Lake District Conditions Update

Following the floods of November 2009, a few of the accessible routes around the Lake District National Park have suffered water damage, with sections washed away or affected by flood debris.

Although the Lake District National Park Authority are checking all of these areas, be prepared that present surface conditions may not be as good as originally described.

Visiting the Lake District National Park website is best way to find out if you chosen walk is affected.

Bitts Park Crocus Walk, Carlisle

This short walk will take about half an hour at a gentle pace and allow you to take in the wonderful crocuses planted along the central tree lined avenue.

By car, you can park in the car park just between Carlisle Castle and Bitts Park.

Access by wheelchair or for those with children is easy along the wide tarmac paths which snake their way around the park.

You can take a circular route around the park if you start with the tennis courts to your left.  At the river bear right and follow the path which leads along the river bank.

At the steps and tunnel again bear right and you will return to your starting point and the car park.

Here is an aerial map of the area.

A statue of Queen Victoria unveiled in 1902 takes pride of place on manicured lawns, giving the park the local name of “Victoria Park”.

On one side you will have the River Eden with mounds of snowdrops and wild garlic starting to appear along its banks and views to the North of the City.

The centre of the park has well maintained herbaceous borders containing evergreens, willow and azaleas, which look amazing in May, but are equally beautiful at his time of year,

The recently completed flood defences are much more architectural than previously existed and give easy access to the park from Castle Way.  These have now been planted up with new trees and herbaceous perennials.

Crocuses are very short lived and will only last about one week, we caught these in bloom on the last day of February 2009.  For those who may miss this display we have added a gallery below.

Where to see Crocuses;

The Garden House, near Yelverton, Devon.

Howick Gardens, Alnwick, Northumberland.

Kew Gardens. Richmond, Surrey.

Do you have any favourite places to see Crocuses?  Send us your pictures.

Lake District Viewpoints

 

The lake District National Park  has listed the following routes as suitable for wheelchair users. Most are very limited in terms of distance and often follow minor roads, offering some great viewpoints.

As with many areas of the Lake District, parking can be limited.

 

Hammerbank, Windermere

Grid Ref 405991
East shore of lake Windermere, just north of Bowness. Provides great views across the lakeshore. A recently installed information panel gives details of the view.

Beech Hill, Windermere

Grid Ref 388920
Situated on the East shore of lake windermere, south of Bowness. The location gives unrivaled views across the lake to the rugged Lake District Fells beyond. Parking is available next to the Beech Hill hotel.

 

Borrans Park, Waterhead

Grid Ref 375034.
Leave your car in the National Park car park opposite Waterhead Pier, follow the road north of the Pier to a gate giving access to the park. In the field next to Borrans Park are the remains of a Roman settlement, Galava.

There are also great views across Lake Windermere.

 

Brown Howe, Coniston

Grid Ref 292910
This is a sloping grassy lakeshore area which once formed part of the Duke of Buccleuch’s summer Estate. Situated to the south of Coniston village the area provides excellent views up Coniston water.

 

Jenkins’ Field, Glenridding

Grid Ref 387168
Use the National Park car park and take the road down to the steamer pier.

Jenkins Field is adjacent to the pier and is the perfect place to picnic, many use this area for bird watching.  A memorial plaque adjacent to the Pier House denotes the original slipway used by Donald Campbell.  One of the last Wild Red Deer herds can be seen grazing on the slopes of Place Fell on the opposite shore in the autumn.

Go to the Lake District National Park Website for more information

Friar’s Crag, Keswick

Measured to the nearest half mile and with a grading scheme for gradients and surface quality there are currently 21 routes available.

1 – Friar’s Crag, Keswick

• Distance of route: 3.2km (2 miles)
• Grid reference: NY 299247
• OS X (Eastings)     329950
• OS Y (Northings)    524750
• Nearest Post Code   CA12 4TB
• Surface: Smoothish – with minimum of dirt on hands for self-propelled
• Gradient: Level, gradients up to 1 in 12
• Parking: Lakeside Car Park
• Toilets: Lakeside Car Park – Key available from National Trust Information Centre (closed in winter)
• Special features: View Point, woodland

This is a circular route linked by good pathways to vehicle parking close to the start. There are no hills but a strong pusher is advisable if tackling the full two mile circuit, especially as wet weather can make certain stretches a bit muddy.

More details can be found here.