by Andrew Mercer

Created on: July 22, 2007

I have been traveling to the Lakes since my earliest years I have seen the best and the worst of the region. In our small crowded island the term "remote" is relative.

The English Lake District is one of the most beautiful areas of England. Many millions of years ago the entire region was one large volcano, the glaciers of the last ice age carved a landscape of mountains and long valleys, which radiate out from the centre. It is a landscape that has inspired poets and painters for generations.

I have climbed up to the peaks through mists that below have clung to the valleys all day, up into a magical landscape of blue skies above a sea of cloud dotted with island peaks. I have walked on Lake Windermere when frozen. But these days the Lake District has lost a lot of what made it different, it is mainly populated by people who can afford to live there. The region used to belong exclusively to the North of England but increasingly it belongs to planet tourism !

A hundred years or so ago the area was quite remote and many of its inhabitants could trace their ancestry back to the Scandinavian landings almost 1000 years ago, many of the charming town, lake and mountain names have the same origins. In the late eighteen hundreds the train line arrived at Windermere and wealthy industrialists from the large cities to the south realized that they could easily escape at weekends to this still tranquil region, many of the regions large hotels were once the second homes of these early visitors. Now the main north south route to Scotland the M6 passes within 10 miles of the National Park and it is only an hours drive from the major cities of Manchester or Liverpool. This is both a blessing and a curse. The whole area of the Lakes is little more than 35 miles from north to south and east to west, so in international terms it is a relatively small area. The main national park centres like Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Hawkshead and Keswick are little more than villages and can get very crowded at peak periods. I would advise that if you wish to see the area at its best.. you visit mid week or out of season. The early riser even at peak periods can still be welcomed with some stunning and tranquil vistas. But in the height of summer at weekend sometimes it feels like the whole of England has descended on its narrow winding roads, but with careful planning you can avoid the crowds. In the west of the Lake District you will find the quietest and most unspoilt valleys.. Wasdale

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