Journey of discovery at The Lakes Distillery

JOIN the The Lakes Distillery,near Bassenthwaite Lake, for the Lakes Autumn Whisky Festival and celebrate all things whisky. Our tour guides are ready to take you on a journey of discovery as they guide you through our whisky making process right up to spirit being laid to rest.

Not a whisky fan? You can take part in spirit tastings, sample our BBQ, dine alfresco and meet our herd of alpacas, or watch the Border Reivers Re-enactment.
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Contrasts of classic and contemporary

FEW historic houses can offer wonderful vistas, ancient woodlands, peaceful sounds of wildlife and at the same time be a vibrant centre for contemporary art.  A paradise of art and nature, Brantwood in the #LakeDistrict has all the above and more.

Each year the former home of one the great visionaries of the 19th Century, John Ruskin, hosts artists and craftmakers who develop special exhibitions and new displays inspired by the very spirit of Brantwood.

The first of 2018 is Fair and Foul, Jill Rock’s interactive exhibition of 'vegetative grotesques' which takes its name from Ruskin's book Fiction Fair and Foul.

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Escape in the Lake District

CHALLENGE your family and friends . . . Cliffhanger Rooms is the Lake Districts Escape Rooms, where between 2 - 6 people are immersed into one of our themed rooms. Similar to the Crystal Maze TV show, you have to find things, solve puzzles, crack codes to escape in 60 minutes. Exciting, Fun and Challenging!

There are 3 rooms to choose from The Pharaohs Curse, Bank Vault Heist and Haunted Pirate Ship.

www.cliffhangerrooms.co.uk


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UNESCO status for the Lake District great for tourism

THE news of the UNESCO status for the Lake District has been welcomed with open arms from many in the tourism and travel industry. Pitchup.com, which features camping and glamping sites in the Lakes has reported that bookings in the region are up 72% year on year over the last three months.

Commenting on the news Pitchup.com founder Dan Yates said: “The news of the UNESCO World Heritage Status for the Lake District is fantastic for the leisure industry and tourism. It means that one of the UK’s most loved National Parks will now be protected forever, for future generations to enjoy. For businesses operating in the area this status is going to raise interest and appeal and we’re anticipating a strong drive on bookings to the area.”

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Picture Credit: Pintrest

Great Heritage

ENJOY a fabulous trip back in time by simply downloading the Great Heritage 2017 Guide to the best castles, museums, historic houses, gardens and churches across the Lake District and Cumbria. 

Full of ideas for intriguing days out the guide is brimming over with quirky things to discover, from a Bee Penthouse to a Sleeping Giant and a Viking helmet chandelier to a Faerie Glen!

There is also the opportunity to win a 2-night break with luxury accommodation and FREE entry for one year to any of our attractions. 

www.cumbriaslivingheritage.co.uk/competition-2017-2/

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We are sailing . . .

GLENRIDDING Sailing Centre located on the shores of Ullswater is participating in the RYA Push The Boat Out event, which will see hundreds of sailing clubs and training centres up and down the country offering free or low cost ‘have a go’ sailing taster sessions and open days during May. 

They will be running two sessions on Sunday 14th and 21st May.

Sessions last one hour and cost only £5 per person. They will also be offering Discount Vouchers towards their RYA sailing courses to those that enjoyed their experience and wish to take sailing further.

www.glenriddingsailingcentre.co.uk/offers-events/

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Run wild

A GUIDE to 40 of the best trail, fell and skyrunning routes in the Lake District has just been published by Cicerone Press. 

Highlights include Helvellyn skyline and Scafell Pike direct, the Langdale Horseshoe and Borrowdale. The guide also has information on the history of fell running, races and adapting for the fells.

Kingsley Jones the author of Trail and Fell Running in the Lake District, studied geography and glaciology at university. He has climbed the north faces of the Eiger, Matterhorn and Grandes Jorasses in the Alps, and led expeditions to mountains all over the world. Through mountaineering he developed a passion for a minimalist approach in the mountains, and soon discovered trail running as an ultimate form of fast and light travel. He runs a mountain running and guiding company (www.icicle.co.uk), and so divides his time between the Alps and the Lake Distict.

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Keswick Mountain Festival

IF adventure and the outdoors is your thing then you have to go to Keswick Mountain Festival (KMF) which is taking place in its 11th year from 8-11 June.

The festival has grown into one of the biggest and best loved outdoor events in the UK, a unique event of outdoor adventure, speakers, sporting events, live music, camping and family friendly activities, all set in the beautiful Lakeland.

Some of this years highlights include sailing, rock climbing, canoeing, mine climbing, hiking and windsurfing. There are also triathlons and trail races from 5k to a 50k ultra if you're up to a challenge.

www.keswickmountainfestival.co.uk

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Cumbrian Comfort

THE doors to the iconic Queens Head at Troutbeck, in the #LakeDistrict, will reopen on the March 29 following a 2 million pound investment by Robinsons Brewery. The former 17th century coaching Inn will boast an eclectic mix of ancient Cumbrian and contemporary decor alongside it’s iconic four poster bar. 

The brand-new Queens Head will feature a large drinking area with cosy and secluded dining areas, with focus being around the three original real fireplaces which are being lovingly restored.

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Win a stay in the Lake District

FANCY a winter break? Hipping Hall, a multi-award winning restaurant with rooms, nestling between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales has been cleverly re-imagined to reflect its surroundings.

Acclaimed interior designer James Mackie has worked his magic in the restaurant and bedrooms, making extensive use of locally sourced natural materials, including paints made from crushed local stone and tweed created in the high Pennines, reflecting the beautiful surroundings in which Hipping Hall sits.

To celebrate the re-opening there is the chance to win a one night stay with food from award winning chef Oli Martin.

www.golakes.co.uk/prize-draws/hipping-hall

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Competiton Cumbria

#STAYCATIONS are the perfect way to enjoy what is on our doorstep and while the weather may not always be perfect the outstanding scenery in #Cumbria should more than make up for it.

What better way to enjoy something than when its free? Golakes the official website for The Lake District, Cumbria has some #competitions running that can give you that freedom.

• WIN a Holiday for a family of four in one of the most idyllic location in the Lake District … Wetherlam located on the shores of Windermere. This prize is to celebrate the release of the 2016 film Swallows & Amazons.

• Win a two-night cosy cultural break just for two with Lakes Culture and win tickets and passes to some outstanding theatre, music and exhibitions whilst indulging in one of the most luxurious hot-tub suites you will find in the Lake District at Applegarth Villa & Restaurant.

www.golakes.co.uk/prize-draws

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Cumbria Tourism teams up with UK’s leading outdoor retailer

BLACKS the leading outdoor retailer in the UK has thrown its weight behind #Cumbria Tourism’s winter marketing campaign to promote the county as an all-year-round destination.

Other key names to back Cumbria Tourism’s winter marketing campaign include HF Holidays, Stagecoach, Lakelovers and the Lakes Culture project.

The businesses will be involved in a range of promotional activities nationally, including a wide range of digital marketing, competitions and feature ads in glossy magazines to show that the Lake District, Cumbria is #theplacetobe this winter.

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Picture Credit: Derek.P. flickr.com/photos/115662206@N05/31298856045 Derwentwater via photopin.com

Cornwall top in best staycations poll

#CORNWALL, the Lake District, and the Scottish Highlands have been named the most desirable summer staycation destinations in the UK, according to a survey of British holidaymakers by comfort-insurance.co.uk.

Staycation holidays are tipped for another boom year following a seven percent rise to a bumper 105 million trips made last year. 

In the survey of 2,000 adults, Cornwall took first place for the most popular destination, with the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands in second and third places respectively. The Yorkshire Dales and Norfolk Broads were fourth and fifth in the listing.

When asked which type of accommodation they prefer for a staycation getaway, 27 percent chose a leisure vehicle over a hotel option.

Says Pete Cue, founder and director of comfort-insurance.co.uk: ‘It’s no wonder leisure vehicles continue to be so popular with staycation holidays. Leisure vehicle ownership continues to rise year-on-year and isn’t showing any signs of slipping up. They offer the freedom and flexibility to explore hidden gems in the UK, whenever you want. Not only that, but you can take your furry friend to enjoy the ride.’

Comfort Insurance is a specialist cover provider for leisure vehicles including campervans, motorhomes, and caravans.

www.comfort-insurance.co.uk

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Tourism boost expected as Lake District route re-opens

#CUMBRIA TOURISM has announced the re-opening of the A591 through the central Lake District. The important route between Grasmere and Keswick has been closed since December following damage caused by Storm Desmond. 

Tourism businesses have suffered a downturn in trade in recent months due to a reduction in traffic and passing trade.

Cumbria Tourism with be working with more than 2,400 member businesses and a range of government bodies to help raise awareness that the A591 – an important north-south link – has re-opened. Coach tour and group travel operators will also be targeted.

Ian Stephens, managing director of Cumbria Tourism, says: ‘Recent months have been very challenging for many tourism businesses, particularly in the Grasmere, Ambleside and Keswick areas. However, the re-opening of the A591 is a major boost for tourism businesses and signals the fact that this important arterial route linking the north and south Lakes is now operating normally as we go forward into the busy summer season.’

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Holiday cottage guests fix the Lake District Fells

GUESTS staying with Coppermines and Lakes Cottages have made a contribution to the campaign to help protect and maintain Cumbria's uplands. 

Over the last five years, they have raised £26,000 for Fix The Fells, a team of skilled rangers and volunteers who repair and maintain the mountain paths in the #LakeDistrict. 

 

It was raised by the holiday agency donating a proportion of the profits from its sales of sustainably-sourced local firewood to guests.

The money has been used in a range of projects in the Coniston area including footpath repairs on Coniston Old Man and repairing drystone walls at Park Coppice.

Fix The Fells needs approximately £350,000 a year to maintain its current level of work. In the past ten years, it has repaired more than 200 sections of path and over the next decade it aims to repair a further 120 paths.

www.coppermines.co.uk
www.fixthefells.co.uk

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See the Lakes by e-car

VISITORS heading for the #LakeDistrict can now have a truly electrifying time in a sheep-themed fleet of electric cars in which to explore the lakes and fells. 

The ten, two-seater Renault 'Twizys' are available to hire out from tourism businesses in the Ullswater and Keswick areas.

With no engines, exhausts, or fuel systems, they can be driven at the push of a button and will allow visitors who arrive either without a car or in larger vehicles to explore the nooks and crannies of the Lake District in a silent, eco-friendly way.

The cars are powered by high-tech lithium batteries, have a top speed of 50mph and can be plugged into any domestic three pin socket, with an on-board 9ft cable. They can travel up to 40 miles on one charge, depending on driving conditions and styles.

Drivers need to provide a valid driving licence and National Insurance number. Hire charges are £10 per hour, £30 for a half day (4 hours), and £45 for a full day (8 hours).

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190-mile Lakes & Dales loop unveiled for cyclists

A 190-MILE circular #cycle route taking in two national parks and some of the most scenic landscapes across #Cumbria and the #YorkshireDales has been opened.

The on-road route is a significantly revised and re-vitalised version of the former Cumbria Cycleway, which was opened in 1980 but, over the next 15 years, became too busy with traffic to be promoted as a recreational cycleway.

The new Lakes and Dales Loop uses quieter lanes, following the boundary of the Lake District National Park on its north, west, and south sides. It completes the loop by linking the Lune and Eden Valleys to the east, and passing through extensions into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

The aim is to promote the loop as an internationally recognized cycle route, offering both experienced leisure cyclists and 'hard challenge' riders the chance to experience a range of landscapes, heritage, and culture.

The suggested start and finish point at Penrith is easily accessible for cyclists travelling to Cumbria by train via the West Coast mainline.

A downloadable map of the 190-mile route is available at www.lakesdalesloop.co.uk

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