Mountains, moors and, well, so much more...

Cumbria and the Lake District have been popular tourist destinations for over three centuries and living, working landscapes for millenia.  Today visitors and residents can find a huge range of attractions in addition to exploring the mountains and lakes.

Here is just a sample of what you can find to entertain you whilst staying at Yew Tree; there are also links to some great resources to make your holiday a memorable one that, hopefully, you'll want to repeat for years to come!

OUT & ABOUT

Ullswater & Derwent Water

Ullswater is the nearest lake to Yew Tree lying only about eight miles to the west.  Pooley Bridge at the north end of the lake is a departure point for the Ullswater Steamers and also home to a range of shops and pubs/restaurants.  If you'd prefer to be captain of your own ship then boat hire facilities - along with plenty of other water based activities - can also be found at Pooley Bridge.  

Derwent Water is just a short hop along the A66 and is at the heart of the northern lakes.  There are several marinas on the lake which offer all manner of watersports from taster sessions for beginners to longer courses and equipment hire.  If you fancy dipping your toes - and possibly the rest of you  - in one of the Lake Districts most picturesque lakes then opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and much more are all available here.  Rowing and motor boat hire are also available or for those who prefer a more leisurely tour of some spectacular scenery the Keswick Launch departs regularly from Keswick.

Walking Ideas and Information

If walking is your thing, then you've come to the right place!  As well as the Lake District Fells to the west there is also the Pennine range to the east.  These two distinct and very distinctive areas offer very different walking experiences but both offer some of the most remote and spectacular landscapes in the UK.  Between the two you'll find the Eden Valley - it's one of the UK's best-kept secrets - and is characterised by a pastoral landscape that is criss-crossed by literally thousands of footpaths and rights of way.  A couple of these run right past the Yew Tree itself.

A really useful guide, in addition to the OS maps, is the Cumbria Definitive Map - which documents all the rights of way in Cumbria.  For those wishing to get off the beaten track and discover the hidden Cumbria this is a really great resource.  Be warned - footpaths in Cumbria are not always very well defined and good map reading skills and a smidgin of common sense can come in very useful!!

Melkinthorpe Woods & Cliburn Moss

For very local walks - great in the evening or early morning Melkinthorpe Woods couldn't be better placed.  Simply walk out of the back door and turn right (for the footbridge over the river) or left (to chance it in the ford) and you're in a mixed landscape of woodlands and pastures.  There's a pleasant walk to the next village, Great Strickland, which features a traditional country pub serving a full menu throughout the day.  Cliburn Moss is a National Nature Reserve and is only a couple of miles down the road from Melkinthorpe.  Formerly a peat bog that has been managed over centuries to provide fuel, the reserve now aims to preserve this unique landscape and is densely wooded but with great (very level) paths, which makes it a perfect evening walk.  It is a perfect walking location for the less mobile and the very young.  Wildlife abounds in both woodlands and you'll be unlucky not to catch site of a red squirrel or deer.

Pennine Peaks

Whilst Melkinthorpe is situated on the fringe of the Lake District - the main attraction - it's also overlooked by the Pennines to the east, particularly the highest of these, Cross Fell.   This doesn't mean they should be overlooked as they offer a very different - sometimes quieter - walking experience to the better known Lake District peaks. Cross Fell itself is worth the challenge and for unexpected spectacular scenery don't miss out on High Cup Nick.  The highest market town in England, Alston, is also located in the Pennines and is a short, if occasionally precipitous, drive up Hartside Pass.

Wet Sleddale 

For fans of the 1980s cult classic film, Withnail and I, this will be a must and Wet Sleddale is only a few miles down the A6, just on the other side of Shap.  For those who haven't heard of the film but fancy a moderate circular walk in stunning scenery - but on slightly less travelled paths - then this is also a must.  The walk starts and finishes at the reservoir of the same name and takes you on a rambling cricular route through varied, wild landscape.  At about three miles this walk is great on any day but is not bad for those who like to brave the elements for shorter periods of time!

Lowther Castle, Gardens & The Lost Castle

Once the grand stately seat of the Earls of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle was dismantled in the 1950s  but the facade remains and the gardens are being restored to their former glory - with a few modern day twists.  On their own the ruins of the castle and the gardens are worth a visit. In addition the castle now features the 'Lost Castle' - an adventure playground on a stately scale.  Many visitors to Yew Tree have mentioned that this is a very conveniently located to wear out even the most energetic little bundles of joy!

Brougham Hall & Castle

Another once grand home, now a little past its prime, Brougham Hall  hosts a range of craft shops and galleries - the perfect place to pick up that unique gift or memento.  It's only a few minutes from Yew Tree and is a great place to pop in and browse for a while.  Brougham Castle is also nearby and the site has been occupied since Roman times, a Roman fort preceding the current castle.  The castle itself played an important role in defending the area against Scottish invaders and later it was one of the favourite castles owned by Lady Anne Clifford - who owned a large chunk of Cumbria and Yorkshire and made something of a hobby of restoring her many ancestral homes.  

Gardens Galore   

For more sedate days out there are plenty of historic houses and great gardens to visit.  Close by are Winderwath Gardens and Accorn Bank.  Dalemain is only a few miles away and combines a stately mansion and gardens which are well worth a visit.  

Visit Cumbria

This is an excellent resource for visitors to the area, whether you're visiting for the first time or are a seasoned Lake District Lover!  The site is a great starting point to search for any kind of activity, services and places to eat, drink and also for walking and lake based activities.