News in Numbers

NEW5 1N NUMB3R5

A ‘Digital Fingers’ grant of £50,000 from Manx Lottery Trust’s Community Awards Programme has been given to The Children’s Centre

The Commonwealth Games 2022 Queens baton completed a three-day tour of the Isle of Man recently

The official after party tour for Tyson Fury will be held at the Villa Marina on the 19 July

TT 2022 was the busiest on record for Isle of Man Ambulance Service dealing with 761 calls to the 999 service After 86 years the Lexicon Bookshop closed its doors for good on the 2 July

The bronze statue of music trio Bee Gees will be removed from the Isle of Man’s capital later this month for repairs

Teachers and lecturers in the Isle of Man will be paid 1% more than those teaching in the London fringe when a new pay deal is implemented in July

Travel Inspiration for this Summer – and Beyond

The Lake District is bursting with breathtaking views, picture postcard villages, captivating lakes, and epic mountains. It’s also within easy reach from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ports at Liverpool and Heysham.

The Lake District has a huge range of quirky activities and pursuits for travellers looking to do something a little different on their Lakes holiday. Here’s a roundup of unusual experiences to get stuck in to in the Lake District this summer and beyond…

Foodie experiences

There are plenty of hidden foodie gems scattered across the Lakes national park, Cumbria and beyond. Running from unassuming Michelin-starred restaurants, quaint little cafés and country pubs to familyrun producers, local produce is proudly celebrated across the region’s retailers and hospitality businesses.

For sweet-toothed travellers, you can’t visit the Lake District without trying the infamous Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake – a much loved snack perfect for fuelling your Lake District adventure and travels. Established more than 100 years ago, the fourth-generation family business still resides in the popular destination of Kendal. The Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick, the home of the first pencil, is a slightly unusual attraction where visitors enter through a replica graphite mine. Discover secret WW2 pencils with hidden maps, one of the largest colour pencils in the world and miniature pencil sculptures.

family-run shop tucked away in the village of Grasmere sells its award-winning gingerbread, rum butter and a variety of gingerthemes foodstuffs including toffee, fudges, chocolates, and conserves.

For those looking for something a little heartier, the coiled Cumberland Sausage is surely one of the Lakeland’s most popular dishes? So much so, that in 2011 the sausage was awarded ‘protected status’ ensuring that it can only be made in Cumbria. As many self-catering cottages in Cumbria provide BBQ’s, why not search out a local supplier during your visit - Plumgarths Cumberland Sausage & Farm Shop in Kendal sells a range of award-winning Cumberlands.

Try some local tipple

Experience some local tipple at the Lakes Distillery – a beautifully renovated old Victorian farmstead on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. Surrounded by majestic scenery, immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of this working distillery which offers a range of whisky, gin and vodka tours and tasting experiences. You can also tag on a meet and greet with an alpaca at the Alpacaly Ever After herd graze which resides on site!

The Rum Story in Whitehaven is housed within the original 1875 cellars and bonded warehouses of the Jefferson family, a prominent Whitehaven family who were instrumental in bringing in exotic products such as sugar and Rum to the British Isles. Allow your senses to be filled with the smells and sounds of the Caribbean as you follow the history of the British rum trade. A perfect wet-weather attraction, immerse yourself in history – and a drop or two of their world-famous Jefferson’s Rum.

Unusual history

Delve deep within the underground tunnels and caverns in the magnificent Fleetwith Pike and experience first-hand what life was like for the miners of old at a Honister Mine Tour. With 350 years of working history there is plenty to discover. A family friendly attraction, the 90-minute mine tours incorporate enhanced reality technology and explosive special effects which will transport you back in time.

Explore the Lakes through storytelling

The poet William Wordsworth called the Lake District ‘The loveliest spot that man hath found’ and he was not alone as its stunning scenery has influenced a great many writers and poets.

The World of Beatrix Potter is an enchanting Lake District attraction where Beatrix Potter – the English author and illustrator best known for her magical tales of Peter Rabbit and his friends, are brought to life in three dimensions. Perfect for the little ones – step into a magical world where you can walk through Potter’s stories, experience Peter Rabbit’s Garden, and take a little bit of Potter magic home with you from the gift shop.

Discover how the Lakes shaped the great poet William Wordsworth’s verse on the Wordsworth Daffodils Tour, where you’ll hear about his life and works, while visiting his Cockermouth home, Grasmere’s Dove Cottage, and the Wordsworth Museum.

Getting there

Bring your car on board one of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Vessels and pack everything you need for your Lake District adventure; be it your walking gear for a hike up one of the Lakes many epic mountains, or bicycles for a ride alongside some of the UK’s most mesmerising lakes. Take advantage of great car offers and enjoy the convenience of driving off the ferry when you arrive to start exploring at your leisure.

Indulge in 4-star luxury

Enjoy a luxurious 4-star break with Steam Packet Holidays at the Lakeside Hotel and Spa on Lake Windermere. During May to September 2022, you can sail from Douglas to Heysham or Liverpool for two people and a car and enjoy a three night stay in a double room with up to three evening meals, and breakfast each morning, from £545 per person.