Guidebook for Cumbria
Essentials
Well equipped village store also stocking fresh bread and pastries, sandwiches and tasty local produce such as Cumberland meats.
Opens 7 days per week
The Village Store at Gosforth
Main StreetWell equipped village store also stocking fresh bread and pastries, sandwiches and tasty local produce such as Cumberland meats.
Opens 7 days per week
Small grocery store open to 11pm 7 days per week.
10 locals recommend
Co-op Food - Seascale - Gosforth Road
Gosforth RoadSmall grocery store open to 11pm 7 days per week.
Food Scene
Great location in quiet spot. Good value and delicious cakes. Outside seating area for summer months,
11 locals recommend
Santon Bridge Gift Shop & Woodland's Tea Room (dog friendly)
Great location in quiet spot. Good value and delicious cakes. Outside seating area for summer months,
Fantastic bakery. Carrot cake to die for! It looks like a house but houses a lovely little family bakery.
Homemade pies are also lovely.
Doesn't open at weekends and closes around 3pm.
Gosforth Bakery
Meadow CloseFantastic bakery. Carrot cake to die for! It looks like a house but houses a lovely little family bakery.
Homemade pies are also lovely.
Doesn't open at weekends and closes around 3pm.
Great food, not just standard pub dishes but good restaurant quality cuisine.
Good selection of wines, beer and ale.
Book at weekends as does get busy.
6 locals recommend
Bridge Inn
WhitecroftGreat food, not just standard pub dishes but good restaurant quality cuisine.
Good selection of wines, beer and ale.
Book at weekends as does get busy.
Tiny little coffee parlour and shop by Drigg railway station - like sitting in granny's living room. Only sells coffee and small selection of tray bakes so don't expect anything else. But the coffee is good and cakes delicious - perfect after a brisk walk on the beach.
Station Road
Station RoadTiny little coffee parlour and shop by Drigg railway station - like sitting in granny's living room. Only sells coffee and small selection of tray bakes so don't expect anything else. But the coffee is good and cakes delicious - perfect after a brisk walk on the beach.
Lovely little coffee shop serving breakfasts and lunches. Also sells jams, chutneys and small gifts. Food is tasty and excellent value for money. The decor is country inspired with a modern twist. Service is excellent! Scone with cream is highly recommended!
Denton House
Lovely little coffee shop serving breakfasts and lunches. Also sells jams, chutneys and small gifts. Food is tasty and excellent value for money. The decor is country inspired with a modern twist. Service is excellent! Scone with cream is highly recommended!
Sightseeing
Lovely little steam train which starts at Eskdale and travels through the Lake District countryside to the sea at Ravenglass, stopping at some quaint little stations along the way!
Eskdale station also has a lovely cafe and gift shop.
It does get busy during the summer and is obviously popular with young families. During the Autumn it is much quieter.
A train journey for a family can be costly.
108 locals recommend
Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway Co.Ltd
Main StreetLovely little steam train which starts at Eskdale and travels through the Lake District countryside to the sea at Ravenglass, stopping at some quaint little stations along the way!
Eskdale station also has a lovely cafe and gift shop.
It does get busy during the summer and is obviously popular with young families. During the Autumn it is much quieter.
A train journey for a family can be costly.
Famous St Bees the start of the C2C.
Iconic beach and cliff landmark on the West Coast. Also well known for it's seabird colonies which include guillemots and puffins!
If you are a bird lover worth a visit.
39 locals recommend
Saint Bees
Famous St Bees the start of the C2C.
Iconic beach and cliff landmark on the West Coast. Also well known for it's seabird colonies which include guillemots and puffins!
If you are a bird lover worth a visit.
Hardknott Pass is known as one of the most steep roads in Britain with a gradient of 1 in 3. If up for the challenge you can attempt this road from the Eskdale end - drive straight through Boot village.
Its a steep winding road with passing places that twists and turns up through the Duddon Valley and then onto the Wrynose Pass section that takes you on through the Langdale Valley.
The scenery here is breathtaking but the drive is really not for the faint hearted and drivers have been known to need help to get them off the road!
Hardknott Pass
Hardknott Pass is known as one of the most steep roads in Britain with a gradient of 1 in 3. If up for the challenge you can attempt this road from the Eskdale end - drive straight through Boot village.
Its a steep winding road with passing places that twists and turns up through the Duddon Valley and then onto the Wrynose Pass section that takes you on through the Langdale Valley.
The scenery here is breathtaking but the drive is really not for the faint hearted and drivers have been known to need help to get them off the road!
Parks & Nature
Boot is a lovely little village near the foot of Hardknott Pass and is located near the Eskdale end the steam engine railway.
You can visit Eskdale Mill which dates back to 1578 and is one of the very few water corn mills still remaining.
8 locals recommend
Boot
Boot is a lovely little village near the foot of Hardknott Pass and is located near the Eskdale end the steam engine railway.
You can visit Eskdale Mill which dates back to 1578 and is one of the very few water corn mills still remaining.
Amazing 60ft high waterfall cut in a dramatic and narrow gorge just a short walk across the road from Boot village.
You can also follow the Esk river from here carving its way through the valley as it makes it way downstream.
This area is well sign-posted and family friendly to experience an easy but rewarding hike through some of the stunning Lake District landscape.
8 locals recommend
Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall
Amazing 60ft high waterfall cut in a dramatic and narrow gorge just a short walk across the road from Boot village.
You can also follow the Esk river from here carving its way through the valley as it makes it way downstream.
This area is well sign-posted and family friendly to experience an easy but rewarding hike through some of the stunning Lake District landscape.
Lovely sandy beach nestled behind the grassy sand dunes. Small car park with the beach located just behind the sand dunes down a small sandy hill.
Great for families and is unspoilt being off the beaten track. Great for paddling, rock pooling and just a lovely stroll along the breaking waves.
Drigg Road
Drigg RoadLovely sandy beach nestled behind the grassy sand dunes. Small car park with the beach located just behind the sand dunes down a small sandy hill.
Great for families and is unspoilt being off the beaten track. Great for paddling, rock pooling and just a lovely stroll along the breaking waves.
Lovely forest walk from Wellington. Great way to still get outside if weather is a bit wet. Follow stream all the way up through the trees! Path is well laid out also for those with prams or limited mobility.
Blengdale Forest
Lovely forest walk from Wellington. Great way to still get outside if weather is a bit wet. Follow stream all the way up through the trees! Path is well laid out also for those with prams or limited mobility.
Castle and grounds open to the public. Bird of Prey centre also on site. Castle grounds a lovely place for a stroll. Castle holds various events through the year including an open screen outdoor cinema & picnic & afternoon teas. Also hosts events for Halloween, Easter, Christmas etc. many of which are perfect for the kids or a fun filled family day out.
121 locals recommend
Muncaster Castle
Castle and grounds open to the public. Bird of Prey centre also on site. Castle grounds a lovely place for a stroll. Castle holds various events through the year including an open screen outdoor cinema & picnic & afternoon teas. Also hosts events for Halloween, Easter, Christmas etc. many of which are perfect for the kids or a fun filled family day out.
Arts & Culture
Lovely charity run art gallery supporting local artists. If you like pictures of the Lakeland landscapes worth a visit. Reasonable selection of original artworks, as well as lovely prints, ceramics and cards.
Limited opening hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm.
Lowes Court Gallery
2 Main StLovely charity run art gallery supporting local artists. If you like pictures of the Lakeland landscapes worth a visit. Reasonable selection of original artworks, as well as lovely prints, ceramics and cards.
Limited opening hours Mon - Fri 10am - 2pm.
Getting Around
Car hire near Carlisle station.
Approx distance to cottage 50 miles / 1.5 hours.
Child seats are avilable - if booking online - go to additional services section - but please book well in advance to secure.
Europcar Carlisle
Junction StreetCar hire near Carlisle station.
Approx distance to cottage 50 miles / 1.5 hours.
Child seats are avilable - if booking online - go to additional services section - but please book well in advance to secure.
Car hire near Carlisle station.
Approx distance to cottage 50 miles / 1.5 hours.
Good value and highly rated
6 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car - Carlisle
Car hire near Carlisle station.
Approx distance to cottage 50 miles / 1.5 hours.
Good value and highly rated