Photos of the area


Around Limefitt Park - Near Jenkins CragAround Limefitt Park - WIndermere with rainbowAround Limefitt Park - View from Wansfell PikeAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck GardenAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck GardenAround Limefitt Park - UllswaterAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck ChurchyardAround Limefitt Park - TownendDSCF1561Around Limefitt Park - Troutbeck ChurchAround Limefitt Park - Cattle on the fellsAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck TongueAround Limefitt Park - View from WansfellAround Limefitt Park - View from Ill bellAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck ChurchyardAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck TongueAround Limefitt Park - WindermereAround Limefitt Park - UllswaterAround Limefitt Park - Limefiit from aboveAround Limefitt Park - Troutbeck Churchyard

A walk past England’s most romantic spot for a picnic

Yesterday we took advantage of the fantastic weather and walked up from the lodge to the front of Wansfell Pike. from there we sauntered through Skelghyll Wood marvelling at the swathes of bluebells as we went.

Bluebells in Skelghyll wood

Bluebells in Skelghyll wood

There were also carpets of wild garlic that filled the air with their heady scent and delighted the eye with their delicate white flowers.

We stopped off for a moment at Jenkin Crag, which was named Britain’s most romantic spot for a picnic by Country Life magazine. It’s a lovely spot with a great view.

The view from Jenkin Crag

The view from Jenkin Crag

We returned along the lake and then up Holbeck Lane to Troutbeck.

You can see (and dowload to GPS) the walk we did here.

Troutbeck to Ambleside via Skelghyll Wood


EveryTrail – Find trail maps for The Lake District and beyond

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Dog-Friendly Lake District Pine Lodges

The Lake District is a wonderful place to bring your dog. There are a huge number of places to visit and things to see and do with your dog. We have four dog -friendly holiday lodges in Troutbeck near Windermere which you can find here – www.lakedistrictholidaylodges.co.uk – and we are often asked for dog friendly information by our guests. This post is intended to provide some useful information for visitors to the South Lakes. As things can change we do suggest that you check before making a special visit to any of these places.

Dogs love Windermere!

Dogs love Windermere!

The steamers on the Windermere, Coniston and Ullswater all allow dogs, and all dogs travel free on any sailings operated by Windermere Lakes Cruises. Dogs are allowed on board the boats of the Coniston Launches. They are allowed inside the cabins, but not on the seats, at a charge of 50 pence (free to working guide dogs). The founders of Coniston Launch owned Flatcoated Retrievers Saga, Folly and Epic and, to mark the enjoyment these dogs provided, all Flatcoated Retrievers still travel FREE of charge! our dog Suki, who is a flatcoat. thinks this is a wonderful idea.

Some boat hire companies including Shepherds of Windermere let you take dogs on board. If steam railways are your things then the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway both allow dogs too.

If you enjoy visiting country houses Muncaster castle allows dogs in the grounds but not in the house Hutton in the Forest allows dogs on leads in the gardens, grounds and woodland walks. At Sizergh Castle dogs on leads are welcome around the estate, but not the gardens. Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, allows dogs to be taken around Brantwood garden, but they are not allowed in the house. Grizedale Forest Parks and Visitor centre allows dogs in the Forest Park and Lake District National Park visitor centre at Brockhole on Windermere makes dogs welcome if they are kept on a lead at all times.

All Open Space National Trust properties are dog friendly, and many of those have tea rooms/cafes where dogs are also welcome, although in some cases this may be outside. Don’t forget to bring your National Trust membership card as this may entitle you to free parking and / or free entry. National Trust properties in Cumbria include:

Ullswater and Aira Force Windermere and Ambleside Coniston and Tarn Hows Grasmere Borrowdale Great Langdale Little Langdale Arnside and Silverdale Sandscale Haws

The Mortal Man

The Mortal Man

One of the great joys of walking in the Lake District with your dog is ending up at a good dog-friendly pub at the end of the walk. Both of our local pubs, The Mortal Man and The Queen’s Head, let dogs inside. Both are normally thoughtful enough to provide a bowl of water outside so you don’t feel too bad about satisfying your own thirst at the bar! The Haybarn on-site pub at Limefitt accepts dogs too.

Here are some other local pubs which accept dogs

  • The Watermill, Ings Village, Nr Windermere,
  • Wainwrights Inn, Chapel Stile,
  • Great Langdale,Ambleside
  • Stickle Barn Tavern, Great Langdale, Ambleside
  • Britannia Inn, Ambleside
  • Outgate Inn,Outgate, Ambleside
  • Drunken Duck Inn, Barn Gates,Hawkshead,Ambleside
  • The Punchbowl Inn, Crosthwaite,Kendal

Of course it’s not all about walking and pubs – Sometimes a bit of retail therapy is in order. You have to buy those treats somewhere after all.

Our favourite pet shop in the Lakes – Paws by the Lake, is at Waterhead, Ambleside. It combines both a pet shop and gift shop for pet lovers. There is a well stocked pet shop in Windermere – Lakeland Pet Supplies at 28 Main Rd, Windermere, LA23 1DY, (015394 44458). Booths Supermarket in Windermere stocks a variety of canine accessories. There is also a huge Pets at Home in the South Lakeland Retail Park in Kendal.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay to make the most of all of these dog friendly activities we have four self-catering dog -friendly holiday lodges in the Lake District for you to choose from. They are situated in Limefitt Park in Troutbeck, which is a beautiful village just a short distance from Windermere. You can find out more at www.lakedistrictholidaylodges.co.uk

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Must Have iPhone Applications for Your Visit to the Lake District

Choosing where to stay

There is a free “Visit Britain” iPhone app (Free) but it gets very poor review as do most other applications that you can find by typing the search term “lake district” into iTunes. Don’t despair though you already have the most useful app of all to play with pre-installed on your phone – Safari. So, if for example, you are looking for a dog friendly pine lodge, just Google “dog friendly lake district pine lodge” in Safari and you will be well on the way to finding what you need. Using a browser here is a better idea than an app anyway as things change and new places come and go so quickly. You can also use Safari to access many local webcams to check up on conditions before travelling.

Finding a Great Pub

The “Camra Good Beer Guide” (£4.99) may point you towards some of the better pubs in the Lake District in spite of the rather frightening warning on iTunes that it contains “Frequent/Intense Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Use” references!

Going For a Walk

“Everytrail” (FREE) is a great app that uses the iPhone’s GPS capability to great effect. The Pro version has a little more functionality and costs just £2.39. More local walks are being added all the time. Do bear in mind that this should really only be seen as an addition to a traditional map and compass as if your battery goes or you lose reception you are going to feel pretty foolish explaining yourself to the local mountain rescue team. If you do find yourself in trouble on the fells at night you might find “Flashlight” (FREE) useful as it has an SOS flash pattern available. Yes – the iPhone really could save your life one day!

Watching the Night Sky

The Lake District is a great place to watch the night sky from because there is relatively little light pollution. If you are like me you probably struggle with identifying constellations other than the Plough and Orion’s belt. This is where “Star Walk” (£1.79) comes in handy. Using the iPhone’s GPS and motion sensors you can point the phone anywhere in the night sky and see a map of the stars that are visible in front of you. This app on its own made the iPhone worthwhile for me!

Watching Birds

The Lake District has 3 distinct habitats for birds – Upland, lowland and waterside. You will see birds here that you may not recognise so “Garden Birds” (£2.99) and “Chirp – Birdsongs Europe” (£1.79) are useful apps to have at hand. Chirp lets you learn the songs of many of the birds you will hear whilst on holiday in the Lake District.

Taking Photos

“Gorillacam” (FREE) is a great little app that will help you with the composition of your photos. It has a spirit level and a 3 x 3 grid so your pictures will always be level and interestingly composed if you follow the “rule of thirds”. It also provides a self timer, time lapse and burst modes to enhance the iPhone’s camera.

Planning a BBQ

IBBQ is a great free app that has recipes and videos, all very professionally put together, and it even shows you what the weather forecast is for the local area and where to find local butchers using the Iphone’s GPS!

Finding Money

When you are on holiday locating a cash machine isn’t always easy. “ATM@UK” (FREE) will show you the location of the nearest ATMs to your current location.

Keeping in touch

“Foursquare” (FREE) lets you tell the world where you are at any point in time and provides you with useful local hints provided by other users. “Twitter” also lets you tell the world about what you are up to. A Twitter search for “Lake District” can often throw up very useful information about what is happening locally.

Killing Time

Cumbria Tourism have released a free app “Goskimming” that is designed to increase Apple’s profits my making you use your IPhone to play at pebble skimming on the local lakes. You have to simulate the throwing action whilst holding your iPhone. You are not actually supposed to let go of the phone of course…

And of course don’t forget to use your iPhone to call home – that’s what it’s really for after all! If you need to call home and you are low on credit but you can find a free WiFi hotspot you can use “Skype” (FREE) to make phone calls.

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The Dog Friendly Lake District

Happy New Year to all our friends out there.

As a special new Year treat I am bringing you an article that I found in the nether reaches of the internet. Enjoy!

Dog Friendly Pubs in the Lake District

Cumbria is a great place for dogs. Wherever you to, you’ll see visitors and puppies tour the Lake District. Whether the fell race, pulling cable through the city, running along the lake – always carry a bit stick infeasibly. O snack sitting nobly expected to spare, this is the land of dog

Locals love dogs, too. I can ensure that you will see several shepherds supported without fear in the curves in the back of a tractor bike or four, perhaps by keeping a foot of a sick lamb. Each farmer has an invisible edge attached to a dog or two , following him everywhere.

A lot of catering cottages Lake District are pets. If you want to take them out to the pub, too, there are plenty of places to give welcome. Many of them are within walking distance of these cottages

Boot Inn in Eskdale is a large bar in many ways – pleasant company, good food, real beer and a dog right policy friendly. This oak beams, a traditional pub has a bar, conservatory and comfortable with board games, darts, TV and swimming pool. The Beer Festival takes place starting in June. Take the dog!

Woolpack Inn in Eskdale is pleased to accept dogs on leashes in the bar. The Woolpack is home to the brewery Hardknott, so a selection of beers is guaranteed.

Wasdale Head Inn, Wasdale, welcomes well-behaved dogs in the bar Ritson. In a country full of sights, the Wasdale Head Inn still has something to scream, to a very remote location at the foot of Scafell range. Is cozy decorated with oak is installed as a warming fire. serves beers and bar food healthy.

Screes Inn in Nether Wasdale is pleased to accept dogs. Their beers and a wide selection of whiskeys are best enjoyed sitting by the fireplace after a long day walking.

Strands Hotel in Nether Wasdale is another pub with a brewery Lake Distict well. A great place to spend the night after a long walk, Strands beer, a cozy fireplace and a games room with darts, pool table and table football. They hold a beer festival in May.

Gosforth Gosforth Hall Inn is a fabulous seventeenth century, Grade 2 * (ie, more than normal Grade 2) listed building, full of original feaures as a corner fireplace, a stone spiral staircase and a priest hole hidden . It serves real ale from Hawkshead in the Lake District to the brewery and a wide selection of homemade cakes. Dogs are welcome in the bar and lounge.

Black Cock Inn in Broughton-in- Furness is run by dog owners who are happy to welcome visiting dogs. This is a traditional Lake District pub with a menu honest, friendly. An excellent choice touristing after a day.

The Blacksmith Arms in Broughton Mills, near Broughton-in-Furness is an attractive pub dog. Built as a farmhouse in 1577, has panels of the atmosphere, slate floors and oak beams. Serve the Lake districts own Jennings and local microbrewery beers guests.

Newfield Inn is a dog friendly bar in Seathwaite in the Duddon Valley. It has a large garden and fabulous views. The Newfield serves traditional local food, with delicious specialties season.

Pastor’s arms in Ennerdale Bridge is a family home, former coach Lagos traditional white walls and large sash windows. It’s located at the main intersection of pedestrians – although, Today, passersby can be walking on the coast walk from the coast. The shepherd is a dog-friendly and has beer and hearty home cooking.

Wheatsheaf Inn Low Lorton gives welcome dogs on leashes in the bar. It is a XVII century building, with fireplace, walls lined with books and a beer garden closed, which serves as Jennings and a selection of guest beers. The views are unsurpassed, with a view to Whinlatter, Hobcarton, Hopegillhead, Whiteside and Grassmoor.

Kirkstile Inn is the bar of choice for lunch at Loweswater for both two legged and four-legged visitors (dogs are not allowed 18:00 to 22:00 in the bar). CAMRA pub of the year is dog-friendly, serves great beer, great food and great success in a traditional setting of the Lakes District.

Middle Ruddings Inn at Braithwaite near Keswick, is a rambling Edwardian building with a beautiful garden and open views to Skiddaw range. They welcome dogs in the bar, where you can choose from their selection of large meals.

The Sun Inn in Bassenthwaite is just the kind of place to collapse after a long walk with the dog. It has a great atmosphere and delicious food. There is a landscape garden with dog bowls are complete with water cool.

Dog and Gun in Keswick is well known among locals and visitors alike for dogs welcome, and you can be sure there will be more than at any time of day. It is a very attractive bar with fireplaces, slate floors and low ceilings, prisoners serving unpretentious fill.

Scafell Hotel in Rosthwaite, Borrowdale is a treat location near the foot of Great Gable in the center of the valley. Perfect for a beer and a bite in the middle of walking a day. Dogs are very welcome here.

Tithe Barn in Cockermouth welcomes dogs. It Jennings pub – unsurprisingly, given the brewery in Cockermouth -. and serves meals at the bar and restaurant

Needless to say, this list is not exhaustive! Sometimes pubs change their policies toward dogs, especially if they change hands, so if it is essential for your enjoyment, please contact the bar to make sure before you to. There are plenty of holiday homes Lakes region that would become a starting point for you and your dog to explore these wonderful establishments.

http://secondhandquadbikes.com/dog-friendly-pubs-in-the-lake-district-2.html

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The 2011 booking rush starts!

Every year we have a bit of a rest in December – Christmas and New Year tend to get booked up ages in advance and people leave off making their plans for the next year until after Boxing Day. All of a sudden we get inundated with enquiries and I spend long hours sat the computer replying to all the emails.

Last year we had already taken 20% of our bookings for 2010 by New Year’s Eve and this years advance bookings are running at a similar level to last year – slightly up in fact.

So, if you are hoping to take a break in one of our dog-friendly lake district lodges please don’t leave it too late to get in touch!

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So Did We Really Make The Best Vacation Rental Video Of 2010?

Well we don’t like to blow our own trumpet too hard but we were chuffed to mintballs to read that Heather Bayer over at The Cottage Blogger has voted the video we made with Dan Childs and Getaway Earth her Number 1 Vacation Rental Video of 2010! Thanks Heather!

Best Vacation Rental Video 2010

Best Vacation Rental Video 2010?

Here’s the video again in case you missed it

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Now all of our lodges are dog-friendly!

We have just taken the decision that all 4 of our luxury pine lodges will be dog-friendly as of the start of next season.

We had to think long and hard about it as we know some of you have chosen us in the past because we were pet-free.

In the end thoough it was the sheer number of requests that brought us to this decision, so now we have a choice of 4 fantastic lodges to offer to our four-legged friends and their well-behaved owners.

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Pre-Christmas Breaks in our lodges all reduced

You can still book a great value pre Christmas break in our fabulous lake district lodges.

We also have Christmas availability in Troutbeck View and Windermere lodges. Get away from it all and spend Christmas snug as a bug in arug in one of our lovely lodges!

Come and share the beauty of this fabulous area !

Waterfall near Limefitt Park

Waterfall near Limefitt Park

Visit http://www.lakedistrictholidaylodges.co.uk/ready.htm for more details

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EveryTrail – Walks around Troutbeck for your Iphone!

We’re quite excited to have found an app for the Iphone that makes great use of the built in GPS. It’s called EveryTrail.

We have added one of our local walks to it today! Here is a link to it.

Threshthwaite Mouth

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Special Offers at Our Lake District Pine Lodges

November and early December are a great time to grab a value break in the Lakes.

We have reduced our prices below our normal off peak levels so there has never been a better time to get a quick fix of the natural beauty that is everywhere in the Lakes!

Check out our availbility page at http://www.lakedistrictholidaylodges.co.uk/availability.htm

If it’s in blue it’s at our special offer price! Don’t miss out.

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