Autumn Colours in the Lake District
THE autumn colours in the Lake District are spectacular this year. It's a strange season. Since the official end of summer, here at Cedar Manor we've had gales, rain, frost, two mini heatwaves, and in between lots of perfect, still, sunny autumn days.<\/p>
Some of the trees are turning later than usual which means an even greater contrast between green and golden brown. So we want to share with you where to see the best of the autumn colours in the Lake District. The image at the top of the page here was taken by our very own Jonathan Kaye.<\/p>
Tarn Hows
We'll start with this truly stunning picture of Tarns Hows in autumn, taken by Hawkshead photographer David Rippin. We love Tarn Hows because it has the best of everything in the Lake District in one small area. You're surrounded by majestic hills and beautiful woodland, with a perfect little lake (don't tell everyone, but it was man made) around which you can walk in less than an hour. In Victorian times, a beck was dammed, creating the tarn you see today. The "Hows" are the surrounding small, wooded hills.<\/p>
You can see why this is one of the most photographed places in the Lake District. The path around it is one of the loveliest easy walks in the Lake District. It’s just one and three-quarter miles without any difficulties, and no danger of getting lost. And at this time of the year, it is utterly beautiful. You can see more photos of autumn colours in the Lake District by David on instagram and twitter @dmrippin.<\/p>
How to get there:<\/strong> Take the car ferry from Bowness across Windermere then follow the B5285 via Sawrey and Hawkshead.<\/p>
Langdale
Visitors sometimes remember Great Langdale for the majestic rock scenery at the head of the valley, dominated by the Langdale Pikes. But it's also a wooded valley, leafy and green in summer, and then awesome in autumn. We think it's one of the best places to see the autumn colours in the Lake District.<\/p>
This is the view from one of our favourite mountains, Loughrigg, with the village of Elterwater down below. In this photo, it's the turning bracken that provides a spectacular autumn effect.<\/p>
How to get there:<\/strong> Climb Loughrigg from Ambleside. Go through the park to Miller Bridge, then follow the steep lane that starts at the cattle grid. After three gates and some big stepping stones, take the path bearing up to your right and head for the summit.<\/p>
Grasmere
Over at Grasmere, one of our favourite places at any time of the year is the little cafe and boat landings at Faeryland. Our friends there take some wonderful photos, and we love this view which highlights the very best of the autumn colours in the Lake District.<\/p>
There's still some green among the gold, especially on the slopes of the lovely little mountain Silver How on the other side of the lake.<\/p>
How to get there:<\/strong> Take the main A591 from the Cedar Manor north to Grasmere, turn left after passing the village church, and follow the road round to the left around the head of the lake.<\/p>
Coniston
One of the quieter lakes, on the edge of a delightful village of the same name. Both are overlooked by the giant Old Man of Coniston, worth climbing at any time of the year. But down by the water is where our friend Sally Anne Lambert, designer of Moongazer Cards, took this photo. Sally goes swimming all year round and Coniston is one of her favourite places.<\/p>
We love this image, which says that the Lake District is about much more than just high drama and high mountains.<\/p>
How to get there:<\/strong> Why not take the bus this time and really appreciate the autumn colours in the Lake District. You can get the 599 from our front gate here in Windermere, and change onto the 505 in Ambleside. It's a great way to travel.<\/p>
Derwentwater
Here's Ashness Bridge off the road to Borrowdale, one of the most photographed scenes in the Lake District. And you can see why, especially in autumn with colours like these. The view is looking back over Derwentwater to Skiddaw, with the lovely wooded hillside below Walla Crag adding every shade of green and gold into the picture. Borrowdale is always lovely, and is one of the most wooded of all the Lakeland valleys.<\/p>
How to get there:<\/strong> Head north to Keswick, then follow the road through town onto the B5289. But you could also take the Keswick launch from the boat landings near the Theatre by the Lake and step off at the Ashness Gate jetty. It's just a short walk from there to the Bridge.<\/p>