguing expressions such as ‘hop back’ and ‘mash tun’. Tours are available from February through to December, four days a week, Wednesday to Saturday, at 1.30pm.

Romantic poet William Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, were born in Cockermouth and the Georgian house on Main Street where they grew up is now in the care of the National Trust. The house was first opened as a Wordsworth Memorial in June 1939 but, after a long period of research and planning, the National Trust shut the house in 2003 and invested £1 million to return it to a more authentic 18th century setting.

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Open: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm / Sunday- 10am-4pm

Great coffee, great food and fantastic service

Find us on the corner of Station Road opposite Sainsbury’s

Opening times

Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm (11pm on Fridays)

Tel: 01900 824474 www.thecoffeekitchen.co.uk

40 Challoner Street, Cockermouth, CA13 9QU

49 Station Road, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9PZ Tel: 01900 825674 www.veeva.co.uk

Follow us on Facebok for our opening hours and any recent update!

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Food, Drinks & Entertainment

If you’re looking for some evening entertainment, check out the listings at The Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth’s unique theatre and arts venue which is based in a former Victorian school. The centre, which was set up by a group of dedicated volunteers over 20 years ago, is a much-loved community facility offering films, music and live performances.

When it comes to food and drink, you are very well served in Cockermouth which is gaining a reputation as a foodie’s paradise. There is wide and varied choice of eateries, with many hidden gems to be found tucked away on side streets, as well as in the main shopping areas.

From breakfast in a café, to restaurants offering modern European cuisine and rustic inns serving up real ale and pub food, you will easily find something delicious to eat and drink here. Every taste is catered for and many of the outlets make use of local produce, meat reared in the fields surrounding the town, and fish and seafood caught off the West Cumbrian coast.

If you’re craving some Chinese & Thai cuisine, then you need to head over to Market Place where you’ll find Bamboo. Based in the heart of Cumbria, this restaurant is perfect for a tasty treat and also offers a takeaway if you fancy putting your feet up after a long day of exploring.

Winners of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2018, Portofino’s serves up delicious continental dishes including their popular seafood spaghetti. They specialise in steak, chicken, seafood and so much more, and serve their meals with lots of delicious garnishes like bacon, cheese, garlic, breadcrumbs and other tasty treats. The perfect spot for a freshly cooked dinner during you’re stay in Cockermouth.

Fermento is located on Market Place in Cockermouth but owners Carla and Alessandro never forget the food of their hometown. They founded Fermento out of love for Italian food, the type their grandmother would prepare for you, simple, genuine and traditional. At Fermento, everything is designed in order to serve seasonal fruits and vegetables. Wine, Drinks and main ingredients (charcuterie, cheese, buffalo mozzarella, etc) are freshly imported directly from Italy. Like the restaurant, the kitchen is very small too and because everything Fermento offer is homemade, the menu is tasty but simple. Although they make sure that everybody can have a meal there, so there will be childrens options, some vegan and gluten, too.

Kopper’s Cafe-Bar is a modern twist to the traditional with light lunches, delicious tapas and drinks to please all. Based in the heart of Cockermouth on Main Street, Kopper’s is situated in the old Police Station, thriving with character and charm, they are the number 1 place for drinks and food!

Seth’s Bar is a real ale pub that serves cocktails, has a wide range of gins & excellent choice of wines.

Homemade pizzas and a selection of cakes served Sunday to Thursday from 12-7pm.

Shopping 24

Once you’ve consumed a bit of living history, and enjoyed some delicious ale, you might be ready for a walk around the shops. The locals are rightly proud of the eclectic mix of independent shops that the town offers, on Main Street, Station Road and Market Place. Foodies will have a field day at the various butchers, bakers, fishmonger and delis, while those seeking something a bit different or quirky for their homes really are spoilt for choice.

There are some delightful clothes and shoe stores, catering for people of all ages. and the most unusual of hardware shops, JB Banks on Market Place. This is a traditional iron-mongers with a difference; it has its own museum, featuring an original tin smithy and plumbers workshop and an exhibition of old tools, locks and memorabilia.

On Market Place, is Percy House Gallery, a collection of arts and crafts which happens to be on display in the oldest town house in Cockermouth. The 14th century building has many unique features including a famous Tudor ceiling, fireplaces, plaster work, original oak beams and a flagstone floor. It is the perfect setting for the artworks on display, which include paintings, ceramics, textiles and jewellery.

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Colin Graham

Antiques & Collectables A long-established business in Cockermouth’s Market Place, selling a large, varied and constantly-changing selection of antique, vintage and retro items to suit all tastes and budgets.

Cocker Bridge | 43 Market Place Cockermouth | Cumbria CA13 9NF Tel. 01900 824418

www.colingrahamantiquescockermouth.co.uk

The home of the beautiful, unusual and unique.

Dachshund Vintage Interiors A collection of re-upholstered vintage chairs, new and up-cycled furniture, homeware, gifts and jewellery, and quirky vintage finds, this charming shop is an Autentico chalk paint official stockist and Abraham Moon wool fabric and throws stockist.

Tel: 01900 267117

www.hummingbirdhouse.co.uk Email: enquiries@hummingbirdhouse.co.uk 78 Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9LU

21 Market Place, Cockermouth CA13 9NH Tel: 07910 636 538 Find us on Facebook & Instagram

26 Maryport, the southernmost town on the Solway Firth, is a very pretty harbour town with a rich Roman history. Over the years, its harbour has been painted hundreds of times, by many renowned artists, and the west-facing Solway coast offers expansive views and glorious sunsets over the Irish Sea. If you’re interested in history, then you will love Maryport. Known as Alauna in Roman Days, the town was one of the farthest flung outposts of the Roman Empire but was strategically important because of its proximity to Hadrian’s Wall. The Roman fort and the remains of a civilian settlement area still here, and continuing archaeological digs are still unveiling secrets from Roman military history.

Next to the fort, dramatically perched on the cliffs, is the Senhouse Roman Museum, which houses the largest group of Roman military altar stones and inscriptions from any site in Britain. The collection, which was begun by the Senhouse family in the 1570s, is the oldest in the country. In the Museum grounds, you can climb the observation tower for a clear view of the full extent of the site, one of the largest and best preserved in the north.

The Maryport Maritime Museum illustrates the maritime, social and industrial history of the town’s long association with the sea, from early fishing days to the busy docks and sea-faring ships of the Georgian and Victorian eras. Situated on the harbour, the Museum is housed in what used to be The Queen’s Head public house, which provided hospitality to the many seafarers passing through the busy port in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Once you’ve had your fill of maritime history, how about some living marine life? The Lake District Coast Aquarium opened in Maryport in 1997 and now boasts over 75 themed tanks containing a collection of the diverse marine life found around the Cumbrian and UK coastline. Don’t miss the daily fish feeding, the lobster hatchery and the fabulous ‘Crashing Wave’ display The Aquarium also has a Bait Shop, which is very popular among local fishermen, a 14-hole crazy golf course, and remote control boats and water blasters. Its Harbourside Cafe serves a variety of freshly prepared snacks, main meals and drinks with lovely views overlooking the harbour.

If you’re looking for something a little more active, you can try extreme climbing or even indoor caving at the wonderful Wave Centre, which has a superb, new indoor caving system with over 75m of tunnels and caves to explore.

Even just wandering around this pretty town is a pleasure, with its harbour views and old cottages.

You’ll find plenty of places to eat and drink along the way, including pubs with character, traditional tea rooms, elegant restaurants and, of course, fish and chips.

Maryport

Workington At the mouth of the River Derwent, Workington is an ancient industrial town, which expanded rapidly in the 18th century to become a major port. With the more recent decline in the steel and coal industries, the town has diversified and is now the main shopping centre for west Cumbria, its precincts decorated with sculptural artworks, attractive paving and interesting street architecture.

Workington’s boom was masterminded by the Curwen family who exploited its coal reserves to reap huge wealth for themselves. The Curwens were based at Workington Hall, which was built around a pele tower (these were unique to the north of England) dating from the 14th century. The Hall was once one of the finest manor houses in the region and even gave shelter to Mary Queen of Scots on her last flight from Scotland before her imprisonment and execution.

Unfortunately, the Hall is now in ruins, but you can still view it from the attractive parkland that surrounds it. A model of the how the Hall used to look can be seen in the Helena Thompson Museum which is located in nearby Park End, a house built around 1740 to provide a residence for the steward of the Curwen family. Local philanthropist, Helena Thompson, eventually purchased the house in 1934 and, on her death, in 1940, she left it the local authority to be used as a museum.

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Well worth a visit, the Helena Thompson Museum illustrates the social and industrial history of Workington and the surrounding areas and has some impressive displays of costumes, textiles, family possessions, portraits and furniture dating from Georgian times. The museum spills out into attractive gardens, where further artefacts of historical interest can be found.

There are some very old and beautiful churches in Workington, particularly the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to Our Lady and St Michael, which was built in 1876 from designs by EW Pugin. The style is Early English, incorporating medieval carvings and alabaster sculptures, and the Church is thought by many to be one of the finest specimens of this style of architecture in the county.

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NIGHTS OUT in Workington

There’s plenty to keep you occupied on a night out in Workington, with several venues offering film, theatre and live music plus a plentiful supply of restaurants, pubs and bars in the town centre.

Workington is lucky enough to have two theatres, so you can expect a regular programme of comedy, theatre, music and dance events to keep you entertained during your stay. The historic Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre on Finkle Street is one of Workington’s much-loved buildings, offering a full and varied choice of performances enjoyed by locals and tourists. Monroe’s Bar within the building is regarded as one of Cumbria’s best live music venues.

Theatre Royal on Washington Street is a more intimate setting, seating just 150 people, with many of the original features that make it one of Workington’s most distinctive and iconic venues. The Theatre is home to an amateur performance group called the Workington Playgoers and a local youth theatre, who stage several productions each year.

If film is more your thing, the town’s Plaza Cinema is well worth a visit. As well as screening all the latest releases, the cinema also shows less mainstream output such as re-mastered classics, independent dramas, documentaries, foreign language films and ‘as live’ music gigs.

29 When it comes to eating out, you can venture slightly out of town to the highly renowned gastropub, Oily’s, or to the Hunday Manor for some traditional country house hotel fare. However, if you don’t fancy driving, you’ll find lots of choice in the town centre itself where there are eateries to serve almost every taste.

Enjoy delicious Spanish-inspired dishes and tapas at Flavour on Washington Street or continue further down the street to Paprika for some authentic Indian cuisine. You’ll also find excellent, freshly prepared Indian food, with plenty of vegetarian options, at Masala Corner on John Street.

The Central Bistro and Bar at the Washington Central Hotel serves a British-inspired menu of grills, classics and small plates, alongside a specials menu which reflects the availability of seasonal produce. The bar is perfect for an aperitif beforehand or to enjoy a drink after your meal.

Henry’s Bar and Grill serves comfort food like home-made pies and hand-cut chips as well as offering a carvery menu. You’ll also find a great selection of good quality, traditional pub food at The Royal George Inn on Cross Hill, which is also a friendly, welcoming place to enjoy a pint or two.

If you want the night to last a little longer, drop into Padua’s Bar or Jackson’s Bar, for some more lively night-time entertainment. Then, if you’re still hungry on the way home, you can always order something tasty from Istanbul Kebab; you can either pick it up yourself or have it delivered to your accommodation. With a great selection of pizza, kebabs, baked potatoes and other hot food choice, this place comes highly recommended and is also ideal if you’re staying in and don’t want to cook.

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HEALTH &

If you’re heading for a special night out or just feel like treating yourself to a little pampering whilst you’re staying in Workington, you’ll find plenty of choice when it comes to hair and beauty services.

The town has some renowned salons which have been serving the area for many years and have well established reputations. Whether you’re wanting a quick trim, or a whole new look for your hair, or you want your make-up or nails doing for a special event, you should be able to find what you need here.

Emmerson-Ross Hair and Beauty on John Street is owned by local man Emmerson who has built himself a long and loyal client list. An experienced stylist and colourist, he uses only the leading brand hair products and is also a wedding hair expert.

BEAUTY The Emmerson-Ross salon also has an experienced beauty therapist who offers the usual finishing touches, such as nails, lashes and brows, alongside massage, waxing and ‘Dermaplane’ facials to cleanse and revitalise the skin. Very well reviewed, the salon is known for its attention to detail and very friendly, relaxing atmosphere.

The team at Cutting Co Hair and Beauty on South William Street offer expert cutting and colouring services from experienced and friendly stylists offering anything from traditional styles to a more contemporary look. The salon also offers a range of beauty treatments including special occasion makeup, lashes, brows and nails.

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WALKING & CYCLING

Short walks in Allerdale Walking is a great form of physical activity which can enable you to improve your health and fitness, and with some of the most breath-taking scenery in the country, with the Lake District in the south and the coastline stretching to the north, this is an ideal place to get out and about and stay healthy.

Just a 10 minute brisk walk each day can significantly improve your health and positively contributes to the prevention and management of over 20 chronic diseases. To help make it as easy as possible for people to get fit and healthy through walking, we’ve recommended some specially designed local ‘doorstep walks’. These are simple walking routes across the borough that vary in length and difficulty depending on your health and fitness levels, so they are easily accessible to everyone.

For maps and walking routes, visit: www.allerdale.gov.uk Walking in Copeland Copeland is very well placed for walking. You can enjoy an amble around one of the many villages and hamlets or undertake something more challenging like the ‘coast to coast walk’. With most of the borough within the Lake District National Park you are guaranteed great countryside and endless opportunities for refreshment stops along the way.

For maps and walking routes, visit: www.copeland.gov.uk

Cycling in Allerdale Silloth is a great base to take in the wonderful Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site. The surrounding countryside is flat and undulating, so gives relief from the Lakeland hills and you can get the miles in. Start at Silloth and head out along the B5302 to Abbeytown.

Take the B5307 through Newton Arlosh and then go round the Anthorn Peninsula. As you do you’ll pass through time itself - as the ‘pips’ are sent from the radio beacon there. At Bowness on Solway on the northern coast, head inland back towards Angerton and the B5307 and then back to Silloth on the B5302.

For a longer ride of 59 miles, follow the route of the local Silloth Sportive which takes in Wigton and takes in some of the wonderful villages of the Solway plain.

Cycling in Copeland Copeland, like the rest of Cumbria, is a great place to cycle. Whether you are leaving the car behind and commuting to work, doing the full ‘coast to coast’ experience or simply want a day out in the countryside with friends and family.

You will find quiet country lanes, cycle paths and endless refreshment oppportunities to make your cycling more enjoyable. The Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourist Board websites are a great place to start.

33 With parts of Allerdale & Copeland being mostly fields, greenery and open land... it’s no surprise that there’s plenty of options for the avid golfer among us. Even if you’re less or not at all experienced around a club, there are options available at every club to have a bit of fun!

Workington Golf Club Workington Golf Club founded in 1893. It is a splendid parkland course on the edge of the lake district near to Keswick and with easy access from the coast to coast route.This superb 18 hole James Braid designed parkland Golf course offers a challenging par 72 with magnificent views of the Solway Firth and the Cumbrian Fells.

We are one mile from Workington Town famous for its Rugby & Speedway. It also provides a superb shopping centre including many well known high street stores.

Silloth Golf Club Over the years thousands of golfers from all over the world have travelled to Silloth to experience one of the finest links golf courses in the world. The links tip toes through the dunes on a beautiful stretch of land beside the Solway Firth overlooking the Scottish Borders on one side and the Lake District on the other.

Our superb golf course is a perfect visitor destination, a top quality golf course that is a challenge for all standards of golfers with a price tag that won’t break the bank.

Whitehaven Golf Course Whitehaven Golf Club offers a challenging course with many varied holes. Coupled with the spectacular views of Ennerdale and the surrounding fells, we offer a day of golf that is hard to beat.

Its American design and challenging holes will excite golfers of all standards.

The course was founded in the year 2000 on the site of a former open cast mine.

It is a 6246 yards and features 9 ponds and 3 woodland areas.

Keswick Golf Club At the heart of the beautiful English Lake District, Keswick Golf Club offers a unique golfing experience, with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Lakeland Fells, including Blencathra, Skiddaw and the Helvellyn Range.

We accept visitors 7 days a week subject to availability and ensure that a warm welcome will await you.

GOLF

TIME TO TEE OFF

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COPELAND Copeland is one of England’s most beautiful boroughs, taking in soaring mountains, wide unspoilt beaches and a range of small, interesting towns, villages and attractions.

The largest town, Whitehaven, boasts an impressive marina flanked by cliffs and historic buildings.

The town itself is a Georgian Gem Town – England’s first to be built on a grid pattern. Once the third largest port in the country, its history still speaks through the former warehouses, smart Georgian townhouses and attractive remnants from the mining industry.

You can visit the Rum Story attraction to see the history of slave trading, rum importing and smuggling all brought to life. Or why not visit the award-winning Beacon Museum – it has regular large-scale, family-friendly exhibitions, lots of hands-on exhibits and an area telling the fascinating story of Sellafield. Peaceful Millom was the home of poet Norman Nicholson and has an interesting museum which includes a reconstruction of a drift mine. There is also the Hodbarrow Nature Reserve, a ruined castle and, at nearby Haverigg, a superb Josefina de Vasconcellos sculpture.

Egremont has a weekly market, attractive main street, a Norman castle, two art galleries and a lively schedule of events including the historic Crab Fair. Cleator Moor, painted by LS Lowry and home to sculptures by international artist Conrad Atkinson, provides a quiet gateway to the Lake District National Park a few minutes’ drive away.

In fact, two thirds of Copeland lies within the Lake District National Park, including Britain’s Favourite View, deepest lake, smallest church and highest mountain, all in the dramatic Wasdale valley.

Ennerdale Water is another popular visitor spot, with self-guided family friendly walks and picnic spots, and in the south of the borough Black Combe provides great walking and stunning views.

Why not see some countryside from the comfort of a narrow-gauge steam train, at the Ravenglass to Eskdale railway?

And to all this, add simply breathtaking coastline. Our beaches are wide, sandy, and you can usually find a deserted spot. St Bees, the start of the Coast to Coast walk, has parking, a café, toilets and an accessible promenade. Seascale, Haverigg and Silecroft have a mix of facilities and are all incredibly picturesque. If it’s culture you’re after, you won’t need to look far. The newly-rebuilt Rosehill Theatre hosts a range of world-class theatrical productions and has a rooftop restaurant with outstanding views of the Solway Firth. There is also the Beggar’s Theatre in Millom, famed for punching above its weight on the comedy circuit, and the Florence Arts centre in Egremont, hosting some innovative music, comedy and family events, as well as an interesting art gallery.

Muncaster Castle is a 900-year-old family home bursting with history – and ghosts!

For a more high-octane day out, take an exhilarating horse ride on the beach, experience some of the world’s best climbing, launch yourself into canyoning and other watersports at Wastwater, or see top-level karting at Rowrah – on some days you can even have a go yourself. Or for activity with a little less adventure, there are swimming and leisure facilities across the borough.

Coast to Coast Walk The Coast to Coast Walk is a 182-mile (293 km)[1] unofficial and mostly unsignposted long-distance footpath in Northern England. Devised by Alfred Wainwright,[3] it passes through three contrasting national parks: the Lake District National Park, the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and the North York Moors National Park.

Wainwright recommends that walkers dip their booted feet in the Irish Sea at St Bees and, at the end of the walk, in the North Sea at Robin Hood’s Bay. Scarfell Pike Scafell Pike is one of a horseshoe of high fells, open to the south, surrounding the head of Eskdale, Cumbria. It stands on the western side of the cirque, with Scafell to the south and Great End to the north. This ridge forms the watershed between Eskdale and Wasdale, which lies to the west.[2] The narrowest definition of Scafell Pike begins at the ridge of Mickledore in the south takes in the wide, stony summit area and ends at the next depression, Broad Crag Col, c. 920 m (3,030 ft). A more inclusive view also takes in two further tops: Broad Crag, 934 m (3,064 ft) and Ill Crag, 935 m (3,068 ft), the two being separated by Ill Crag Col. This is the position taken by most guidebooks. North of Ill Crag is the more definite depression of Calf Cove at 850 m (2,800 ft), before the ridge climbs again to Great End. Wast Water Wast Water or Wastwater (/ˈwɒst wɔːtər/) is a lake located in Wasdale, a valley in the western part of the Lake District National Park, England. The lake is almost 3 miles (4.8 km) long and more than one-third mile (540 m) wide. It is a glacial lake, formed in a glacially ‘over-deepened’ valley. It is the deepest lake in England[2] at 258 feet (79 m). The surface of the lake is about 200 feet above sea level, while its bottom is over 50 feet below sea level. It is owned by the National Trust.

Hardknott Roman Fort Hardknott Roman Fort is an archeological site, the remains of the Roman fort Mediobogdum, located on the western side of the Hardknott Pass in the English county of Cumbria (formerly part of Cumberland).

Lingmell Lingmell is a fell in the English Lake District, standing above the village of Wasdale Head. It is an outlier on the north-west flank of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.

Although standing in the shadow of its taller parent, Lingmell is very much a separate entity. In the manner of many fells it displays two contrasting aspects. The southern and western slopes– although steep– are smooth and rounded, while the northern and eastern faces fall as crags directly from the summit. The northern crag drops for a thousand feet toward the valley floor, with a further thousand feet of scree below.

Red Pike Red Pike is a fell in the High Stile range in the western English Lake District, which separates Ennerdale from the valley of Buttermere and Crummock Water. It is 2,476 ft (755 m) high. The direct ascent of Red Pike from Buttermere is very popular and the ridge walk from Red Pike to Haystacks is regarded as one of the finest in the area, with excellent views of the Scafells, Great Gable and Pillar.

Yewbarrow Yewbarrow is a fell, in the English Lake District, which lies immediately north of the head of Wast Water. It is 628 metres (2,060 feet) high and in shape resembles the upturned hull of a boat or a barrow. Yewbarrow is on the left in the classic view of Great Gable and Wast Water.

The top of Stirrup Crag forms a second summit 616 metres (2,021 feet) high, half a mile north of the main summit. The Hewitt and Nuttall lists classify the Yewbarrow North Top as a separate summit.

The name is derived from the past prevalence of yew trees on the fell and its “barrow” shape.

36 Life in the pretty, Georgian town of Whitehaven, on the west coast of Cumbria, centres around its bustling harbour. This is a town that was built on shipping and mining and, although both of those industries have now declined, the harbour remains an attractive focal point and regularly hosts visits from many tall ships.

The development of Whitehaven owes much to the Lowther family. It was Sir John Lowther who laid out the original grid system of streets and specified the type of houses to be built. Many historians believe that New York’s street system is inspired by Whitehaven’s grid! The town still has over 250 listed buildings, mostly Georgian and many tastefully restored, so there is plenty to please the eye here.

You can see Sir John Lowther’s former home, now converted to private residences, on Flatt Walks, at the end of Lowther Street. Known as ‘The Castle’, it was designed by Robert Adam, the most famous architect of his period, and it remained in the Lowther family’s possession until the 1920s. Next door is Castle Park, a traditional green space of mature trees, grass and winding paths. It’s a great place for a stroll, some ball games or even a picnic on a sunny day.

You can find out all about Whitehaven’s social, industrial and maritime heritage at The Beacon Museum which is on the harbour. From Romans to robots, Viking raiders to Victorian traders, the Museum’s collections and displays represent the vibrant history of the area. There’s also a fascinating exhibition telling ‘The Sellafield Story’, a chronicle of the nuclear industry which has supported Cumbria’s economy for the past 60 years.

The Beacon Museum also has art exhibitions, fun interactive content, a shop, a bistro and a top floor viewing gallery that offers unrivalled views of Whitehaven and the Solway Coast.

A museum of a different kind is The Rum Story on Lowther Street, telling the story of the UK rum trade which originally centred on the port of Whitehaven. It is set in the original shop, courtyards, cellars and bonded warehouses of Jefferson’s Wine Merchants, the oldest family-owned wines and spirits merchants in the country.

The Rum Story features the authentic Georgian shop, complete with many of the original fittings and items of interest from the Jefferson’s business. It also takes you through a Caribbean rainforest, graphically depicting the story of rum and bringing to life the slave trade, American prohibition, the history of rum and the rum-making process, from harvesting the sugar cane to the bottling of the rum.

WHITEHAVEN

The Rosehill Theatre Rosehill Theatre and The Green Room restaurant are located at Moresby, near Whitehaven, with views over the Solway Firth.

The intimate theatre was built in 1959 by Sir Nicholas Sekers, and the auditorium, which was designed

by Oliver Messel, was described as a “rose-red silk-lined jewel box”. It takes its name from the nearby 18th Century Rosehill House, where many top-class performers were accommodated over the years and enjoyed the Sekers’ legendary hospitality.

Having built its reputation on classical music and drama, today Rosehill presents a varied programme including comedy, drama, music - classical, jazz, folk, rock - craft and other workshops, school performances, family events and more. It is also reviving its popular film screenings after a break of several years, thanks to an opportunity to upgrade the old equipment.

Following a £3m transformation, the new contemporary Rosehill building was unveiled in 2017. Work included the addition of the first-floor Green Room restaurant, while the Grade II listed auditorium was sympathetically restored.

Its 60-cover restaurant offers delicious food, from lunch and afternoon tea to à la carte and pre-theatre menus, with locally sourced ingredients where possible.

A range of conference and hospitality options are available, with free car and coach parking on site.

See our back cover advert for offers.

The Gaiety Cinema The Gaiety Cinema, Whitehaven. Showing the latest and greatest movies using state of the art digital sound and projection.

Public pay and display parking is available directly opposite the cinema in Tangier Street and to the rear of the cinema in Senhouse Street and Church Street.

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Cleator Moor town developed rapidly in the 19th Century, as the industrial revolution demanded more and more coal, limestone and high grade iron ore. Cleator Moor and all the villages around it – Frizington, Rowrah, Keekle, Bigrigg – were a maze of railways and mines which produced the materials for iron works in Cleator Moor and Workington. Early in the 20th Century supplies began to decline. Some of the materials mined in the area were exported from the port at Whitehaven.

In the Market Square are three sculptures by Conrad Atkinson, an artist of international repute who was born in Cleator Moor in 1940. They are a memorial to the once thriving mining industry. The three sculptures represent the Miner, the Phoenix and the Hand.

A hundred yards or so from the Market Square, in the Whitehaven direction, beside the Phoenix Bridge, is a car park by theold railway line from Whitehaven to Ennerdale, which is now a tarmaced cycleway and footpath. This is part of the West Cumbria Cycle Network, and also forms part of the Sustrans C2C Cycle Route, from Whitehaven to Sunderland.

The cycleway follows the route of the old Whitehaven, Cleator and Egremont and Rowrah and Kelton Fell Railways, which were built in the 1850’s to carry the coal and iron ore from the mines and quarries that were once very active in this area.

By the early 1900’s much of the ore had been worked out, and the coal was becoming too expensive to mine. The Rowrah and Kelton Fell line closed in 1933. The Rowrah to Whitehaven section struggled on for a few more years before finally closing in 1978.

At the entrance points to the track are metal sculptures designed by the children from local primary schools. Examples of various minerals mined in Cleator Moor and other nearby mines may be seen at the Natural History Museum in London.

Outside the library on the Market Square is a blue plaque reminding us that the artist L.S. Lowry often stayed in Cleator Moor. He painted several pictures of buildings, including the Cowles fish and chip shop opposite the library, the former Westminster Bank, and the Wath Brow Church.

The War Memorial sculpture by Colin Telfer in Cleator Moor Square shows a nurse tending a wounded soldier, and is dedicated to those whose lives were sacrificed in all conflicts.

CLEATOR MOOR

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St.B E E S The village of St Bees is on the western coast of Cumbria, at the end of a long valley, four miles south of Whitehaven. It has a long sandy beach, and is a popular holiday resort. Nearby, the rocky promontory of St Bees Head, the westernmost point of Cumbria, is the start of the ‘Coast to Coast walk’.

Cumbria’s most westerly point, it was here that St. Bega, an Irish nun, was shipwrecked in the ninth century.

Legend has it that St Bega and other surviving nuns went to Lord Egremont for land to build a priory. His response was that they could have any land that was covered by snow the next day (it was midsummer at the time). Next day land between the castle and the sea was covered in snow, and so the priory was built.

St Bees Head, a red sandstone bluff, forms one of the most dramatic natural features along the entire coast of North West England. There are four miles of towering precipitous cliffs, of ‘St Bees sandstone’, the red stone used for so many buildings in Cumbria.

A clifftop path going north from St Bees takes you to Fleswick Bay, between St Bees and St Bees Head. This is the first part of the Coast to Coast Walk. An RSPB nature reserve on the headland is home to England’s only colony of Black Guillemots. Puffins, terns and other sea birds can also be studied. There are observation and information points all along the headland.

A millenium project has been to install a new statue of St Bega arriving by boat from Ireland. The names of all villagers have been written on a scroll and this, along with other objects, have been placed in a Time Capsule which was buried under the base of the St Bega statue. St Bees is the starting point of the Coast to Coast Walk, devised by A Wainwright in 1972.

Close by the Church is St Bees School, founded in 1583 by Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury under Elizabeth I, and son of a local farmer. The original red sandstone quadrangle bears his coat-of-arms, and the bridge he gave to the village, now a listed structure, is still in use.

41 Situated in the Wasdale Valley, Wastwater is 3 miles long, half a mile wide and 260 feet deep, and the deepest of all the lakes. Wastwater is perhaps the most awe-inspiring of all the lakes. Surrounded by mountains, Red Pike, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain.

Extending the length of the south-east side of the lake are the Screes, consisting of millions of fragments of broken rock and rising from the floor of the lake to a height of almost 2000 feet, giving the lake an ominous appearance.

The valley was colonised by Norse farmers in the 9th and 10th century. At the Wasdale Head end of the lake is St. Olaf’s Church, one of the smallest in the country.

In an ITV television program in 2007, Wastwater in the Lake District has been named as Britain’s favourite view after the public chose from four landscapes. Sally Whittaker, the Coronation Street actress, spoke in praise of Wastwater which Wordsworth described as “long, stern and desolate”. She said: “This landscape has fired up the imaginations of painters, poets and climbers over the centuries. And it’s not lost any of its power to surprise, charm and thrill us today.”

The lake is owned by the National Trust, as also is Scafell Pike (England’s highest mountain). There is a National Trust campsite at the Wasdale Head end of the lake. At the other end is the Wasdale Hall Youth Hostel, also owned by the National Trust.

There is an ‘honesty box’ car park at Overbeck on the shore of Wastwater, and a pay and display car park at Wasdale Lake Head, the beginning of the route up Scafell Pike. Informal parking options are available but very limited, including in lay-bys and on Wasdale village green. Please do not park in passing places or obstruct traffic.

There are very basic and limited temporary toilet facilities at Wasdale Head village green and Lake Head car park. The National Trust make every effort to maintain these, but heavy overnight use causes problems – so please use other facilities where possible. Three Peaks visitors must use the 24 hour parking and toilets at Lake Head.

Wasdale VA L L E Y

42 Egremont is a small market town, which has held a market charter since 1267. It has a wide main street, overlooked by the remains of a Norman Castle.

Egremont Castle stands on a mound above the River Ehen. The ditches are well preserved, part of the wall and the gatehouse are in a reasonable state of repair. The massive wall at the end of the outer bailey was part of the Great Hall. The present castle was built by William de Meschines between 1130 and 1140, but there was an earlier Norman mound near this site. Further additions were made in the 13th century.

In the 16th century there was an attempt to put Mary Queen of Scots on the Throne, and several northern nobles took part. Eight years later the castle was reported to be ruined and decayed.

Lowes Court Gallery shows a wide range of paintings, prints and craft work. There are monthly exhibitions of new and established artists. The Gallery is also the Tourist Information Centre providing local information and an accommodation booking service.

Opposite Lowes Court Gallery are two sculptures by Colin Telfer commemorating the towns history of iron ore mining. They are made from a mixture of iron ore dust from the nearby Florence Mine, and resin.

Florence Arts Centre Based in the old mineworkers’ buildings at the disused Florence Iron Ore Mine, the Arts Centre is a hub for creative and performing arts, housing an art gallery and exhibition spaces alongside a theatre for live music, stand-up comedy, film screenings and performance, workshop spaces and artists’ studios.

Egremont Crab Fair and Sports was established in 1267, which makes it one of the oldest fairs in the world. It combines ancient and traditional events with modern attractions in a unique way, attracting visitors from all over the world. Events start in the early morning and continue into the late evening. We hope you enjoy our website, which will be updated regularly so please come back again and again. Why not pay a visit to picturesque Egremont on Crab Fair day and enjoy the friendly atmosphere, catch an apple during the parade of the apple cart, watch or take part in the sports, marvel at the entertainers and displays, then witness the world’s finest gurners in action in the evening.

EGREMONT

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GOSFORTH

As the closest large village to the wildly remote Eskdale and Wasdale valleys, as well as Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, Gosforth is the perfect base for exploring some of the Lake Districts’s most dramatic scenery. Like much of Cumbria, Gosforth can trace its history back to the time of the Vikings and it retains some of the most extraordinary relics of Norse presence to be found anywhere. The most striking is the Viking cross that stands in the churchyard of St Mary’s parish church, carved with figures from Norse myth.

At 4.4 metres tall and thought to date back to AD 920, the Gosforth Cross is believed to be the tallest and probably the oldest in England.

Inside the church, covering the graves of Norse chieftains, are two 10th century ‘Hogback’ tombstones, shaped as houses of the dead and carved with battle scenes.

Gosforth has a real mixture of old and new buildings, with the oldest being what is now the town hall and library, which dates back to 1628.

Work began on Gosforth Hall, which is now a hotel, in 1658 and a coat of arms above its door is dated 1673, when it is assumed the building was completed. Among some of the relatively newer buildings are the various shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs which keep visitors to Gosforth equipped, fed and watered. These are the places to seek out when you’ve worked up an appetite on the walking trails alongside the River Bleng in the tranquil Blengdale Forest, just outside the village.

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Seascale A small seaside resort, Seascale is worth a visit for its lovely clean beaches which stretch for miles in both directions, sandy in parts and rocky in others. The village can trace its history back to an early Norse settlement and to Roman Britain, but it was the arrival of the Furness Railway in the 1850s which really put it on the map. The new railway brought lots of Victorian holidaymakers to Seascale, with its offer of safe bathing and bracing sea air. It’s still a marvellous place for a day at the seaside or for a long walk, either on the beach or on the various paths which lead into the surrounding countryside.

The sea front has a fort, complete with cannon and fully rigged mast, a human sundial and buried time capsules. Its wooden jetty is a focal point for fishing, beach casting, wind surfing and water-skiing, and it also provides a starting point for many of the village walks. There are lovely views across the sea to the Isle of Man and the Galloway mountains of Scotland.

An absolute must-do is a visit to the family-run Mawson’s Ice Cream Parlour, inside the Bailey Ground Hotel on the sea front. All the ice cream here is handmade in small batches using milk and cream from cows grazing in the local fields of the family’s own farm. They’ve come up with over one hundred different delicious flavours, 14 of which are available to choose from daily.

The kids will love the new play area, which has just reopened last year thanks to the hard work of the Seascale Community Beach Park Project.

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Ravenglass Ravenglass is situated on the tranquil west coast of Cumbria. The Romans built a fort here to help protect Hadrian’s Wall to the north. Therefore, Ravenglass is the beginning of the Roman Western Frontier. The walls of the Bath House still stand today and can be reached on foot by following the signs from the village car park.

Many years ago before the rivers began to silt up this was an important port with vessels trading from across the world. Ravenglass, along with its craftsmen, dealers, farmers and fishermen all prospered.

Nowadays the village is better known for being close to Muncaster Castle and the home of the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. Once iron ore, granite and copper ore were brought to the estuary by narrow gauge railway from mines near Boot, about 8 miles away. This line has been preserved as the ‘Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway‘, now a major tourist attraction.

However, Ravenglass is more than just a railway station. It is a very interesting place with its main street, which narrows at both ends to help contain the animals that were brought here to the market, and the many varied cottages, all with a tale to tell.

In 1208 Ravenglass was first granted a Charter to hold a market in Main Street and a fair each summer on St. James’s Day. There was a cross in the street but that was taken away many years ago. Today there is a plaque to mark the spot where it is thought to have been.

The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of the oldest and longest narrow gauge railways in England, known affectionately as La’al Ratty meaning “ little railway “ in olde Cumbrian dialect. It was 100 years ago in April 1913 that the original 3ft line closed and in 1915 the new 15in La’al Ratty was born.

The heritage steam engines transport passengers from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park and of huge significance in Roman times.

The journey itself was one of Wainwright favourites crossing through seven miles of spectacular scenery within sight of England’s highest mountains, the Scafell Range. The journey takes 40 minutes up the line from the protected nature reserves of the Ravenglass Estuary through ancient woodlands and fells of the Eskdale Valley. En-route keep your eyes peeled for Greylag Geese, Curlew, Shelduck, Red Squirrels and Buzzards. The cosy covered and open top carriages provide the best of comfort and views as you travel up the line. On arrival there is something for everyone, with our cafe serving home made treats and gift shop with plenty of trails and walks to explore in this beautiful corner of the Lake District National Park. ‘Britain’s Favourite View’, Wastwater is just around the corner.

The Station is at the same site as the Ravenglass Station on the Barrow-Whitehaven-Carlisle coast line.

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Muncaster Castle

Dominating the River Esk, Muncaster has been of strategic importance since Roman times, and has been home to the Pennington’s since 1208. The pele tower stands on Roman foundations and was extended through the ages into the Castle of today. In 1862 the fashionable architect Anthony Salvin was engaged by the fourth Lord Muncaster to rebuild the house. Salvin took the courtyard, built by the first Lord Muncaster, and converted it into the present drawing room. The pele tower at the SW end was matched

by Salvin with the NW tower. He did a good job, with towers, battlements and mullioned and transomed windows.

In 1208 the land was granted to the Pennington family, and it is still their home, probably only due to the magical ‘Luck of Muncaster’, a glass drinking bowl belonging to Henry VI. He gave it to the family in 1464 declaring that as long as it remained intact, Pennington’s would live and thrive at Muncaster. A tour of the house may be made with audio commentary, narrated by Patrick Gordon-Duff-Pennington, the present owner, describing what can be seen in the Great Hall, the Library, the Dining Room, the Drawing Room and the Bedrooms.

Spring and early summer bring a riot of colour to the 77 acres of woodland gardens where the rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas are at their best. Summer flowering herbaceous plants and autumn fruiting trees and shrubs will provide colour throughout the seasons. The Terrace Walk, described

by John Ruskin as ‘The Gateway to Paradise’, offers spectacular views of the Eskdale Valley and the Lakeland fells, with their constantly changing moods. A specimen of Nothofagus obliqua is the tallest example in Britain.

In the Meadow Vole Maze you can imagine being a meadow vole, just two and a half inches tall, living in meadowland, where danger lurks at every turn. In the Meadow Vole Maze the secret world of wildlife makes a wild experience. You may meet Max Meadowvole, who will help you get home safely.

The plant centre offers the largest collection of hardy rhododendrons in the North, and a convenient mail order service is available. In the old stables area is Creeping Kate’s Kitchen, serving meals and snacks, and the Carriage Gift Shop, selling interesting and unusual gifts. The Castle is licensed for civil weddings.

The Great Hall was the central room in medieval times, with the rest of the accommodation leading from it – the kitchen, the servant’s hall, and the pele tower which was primarily a defensive refuge. In 1780 the Hall became the Dining Room. Various portraits and studies of horses hang in the Hall, and there are some Flemish wood carvings from the early 17th Century.

The Libary is one of the most acclaimed rooms in the Castle, with its brass railing and elegant coved ceiling. It dates from 1780, though alterations were made in 1862 by Anthony Salvin for the fourth Baron Muncaster. The library stands on the site of the medieval kitchens, and countains about 6000 volumes.

There is an Elizabethan banqueting table, on which is a collection of miniature furniture, made as samples during the reign of Charles II. There are various portraits in the gallery, mostly of Pennington’s.

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