Maple Cottage - The Local Area
Situated in South Lakeland and with excellent transport links visitors to Maple Cottage will be spoilt for choice when planning their daily itinerary. The Lakes, Lakes Peninsula, Lancashire coast and Dales are all within easy reach. Main roads are readily accessible and we are also ideally placed to explore by public transport.
Lake Windermere
The ‘centre’ of South Lakeland and only 14 miles from the cottage is Lake Windermere. As well as many picturesque towns and villages around the lake, such as Bowness and Hawkshead, there are many attractions to be visited including Fell Foot Country Park, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Railway, Aquarium of the Lakes, World of Beatrix Potter and the Steamer service which runs the length of the lake from Lakeside at Newby Bridge to Lake Head by Ambleside calling at Bowness. There is an excellent view along the lake from the viewpoint at the top of Gummers How.
Kendal
The nearest main town is Kendal famous for its quaint yards, Mint Cake and snuff manufacture. There are many attractions here including the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, Museum of Lakeland Life and Industry, Brewery Arts Centre, Lakes Leisure Centre, K Village Shopping Outlet, Quaker Tapestry Exhibition and the 1657 Chocolate House. For the shopper there are many high street names together with local shops and cafes to revitalise yourself with.
Arnside Knott
To the southern side of the Kent Estuary, visible from the cottage, lies the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounding Arnside Knott. Home to rare butterflies and alpine plants, there are many beautiful walks in the area on the limestone pavement with wonderful views over Morecambe Bay and the estuary. Visit the Fairy Steps by Beetham which are part of the coffin route from Arnside to Beetham. Legend has it that if you can climb or descend without touching the sides the fairies will grant your wish. Leighton Hall near Carnforth is the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family. As well as the house there are woodland walks, 19th C walled garden and Bird of Prey centre. Also in this area is the RSPB reserve at Leighton Moss, the largest reedbed in northwest England. This is the breeding site of the rare Bittern. In addition to the reedbeds there are two coastal lakes.
Cartmel Peninsula
Across the estuary is the Cartmel Peninsula with its many attractions. Picturesque Cartmel itself is centred round the beautiful 12th century Priory and 14th century Gatehouse. It is also home to England’s smallest National Hunt racecourse. There are excellent shops and several good places to eat including the nationally acclaimed L’enclume. The nearby Edwardian seaside town of Grange-over-Sands boasts an excellent choice of tea rooms together with walks along the ‘prom’ and around the ornamental gardens. Holker Hall near Grange is a magnificent estate, home to Lord and Lady Cavendish. There are 25 acres of tended gardens and 200 acres of natural parkland. There is a very fine Food Hall supplying local produce such as Holker Saltmarsh lamb and a good range of gourmet food.
Coniston
Inland to Coniston is a quieter corner of the lakes. Both the village and the lake are very peaceful and a trip on the Steam Yacht Gondola is the perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Not far away is Grizedale Forest where there is a Visitors’ Centre, cycle hire, Go Ape adventure, numerous walks, sculpture trail and Brantwood, the home of John Ruskin. For a gentle stroll visit picturesque Tarn Hows and follow the walk around the tarn, 1.5 miles on a well tended path. This is a lovely spot for a picnic on a fine day. For the more able and adventurous climb the Old Man of Coniston for some spectacular views over the fells. At 803m and a distance of around 7.7 miles this is one of the easier climbs and is suitable for keen walkers.
Levens Hall
If you would like to leave the car behind for the day then a short walk from the cottage is Levens Hall. This is an Elizabethan house, home of the Bagot family. The house contains fine plasterwork, Jacobean furniture and leather paneling. The topiary gardens are world famous and there is a lovely riverside walk through the deer park.
Sizergh Castle
Also very close to the cottage is Sizergh Castle, a National Trust property. This is a fortified mansion built around a 14th C Pele tower which was extended in Tudor times. There are wonderful grounds including the National Trust’s largest limestone rock garden. Close by is the award winning Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop, Tearoom and Craft Gallery. In the afternoon you can watch the cows being milked from the viewpoint in the cafe above.
Dales
A short drive easterly towards the Dales brings you to Kirby Lonsdale at the opposite end of the Limestone Link to Arnside. This is a historic market town on a bank overlooking the River Lune with a view from behind the parish church that inspired John Ruskin and J.M.W. Turner. This is a very popular tourist attraction which is also famous for the medieval Devil’s Bridge mentioned in the Doomsday Book and the Norman church itself which has internal columns similar to those in Durham Cathedral. Also in the Dales is Sedbergh, an official Book Town. This is an attractive town with its cobbled streets and historic properties. It lies beneath the Howgills where Alfred Wainwright enjoyed some of his favourite walks. Close by is Fairfield Mill which has been restored to house a Heritage Centre and Arts & Crafts gallery. Slightly further into the dales is the quaint little village of Dent. This is the only village in Dentdale which is part of the long distance route from Ilkley to Bowness known as the Dalesway and follows the path of several rivers
Golf Courses
For the golfer there are several courses in the area including Grange-over- Sands, Windermere and Kendal. Other activities which can be found locally are horse riding, fishing, quad biking, paintballing and of course walking with many footpaths leading from the cottage door. On a fine day the walk up Heversham Head behind the village church rewards you with a magnificent view of the Kent estuary and Morecambe Bay. We are also just off the Cumbria Cycleway.
These are just a sample of the attractions that the area can offer. In the cottage there are maps, guide books and up to date leaflets for your reference.
For further information please see www.visitcumbria.com
More local images at www.wildcardwalks.co.uk/photo-galleries-lake-district.html