ROUTEN HOUSE: THE SURROUNDING AREA

Ennerdale is one of England's wildest valleys. It is one of the most remote lakes, offering a place to escape even in the high season. Yet it is only a 20 minute drive from a variety of towns and areas, some of which are listed below. Ennerdale lake is a deep glacial lake, 2.5 miles long, ¾ mile wide and 148 deep. The water is exceptionally clear and contains a variety of fish. It is the only lake that does not have a road running alongside it.

Around Ennerdale, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied.

• Hundreds of walks - from gentle lakeside strolls to energetic mountain hikes
• Rock climbing
• Mountain biking in Ennerdale Forest
• Fishing in the lake (permit required)
• Pony trekking
• Quad biking

The nearest village, Ennerdale Bridge, has a Post Office and General Store, a church and two public houses (both serving good food and a variety of beers, including real ale).

Visit www.wildennerdale.co.uk for further information.



Nearby Cockermouth is perhaps best known as the birthplace of William Wordsworth, one of the most famous poets England has produced. At Cockermouth you can visit:

• Wordsworth House - the Georgian house where William Wordsworth was born:
  www.wordsworthlakes.co.uk/wordsworthhouse.htm
• The ruins of Cockermouth Castle - built in the 13th Century and destroyed by Robert the Bruce
• Jennings Brewery - producing fine ales and stout, they also offer tours of the brewery: www.jenningsbrewery.co.uk
• Merienda cafe: Tuesday to Saturday during the day with Jazz evenings every other Friday.
• Many museums including the Mineral Museum, the Toy and Model Museum and the Museum of Printing
• Sheep and Wool Centre - with it's live sheep show: www.sheep-woolcentre.co.uk
• Sports centre and swimming pool
• Golf
• The Kirkgate Centre showing non-blockbuster films: www.thekirkgate.com
• Many Pubs and Restaurants, including The Bitter End - the only pub in Cumbria to have its own working brewery.

• Lake Derwentwater, with launches, canoes, sailing dinghies and windsurfers for hire.
• Paragliding fundays or tandem flights
• The Theatre of the Lakes and Keswick Cinema: www.theatrebythelake.com
• 'Cars of the Stars' museum: www.carsofthestars.com
• 'Mirehouse', country house where Tennyson wrote the Morte d'Arthur:
  www.mirehouse.com
• 'Trotters and friends' pets farm: www.trottersworld.com
• Cycle and tandem hire
• Keswick climbing wall: www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk
• Keswick pencil museum - where it all began: www.pencils.co.uk
• Quad biking and karting at Rookin House: www.rookinhouse.com
• Hundreds more walks
• Every kind of outdoor shop
• Dozens of pubs and restaurants serving good value meals

For further information, please visit www.dokeswick.co.uk.

• Strolls around the pleasant and extensive harbour
• The Rum Story Museum - the Dark Spirit of Whitehaven: www.rumstory.co.uk
• The Beacon - an award winning attraction where the history of John Paul Jones and the last attempt to invade the English mainland during the American War of Independence is brought to life. It all happened at Whitehaven!
• Haig Pit mining museum: www.haig1.freeserve.co.uk
• Visit the 40m Crow's Nest on the harbour to take in the breathtaking views
• The Park - for those of you who like dancing the night away until 2am.

There are also supermarkets at Whitehaven - Tesco & Safeway both offer two hours free parking.

For further information, please visit www.whitehaven.org.uk

Eskdale is half an hour away and is a beautful village at one end of the famous laal ratty - a steam trail running from Eskdale to the Ravenglass coast.

Eskdale offers the following:

• Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain
• Wastwater in Wasdale - England's deepest lake
• Hundreds of riverside, valley and mountain walks and climbs
• Ravenglass & Eskdale Miniature Railway: www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
• Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass, with its azaleas, rhododendrons and Owl Sanctuary:
  www.muncaster.co.uk & www.owls.org
• Hardknott Roman Fort & Ravenglass Roman Bath House
• Eskdale Corn Mill - still working with its waterwheel
• Ravenglass fishing village
• Fold End Art Gallery
• Stanley Ghyll waterfall

For further information, please visit www.eskdale.info or www.gosforthandwasdale.info

The historic village of St Bees is also close at hand with a long pebble and sand beach and its famous cliffs with thousands of nesting sea birds.

See www.stbees.org.uk for further information.


Ennerdale is also an ideal starting point to visit much of the rest of the Lake District and surrounding area. We provide leaflets in the house to help you get the most from your holiday.

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