Northern Lake District. Superb!!!

[barryd]

Just sent three days over in the northern Lake District and thought I would share our experience with everybody. We have decided over our first year as motor homers that we prefer either CL camping or even better wild camping. We were a bit concerned about wild camping in the lakes having read some of the experiences of other wild campers. Many seem to think there are few spots to camp wild. We think we have found a couple of gems.

We spent the first night on a CL near Mungrisdale (the pub there does the best pies in the lakes, probably). The site is just of the a66 about 8 miles east of Keswick. Very pleasant with a friendly pony and a frog / toad chorus in the middle of the night from the nearby pond.

The next day saw is tackle the Newlands pass which runs from the North west end of Derwent water or through Braithwaite over to Buttermere. The road is ok but a bit tight in places. Don’t attempt it on a bank Holiday weekend unless you want to spend the majority of the day backing up and squeezing past cars etc. The last bit of the pass is a 25% straight up incline but we got up no problem with a full load of fuel, water and the bike on the back. Right at the top of the pass is flat area with parking on either side of the road (see pics). You are surrounded by mountains and the views are superb. We stopped there for one night with no problems. Very peaceful.

The following day we continued down the other side of the pass to Buttermere which is not far but don’t go if you get vertigo! We spent most of the day buzzing around on the bike exploring. The weather was superb and the two lakes, Crummock Water and Buttermere were like glass. We continued south beyond Buttermere to the Honister Pass where there is a bridge and a great parking area next to the stream just before you get to the main climb of the pass. Again surrounded by massive mountains on both sides we spent the night there.

We left this morning going back along the shores of Buttermere and Crummock Water all the way up to Cockermouth and then back down the A66. There are a few spots along the north end of Crummock Water that would be ok for Wild Camping and there were a couple of vans parked. If you have a small van there are loads of opportunities.

All in all a great trip of the northern lakes finished off just now with a huge lunch at the Sun Inn, Pooley Bridge, Ullswater.

Go enjoy!

 

[Solwaybuggier]

We spent the first night on a CL near Mungrisdale (the pub there does the best pies in the lakes, probably).

What do you mean, "probably"?? No doubt about it!

 

[barryd]

Dunno. Cranstons at Penrith is pretty good. Every time I start a diet I have to avoid going past Penrith as I have to stop there!

 

[Polly]

Hia
Thanks these destinations brought back some happy memories of our first visit to the lakes about 4 years ago

 

[TWS]

Thanks for that, you have inspired me to get up the lakes asap, great pics too.

Regards Tom

 

[PaulC]

Well if you didn't like those passes do NOT try Hard Knott pass, it's about 10 times more demanding!

 

[barryd]

Your dead right! I actually know them well. both Hardknott Pass, and then Wrynose Pass. Been over both in a car and several times on a bike but Im not sure I fancy ripping the guts out of my little 2.5td pulling all our stuff over it. The biggest problem with both those passes is that people bottle it and stop. You have to go for it and keep going. I think I could get over in the MH but as long as I could keep going!

 

[scotsy]

Your dead right! I actually know them well. both Hardknott Pass, and then Wrynose Pass. Been over both in a car and several times on a bike but Im not sure I fancy ripping the guts out of my little 2.5td pulling all our stuff over it. The biggest problem with both those passes is that people bottle it and stop. You have to go for it and keep going. I think I could get over in the MH but as long as I could keep going!

I went over them last Sunday on my Tuono which was fun but i will NOT be going over in my Hymer

IMHO the sharp inclines on the inside of the hairpin bends could result in 'grounding' the chassis and maybe even getting 'beached'

 

[Geoff.W]

.

The next day saw is tackle the Newlands pass which runs from the North west end of Derwent water or through Braithwaite over to Buttermere. The road is ok but a bit tight in places. Don’t attempt it on a bank Holiday weekend unless you want to spend the majority of the day backing up and squeezing past cars etc. The last bit of the pass is a 25% straight up incline but we got up no problem with a full load of fuel, water and the bike on the back. Right at the top of the pass is flat area with parking on either side of the road (see pics). You are surrounded by mountains and the views are superb. We stopped there for one night with no problems. Very peaceful.

The following day we continued down the other side of the pass to Buttermere which is not far but don’t go if you get vertigo! We spent most of the day buzzing around on the bike exploring. The weather was superb and the two lakes, Crummock Water and Buttermere were like glass. We continued south beyond Buttermere to the Honister Pass where there is a bridge and a great parking area next to the stream just before you get to the main climb of the pass. Again surrounded by massive mountains on both sides we spent the night there.

We left this morning going back along the shores of Buttermere and Crummock Water all the way up to Cockermouth and then back down the A66. There are a few spots along the north end of Crummock Water that would be ok for Wild Camping and there were a couple of vans parked. If you have a small van there are loads of opportunities.

Go enjoy!

I don't wish to spoil the party but:- Unless things have changed in the last year, which I doubt, did you fail to observe the signs that quite clearly prohibit vehicles over 6"6' wide from using these roads or did you just choose to ignore them.

Not only did you commit a quite serious offence (failure to comply with a statutory sign), but also, as in this case the restriction is actualy a sensible and valid one, by using a restricted vehicle you did not help the case for the many wid campers that already use these spots with more suitable vehicles.

I am sorry but I do feel that this total disregard for the needs of the local people do nothing but give ammunition to those who wish to impose further restrictions, particularly regarding wild camping.

This area of the lake district is, possibly one of the least spoilt, is a favorite of many (me included) and up to now has lacked the overnighting restrictions that abound almost everywhere else in the Lakes, please lets not spoil it.

 

[barryd]

Well there is always somebody who spoils the party. Let’s get something straight Geoff. At no point did we actually pass a 6'6 restrictions sign. We entered the Newlands Valley from Derwent Water and there were no signs. We stopped on the top of the pass. No signs. We continued to Buttermere. No signs. We stopped at the Bridge and at no point went beyond the sign, not even on the bike. I did however watch several motorhomes go hammering up the pass and one or two were getting on for the size of our Kontiki (is this a size issue Geoff?). We continued the next day all the way up to Cockermouth. No signs, passing delivery wagons, Tractors and one beer wagon which unless I am mistaken were wider than us. Oh and I am sure the mountain goat busses are over 6'6. To be honest I didn’t actually know what the 6'6 restriction was and I was a little confused. I assumed it was a warning and therefore would not have gone beyond it for fear of getting stuck! (so we didnt). Michelle and I both agreed that we would not use these roads in the summer or a busy period. We did meet plenty of cars, bikes and the odd van and apart from one occasion where we met a delivery van on a corner there were no issues, we simply smiled, said hello and edged our way past. The reason for this post was to counter some of the posts I have read about jobs worth’s being against Motorhomes in the Lake District. Perhaps I should have looked no further than our little community!

Regards
Barry

 

[flashingblade]

6'6"

hi there. i have frequented all these roads on a motorbike and wouldn't consider wrynose or hardnott in anything bigger than a smart car, even if the width/weight restrictions weren't there. out of season, they are wonderful but at any other time, a definate leave well alone. as for the keswick upto buttermere, past the slate quarry, i agree it's a pleasure. the scenery is something else and if you're into walking, some of the best walks in the country can be found in a very small radius away from the off-road parking spots in the pass. it's a shame that there are no parking spots on the edge of buttermere, it's my favourite.
as is the golden rule with wilding, if you arrive late and leave early and leave no mess, nobody would know. i have stayed in various places in the lakes and by being discreet, have managed to get away without any problems.

 

[barryd]

Thanks Flashingblade. I didn’t make it clear but I am pretty much local to the lakes. I live 45 minutes away from Ullswater. I have had a boat moored there for many years. I used to be a biker as well and have spent many happy hours flying over all the passes including hardnot and wrynose, superb on a bike. I’m not sure if our 100cc Peugeot Speefight entitles us to biker status but its great fun and goes like the clappers! We still get the biker nod (sometimes). The best thing is that we can park up, leave the MH and just explore on the bike.