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RIVENDELL: THINGS TO DO
The Bothy is the ideal place to come back to after a day on the fells or a day out shopping. There is plenty to do in the surrounding area - here are a few suggestions:
Bassenthwaite
The village of Bassenthwaite is a good starting place for going up Skiddaw - one of the highest mountains in the Lake District - it also has The Sun Inn which serves excellent meals.

Bassenthwaite Lake is a quiet lake, with some good lakeside walks away from the crowds. There is also a sailing club at one end - please visit www.bassenthwaite-sc.org.uk for more details.
Keswick - 7 miles (15 mins)
Keswick is a busy market town
(market day is Thursday and Saturday) with lots going on. There
is a theatre here, climbing
wall, puzzling
place, bike
hire, boat
hire and cinema (which also shows World
Cinema films on a Sunday afternoon throughout winter).

Derwentwater at Keswick
Mirehouse is a large manor house a couple of miles outside Keswick (on the way back to the Bothy) with gardens
which include four woodland playgrounds, a heather maze and a rhododendron
tunnel.
Cockermouth - 7 miles (15 mins)
Cockermouth) is the birthplace of William Wordsworth
and blends history with modern living. William Wordsworth's home
is worth a visit, as is Jennings Brewery and Museum. There are plenty
of antique shops and cafes, including Merienda which holds the occasional
Jazz evening. There are a variety of pubs and smaller shops (butchers,
bakers etc) as well as a Sainsburys.
Wordsworth's Home
For more information about Cockermouth, please click here.
Loweswater, Crummock Water & Buttermere - 15 miles (25 mins)
Loweswater is a peaceful lake which has a lakeside
path through deciduous woods with the Kirkstile
Inn at one end - a pub famed for good food.

At Crummock Water are the Rannerdale bluebells. Depending
on the weather, early May is the best time of year to pay a visit
here and it will create a lasting impression - I've never seen anything
quite like it. Take a picnic and just spend some time among the
bluebells.

The Proprietor of Buttermere Ayrshire Ice Cream
At Buttermere is a farm cafe which sells delicious
ice-creams and is well worth a visit.
Ennerdale - 20 miles (35 mins)
Ennerdale is famed for being the Lake District's wild
lake. You can walk round the bottom of it or venture up on the high
fells around it. There is a forest there too which has bike trails
through it. Bikes can be hired from the Shepherd's Arms pub in Ennerdale.
Horse Riding on Cold Fell
Just beyond Ennerdale, on Cold Fell, is Murthwaite
Farm which has pony trekking on the fell. Driving along the fell
road and coming across the ponies apparently roaming wild is quite
a sight to see.
Grasmere - 20 miles (35 mins)
A busy village in the central Lake District, Grasmere was much beloved by Wordsworth who worte of its lake, "the most loveliest
spot that man hath found". Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth wrote much of his poetry, is well worth a visit, as is Rydal Mount where he lived from 1813 until he died.

The walking around Grasmere is superb. On Loughrigg Fell many walks intertwine with each other giving panoramic views of Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere
and the rest of the Lakes.
Grasmere also boasts many places to eat, drink and shop.
Cumbria's coastline
Lowmoor Farm often gets the better weather being fairly
close to the coast. Silloth (about 16 miles away) is a designated
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The town was planned in the
1850s with a large seafront green and wide tree-lined avenues. The
sunsets are fabulous.

The coastal town of Maryport is about 13 miles away
and has an aquarium which children love. A blues festival is held in Maryport each year in July and attracts
big names such as Van Morrison and Gary Moore.
Carlisle - 25 miles (45 mins)
Cumbria's great border city, steeped in history being the scene of many battles between the Scots and the English. It has a Castle, Cathedral and Tullie House Museum is well worth a visit.

Or you may prefer to visit Carlisle for the shopping with most of the High Street names as well as smaller, more individual shops.
Please go to www.visitcumbria.com for further information about Carlisle.
Golf
Golf
Courses in Cumbria provides a list of courses. Fairly close
are:
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