Lake District – Ambleside

Distance 46 miles Duration Three to four days Start – finish Ambleside Best time to visit March to June, September to October lakedistrictdrives.com

As a fine testament to the Lake District’s very special magic, local resident Martin Wilson was inspired by the region’s outstanding beauty to create the phenomenal catalogue that is Lake District Drives. In fact, this is just one of the 16 routes that Martin has researched and compiled, which also include the epic 126-mile Ultimate

Lake District Drive.

This rather shorter route traverses some of the finest rural scenery to be encountered in the central Lake District. Although Martin’s route begins and ends in Ambleside, it could be started from anywhere along the drive.

Keswick to Grasmere

Just a stone’s throw from Derwent Water is the pretty town of Keswick, where you can enjoy local delicacies and wander the cobbled streets. Nearby is Castlerigg Neolithic Stone Circle, while a short drive south passes Thirlmere and brings you to Grasmere, once home to William Wordsworth.

Grasmere to Glenridding

Following the delightful River Rothay, the route dips south and passes through Ambleside, a picture-postcard pretty town at the top of Windermere.

This stretch of the route will be of particular interest to keen hikers, who could tackle several of the nearby peaks, including Red Screes, Stony Cove Pike or St Sunday Crag.

Glenridding to Keswick

Nestled in charming woodland, picturesque Glenridding village overlooks Ullswater and is one of the locations visited by the Lakes Steamers, so you could explore the lake vehicle-free to gain a different viewpoint. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you could scale Helvellyn!

Stay at…

• Gillside Farm www.gillsidecaravan andcampingsite.co.uk

• Castlerigg Hall www.castlerigg.co.uk DID YOU KNOW? In 1904, the National Trust purchased its first tract of land, near Derwent Water; it’s now the much-loved Brandlehow Park

‘Traverse some of the finest scenery in the central Lakes’