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 Coming from abroad, you could be forgiven for thinking that there isn’t much more to England than old buildings, dainty cups of tea and the royal family. With all the hoopla over last year’s royal wedding and this summer’s diamond jubilee it would be easy to overlook everything else that the country has to offer.
The Lake District is one area of the country that has so much going for it. First and foremost it’s breathtakingly beautiful. The landscape has been the inspiration to many a writer and artist, including poet William Wordsworth who eventually made the area his permanent home.
The Lake District isn’t all about quiet rural walks and watercolour paintings though. It is also the home of adventure sports in the UK. With soaring mountains, craggy valleys, crystal clear waters and wide-open spaces there is no limit to the adventures you can have. Set yourself up in a Lake District cottage for a weekend break, or better yet a whole week, and see where your sense of adventure takes you!
Earth – mountain biking
Mountain bikers are spoilt for choice in the Lake District. The national park is criss-crossed with cycleways and bridleways, offering never-ending opportunities for thrills and spills. No matter your experience level there is a route for you, or if you have no experience at all there are a number of guiding companies that can teach you the ropes and rent you the gear. If you’re travelling with your own gear then you’ll want to find holiday accommodation with lots of storage space, which many of the cottages in the area offer. Visit Go Lakes to read all about the mountain bike options that will be available for your Lake District visit.
Air – sky diving
There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as jumping out of a plane and feeling the wind in your face as you plummet towards the earth. Once your feet hit the ground you will never feel so alive, knowing that you have taunted the grim reaper and come out victorious! Just make sure you don’t tell your mother until after you’ve landed safe and sound. Head 14,500ft up into the sky with the highly trained staff of Sky Dive North West and get the best views you’ll ever have of the beautiful Lake District landscape.
Water – gorge scrambling
If you’re more of the aquatic persuasion then gorge scrambling might just be the activity for you. Strap on a fetching helmet and set off with a guide to explore the hidden streams and mountain gorges of the Lake District. This is probably one of the most wet and wild activities available in the Lakes, and it has the added benefit of not being effected by inclement weather – rain or shine doesn’t really matter when you’re jumping in and out of rocky plunge pools and waterfalls. Gorge scrambling would be a great way to spend a stag weekend, testing the strength and courage of your mates before retiring to the pub for a well-earned pint!
The Lake District is one of those places that you could easily visit with your grandma for a quiet and relaxing weekend holiday, or have a rip roaring good time with a group of mates. It might be a cliché, but the Lake District really does have something for everyone. Find yourself a great deal on holiday accommodation and head up for a holiday – trains run regularly from everywhere in the UK and it will only take about an hour and a half from Manchester. That’s not too bad when you consider everything that you’ll have access to once you’re up here, and I guarantee that you’ll have a holiday you’ll never forget!
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