Cumbrian hints please

Cumbria 41

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suave harv Jun 27, 2006 20:31:55

It's been a year since I did an 'off in red van on-me-own on a three day circle hunt. . ' type thing. So I'm off again next week.
This time I'm targeting S/W Cumbria, somewhere I've never been ever. .

I've seen Castlerigg and been to Long Meg several times on journeys North, but the whole of S/W Cumbria is unexplored ground to me. I plan to stop 3 nights in a b&b type pub, haven't decided where yet. Here's my tick-list. Seven Circles.

Greycroft - the one by Selafield.
Blakely Raise
Sunenkirk
Druid's Castle
Burn Moore
Swinside
Lakra (Burl says these are 'for the true enthusiast').

Plus two 'possibles'

Gamelands
Hird Wood

I think some of these are a bit of a walk, so I'm not going to put too many of my wish list. But perhaps I could add some?
Have I missed out any 'must see' sites from that part of the country? I'll check the map browser and I've got John Waterhouse's 'Stone Circles Of Cumbria' and the usual Burl refrence books, but I always enjoy getting the 'hands on' on this forum. I took shitloads of TMA printouts with me to Aberdeenshire last June and they helped no end.

What's Ravenglass like? All the sites I want to see are in a fifteen mile radius of Ravenglass. I could stop there.
Are there any other nice coastal towns on that side of the country, where would you stop if you were seeing the above circles? B&B-wise. Me and camping don't get on!

Bet it's great there.

stubob Jun 27, 2006 20:54:48

Replying to suave harv

Hird Wood's a must...

nice one.

FourWinds Jun 27, 2006 21:02:19

Replying to suave harv

You won't have far to go from Sunkenkirk to Swinside. They're about zero metres apart :-)

StoneLifter Jun 27, 2006 21:15:21

Replying to suave harv

What's Ravenglas like ?

(Very beautiful but radioactive).

Creyr Jun 27, 2006 22:15:47

Replying to suave harv

if you're at lacra it would be rude not to drop in on giants grave

http://www.themodernantiquarian.com/site/73.

also great urswick fort and longbarrow - not far from druid's circle at ulverston.

i havnt been right over to the west coast for ages - seem to remember muddy beaches with roaming cows. i would stay in ulverston instead.

Hob Jun 27, 2006 22:55:44

Replying to suave harv

>where would you stop if you were seeing the above circles?

The Old Dungeon Ghyll in Langdale. Offers the chance for a quick visit to the Axe factory and the Langdale Boulders (if you're that way inclined). It's not really close to any of the places on your list, I really only mention it as the odg has oodles of character, and is in a high quality bit of Cumbria.

BeakerUK Jun 28, 2006 16:51:36

Replying to suave harv

A drive along Hard Knott and Wrynose Passes is pretty unbeatable - there is a Roman fort along there and it goes past the village of Boot for visiting the Burn Moor complex (for the superfit, which sadly doesn't include me however much I'd love to see all those circles!)

Sunkenkirk is a half hour or so pleasant stroll along a farm track. Blakeley Raise is right next to the road. The Druid's Circle is about a minute's walk off the road. Gamelands is easy to get to (though actually getting in the field is less easy in muddy conditions) and is also near to Castle Howe (next to the road and worth a glance) and Iron Hill. On the map Oddendale is also nearby, but I have never been there. Also not far from poor Kemp Howe which you can see from the road.

Sorry, getting a bit involved - time to plan my own trip back up there, I reckon!

Have a wonderful time!

BeakerUK

The Eternal Jun 28, 2006 19:45:56

Replying to suave harv

Hi Suave Harv,
If you're looking for good beer and a friendly welcome in the pubs, then it's hard to beat Broughton-in-Furness, which is handy for most of the sites you mention. The Manor Arms in Broughton, and the Prince of Wales at Foxfield, a fifteen minute walk away, are a must. Last time I was with a group in the Manor Arms a couple of friendly locals, rounded up by the landlady, gave us a lift to the pub at Foxfield. Broughton-in-Furness is off the tourist trail, so is good value for money, i.e. no rip-offs. There are links to accommodation and pubs within the link below.
http://www.broughton-in-furness.co.uk/
Enjoy yourself, and make sure you get up to the Burnmoor circles.
TE.

moey Jun 29, 2006 00:29:02

Replying to suave harv

suave harv wrote:

What's Ravenglass like?

Nice Minature railway if you like that sort of thing. ;O)

Swinside, Greycroft, Giants Graves and Druid's Circle are pretty essential I would say. Haven't been to all the others in the area, but if you are time constrained, the above would make a worthwhile trip.

moey