Winter Solstice in the North West

close
more_vert
nigelswift N
nigelswift Nov 13, 2005 11:05:39
Replying to gogododge

On the same theme -
I'm planning on a day trip to the Lakes, approaching via the M6 from the South. Bearing in mind I don't want to walk far and want to select places that are maximum wow factor in terms of their landscape setting, I'm thinking of doing a loop – Castlerigg, Copt Howe and Sunkenkirk.

Q; Are those the right choices? Bearing in mind I walk (and drive) slowly and want to spend about an hour actually on site at each place (and will ignore the "authorised vehicles only" sign at Sunkenkirk as I'll play the confused old fart card) about how long would I be spending off the Motorway? Are there any "must see" places near the loop that wouldn't add much to the total time?

M Moth
Moth Nov 13, 2005 11:41:09
Replying to nigelswift

I'd say that's about right - tho never been to Copt Howe. Timewise from the M6 I'd (very much a guess!!!) say the 'road time' (not including time at sites) would be 3 hours give or take.

If you use that loop & have a (fair) bit of time left, you could just mebbe do Druid's Circle of Ulverston at the end.

love

Moth

R rocknicker
rocknicker Nov 13, 2005 19:12:56
Replying to nigelswift

If you are coming off the M6 onto the A66 west to Keswick, don't forget a quick right turn to Mayburgh Henge, http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/327 and the King Arthur's thing next door to it. Long Meg and Little Meg aren't far away either ;)

This place is quite good too ... and not far off your route http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/71

The possible cairn at Elterwater is on the way to Copt Howe you could take a drive past, http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/7475

sorry I haven't been arsed to work out the pretty linking thing yet ;)

When are you planning your trip Nige?

C Creyr
Creyr Nov 14, 2005 02:35:03
Replying to nigelswift

Hi Nigel

I live in Cumbria and heres what I reckon…
Swinside/Sunkenkirk is at least an hours drive from M6 J36.
Swinside to Langdale maybe 40 mins.
Langdale to Castlerigg 30 mins.
Castlerigg to Penrith J40 25 mins.
I drive fast when I can so add a bit for a more relaxed pace and add a bit more if you're traveling at weekends or in the rush hour (yes there is one on the A590 – its horrendous)
It would be a great shame not to fit Long Meg in (about 20 mins from J40) although its not so wow in a mountainous way, it is very wow in itself and the sky there is just enormous. I watched the sunset up there tonight and it rolled down behind Great Mell Fell in a particularly delicious way.
Mayburgh is also wow in itself –and only 5 mins from J40.
Gamelands is stunning in a more gentle way and only 10 mins from J38.
Castlerigg is likely to be very busy unless you go just after sunset or its raining alot.

Enjoy your day (but just think how much more you could see if you made it two days !)
Claire x