A weekend break in the North Lakes

I’m thrilled to live near the Lake District and work for the Lake District National Park. In our fast-paced, right-angled, streamlined modern life, we sometimes need access to nature to wind down, drop our shoulders, and exhale.

The towns up in the Lakes are charming but way too busy for my taste. Last weekend, we went for a quieter alternative: a stay at Near Howe, a farm on a hilltop looking out over Mungrisdale.

Near Howe

On a snowy day, I would have preferred climbing the hill to Near Howe in a 4-wheel-drive car with good Norwegian studded winter tyres. However, on Friday, our old Vauxhall Crossland ascended without problems.

The farm buildings were converted into high-quality cottages, and the lovely landlords, Fiona and Mark, made us feel very welcome. Even the alpacas welcomed us.

Near Howe was an excellent place to stay. It was well away from the hustle of the more touristy locations in the Lakes but only a few minutes’ drive away from places we wanted to see.

Almost nostalgia

I’m not nostalgic about leaving Norway two years ago, but there is one thing I can admit I miss a little bit: the abundance of wild nature and the proximity to it wherever you are.

The terrain in the North Lakes, with its peaks and broad, glacial valleys, reminds me of several areas in Norway. Like finding a piece of my old homeland in my new one.

Derwentwater

You can’t visit the Lakes without visiting at least one lake, can you?

This is Derwentwater.

Keswick

We made a short stop in busy Keswick as well. And why not look into The Puzzling Place?

This was another thing that reminded me of Norway. The Puzzling Place resembled, in many ways, Vitensenteret (the Science Centre) in my old hometown, Trondheim. Trondheim claims to be Norway’s technology capital, and Vitensenteret makes science attractive and available to the children there.

The Puzzling Place is perhaps more singularly focused on optical illusions, but it’s fun anyway. And an excuse to be childish in my 60s.

Penrith

Heading for M6 on our way home on Sunday, we also had a look at Pentrith Castle. Built in the 1300s by the Nevilles, who defended the border against the Scots on behalf of the English king.

A lovely weekend and another reminder that we don’t have to travel far and wide to have pleasant experiences.

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