Lake District 30th July 2011

Lake District 30th July 2011

Aira Force & Gowbarrow Park
(Pathfinder Guide Eastern Lakeland, Walk #7, 4.5 Miles)

We arrived at Aira Force National Trust Car park just before 12:30, having driven staight there from home. Parking was around £5 for 4 hours.

The walk begins by following the crowds along the National Trust path to Aira Force waterfall. This path slowly ascends through woodland, and there are many paths off in different directions to explore the streams and waterfalls. Aira force is the lower waterfall and High Force the higher one.

From the top fall, we followed the path through a wall gap signed for Dockray and Ulcat row.

This led out onto bracken and heathland, and just before a wall stilel we took a right turn to begin the ascent via a stony track up to Gowbarrow Fell.

The day was very warm and humid, and it was a slow ascent up this small Wainwright fell (1579ft). Eventually the summit cairn came into view and we rested for a while with sandwiches and snacks/drinks.

The view was pleasant, but did not reveal much of Ullswater.

We continued on down the other side following the track to the right and passed by the ruins of a shooting lodge. The path then revealed stunning views across Ullswater, as it hugs the side of the fell with open views (and drops!) in the other direction. This fantastic path continues in a similar manner for about a mile and a half, enjoy and savour on such a nice day.

The Stunning path showing fantastic views down to the head of Ullswater.

Before long we found ourselves back to the perimiter of the National Trust Aira Force grounds, and a short descent via stone steps and a bridge back to the car park around 16:00.

Summary: A short walk, which would be a good starting point ofr anyone interested in climbing their first fell. For anyone that has not visited Aira Force before, there is added interest with the falls, a Wainwright fell, and a fantastic path overlooking Ullswater.

Our Walk Score: 8/10 

From Aira Force we drove to Carlisle and our accomodation for the night.

Lynebank House Hotel

Located a few miles from the M6 just north of Carlisle, and about half an hour drive form the North of the Lake District Park. We booked via laterooms as it was cheap at £55 for the room incl breakfast.
We were pleasantly surprised.
Whilst the downstairs facilities such as the lounge, bar area and restaurant could do with a revamp, the room and warm welcome/service more than made up for these small points. As you can see the room was large and spacious, and depspite the location next to a busy main road the traffic noise was not too instrusive. We chose to dine there in the evening, and the restaurant may be in need of a makeover, the food was superb and very reasonably priced.
The breakfast in the morning was taken in the conservatory, and was more than adequate.
We left feeling happy with both the price we had paid and the very warm welcome and service received.
Recommended, but bear in mind the points regarding the bar (limited choice of draught beers - 1 lager, 1 bitter), and the look of the restaurant does not tie in with the very high quality of the food served.