Lake District in Cumbria ranks as third most popular UK 'staycation' hotspot

The Lake District is the third most popular domestic holiday hotspot for UK residents, new figures have shown.

 

Despite the dismal weather and tight household budgets, 2013 is going to be a record year for the ‘staycation’ trend as 65 per cent of Britons opt to take their summer holiday at home this year.

 

The holiday report reveals that the Lake District, which came second last year, ranked third behind London and Edinburgh.

 

For the first time in five years, Cornwall has lost its crown as the nation’s top 'staycation' destination and dropped to fourth.

 

The figures show a significant increase on the past two years, when 41 per cent and 35 per cent of Britons respectively took a domestic break.

 

With the average trip costing Britons £399.28 this year - a £34.19 reduction from last year - it is estimated this investment will boost the UK tourism industry by £12bn - up £3.3bn from last year.

 

The findings have been revealed in a new holiday index by Travelodge.

 

The hotel chain’s fifth annual holiday report surveyed 3,000 British adults to investigate their summer holiday intentions.

 

It revealed that 42 per cent of these people are taking a week’s holiday in the UK this summer, 15 per cent are indulging in a two-week break on British shores, and a third are splitting their holidays over three short domestic breaks so they can visit a series of locations.

 

Grant Hearn, Travelodge CEO said: “The 'staycation' trend accelerating to record levels and boosting our economy by £12bn this year is a very welcome sign, and hopefully this is the start of our 2012 Olympics legacy gain.

 

“During 2012, our capital city was showcased in its true glory to all corners of the UK and the world, and it’s a great result that London has been crowned as the top 'staycation' destination for 2013.

 

“However we cannot rest on our laurels, as one of Britain’s biggest business sectors, the opportunity to grow is still great.

 

“We are not yet near to unlocking the true potential of our industry.”

Keen-sponsored hill clean-up will take place in Peak and Lake District's

John McHale, Reporter

 

Outdoor enthusiasts are being offered the chance to clean up the environment and join in action pursuits for a second year.

 

The Respect the Mountains Envirotrek Mountain Clean-Up sponsored by outdoor brand Keen, will this year take place at two venues.

 

A June clean-up in the Peak District will be followed a week later in the Lake District.

Clean up participants from a previous Envirotrek event

Participants will join in the clean-up in the morning and then will be provided with lunch before enjoying their choice of outdoor activities.

 

The Peak District event will be based at Castleton and the Lakeland one at Keswick.

 

A Keen spokesperson said: “Group leaders are allocated and all participants will be provided with cleaning and safety equipment and fully briefed with a safety talk.

 

“The clean-up finishes at around 12.30pm, with volunteers being rewarded for their mornings’ efforts with a hearty lunch – soup and bread in Lake District, a barbecue in the Peak – on the hillside.

 

“Participants get to spend the remainder of the afternoon enjoying a range of fun outdoor pursuits organised by the Envirotrek leaders. In the Peak District this will include caving, climbing, rope activities and a ridge walk, whilst the Keswick event will feature climbing, canoeing and gill scrambling.

 

“There’s also a chance to win some great prizes including Keen footwear and gifts for the quirkiest litter found on the hill, with the day’s event closing at approximately 4pm.”

 

The English gatherings are part of a series of mountain clean-up events held across various European mountain destinations since 2009 including Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and France.

 

The Keen spokesperson said: “With an estimated 16 million visitors to the Lakes and an incredible 22 million scheduled to visit the Peak District this year alone, the environmental footprint is considerable and so popular mountain destinations are becoming increasingly in need of on-the-ground action to clear them of waste in order to maintain their natural beauty and enjoyment for generations to come.

 

“Envirotrek helps to address this need, drawing together tourists, local communities and businesses to give something back to their environment while enjoying some playtime in the great outdoors.

 

“Through last year’s Envirotrek initiatives, more than 750kg of rubbish was cleared in 1,000 hours across five European countries.”

 

Anyone interested in taking part should register online at the Respect the Mountains or Keen websites.

 

The clean-ups will take place on 16 and 23 June.

 

An entrance fee of £9 is payable locally on the day. Children with a responsible adult are welcome; the fee for ages up to 12 is £4.50.

 

Keen said if you bought a pair of Keen footwear since August 2012 registration is free.

 

More details are on the two websites.

Competition Time - Win 2 Free Nights

Competition Time - 2 Free Nights to be won

 

On a positive note we announce our latest #GIVEAWAY:

We are giving away a 2 NIGHT STAY IN OUR LUXURY 5 STAR DUKE OF PORTLAND HOUSE!

Our aim is to reach 8,000 likes on our facebook page, with your help! A lucky person will #WIN this #luxury stay once we hit our target!
... 

 All you have to do is LIKE, ENTER & SHARE:

http://www.facebook.com/lakescottages/app_107061516149542

If you are accessing through a mobile device please follow:

http://l.inkto.it/508j
 

Duke of Portland Boathouse - Ullswater

 

New Lake District ‘Bike Bus’ service launched

The Lake District is a popular destination for mountain biking, family cycling outings and road riding alike (Seb Rogers/Future Publishing)

Saturday 4 May saw the launch of a new ‘Bike Bus’ service in the Lake District. The Stagecoach 800 runs the full length of England’s largest lake, Windermere, and has been specially converted to carry up to 12 bikes.

 

The new route includes the following popular stops around Windermere and links in with the ‘Bike Boat’ ferry shuttle from Brockhole to Wray:

• Ambleside (Kelsick Road)
• Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre
• Windermere train station
• Bowness-on-Windermere Pier
• Fell Foot Park
• Newby Bridge
• Lakeland Motor Museum
• Lakeside& Havethwaite Railway

For 2013, the Bike Bus will run on the following dates:

• 4 May – 14 July (Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays)
• 20 July – 1 September (daily)
• 7 Sept – 28 Sept (weekends only)

Claire Maclaine, programme manager for the GoLakes, supporter of the Bike Bus service, said: “The Bike Bus is another great way to help people to explore and enjoy our stunning landscape without the hassle of loading up car bike racks and fighting for parking spaces at the other end. This regular service is geared up specifically for the needs of cyclists and is ideal for families to hop on and off at a range of locations running the full length of Windermere.”

 

Two new leaflets are being produced to complement the service, ‘Rides from the Bike Bus’ and ‘Days out from the Bike Bus’. Printed on waterproof paper, they will both be available from late May. Alternatively, a full timetable can be viewed online.

 

Sustrans’ National Cycle Network route 6 runs east from Windermere, linking riders with Kendal and going on through the Howgills and Yorkshire Dales. There’s also a short family friendly bridleway ride on the west side of Windermere, through National Trust land, that can be accessed via the ferry that runs from Bowness-on-Windermere.

 

It’s about 20km to cycle the length of the lake one way, and there are mainly minor roads and bridleways on the west side and main roads on the east.

 

Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team

A 20-MILE run over the Lake District’s highest peaks isn’t the usual way for a musician to prepare for a gig.

 

But that is exactly what accomplished violinist Tim Kliphuis has planned on not one but three days next week.

 

Next Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Dutchman is holding concerts at Hawkshead, Staveley and Keswick respectively with his band the Tim Kliphuis Trio.

 

Prior to each performance, he will scale a corresponding fell to raise money for the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association.

 

Mr Kliphuis, who is already more than halfway towards his fundraising target of £500, said he was undertaking the unique challenge to show his appreciation for the “incredible work” carried out by the region’s rescue teams.

 

The first mountain to be conquered is Coniston Old Man on May 16, with the concert to follow at 7.30pm at Hawkshead Church.

 

He will then tackle the Kentmere Horseshoe the next day before performing at the Staveley Roadhouse from 7.30pm.

 

The final test comes on May 18 when he runs the Blencathra and Skiddaw mountains in the lead up to playing at the Keswick Mountain Festival.

 

Log on to www.justgiving.com/fiddlingonthefells for more information about the concerts, or to make a donation.

 

via North West Evening Mail | News | Violinist hits Lake District fells to help rescue team.

What a day - Will it last

Now the weather is so good you will want to maximise on your opprtunities and enjoy a break in the Lake District and soak in the views as shown in the picture.

We have many great offers and discounted properties to help reduce your costs, so book now and enjoy the sunny Lakes.

http://tinyurl.com/bpwbzew

Daffodils appreciating the view



Lambing Season Continues in the Lake District

Newborn Lamb resting after delivery

Saw this sight on the way to work - a newborn lamb still struggling to find its feet.

 

The lambs this year have been very staggered with some having grown quite big already, yet more are still being born. A nice sight especially when the birthing happens so near to the walkway.

 

 

Newborn Lamb