Life in Northern Towns

The last time we went to Ulverston it was on a Sunday afternoon and the town was dead.   As it’s just outside of the Lake District, it doesn’t operate on the same opening hours.   This time we went on a Tuesday and the shops were open, so it was a good start. Parking was very straightforward as we got a space in the little car park just off the main roundabout in Ulverston.   It was a pay and display car park, but it was cheap for two hours. Ulverston is your typical stone built Cumbrian town.   Some of the narrow cobbled streets in the centre of town have been pedestrianized.   At the centre of the town is a sort of cobbled square up a hill with a monument to the soldiers who died in the First World War at the top.   I like the hodge- podge architecture in Ulverston as it gives the place an identity and real character. Ulverston is jam packed full of little shops and as a result you don’t get many high street chain shops cluttering up the stre...

As always with driving through the A roads in the Lake District it takes longer than anticipated to get to your chosen destination.   From Grasmere we took the A591 to Keswick and it’s a joy to drive through wonderful scenery especially in the autumn when the landscape turns to red and gold.   We’ve been to Keswick on a number of occasions as it’s a nice place.   I find visiting it on a weekday is much more preferable than on the weekend when it’s mad busy.   This time I remembered to avoid the expensive car park at the Pencil Museum and parked at the pay and display behind the main town square.   Keswick is an excellent base for exploring the northern Lake District.   I keep promising to stay here for a weekend as there is plenty to do in the evening in terms of restaurants, pubs and cultural activities.   Plus there is an absolutely lovely lake, Derwent Water , on the edge of the town. On the charity shop front I swear there are fewer ...

Grasmere is known for its association with William Wordsworth, but the first time I’d ever heard of the place was in the lyric of another poet, Morrissey, from The Smiths song ‘Panic’.   So the phrase ‘Hopes may rise on the Grasmere’ always runs through my head when I think about the place.   I first came to Grasmere in the early 90s with my parents for my birthday and I found it a really peaceful and beautiful place, so I like to pop there whenever I’m in the neighbourhood. Parking is very straightforward in Grasmere, turn off the A591 and to the right is a big pay and display car park with space for coaches.   I did take the liberty to park next to the most glorious vintage silver Bentley.   There were teddy bears on the back seat which was cute.     It’s such a delight to see these cars out and about. It makes such a change from the hordes of Ford Focus’s and Vauxhall Corsas on the roads.   There is a free public toilet next to the car park, but...

We have a soft spot for Ambleside having stayed in the place 9 years ago.   I consider it to be one of the key tourist towns in the Lake District.   It’s only a short drive from Windermere Town and is just a mile or so north of Lake Windermere.   Driving through Ambleside is a bit confusing as there are lots of one way streets so you need to keep your wits about you to pick up the road signs.   Parking is also a bit tricky, but we tend to use the car park behind the library as there is usually plenty of space.   Although if you have trouble walking up hills this car park is one to avoid as it’s very steep. There are lots of B&Bs in the town and you can understand it with all the cafes, restaurants and pubs in the town.   You are spoilt for choice and can easily spend a few nights here sampling what it has to offer. The Sunday when we   visited was mad busy with walkers and tourists.   If you are looking to buy walking or mounta...