Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the town center, it's a short walk to
Friar's Crag,
the classic viewing point
on Derwentwater. The walk will also take you past
Theatre by the Lake,
a profes-
sional repertory theatre, and the pier with launches that operate regular tours around
the lake.
Essentials
GETTING THERE
Take a train to Windermere (see “Windermere & Bowness,”
earlier in this chapter) and proceed the rest of the way by bus.
Stagecoach
has a
regular bus service from Windermere, Ambleside, and Grasmere (bus no. 555). If
you're driving from Windermere, drive northwest on the A591.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Keswick Tourist Information Centre,
at Moot
Hall, Market Square (
&
01768/772645;
www.golakes.co.uk and www.keswick.
org), is open late March through late November, daily 9:30am to 5:30pm, and late
November through late March, daily 9:30am to 4:30pm. The center is also the
Adventure Hub of England and arranges bookings of outdoor activities for all levels
of experience and ability.
Exploring the Area
From Keswick you have easy access to the pick of the peaks, including
Blencathra,
Skiddaw, Helvellyn, Scafell,
and
Scafell Pike.
For something easier, try
Cat-
bells,
on the west side of Derwentwater (see below). You can also enjoy the moun-
tains by bicycle or car, heading through Borrowdale and stopping at
Honister Slate
Mine
(see below), then down to
Buttermere
village and lake and
Crummock
Water
for gentle waterfront strolls. You can return to Keswick via Whinlatter Pass
(B292), which passes through
Whinlatter Forest Park.
Stop at the visitor center
for gifts and lunch or cycling routes and horse riding. Kids will love the
Go Ape!
(
&
0845/642215;
www.goape.co.uk) high-wire adventure that zips them from tree
to tree.
One of the most scenic parts of the Lake District, the valley of
Borrowdale
16
stretches south of Derwentwater to Seathwaite in the heart of the county. The valley
is walled in by fell sides, and it's an excellent center for exploring, walking, and climb-
ing. Many use it as a base for exploring Scafell, England's highest mountain, at 963m
(3,210 ft.; see below). The southernmost village in the Borrowdale valley is Seatoller,
the terminus for buses to and from Keswick. From here, head west along the B5289
through the Honister Pass and Buttermere Fell, one of the most dramatic drives in
the Lake District. The road is lined with towering boulders. The lake village of But-
termere also merits a stopover for its lake-country scenery.
Bond Museum
MUSEUM This extraordinary collection of James Bond
movie vehicles and memorabilia was opened by 007 aficionado Peter Nelson. He has
spent years collecting movie and TV vehicles, many of which can be seen in the sister
museum,
Cars of the Stars
, in the center of Keswick (
&
01768/773757;
www.
carsofthestars.com). The Bond collection became so vast, it required a dedicated
space. Expect to see dozens of vehicles including the Aston Martin DB5 from
On Her
Majesty's Secret Service
and the Russian T55 battle tank used in
Goldeneye.
Southey Hill Trading Estate, Keswick.
&
01768/775007.
www.thebondmuseum.com. Admission £6
adults, £4 children 4-16, £20 family ticket (includes brochure and photo pass). Mid-late Feb and early
Apr-Oct daily 10am to 5pm.
