Gentle walking on the top

The area around Ambleside and Keswick offers some of the most beautiful walking in the south of the Lake District. Elterwater is at the foot of the Langdales valley and provides a good starting point for exploration of the lower fells – some easy walks without the “straight up and down” that characterises many of the Lakes more spectacular treks.

The Britannia Inn is a simple pub with simple, sustaining food. Nice setting on the green and a mixture of inside and outside tables to suit the weather [they do have “weather” here]. Park in the public car park, or in the National Trust one if there’s space rather than clutter up the village. More interestingly, as with many of the local pubs, a good selection of local beers. At the last count [August Bank Holiday] there were:

• Winster Valley Chaser [4.1% ABV]
• Cumberland Breweries Corby [Fox 4.7% ABV]
• Coniston Britannia Special [top secret…]
• Consiton Bluebird [3.6% ABV]
• Jennings Bitter [3.5% BV]
• Jennings Neddy Bogle [we think it’s really a horse]
• Eden Britannia Gold [top secret…and they supply Cumbria ONLY]. Good names and labels though…

Pub The Britannia Inn Elterwater

Up in Langdale itself there are a number of places – the New Dungeon Ghyll, the Old Dungeon Ghyll [confusing or what?] and the Stickle Barn, which is the only pub run by the National Trust. When we were there it was clear the NT didn’t run any pubs, as it was closed over the Bank Holiday weekend due [according to the New DG] to “staffing issues”. Pity, as the menu looked good and the setting can only be described as spectacular. Mind you, the New DG next door benefitted and we had some great soup. And we used their deserted car park.

Langdale Pikes

Langdale Pikes from the valley floor – nice gentle walk

Restored cottages in Langdale