Allonby sits on the Solway Coast, which means you get the best of both worlds: beach and fells on the same day. Cockermouth is your gateway, 20 miles south-east. From there the western Lake District opens up with some of England's finest valley roads. All four routes below are circular or easy out-and-back drives. Distances are from Allonby.
The most direct route into the heart of the Lake District. Take the A595 south to Cockermouth, then the A66 east along the northern edge of the national park into Keswick. The A66 section runs parallel to the Bassenthwaite valley with Skiddaw filling the view ahead.
Keswick is the main market town of the northern Lakes. Park on the edge of Derwentwater and walk the lake shore, take a boat trip to Lodore Falls, or head up Cat Bells for the best ridge walk in Lakeland (genuinely achievable with children).
Allonby to Cockermouth, then south through Lorton Vale along the B5289, which follows Crummock Water and Loweswater before arriving at Buttermere. This is one of the most beautiful valley drives in England and takes under an hour from Allonby with no stops.
Buttermere is small, unspoiled and surrounded by high fells on three sides. The lake walk is 4 miles, mostly flat, with views of Haystacks (Alfred Wainwright's favourite fell). Return via Honister Pass if you want a high mountain road, or back the same way for an easier drive.
The quieter, less-visited western Lakes. From Cockermouth take the A595 briefly then cut across to the Castle Inn road alongside Bassenthwaite Lake, England's only lake officially called a lake (all others are meres, waters or tarns). The osprey project here runs from spring through summer.
Dodd Wood above the eastern shore has red squirrels, forest walks and a viewpoint café. The Skiddaw ridge is accessible from Keswick or from Ullock Pike. This route combines well with a Keswick visit.
Continue south from Keswick through the Borrowdale valley, one of the most dramatic in the Lakes. The B5289 runs along the eastern shore of Derwentwater, through the Jaws of Borrowdale at Grange, past Rosthwaite to Seatoller at the foot of Honister Pass.
Borrowdale has excellent walking at all levels, from the short Lodore Falls path to the longer Langstrath Valley route. The Watendlath road branches east from Ashness Bridge for one of the finest viewpoints in the district.
A few notes for driving in the western Lakes
- Most valley roads are single track with passing places. Take your time and pull in early for oncoming traffic.
- Car parks fill by 10am on summer weekends. Either go early or arrive after 3pm.
- Mobile signal is unreliable beyond Keswick and Cockermouth. Download maps offline before you go.
- Honister Pass (Routes 2 and 4 combined) has a 1-in-4 gradient on the Borrowdale side. Fine in a standard car, less fun in heavy rain.
Three cottages on the coast, the fells on the doorstep. Book direct and save on fees.
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