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Weekend trip Part B: A day trip to Anglesey, Wales

Welcome back! Following our rendezvous with the sea in the beautiful city of Llandudno on Saturday, the next day we set out at about 10am from our home and reached Llandwyn island located in Anglesey at about 12:30pm. It took us a little longer to reach here as it’s a little far from Manchester compared to Llandudno. Llanddwyn is not quite an island because it is attached to the mainland at all but the highest tides. It provides excellent views of Snowdonia and the Lleyn Peninsula and is part of the Newborough Warren National Nature Reserve. Once at the parking lot, you need to get ready to make your way up to the Tŵr Mawr Lighthouse. I would strongly advise  carrying your sunglasses and wearing comfortable shoes as it's quite a long trek to the point. Visit our  Facebook Page , Follow us on  Instagram,  to see more such wonderful pictorial memories from our trips. Destination One: St. Dwynwen The name Llanddwyn means "The church of St. Dwynwen". She is the Welsh

Luscious Lake District

United Kingdom Short Trip Tales

Episode Two: Lake District

If driving is something that gives your heart pleasure then a weekend trip to the lucent Lake District may be a great way to enjoy a memorable weekend and utilize the gorgeous summers of the United Kingdom. 
Last July, we took off on a weekend trip to visit the place where they say you are bound to fall in love with the pomp and show that nature puts up for your eyes. We were accompanied by another couple on this trip. We started out at around 2:30pm in the afternoon.

Travel Checks: During the summers there is daylight till about 8:30 pm in the evening, make use of it to your benefit, and travel as much as you can.

There is a good amount of driving involved throughout the entire trip of Lake District so if you have more than one person driving then it is beneficial. Lake District which holds a UNESCO World Heritage status is a popular tourist destination. As the name suggests it is home to many beautiful lakes some of which may seem to stretch forever. There is also the famous National Park, Cumbria, which is an excellent place to visit if you are a fan of trekking. The gorgeous lakes with their crystal clear water artfully placed at the foot of the towering and lush green mountains against the clear blue skies make the landscape of the Lake District nothing less than a place of the fairy tales. This place also has to name some of the greatest literary stalwarts to the likes of William Wordsworth.
There are some famous market towns such as Kendel, Keswick, and Ambleside. Expect to find a plethora of cultural artifacts at these places.

 Day One

Viewing point 1: Surprise View & Derwentwater

We flagged off our discovery of the Lake District with one of it`s most popular viewing points, the Surprise View. The lake that greets your eyes is fondly called the Derwentwater.
The drive is uphill but the sights around are all worthy of it. The car can easily be maneuvered to the parking space available near the viewpoint, so if you have kids or elderly traveling with you then reaching the spot by car is the best option. Enroute to the Surprise View you will encounter another well-known tourist spot the Ashness Bridge. This is a very very narrow bridge over a small canal that passes below it and you actually have to give way to other cars as only one car can cross over it at a time. We spent around 30 minutes at these two spots and from there we started off to visit the other famous lakes.


The view of Derwentwater as seen from the Surprise Viewpoint

To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.

The sheer expanse of this place: Derwentwater
The Ashness bridge.
Photo Trivia: The car that you see had actually broken down on the middle of that bridge! This had caused us some serious loss of travel time!


Travel Checks: Ensure that you carry enough coins with you as all the parking spaces are pay and park ones.

Viewing point 2:Buttermere

Next in line was the breathtakingly beautiful Buttermere. This lake seemed to be stretching on forever! The village located nearby draws its name from this lake. You might find it difficult to decide which direction gives you the best possible photo as each and every corner of this place is instagramable! We spent about an hour gazing at the beauty of this lake and its surroundings and as it started getting dark, we made our way back to our hotel The Sun Inn that was located in Ulverstone to call it a night. We were charged 45 pounds (per room) for one night. 
Buttermere

The pointer at the tourist parking spot near Buttermere
Travel Checks: If you have kids with you, you can give a shot to Treetop treks.


To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.

Viewing point 3: The Honister pass


Driving from Buttermere towards Keswick we had purposefully taken the B5289 so that en route we could drive through the breathtakingly gorgeous Honister pass. This is a mountain pass located on the B5289 road, linking Seatoller, in the valley of Borrowdale, to Gatesgarth at the southern end of Buttermere. As you start entering the pass your eyes are bound to widen given the landscape that it beholds in front. Fortunately for us, when we crossed the pass there was almost no traffic so we maximized the opportunity and took photos to our heart's content. 



Taking advantage of the empty road!
Travel Checks: We had a tough time finding dinner as lost in exploration we had completely forgotten that in the UK most eateries stop serving food after 7pm. We managed to find dinner at a local pizza shop: Pizzaria which is open till late into the night. In case you have kids traveling with you, do carry sufficient food or grab dinner early!

                                           Day Two

Viewing point 4: Grasmere and William Wordsworth


The next day we checked out early from our hotel and after a decadent English breakfast at a home-cafe called the Copper Pot located in Ambleside, we made our way to see the magnanimous Lake known as the Grasmere. Like Buttermere, the village near the lake also is known as Grasmere. This village is not only famous for the lake but its more well known because of its association with the Lake Poets, one of them being the famous  William Wordsworth who lived in Grasmere for 14 years and to quote him this is "the loveliest spot that man hath ever found." We visited his house located in Grasmere. At the entrance to his home, you are greeted with lines from his world-famous poem "The Daffodils". The visitors are entitled to explore into his study, dining hall, bedroom. One can see manuscripts of his work that are put on display here, a family chart that adorns the wall of one of the rooms amongst many other personal artifacts. Some parts of the house are private and not accessible to visitors. The garden was brimming with floral presence, showcasing some of the most beautiful shades of pastel hues that one may imagine! 
You need to visit his home to understand how and why he could pen down his treasure chest of poems, the location, the ambiance, and the sheer natural beauty of Grasmere is bound to make anyone and everyone fall in love with nature and poetry alike!

The Entrance to William Wordsworth's House

Price chart for the House and Garden visit
Image Source: Uk National Trust


A classic English breakfast to start your day with @ Copper Pot cafe.
Soaking in the beauty of the Grasmere lake
Travel Checks: The Lake Poets were a group of English poets who all lived in the Lake District of England, United Kingdom, in the first half of the nineteenth century. 


To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.

Viewing point 5:Kirkstone Pass


From Grasmere, we took the A591 road in order to reach Ullswater via the Kirkstone pass. This pass is located at an altitude of 1,489 feet and this is the Lake District's highest pass that is open to motor traffic. There is space on the side of the pass where one can park the cars and spend time gazing and admiring the sheer natural beauty and boldness that this pass testifies. We made our way towards the Ullswater lake from here.
The Kirkstone Pass as seen from the viewing point.
To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.

Viewing point 6:Ullwater


Ullswater is the second largest lake in the Lake District, it is about nine miles long and 0.75 miles wide, with a maximum depth a little more than 60 meters. Here too you can easily find a pay and park area. The beauty of this lake stands unparalleled. Amongst all the other lakes that we saw, this one is my personal favorite, more so because I got a chance to dip my feet in the lake. The landscape, the ambiance all together made the set up no less than a frame right out of a Bollywood song shot!
Where time stands still and the Soul feels Alive!
Ullswater Lake

Travel checks:
If you like you may choose to experience any form of adventure sports, a  plethora of trekking and cruising options are available in the Lake District. We did not have the time so we could not experience them.


To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.

Viewing Point 7: Castlerigg Stone Circles



Having completely soaked our souls lost in the beauty of Ullswater we set out for the next phase of our journey taking the A5091 road towards the Castlerigg Stone circles. Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of the most photogenic prehistoric monuments in Britain making it one of the most visited stone circles in Cumbria. It was probably built around 3000 BC, at the beginning of the later Neolithic period, making it one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. It is important in terms of astronomical and geometric utilities since the construction seems to have significant astronomical alignments. There are 38 stones in a circle approximately 30 meters in diameter. Within the ring is a rectangle of a further 10 standing stones. The tallest stone is 2.3 meters high. The origins remain unknown although it is believed that it was used for ceremonial or religious purposes.
(Source of Info:visitcumbria.com)


Castlerigg Stone Circle
The Information Board Before Entering Castlerigg Stone Circle

Viewing Point 8: Windermere


From here we set out taking road A591 towards our next spot the largest natural lake in England, Windermere. This is a ribbon lake formed in a glacial trough after the retreat of ice at the start of the current interglacial period. It one of the most popular places for holidays and summer homes. 
Historically this lake formed part of the border between Lancashire and Westmorland, but now it is within the county of Cumbria and the Lake District National Park. (Source of info: Google)
When we reached Windermere we found the place buzzing with tourists, however, parking was easily available. As we made ourselves comfortable in the Lake View Garden Bar, the place lives up to its name as it offers a gorgeous view of the lake, where we experienced one of the most beautiful UK summer noons, sipping tea in the company of friends, watching the sun as it dazzled on the sky-colored water of Windermere and the air buzzed with the loud but calming chirps of the seagulls.
Travel Checks: The Lake View Garden Bar, is pet friendly. So feel free to take your furry baby along!
The view of Windermere from the Lake View Garden Bar

Travel Checks: Try out the home-made ice creams that are easily available here. The spectrum of the flavor range that the shops offer will surely confuse you!

Viewing Point 9: Grasmere Gingerbread shop

A visit to the Lake District would not be completed unless you introduced your taste buds to the delicious gingerbread! To satiate our quench for it we made our way to the famous Sarah Nelson Grasmere Gingerbread shop.  
The Grasmere Gingerbread was invented by Victorian cook Sarah Nelson in the year 1854 in the village of Grasmere, hence the name. Upon entering the shop we were greeted by the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread, the experience of buying it is as delicious as the bread itself. The gingerbread tasted something like a cross between a biscuit and a cake! Alongside the gingerbread, you can also try out their award-winning rum butter and other options like toffee, ginger beer, and many more! 
Achievement! Gingerbread shopping spree.

With this, we came to an end of our rendevous with the serene Lake District and we made our way back to Manchester.

Travel Checks: Although we have written in detail about only some of the more well-known and visited lakes of the Lake District. It is important to share with our readers that the entire drive of the place is dotted by lakes, so no matter on which road you are driving, a lake will be surely accompanying you! That is why it is called the land of lakes!
Yes, you can pat them, they are very friendly! Met her at Windermere
To indulge in more such beautiful pictures and videos from our Lake District trip visit us on our Facebook page, Instagram & Youtube channel.



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