The Lake District--some questions

Here is the National Trust suggestions on getting to Hill Top Farm:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top#How to get here
How to get there

Address: Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0LF

By train: The nearest train station is in Windermere, 4½ miles away
via vehicle ferry. You can catch a bus from here, see below for more
details.

By bus: Leave the car behind and take the Cross Lake Shuttle (not NT)
from Bowness to Hill Top. Call 015394 45161 for details.

By ferry: Seasonal Windermere Lake Cruise service from Bowness Pier 3
to Windermere west shore. Call 015394 43360 for details. Or Windermere
car ferry, regular services. See www.cumbria.gov.uk for more
information.

You could stay in Windermere, a busy town but one with tourist amenities (i.e. restaurants/pubs) and lodging choices. Walk to the Bowness pier, cross the lake and take a local bus to Hill Top. The The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction is near Windermere/Bowness but one that we did not visit.

We did a three walking day tour in May several years ago starting from Windermere to Grasmere, Coniston and back to Windermere via ferry from the west shore of Windermere Lake. Unfortunately we were hit by a afternoon thunderstorm deluge and didn't (couldn't) see Hill Top Farm. At some point we were walking on the road in a foot to 18 inches of water. So yes, it does rain. But we did have two blue sky warm walking days preceding the wet one. (Waterproof boots don't do any good when the water is flowing above the top of your boots.)

If you don't consider yourself "athletic", you should look into the transit options, but would be best served getting up to speed in terms of walking.

number 3: not sure if they are open so early in the year, but if they are you might enjoy a steamboat ride on Lake Windermere.

number 4: Frequently, not necessarily stormy. That being said, this spring an awful lot was washed away and some businesses are still closed.

As for timing, nobody knows.

Each year has been different in the last ten or so years. Sometimes it is dry, some years it is wet. Sometimes it is windy, sometimes not. Sometimes like last year it was one storm after another. This year I called it the Noah's Ark spring. And summer came really really late this year, not arriving until the middle of this week. I am expecting it to be gone by the middle of next week. We will see what it is like in August, although usually September is better than August.

Early June is still spring (21st June it changes) but British meteorologically it is just summer. As the days get longer the longer days mean you have more hours each day for the weather to change.

In May and early June I'd be prepared for all 4 seasons.

I remember one year taking my brother to the Changing of the Guard in London in late May, being absolutely freezing and then pelted with hail.

I've also been in shorts and t-shirts hiding from the heat in April.

Sorry I'm not more help.

Re Nigel's point about opening times:
This year's Hill Top dates:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/place-pages/174/pages/opening-times-calendar

House: open to 5:30, 30 May to 25 August, Monday to Thursday. *Shop and garden: open to 5:45, 30 May to 25 August, Monday to Thursday.
House entry by timed ticket (places limited). Small car park. Access
to garden and shop free during opening hours.

Thank you! That's very helpful.

In late May in London, I was wishing I had a pair of gloves one or two days, plus my long underwear! I didn't even have a hat, except a very lightweight sun hat I wear here in Pa. in the summer. Since the sun didn't come out, the hat stayed in my room. The weather sounds like such an adventure. I can't imagine water over the top of my boots!

Windermere ferry schedule:
http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/roads-transport/highways-pavements/windermereferry.asp

The ferry takes people, vehicles, horses and cycles across the lake,
reducing traffic on the surrounding narrow roads and easing congestion
and pollution. It also links the busy eastern shore of the lake and
the peaceful countryside between Windermere and Coniston on the west,
where there are many attractions and facilities for walking, riding
and cycling.

In the summer months there is a minibus service between Ferry House
and Hawkshead, calling at Beatrix Potter's Hilltop House. The ferry
offers the opportunity to leave the car behind, cross the lake on foot
and catch the bus, relaxing all the while and enjoying the scenery
while someone else does all the work.

Departure times from Ferry Nab, Bowness

Summer (British Summer Time)

Mon-Sat - Departs Bowness 06:50 Last crossing from Bowness to Sawrey
21:50 Last crossing from Sawrey to Bowness 21:00

Sunday - Departs Bowness 09:10 Last crossing from Bowness to Sawrey
21:50 Last crossing from Sawrey to Bowness 22:00

Pedestrian £0.50 GBP

We try to operate a 30 min crossing but stoppages/delays such as slow
loading/unloading and adverse weather/emergency services means we
cannot guarantee the 30 min window

Hello Sandra! I am really glad to see you are thinking of another trip to England next year!

You have already received some good answers, so I will address your second question:
"2. I am not very athletic. Should I just join a gym now, and starting bustin' my rump, or are there nice easy walks one can take?"

Consider joining the YMCA or YWCA. These are NOT a gym or health club. The "Y" offers almost free membership for seniors and retired people. Maybe $15. to join.

Then make use of their indoor track to walk. Swim in their pool. Or take their exercise, jazzercise, yoga or tai-chi classes. They also have the same exercise machines the fancy gyms have and the staff will show you how to use them, for free. Their elliptical stationary bicycles are good for leg-strengthening.

To increase your fitness, take it easy at first and enjoy your walks, time at the pool or jazzercise class. Then you will be having fun, and are more likely to stay with it long-term. As long as you just keep moving, doing something, anything, at the "Y", you will be improving your fitness level.

You will be in great shape by the time you take your trip to England next spring! Do wear a good walking shoe. It can make all the difference.

Good advice from Rebecca.

While there are many suggested "programs", here is a very low intensity walking ramp up walking program from the Mayo Clinic for general health objectives:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/walking/art-20050972

This 12-week walking schedule from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood
Institute can start you on the path to better health. But before
starting this walking plan, talk with your doctor if you have serious
health issues, or if you're older than age 40 and you've been inactive
recently.

Aim to walk at least five days a week. Start out warming up with a
five-minute, slower paced walk. Slow your pace to cool down during the
last five minutes of your walk.

The walking program is also a good way to "break in" your walking shoes.

After the reach the 12 week 30 minutes per day of brisk walking (1.5+ miles) five days a week, consider increasing your duration by up to a 10% increase per week until you reach your holiday walking goal. It's a two mile walk on an off road marked path (uphill) from the western side ferry dock to Hill Top Farm. Work up to walking at least 30 minutes (plus warm up and cool down) 3 or 4 days of 5 and 1 or 2 longer days per week.

PS I should add the suggestion to include some gentle hills in your walk(s). The Lake District ironically is hilly as you walk away from the lake.

Hi Sandra -
1. Ambleside is nice but is quite crowded and touristy...plenty of charm though! We always base ourselves in Keswick since it is a hub for the area bus system and is less touristy than some of the other villages in the area.
2. There are plenty of easy walks in the Lakes. The walk around Rydal Water is relatively flat and not too long. The walk around Buttermere (my favorite area of the lakes) is also flat but a bit longer. From the public bus stop, it's an easy walk to the Castlerigg Stone Circle, just above Keswick. Hilltop is a short, slightly uphill walk from the bus stop around the corner so easily reached. If you end up in Keswick, go to the tourist office in the Moot Hall and they can give you plenty of recommendations for easy walks.
3. There is quite a lot to do in the area depending on what you are interested in. Our favorites are John Ruskin's home, Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Water. The Grasmere Gingerbread shop in Grasmere (I keep bricks of it stacked in the back of my freezer!). A nice walk is one to the Aira Force waterfall. The area has many amazing pubs...the one right next to Hilltop is really nice...it's on the front cover of one of her books (can't remember which one!). Another one we really like is The Mortal Man in Troutbeck.
4. It can rain quite a lot...the area just experienced three severe rainstorms that swept through very unseasonably. In May/June you'll have periods of rain followed by sun. Sometimes the rain can last for a day or two and then it will clear up. Just do as the locals do...wear the right gear and carry on!
The bus system in the Lakes is very good. Get a bus schedule when you get there and plan out what you want to see. The biggest challenge is that some of the routes (mainly to the smaller villages and outlying areas) stop running in the late afternoon by 5 or 6 o'clock so plan accordingly so you don't get stuck somewhere.
The Lake District is, quite literally, my favorite place in all the world - I hope you enjoy it!

Anita, thank you for the recommendations re: Keswick.
I guess now would be a good time to ask: what sort of gear do I need to bring?

My wife and I are mobile but not overly athletic. (I walk 2-3 miles a day at lunch) We took the 6km/4mi loop from Keswick up to Castlerigg Stone Circle (which is amazing). Half the trail is an old train track turned into a wide, flat trail. Nice and easy. As to the weather, we were there mid-May this year. Brought a rain jacket and a light sweater on the hike and needed the jacket for all of 15 minutes. Pardon the pun, but your mileage may vary.

Have fun!

Several years ago, we used a group day tour company (Viator, I think). One tour was for the major lakes and slate mines, the other was to Hill Top. Although we did have a car, it was an easy way to just enjoy the sights. We stayed in both Ambleside & Windermere B&Bs and enjoyed them both. Hope you have a great time. Prepare, as suggested below, for rain and cold - especially if going to the peak/slate mine areas.

I've got another question regarding flights.

Does it make more sense to take the train back to London and fly out of LHR or LGW back to the States? Or can I fly to the States from Blackpool or any other airport nearby? I did look into Manchester but that seemed to be a 3-hour train ride from the Lakes. It's a 3-hour ride back to London. Six of one or half a dozen of the other?

Thanks!

Getting to the Lake District (Windermere):

https://www.contours.co.uk/walking-holidays/fact-file.php?id=2305

By Air – The most convenient major city and international airport is
Manchester. Trains run regularly between Manchester Airport railway
station and Windermere changing at Preston or Preston and Oxenholme,
depending on time of travel.

By Rail – The nearest railway station is Windermere.

From London – Trains run regularly between Heathrow Airport and
Windermere changing at London Euston and either Oxenholme or
Lancaster. Trains run regularly between Gatwick Airport and Windermere
changing at London Victoria, London Euston and either Oxenholme or
Lancaster.

It is very easy to travel to the start (and return home from the end)
of the holiday using public transport. Please click here Travel
To/From for more information.

I was staying in Windermere and took the ferry from Windermere across the lake to the path to Hiltop Farm. It is an easy walk along roads and through a pasture (with cows!) and maybe one or two stiles to cross.

I wished that I had more time to walk on up to Hawkshead to see the small museum and some of her original artwork. Hilltop Farm was such a living museum though and I really enjoyed it and highly recommend the whole walk and time at the farm. As a children's librarian I really wanted to see the farm but felt like the Beatrix Potter experience in Windermere was too touristy, not authentic.

I'm not a long distance hiker but the distance from where the ferry drops you off to the farm wasn't far. It's best to do this walk on a fairly dry day because this route isn't paved and goes through cow pastures (watch out for those pies!).

I did this walk in September of 2001 and didn't purchase tickets ahead of time. There was just my group of 6 students and a small group of Japanese tourists that day. I think it is highly recommended though that you purchase tickets ahead of time as the house is small and they do not want overcrowding.

Thank you for the information, everyone! Especially for encouraging me re: exercise. I do try to get out and walk for at least 20 minutes at lunch, plus do some stretching exercises every day.

The info re: the transport is also extremely helpful. :)

How is the weather in Lake District in October?

Q: How is the weather in Lake District in October?

A: Northwest England Climate Data: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/regional-climates/nw

North West England & Isle of Man: This describes the main features
of the climate of Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester,
Lancashire, Cumbria, part of North Yorkshire and the Isle of Man. The
eastern boundary of the region lies along the watershed of the
Pennines