POETRY IN THE Hills
The luscious landscapes, expansive lakes and gently
rolling hills of Lake District have inspired famous poets like Wordsworth and
Coleridge
Imagine the stories of enchanted woods and exotic
lands that enthralled you in your childhood. Or romantic novels set in the
idyllic 19th century English countryside. Stuff that fairy tales are made of,
fit for blissful dreams. I watched these magical settings come alive in the
Lake District National Park, now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The best way to
fully soak in the charm of the region is to hire a car or get a local tour
company to drive you around.
PLACES TO VISIT
Lowther Castle: A
romantic ruin today, it was once a landmark of extravagance, replete with a
grand art collection, until the spendthrift ways of Hugh Lowther, the 5th Earl
of Lonsdale, compelled the successors to auction off every item in the castle
until it was reduced to a mere shell. Nevertheless, this remains a top tourist
attraction in the Lakes.
Lakes Distillery: The gin
is legendary in this part of the world. With Scotland a stone’s throw away on
the other side of the border, a serious, and may I add, excellent effort is
being made to produce worldclass whiskey. Our guide, Ruth, gave us a tour and
insight into the making of it all, before we sampled a variety of spirits on
offer.
Dalemain Estate: A
gorgeous Georgian-style country home, it presents the World’s Best Marmalade
Awards, a competition run by the owner and resident, Jane Hasell-McCosh, that
receives hundreds of entries from around the world. Who would have thought of
such an ingenious idea?
Rydal Mount: A visit
to this region is incomplete without a trip to the home of renowned English
poet William Wordsworth. Now converted into a museum, it overlooks a
well-manicured garden, with a ‘writing hut’ designed by the poet himself. The
iconic poem ‘Daffodils’ was penned here, inspired by this view.
The Lake District is strictly for the outdoorsy. Be
it mountain walking, archery, canoeing or forest segways, there is something
for every sporty gene here. Despite my feeble attempt at wakeboarding, it’s
something I would love to try my hand at again. A stand-up paddle board
activity soon turned to a kneel down activity as I tried to balance myself on
the board, gliding through the chilly waters. Here’s what you could try...
THINGS TO DO
Walk with Wolves: In the small
hamlet of Ayside, on a private five-acre site, a predator experience offers you
a rare opportunity to walk with two majestic hybrid wolves. Now that’s
definitely an encounter you wouldn’t forget in a hurry!
Cruises: A fun option for
everyone! Cruise along Ullswater on a steamer or take the more touristy cruises
on Lake Windermere down south.
Water Sports: With a name like
Lake District and with so many lakes in the vicinity, it’s no surprise that
water sports is a popular activity here, especially around Lake Windermere.
Rahul Jagtiani
TL 26JAN19
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