Things to do nearby Parkergate Loft

Ullock Pike 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 Village - 3  miles (5 mins) Bassenthwaite Lake-few mins walk away

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.

Keswick - 5 miles (10 mins)

Keswick is a busy market town (market day is Thursday and Saturday) with lots going on. There is a theatre here, puzzling place, bike hire, boat hire and cinema (which also shows World Cinema films on a Sunday afternoon throughout winter).

Mirehouse is a large manor house very near to The Stable with gardens which include four woodland playgrounds, a heather maze and a rhododendron tunnel.

For more information about Keswick, please click here.

Cockermouth - 10 miles (20 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.

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.

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.

Just beyond Ennerdale, on Cold Fell, is Bradley's 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 - 19 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

Bassenthwaite 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 (40 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.