Days: 4 - 6
Sunday, June 25th
Tuesday, June 27th
Pounds Sterling
Conversion rate on
our visit:
$1.98 = £1.00
Keswick
                            
       
What We Had
Somw Sun, Clouds and Drizzle
High: 58°F Low: 48°F
Averages
High: 57°F Low:47°F
 Current Conditions
EdinburghKeswickYorkConwyStow on the WoldBathLondon
Click a city name to switch locations

Page Index
Overview
•  Keswick Summary
What We Saw
•  Hadrian's Wall
•  Lakeland Sheep and Wool Center
•  Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
•  A cruise across Lake Derwentwater
Where We Ate
•  West View Guest House
•  The Dog and Gun
•  High Lodore Farm Café
•  Greggs Restaurant
•  Old Keswickian (no kidding)
Where We Stayed
•  West View Guest House

  Overview Keswick Summary


Nick and our transportation
On Monday we started our travels by coach (buses are what you ride in cities). We gathered outside our hotel and met our driver Nick (in front of our coach, left). Note that the name of the company is Morten's. Since that's Nick's surname, you've probably guessed that Nick is part of the family owners. In fact he's usually in the office doing his share of running the business.

Although Nick is normally office-bound, it was VERY obvious that he has also spent a lot of time driving coaches. Some of the places he went to and the obstacles he drove around and through were truly unbelievable! A good example were the gates into and out of Conwy. There were onlyAh! England. (yes...it was a little windy), INCHES (really...this is not an exaggeration) between the side of the bus and the city walls. And that's not all. Throughout the trip, Nick was a great friend to us all, a great addition to our group AND the coach was first class.

We left Edinburgh and Scotland and headed south into England. You can see from the picture on the right that the weather was not ideal.
 
 


The Scottish side looking south to England
Yes! It`s windy
  


The English side...looking north to Scotland
  



Hadrians Wall



Our first stop, close to the Scottish border, in the middle of the island was Hadrian`s Wall. We stopped at a Roman fort called Vercovicium (Housesteads), one of the many stationed along the 71 mile wall. The fort was atop a hill about a half mile from the parking lot in the middle of a pasture (watch your step!). Over the centuries, the land has been used primarily for farming but wasn't recognized for its historic value until 1930. At that time John Maurice Clayton presented the fort to the National Trust.







Haydon Bridge over the River Tyne


Back on the bus we headed southwest. Along the way we stopped for lunch in the small, but lovely town, of Hexham. This was the one time we ate at an English fast-food restaurant called Greggs. The food was tasty and a good amount for the money. Clearly a big step up from McDonalds.  After lunch we spent some time looking around the town. Many visited the town's abbey (built in the 12th century). As we left Hexham, we were treated to a beautiful shot of Haydon Bridge over the Rive Tyne.








A Scottish Gentlemen (James)
we met will walking
So on to Keswick, pronounced `ke-zik (go figure!). We drove up to a series of guest houses and unloaded. Since our group was too large for one guest house we split up into several. All were reported to be wonderful. We stayed at the West View.

After we settled in we headed out to do some wash. The laundromat was just 4 blocks away. A great opportunity to get it out of the way. That evening the group got back together for a meal of fish and chips at the Old Keswickian in the town center . The food was good and the time spent with the group was fun as well.

After dinner we explored the town a little, but since most things were closed, we headed instead down to Lake Derwentwater. Along the way we came across a Scottish gentleman (left). We started a conversation by asking directions, then moved to how much we loved Edinburgh (when we determined he was Scottish from his accent) and finally to his dislike for the English. What was amazing is that he spoke of things the happened 800 years ago as the reason for his dislike. Talk about holding a grudge! A very helpful gentleman none-the-less.



JP, Therese, Linda, Jan and Jack
 
We continued down to the lake. Not that there was a lot to do there at this time of night, but the weather was actually dry and it was a very pleasant evening for a walk. We happened upon Therese and JP along the way (left). The lake itself didn't appear to be that large. Tomorrow we'd learn that that wasn't the case at all. We were just in a cove near the end of the lake. It was obvious, however, why people come to the lakes district for vacations.

Tuesday morning we headed out for what was to be a sheep adventure at the Lakeland Sheep and Wool Centre. No...really...it was both educational and a lot of fun.



Ron, Linda, Jan and Jack
Photo by: John Zambrano
We spent the rest of the day enjoying Lake Derwentwater, specifically the Lodore area on the south end of the lake. We hopped aboard a boat and road to the Lodore Pier. From there we walked a short distance to the High Lodore Farm Cafe . We had lunch at the cafe along with John, Laura, John and Janet. They served a cobblerwith creme that was to die for. The rest of the food was good as well, but I didn't bother with that.

After lunch we ventured up past the Lodore Hotel (very nice place, outside and in) to the Lodore Falls. The scenery was terrific, but the falls themselves were obscured by the vegetation. Leaving the falls we stopped to talk to some other tourists headed that way. The woman (an American) lives in England, but has visited the same small community in Wisconsin where Jack and Jan hide out in the summer. Anyway, the hike was worth the time and the area was outstanding. We finished the afternoon with a return trip across the lake. The weather was actually descent and the ride very pleasant.

Our evening began with a dinner at The Dog and Gun good food and real English atmosphere. Janet and John had found the pub as well and appeared to enjoy they meal as much as we did. After a short walk around town (most things were closed) we headed back to the West View and a fun time playing Hearts and Shanghai-La with Jack and Jan.



Water under the bridge
South End Lake Derwentwater
  What We Saw Hadrian's Wall
June 25, 2007
​
Our first stop in England was Hadrian's Wall. Ruling Rome from AD117 to AD138, Hadrian was known as a great military administrator and is one of the so-called "five good emperors". We've both seen a number of TV programs about Hadrian and his Wall, but to see it and stand in the fort that was actually used by the Romans was very exciting.
 
 
 From Wikipedia 
Hadrian's Wall (Latin: Vallum Hadriani, also known as the Roman Wall, Picts' Wall, or Vallum Aelium in Latin) is a former defensive fortification of the Roman province of Britannia, begun in AD 122 in the reign of the Emperor Hadrian. Running from Wallsend on the River Tyne in the east to Bowness-on-Solway in the west of what is now northern England, it was a stone wall with large ditches in front of it and behind it that crossed the whole width of the island. Soldiers were garrisoned along the line of the wall in large forts, smaller milecastles, and intervening turrets. In addition to the wall's defensive military role, its gates may have been customs posts.

Image what they had to deal with. Literally on the edge of their empire, they lived in utter isolation from the rest of their world. But that didn't deter them from bringing as much of Rome as they could including some of their creature comforts. This was learned from letters that have been found on the site and there was also evidence that the soldiers families lived with them as well. On this trip we learned there had even been a village, just outside the south wall, where soldier's could also entertain themselves. It's very hard to imagine how desolate this location must have been!

While the site we visited, Vercovicium (Housesteads), was not much more then a footprint, there was still enough to give you a good sense of the size of the various buildings and thereby the sophistication of the overall installation and the people that planned it, built it and lived there.

Now imagine what the people to the north of the wall must have felt about the Romans once the wall was in place. It spanned the entire island ranging in height from 11 to 20 feet tall and 9 to 20 feet thick! It not only prevents intrusion into the south but it sent a strong message that Rome was not to be messed with.

And the weather! We were at the wall during the last week of June and, believe me, it felt a great deal like October in Michigan. The video (above...it will take a short time to download) will give you a good feel for how unfriendly it can be even in June. With that in mind, image sentry duty along Hadrian's Wall at the very edge of the frontier. Wow! What a great place to visit.
 

Here`s a sample of the weather we had
 
   
 
  What We Saw Lakeland Sheep and Wool Center
June 26, 2007

A Sheep and Wool Center? Yup and it was interesting and fun. First of all, there are literally hundreds of varieties of sheep. No, we didn't see each and every one of them. What we did see was 19 of the varieties that are most common in the area. But that's not the amazing thing! Each of the sheep came out and move up to their perch without assistance. Not sure if this shows they are smart or that they can simply be trained (like a dog) when there is a food treat involved.

Lakeland Sheep and Wool Center
Egremont Road
Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 0QX
Tel: +44 (0)1900 822673
FAX: +44 (0)1900 922673
 
 
  Where We Ate West View Guest House
June 26, 2007

Dinning room of our guest house
West View Guest House
The Heads
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5ES
Tel: (017687) 73638
      
 
 
  Where We Ate The Dog and Gun
June 26, 2007


Inside the Dog and Gun
The Dog and Gun is animal friendly (thus the name). There were almost as many dogs in the pub as there were people. Many appeared to be regular visitors and spent the entire time we were there as patient guests comfortably sleeping at the feet of their master. We didn't figure out what the "Gun" part of the title meant. Probably something related to hunting?

The pubs located in the center of town, a short 10 minutes walk from the West View. Like any other pub, we ordered our meals at the bar. The food was delicious and plentiful and the service was what we grew to expect. Another place we'd recommend!

From the street
The Dog and Gun
2 Lake Road
017687/73463
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5BD
Tel: +44 017687 73463
      
 
 
  Where We Ate High Lodore Farm Café
June 26, 2007


As mentioned above, we had a great lunch here. There are a limited number of tables outside to sit at and there was only a few seat indoors. The food was prepared as you waited and was good tasting and reasonable priced. I've already said that the cobbler (with cream) was outstanding, but let me say that again. The hike from the Lodore Pier wasn't very long and the scenery was beautiful. We'd recommend both the hike up to the cafe and the food.

A good lunch in a great setting
High Lodore Farm Café
South end of Lake Derwentwater
Tel: 017687/77221
   
 
  What We Saw Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
June 26, 2007
First we didn't stay at this hotel.  We decided to take a boat trip across Dderwentwater Lake to the south end. After a very pleasant ride we disembarked and began to explore.  Not far from the boat dock we came upon this lovely hotel.  The location is intriguing.  Off by itself, not really close to anything.  After a quick peek inside, we wondered the grounds. If you're seeking quintessential English lake-district countryside this is the place.   

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa
B5289
Keswick CA12 5UX
Tel: +441768777285
      
 
  What We Saw A cruise across Lake Derwentwater
June 26, 2007


So we're in the Lake District, what better to do then to cruise Lake Derwentwater.  A small boat to be sure, but an enjoyable trip. Be sure to see the Wikipedia information including the panaramic picture of the lake.   

Once we left the boat we visited both the Ladore Falls Hotel and had lunch at the High Lodore Farm Cafe (details are here as well).













 From Wikipedia 
Derwentwater, or Derwent Water, is a lake in the Lake District in North West England, immediately south of Keswick. It is in the unitary authority of Cumberland within the ceremonial county of Cumbria. It is the third largest lake by area, after Windermere and Ullswater. It has a length of 4.6 kilometres (2.9 mi), a maximum width of 1.91 kilometres (1.19 mi), and an area of 5.4 square kilometres (2.1 sq mi). Its primary inflow and outflow is the River Derwent, which also flows through Bassenthwaite Lake before reaching the Irish Sea at Workington.


 
 
  Where We Ate Greggs Restaurant
June 25, 2007


Leaving the restaurant
Although Greggs is a chain restaurant, we found the food to be a clear step above fast food. We all had some type of sandwich or pasty. The service was fast and the food was good. We'd recommend it.

Greggs Restaurant
41 Fore Street
Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 1LU
Tel: 01434 600028
 
 
  Where We Ate Old Keswickian (no kidding)
June 26, 2007
This was a great meal. True English fish and chips! Our second group meal together.  

At the start of our tours, there is a lot to get used to.  What's our tour guide like?  How well does she (in this case) tell us about all that we're seeing? Who are the other members of our group? Where do they come from?  What to your do in they 'normal' life? How much have they traveled?  Why are they on this tour?  Yup...lots to get used to and LOTS to learn. Dinners are a great place for all of have those conversations!

From the town square - we ate on the 2nd floor
Old Keswickian (no kidding)
7 Market Square
Keswick, Cumbria
CA12 5BD
Tel: 017687 73861
      
 
 
  Where We Stayed West View Guest House
West View Guest House was only one of the 4 guest houses our group stayed in. Obviously, guest houses are not large enough to house a group of 26. West View was great. The room was a good size, with the lavatory in the room. There was a guest lounge on the second floor that was great for playing cards with Jack and Jan both evenings. Others from our group reported that their guest house was very nice as well.

The locations were outstanding. The town center (for shopping and restaurants) was a 5-10 minute walk via a subway (a passage under the main road), the lake was a 10 minute walk by a park and miniature golf course and the laundromat was about the same distance up the hill.

Breakfast was served on the main floor (see above) and included both warm and cold choices.We heard from some of the others in our group that they made their breakfast choices ahead of time to get their food faster.

Linda out front
West View Guest House
The Heads
Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5ES
Tel: (017687) 73638
         
 
 
  Previous or Next City