Village Guides

VILLAGE GUIDES The Lake District

Cartmel

The picturesque village of Cartmel is famous for its 12th Century Priory, boasting beautiful stained-glass windows, modern sculptures and ancient choir stalls. Leading off the village square, with its market cross, water pump, and fish slabs, is the Cartmel Priory Gatehouse - now a Heritage Centre which depicts the history of the monastery and the village.

Cartmel Priory

Holker Hall

Explore Cartmel

If you want to explore Cartmel in a less traditional way, Lakeland Segway is the perfect way to do this. The Cartmel Tour takes you on a fantastic scenic route past the Racecourse and up to the Holker Estate providing you with stunning views along the way. For the more advanced Segway glider they offer the Adventure Tour, taking you along more demanding tracks through the woods where you can really find out what the off road Segways are capable of.

The Cartmel area is also home to the Cavendish family of the Holker Hall Estate, who extend a warm welcome to all visitors that want to look around their family home and 23 acres of immaculately kept gardens throughout the year. Surrounding Holker Hall are 200 acres of parkland with various walks, it’s even home to a herd of fallow deer! Also, during the Summer months Holker Hall host pop-up pub and pizza in the courtyard. Sample delicious woodfired pizzas straight from the oven, great ales and a relaxed family atmosphere. This is definitely not to be missed!

To some Cartmel is known as The Village of Sticky Toffee Pudding and when you visit Cartmel you have to visit the Cartmel Village Shop and treat yourself to one of their amazing puddings. The owners started baking Sticky Toffee puddings in the back kitchen of the Village Shop a good 20 years ago. Word soon got out and it seemed like everyone wanted some. Twenty years, and a bigger kitchen later, it’s still handmade from 100% natural ingredients and there’s still nothing to match it.

L’Enclume is the only restaurant in the Lake District to hold two Michelin stars as well as being awarded the accolade of ‘number one restaurant in the UK’, by The Good Food Guide 2020. Excellent is an understatement for the endless tasting plates that come out of this experimental kitchen, under the watchful eye of Simon Rogan. There’s no limit to the wizardry delivered by the most famous development kitchen in the Lake District, all from simple ingredients grown in their local Our Farm or foraged from Lakeland countryside. The place to treat a loved one with one of the most memorable dining experiences in the UK. Cartmel Village Shop

L’Enclume interior

Cartmel Racecourse

What not to miss

The tradition of horse racing at Cartmel was started by the monks from the Priory in the 12th Century. Throughout the Summer months Cartmel Racecourse hosts nine race days. The first race is on the Whit Holiday weekend at the end of May and the final one of the year takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Coniston

Visit Coniston and experience a 19th century ‘Venice of the Lake District.’ Indeed today, a Venetian-style Gondola cruises daily on Coniston Water, just as she would have done when she first arrived on Coniston in 1859, welcoming a new wave of wealthy Victorian tourists to this then little-known part of the south Lake District.

This well served village is surrounded by spectacular wild landscapes and renowned as a base for outdoor adventure and loved for its outstanding natural beauty.

Where to walk

View from The Old Man of Coniston

The Old Man of Coniston If you fancy ‘bagging’ yourself another Wainwright walk while in Coniston, take a hike up The Old Man of Coniston, the highest peak in the Furness Fells standing at 2,634ft (803m high). The Old Man is a popular walking destination with many different well-trodden paths leading to the peak. It is also home to a number of disused and abandoned mines and mining equipment, which can be found on various routes to the top. Depending on your way to the top you may also pass Low Water Tarn if you fancy a bit of wild swimming.

On a clear day, views from the summit can stretch out as far as Blackpool Tower, The Isle of Man and Morecambe Bay as well as much of the southern Lake District.

Distance – 4.7km Time – 2.5 hours from Coniston Village or alternatively you can park at Walna Scar car park which will cut out some road walking for you.

Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows Or if you fancy a more laid back, family friendly walk then no trip to the Coniston area is complete without a stroll around the picturesque Tarn Hows. This circular walk is pushchair and wheelchair accessible. Plus, from here you can take a trail that leads you down to Tom Ghyll Waterfalls.

Distance – 3.2km Time – 45 minutes

Ruskin Museum

Steam Yacht Gondola

Ruskin Museum Donald Campbell broke eight world speed records on water and on land in the 1950s and 1960s. He remains the only person to set both world land and water speed records in the same year (1964). He died during a water speed record attempt at Coniston Water on 4th January 1967 after reaching a speed of over 300mph. A section of the Ruskin Museum in Coniston is dedicated to Donald Campbell’s lifetime achievements alongside Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons, and John Ruskin himself.

Steam Yacht Gondola The beautiful Steam Yacht Gondola, exclusively carrying passengers in her 1st class salon with its plush carpets and walnut trim, is a floating reminder of the rich cultural history of Coniston Water. We’d highly recommend a visit to Coniston to enjoy a ride on the gondola to experience this history first-hand.

Food and Drink

The Black Bull

Coniston Brewing Company Hidden away behind the Black Bull in Coniston is the Coniston Brewing Company. This outstanding brewery is where the Bluebird Bitter is made. This 3.6% session beer won Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 1998 at the Great British Beer Festival Olympia London and has continued to be awarded accolades of recent years.

The Black Bull offers a whole variety of food choices so there is something to suit every taste. Their chefs, wherever possible, use fresh locally sourced ingredients. All meats are cooked on the premises and dishes are prepared to order by hand. There is always a fresh Catch of the Day with fish delivered that morning, a hearty meat dish and also two vegetarian dishes.

Herdwicks Herdwicks Café and bistro is a family run business in the heart of the village of Coniston. Enjoy a cooked breakfast to fuel your day on the fells or a leisurely lunch with a bottle of aptly named Old Man Ale. Jo McGrath is a well-known local artist and you can view her work on the walls of the cafe. It is a truly beautiful setting to enjoy high quality local food and drink.

Lakelovers Top Cartmel Pick

Low Dog Kennel Cottage

2 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | Sleeps 4

Originally built for the local gamekeeper, Low Dog Kennel Cottage offers a wonderful blend of charm and character alongside stylish and contemporary living. Enjoy the walk through the open countryside to the neighbouring village of Cartmel with its historic 12th Century priory. Presented to the highest standard with two bedrooms, a luxurious family bathroom, a cosy sitting room and smart kitchen.

From £365 for 7 nights

Lakelovers Top Coniston Pick

Dow Crag House

3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | Sleeps 6

Situated on the edge of Coniston village, with views in every direction and within easy walking distance of Coniston Water, Dow Crag House is located in the very heart of the Lake District. This modern, detached property has been finished to a high standard by its owners and offers great quality in an excellent location.

From £765 for 7 nights