Summer 2021
19th July 2021 was the day England finally saw an end to formal Covid restrictions. Although cases continue to rise and there will be plenty of people who are wary of letting their guard down too soon. Lake District attractions, accommodation and food venues may still have their own procedures in place and even if there is no requirement to book ahead now, it is probably still wise for this summer season which is bound to be busy with few going abroad. Some venues may still struggle to open with reduced capacity and, perhaps more significantly, a lack of staff, especially with more and more people isolating. It is always wise to check venue websites in advance but be prepared for situations to change at short notice due to Covid.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the magnificent Lake District scenery and summer is a great time to enjoy it with the extra daylight and warmth. The lakes and rivers can look very appealing in the sunshine and many folks just want to have a picnic and some fun in and around the water. This website contains many places where you can do this, including all the main lakes. It might be advisable to avoid the central Lakes in the summer school holidays when it can be very congested. This website includes plenty of wonderful places around the periphery of the National Park where it is normally less busy and easier to get around.
One Lake District drive I would recommend for a summers day is the Ravenglass-Wasdale-Eskdale drive which explores the south west Lakes and visits some wonderful lake, river and even sea access areas where you can unwind by water. Ravenglass is the only coastal village inside the National Park and is a picturesque place where you will find the miniature Eskdale railway station. The drive then ventures slightly outside the National Park to the Cumbrian coast around Drigg and Seascale where you will find miles of open beaches overlooking the Irish Sea. From there you drive up Wasdale and along Wastwater, arguably the most spectacular valley and lake in the Lake District, with plenty of places to stop. Then a drive into the picturesque valley of Eskdale where you will find the other end of the Eskdale railway and some lovely villages and riverside access areas. A grand day out!
One problem in recent busy times has been anti-social behaviour with people parking inconsiderately and leaving a mess behind. Of course this is a very small minority of people but it can do significant harm to the local environment and to everyone else’s enjoyment so please be considerate on your travels.
All we need now is good weather for the rest of the summer. Perhaps with bits of overnight rain to keep the land, lakes and rivers healthy. The Lake District has actually been one of the drier parts of the country for the last few weeks which is unusual. Let’s hope it lasts!