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Open access to the Marina to see the wildlife or have a picnic
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Splashing around on Lake Windermere from the Marina
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So what do you reckon to this place Chester ….
As White Cross Bay is a lake side site it has it’s own Marina – and although launching charges are applicable to the yachts and boats it doesn’t stop you taking kayaks or dinghys on for your own entertainment, if safe to do so – (would always advise life jackets and stay close to the edge for novices!)
It’s great to go down there for a picnic too (picnic benches are provided) as you can just watch the world go by and admire the sailing skills of all those lucky enough to have their own boats! The dogs love it too … great for cooling down on a hot day!
The views across the lake are clear and undisturbed and you can spend your time feeding the ducks, waving to the passing lake cruisers or just soaking up the environment!
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You want me to walk up THERE!!
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Striding Edge … this way looks better for me!
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A well deserved pint!
There are a number of different routes to the peak of Helvellyn and Striding Edge ………… this particular route from Grasmere was very dog friendly – with no stiles and we didn’t need to do the Striding Edge which we felt would be a bit tricky for dogs if they’re not used to it ….. and decided Jester would find it a bit difficult to negotiate. The views of Striding Edge were fantastic last Friday however …. all the way along we were just looking around and soaking up all the beauty the Lake District has to offer …. which is what we do each time we are up there on such a beautiful clear day!
We were dropped off just outside Grasmere and left our car at the Travellers Rest – although buses can be used for this purpose! From White Cross Bay and Limefitt Park you just head towards Ambleside and pick up the A591 towards Grasmere … go past the Travellers Rest and it’s on the right about 3 miles on …. check out your ordnance survey map! It was a fairly steep ascent to start with but that got most of the up hill out of the way in the first hour and a half …. don’t forget to take lots of water (expecially if you’re taking your dog) as there were only about 4 ‘natural’ watering holes – the last one being the Tarn at the foot of Helvellyn on the way back down, which Jester loved and played in for about 20 minutes!
There’s just so much to do whilst holidaying in the Lake District – and staying at one of the lodges gives you the freedom to come and go as you please! And being dog friendly, you don’t have to leave your dog at home and they can have as good a time as you do! Check out the self catering accommodation on windermerelogcabin.com for your next breaks in the Lakes …. whether it’s Tree Top Lodge or the Calgarth Lodges you’ll be in an ideal spot to get to all that the South Lakes and Lake District has to offer anytime you want!
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It’s a dogs life!
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Limefitt Park – from Wansfell Pike looking toward Lake Windermere
We were lucky enough to have a couple of days walking in the Lake District last week – making the most of the beautiful weather and fantastic views.
Tuesday saw us parking up in Windermere and walking up Orrest Head and over the farmland to Limefitt Park – then heading through Troutbeck and up onto Wansfell and Wansfell Pike where the views of Limefitt Park give you a really good idea of the location of Tree Top Lodge, one of the holiday lodges advertised on windermerelogcabin.com - it’s removed from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist area whilst still close enough to Windermere and the Lakes to ensure you have good access to many of the local attractions.
You can walk directly from the lodge onto a variety of walks – (this being just one of them which took us about an hour from Limefitt Park itself to get to this viewpoint!) Jester loves it as you can see …. don’t forget to take extra water and a drink dispenser for your dog whilst walking in the Lakes – there are lots of rivers and lakes around but sometimes you can go a good couple of miles with no natural water stops and in the warm weather it’s really important for your dog to stay as cool as possible! We have started freezing a couple of bottles of water so on a hot day it will defrost naturally and inbetween times it can be used as a ‘cool rub’ for you and your dog ….. nothing better on the back of the neck on a hot hike!
A midweek break in self catering accommodation gives you the freedom to come and go as you please …. and out of popular holiday times can provide a quieter time to get away from it all ……… although a week in the lakes gives you more time to explore the lakes, the fells, the attractions, the houses ….. and sample more of the eateries and pubs – many of which are what I would call ‘proper pubs’ offering real ales and a traditional feel! Or finish earlier on a Friday and enjoy 2 whole days in the lake district, late start on Monday – or leave late on Sunday evening and miss the traffic! We think that windermere log cabins offers you the flexibility to manage your time perfectly in the South Lakes and work to your own agenda …. not someone elses!
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Claiffe Heights towards Far Sawrey
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Sunday morning saw us venturing from Calgarth Lodge on White Cross Bay through Windermere taking the ferry over the Lake towards Hawkshead. If you take the first right turn off the ferry (it’s signposted for the National Trust Car Park) – you can walk through Claiffe Estate (Claiffe Heights) – towars Far Sawrey, Near Sawrey, Hawkshead – it’s also a fantastic spot to splash around in the Lake itself as there’s some nice stretches of ‘beach’ and is a really nice spot for a picnic! (National Trust car parks are free to members but you have to pay otherwise)
The walks themselves start a bit steep but once up top there are fantastic views of Lake Windermere. Windermere and Bowness-on Windermere – we would have walked directly from the lodge if we’d realised it was so easy (50p for foot passenger – £3.50 per car … each way) and will definitely get back over there to do some more exploring next chance we get.
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Calgarth Lodge visitors will notice the changes at White Cross Bay this year – the reception area & bar have been refurbished giving them both a more stylish & wecloming feel – the addition of the beer garden will be welcomed for those of us who enjoy a pint out in the sun (when it’s around) – & those with kids will be able to keep a close eye on them whilst enjoying an al fresco bar snack! Along with the new multi function pitch which provides a basketball court/football pitch/tennis court (though not all at the same time!) there’s something for everyone!
White Cross Bay is sited on the banks of Lake Windermere & there’s also the marina on the park to visit to watch the sailing boats & kayakers – and the dog walking area is convenient for that early morning or late afternoon short walk – you can even have a picnic on the way. Although with all there is to visit in the Lake District, particularly nearby Windermere & Ambleside, it’s difficult to know what to do first!! You might need to come to Calgarth Lodge for a week or 2 - or have a few midweek breaks or weekend breaks to cram it all in!
After opening Tree Top Lodge (Limefitt Park) and then Calgarth Lodge (White Cross Bay) as dog friendly lodges, we have at last decided to get one of our own!! Jester is a very bouncy, good natured 5 year old German Wirehaired Pointer and he is gorgeous! We ‘rescued’ him rather than getting a puppy and he is going to make a fantastic walking companion for our visits to the Lake District – if we can keep up with him!! He has only had a day visit to the lodge so far but is looking forward to a bit more training so we can have him free running (where appropriate) with a bit more confidence that he won’t chase the sheep, and will actually come back to us every time we ask him!! We think he thought it was a giant dog kennel!
Keep up to date with ‘bringing your dog’ as we will be getting some more dog friendly information soon!
He has only had a day visit to the lodge so far but is looking forward to a bit more training so we can have him free running (where appropriate) with a bit more confidence that he won’t chase the sheep, and will actually come back to us every time we ask him!! We think he thought it was a giant dog kennel!
Keep up to date with ‘bringing your dog’ as we will be getting some more dog friendly information soon!
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Limefitt Park from up behind the Haybarn Inn!
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Following on from our day out to Ambleside we decided to amble up to Orrest Head, walking from the Haybarn Inn on Limefitt Park, up and over the main path via Hag Wood to Orrest Head, before heading down into Windermere and then straight into Bowness. We had promised Al and Linda a pint in the Hole in th’ Wall and proceeded directly to the promised pub – which is one of the best in Bowness by our reckoning! Then it was time for food – and we decided to try The Albert as we hadn’t eaten there before. Sunday Lunch is served most of the day – and although they’d run out of beef by the time we got there (5.30pm) it turned out to be a real find! We had the 2 course option for £10.95 and the mushrooms followed by the lamb roast were excellent – real value for money and the service couldn’t be faulted! Will definitely be going back there! Although the lodges are self catering it’s always nice to eat out on occasion – and it saves on the washing up!!
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Features
- * Luxury Log Cabins
- * Contemporary Furniture
- * LCD TV
- * DVD player
- * Fantastic Views
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We then had to pull ourselves for the last couple of miles home to Calgarth Lodge – nice hot shower and we were right as rain again – til the next morning and we realised we should really have done a few more stretches before and after!! We covered 15 miles in our ’round robin’ & got some good training in for our Great Glen Way Monster Bike & Hike challenge in May!
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