Wasdale head Inn bans campervans

[barryd]

This is why I have done Catsbells several times. Not for the company, but because it’s a stunning hill, with stunning views over Derwent water. I always advise people to do Catsbells but try to ignore the masses if you can. I don’t like doing it in winter due to a small very tricky section which can be difficult in the wrong weather. This particular part has required people being taken of the hill many times by the local mountain rescue team in Keswick. Oh bye the way I love Keswick in winter, it’s got lots to do. I love all of the outdoor shops and they reduce their prices in winter, particularly January. And being a canny Scot I take full advantage. I don’t go to the Lake District for solitude, I have that not far from where I live. I go there in winter because it’s simply a nice place to be masses and all. View attachment 147030View attachment 147031View attachment 147032

It is fabulous up there. I did it many times before my knees decided to pack up. Its Catbells mind not Catsbells. The Cumbrians are funny about that sort of thing Bill. Come to think of it they are funny about most things.

Before we got the motorhome we were regulars to this place which is literally below Catbells. If anyone fancies a stay without the van it used to be pretty good.

Manesty - Cottages & Glamping in the Lake District

Manesty - Cottages & Glamping is a family run business offering Lake District self catering short breaks as well as week holidays all year round.

manesty.co.uk

Anyway this thread has made me want to go back so it looks like we will head to the Lakes on Monday for a week now. Unless it pisses down all week that is.

 

[Nabsim]

There are without doubt some great places in England but it can’t compare to Scotland. I haven’t been to the lakes for many years and wouldn’t even think of going in the van. Too touristy for me and with the problem wilding I am just not interested.

Maybe we should start posting where pubs and businesses announce they are welcoming vans. I see an awful lot more of those than where they are stopped. I don’t use them so never really thought about it

 

[caledonia]

Cats bells. Even the hill names are a giggle.
Scotland still has proper wilderness areas like Fisherfield and they’re free to responsibly access for anyone no restrictions for cyclists or on camping only free access.
That’s what’s makes Scotland miles better. I can’t go to the lakes park my car for free and cycle on any path, glen or hillside I like. Double yellow lines expensive car parks and stupid antiquated access laws spoil it not the views and the hills.

 

[Fisherman]

I would have thought you would have known me well enough by now Bill to know I am simply having a laugh and of course you haven't upset me. Quite the opposite. I'm enjoying it!

For someone like you who is used to roaming the remote glens of Scotlandshire with only the occasional rabid Haggis for company I get why you might find it a bit of a shocker to get stuck in a five mile traffic jam trying to get into Bowness. Or wonder what all these English idiots are doing huffing and puffing their way up Catbells and then moaning when there isn't a Wetherspoons at the top. Personally I think they should put gates up and charge £50 to get into the park unless you live within 50 miles. That seems fair to me.

I know you are joking Barry, but I have nothing but respect for all those “English idiots” who reckon there should be a Wetherspoons at the top of the hill. I quite like something at the top of a hill. When we got to the top of Snowdon we enjoyed a burger and chips at the cafe up there. On our trip to the Isle of Man this year we did the highest hill there and we again enjoyed ourselves with a roll and bacon and a large mug of coffee.
I much prefer solitude on the hills, but sometimes you only meet one person and that one person can be extremely interesting. When you meet one solitary person in a remote place you have a connection between you, and I have spent a good half hour or so with someone whilst out on the hills. I know a man who met the Queen whilst out walking. He spent a good thirty minutes chatting with her and her small entourage. Hillwalking is all things to all people, of all different types. My only concern is when I see something looking unsafe, or simply a bad idea.
Like taking a wee dog up a hill which is far to hard for the dog, and liable to injure it, or as I have seen many times people carrying a baby on their backs. I have twice fallen and on each occasion where did I land, you guessed on my back. I can’t help myself I have to intervene when I see this, I try to be diplomatic, and apart from once my intervention worked. People just don’t think. I was taught by a man who forgot more than I know about hillwalking. His simple rule when out there was. Be prepared, and enjoy your walk

Last comment on the Lake District Barry, I just read cals comment about antiquated access laws. On my last visit we walked from Braithwaite to Catbells, and then to Keswick. (We did not do the hill) and all I saw were “private land Keep out” signs. Up here they would be ripped down. The land reform act of Scotland would give us access to that land.

 

[runnach]

Cats bells. Even the hill names are a giggle.
Scotland still has proper wilderness areas like Fisherfield and they’re free to responsibly access for anyone no restrictions for cyclists or on camping only free access.
That’s what’s makes Scotland miles better. I can’t go to the lakes park my car for free and cycle on any path, glen or hillside I like. Double yellow lines expensive car parks and stupid antiquated access laws spoil it not the views and the hills.

Cale, we did the lakes before covid, I found it very difficult to park, even for 10/15 minutes without having to shell out for the privilege. Even remote CP's had number recognition cameras in place.

I got lost leaving Loch Windermere, no idea where I was, but ended up traversing one hellish road, narrow, tight turns, ended up at a very old Inn, large CP opposite, which was free to park.

Edit: the Inn, https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...try=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

 

[caledonia]

Ive done most of hills in the lakes but on a mountain bike it’s not so easy as you can’t just cycle on any path you like and parking vehicles at beginning and end of ride was an issue.
We just take it for granted up here in the land of the free

 

[barryd]

Cale, we did the lakes before covid, I found it very difficult to park, even for 10/15 minutes without having to shell out for the privilege. Even remote CP's had number recognition cameras in place.

I got lost leaving Loch Windermere, no idea where I was, but ended up traversing one hellish road, narrow, tight turns, ended up at a very old Inn, large CP opposite, which was free to park.

Edit: the Inn, https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Kirkstone+Pass+Inn/@54.4641806,-2.9254407,3a,75y,33.89h,88.7t/data=!3m8!1e1!3m6!1slC32C-hBzvAM0d2I3zdDJg!2e0!5s20211201T000000!6shttps://streetviewpixels-pa.googleapis.com/v1/thumbnail?cb_client=maps_sv.tactile&w=900&h=600&pitch=1.303289846009747&panoid=lC32C-hBzvAM0d2I3zdDJg&yaw=33.88620259277639!7i16384!8i8192!4m11!3m10!1s0x487cebbf8a73b6dd:0xd1bcc70c75803322!5m4!1s2025-11-04!2i4!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d54.4641683!4d-2.9252178!16s/g/1tfpzdfb?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAyOC4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw==

Thats the Kirkstone pass Inn. The road over is pretty good so I wonder if you ended up in Ambleside and came up what they call "The Struggle". If so its a nightmare in a car let alone a motorhome. There are worse though. Hardknot and Wrynose pass are not for the faint hearted.

The Kirkstone inn has also been the centre of a bit of controversy lately. When I had my boat on Ullswater and Windermere I would sometimes fly up there on the bike for a pint.

Revamped Kirkstone Pass Inn will 'not be aimed' at hens and stags

Developers say the bar in Cumbria's highest pub, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, will be open to the public.

www.bbc.co.uk

I can see why motorhomers aren't keen on the Lakes though as regards parking. It really is a nightmare. You need secondary transport really to enjoy it properly.

 

[runnach]

Thats the Kirkstone pass Inn. The road over is pretty good so I wonder if you ended up in Ambleside and came up what they call "The Struggle". If so its a nightmare in a car let alone a motorhome. There are worse though. Hardknot and Wrynose pass are not for the faint hearted.

The Kirkstone inn has also been the centre of a bit of controversy lately. When I had my boat on Ullswater and Windermere I would sometimes fly up there on the bike for a pint.

Revamped Kirkstone Pass Inn will 'not be aimed' at hens and stags

Developers say the bar in Cumbria's highest pub, the Kirkstone Pass Inn, will be open to the public.

www.bbc.co.uk

I can see why motorhomers aren't keen on the Lakes though as regards parking. It really is a nightmare. You need secondary transport really to enjoy it properly.

Must have been the struggle, as it was a struggle!! Good to see the old Inn getting some tlc thought.

 

[barryd]

Must have been the struggle, as it was a struggle!! Good to see the old Inn getting some tlc thought.

This will be it. Coming up The Struggle to the Kirkstone Inn years ago on the first Honda Vision. I think I was flat out at the top about 17mph

Comes down the other side pretty quick though.

 

[iandsm]

It just seems to be getting worse in the Lake District. I don't think it will be long before they start imposing restrictions in the park and not just for motorhomes and campervans. Day trippers in cars have caused all sorts of problems lately.

I have fond memories of that place from the early 90s.

Lake District pub Wasdale Head Inn bans 'arrogant' camper van visitors

A Lake District pub and hotel says some motorhome users have left mess and threatened staff.

www.bbc.co.uk

AT least the piece mentions ' a small, arrogant minority' so not all are tarred with the same brush.

 

[runnach]

This will be it. Coming up The Struggle to the Kirkstone Inn years ago on the first Honda Vision. I think I was flat out at the top about 17mph

Comes down the other side pretty quick though.

Thats it, I remember the relief reaching the T junction!!

 

[ProDave]

Not been to the Lake district for years. Previously it was either camping, as in proper backpacking (we walked the Cumbrian Way) or we towed the caravan and stayed on a site all week. But even 20 years or more ago just driving around in an ordinary car and trying to park to walk up one of the fells was enough bother.

I generally don't like national parks. Just sticking the name "national park" on it makes loads of people go there thinking it must be special which would be okay if they actually catered for visitors, but they seem to go out of their way to be hostile to visitors and I found it a very unwelcoming place.

There are plenty of much nicer places not yet tainted with the title "national park" to go visiting.

 

[Fisherman]

AT least the piece mentions ' a small, arrogant minority' so not all are tarred with the same brush.

Yes I agree it’s a fair and balanced article, but why was it reported.
Also as you say they did mention the minority, but this will be lost in the fog of, abuse, dumping sewerage , putting out canopies, selfish parking, barbecues and the rest.
Sadly I think we have yet again been hung out to dry.

 

[barryd]

Thats it, I remember the relief reaching the T junction!!

Do the Hardknot pass next time. Its a Doddle I promise.

Here are two bikers. One showing you how not to do it and one proper local expert showing you how to do it correctly. Same section.

 

[Fisherman]

Do the Hardknot pass next time. Its a Doddle I promise.

Here are two bikers. One showing you how not to do it and one proper local expert showing you how to do it correctly. Same section.

Doddle

 

[ProDave]

Do the Hardknot pass next time. Its a Doddle I promise.

30 odd years ago I had to go to Cumbria on business, usually in a hired car. I made a point of crossing Hard Knot and Wrynose in the hired car. I never had any problems.

Who here has taken their MH over Bealach Na Ba?

 

[Nabsim]

Do the Hardknot pass next time. Its a Doddle I promise.

Here are two bikers. One showing you how not to do it and one proper local expert showing you how to do it correctly. Same section.

Barry I know there are lies and lies but that is downright criminal lol

 

[runnach]

Do the Hardknot pass next time. Its a Doddle I promise.

Here are two bikers. One showing you how not to do it and one proper local expert showing you how to do it correctly. Same section.

Looks like a rock god on the two wheels powered by a sewing machine motor.

The bike that toppled over, reminded me of the bike I knocked over at a village above Lac de Saint Croix this year .

As for the wee road, a tug on the hand brake would get my 4+ ton Brick round those corners

 

[barryd]

Barry I know there are lies and lies but that is downright criminal lol

I think its a very informative and educational video for bikers to learn how to tackle the 33% bends on the Hardknot. Granted doing it one handed is showing off to be fair but the moral of the story is not to piss about. Go at it like you mean business. Not in second gear papping your pants.

 

[mark61]

Some of the smaller roads in Brittany are pretty good too.