As summer comes to an end, we may be saying goodbye to warm weather, and the nights may be getting longer, but there’s a lot to look forward to in the Lake District in the latter half of the year.
Not only does autumn make the landscape spectacularly vibrant as the leaves turn golden and late blooming flowers emerge, but the lakes are peaceful at this time of year. That said, there’s still so much to see and do. Here are a few of our favourite things to do whilst holidaying in the Lake District during the autumn months.
Nothing will warm you up on a chilly afternoon quite like a glass of whisky. If you’re looking for luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District, you could do a lot worse than finding one close to the Lakes Distillery. Take a tour of their state-of-the-art facility and experience a tasting like no other. Lakes Distillery is well known throughout the country for its exquisite whisky, gin, and vodka. A tour of their beautifully renovated Victorian farmstead on the shore of Bassenthwaite Lake gives you the chance to peek behind the curtain and see how it’s all done.
Depending on your drink of choice, you can choose a tour that encompasses all the spirits Lakes Distillery crafts, a whisky-specific tour and even a whisky and chocolate pairing tour. You’ll get to explore the Still Room, learn how cask seasoning impacts the flavour and see first-hand how they create their wonderful spirits. If you still need convincing, the distillery is also home to a herd of alpacas that guests can meet and hand-feed.
Some of the Lake Districts finest gardens truly come alive in autumn. Many are owned and cared for by the National Trust, meaning they’re free for members to enjoy and only require a small admission fee for non-members.
Take a trip to Sizergh for crisp woodland walks, the chance to spot roe deer and pick fresh damsons. The rich, rocky gardens of this medieval estate put on a show during autumn. The Japanese maple trees turn buttery yellow and burnt orange, and the smell of the Japanese Katsura in the air will remind you of sweet toffee apples. Sizergh’s orchard boasts over sixty-five rare and unusual varieties of apple, with the harvest being used in the onsite café and other fruit donated to a local charity that makes use of surplus food.
The gardens of Acorn Bank are renowned for their herbs, fruit orchards and wildlife. Mid-September sees the arrival of both pink-footed and Greylag geese, buzzards can be spotted overhead, and if you go down to the beck, you stand a chance of seeing dippers and otters. We can offer amazing cottage with hot tubs after a wonderful walk.
If you want to take in the beauty of the Lake District in autumn but aren’t fond of fell walking, a ride on a steam train could be for you. There are a few steam railway attractions within the Lake District and Cumbria, all offering stunning views of the surrounding scenery.
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway runs from its station in Ravenglass, across the estuary, through the hills, ending up in Boot in the Eskdale Valley. The route is 7 miles long and offers seven requestable stops for you to hop off and enjoy this beautiful part of the Lake District. It’s good news if you’ve got a four-legged friend with you, as your dog can come on board too for a small fee, and there are many dog friendly cottages in the lake district, so you won’t be short of somewhere to stay.
For a shorter route, choose the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, which runs for 3.5 miles between Haverthwaite village and the Lakeside Pier at the southern end of Lake Windermere.
Wrap up warm and take a boat trip on Windermere Lake. Cruises run throughout the year and in most weather conditions, so just because the air is a bit nippy doesn’t mean you can’t get out on the water. There is no better way to experience the beauty of Windermere than from on the water itself, so head down to Bowness Pier, find out the sailing times and book your trip.
Scenery-wise on the lake, nothing beats autumn, and if you’re worried about the rain, many of the popular cruises run covered boats, so you can stay nice and dry whilst soaking in the surroundings.
The arrival of autumn means Halloween, and all things spooky are just around the corner. There are tons of special events all over the Lake District, but for us, Muncaster Castle steals the show. Their Halloween week features a mixture of attractions for children and adults, including a scary maze, fire juggling shows, alchemy workshops and a ghostly grotto.
You can assist with making giant carnival puppets and lanterns for the lantern parade, enjoy shadow puppet theatre in the woods and witness the spectacular twilight owl show.
If Halloween-themed fun isn’t your bag, there’s still a lot to see at Muncaster Castle. Within the castle’s grounds, you’ll find the Hawk & Owl centre, home to a diverse range of birds of prey, and the castle gardens are a joy to walk around at any time of the year.
We’ve not even begun to scratch the surface of all the fantastic things the Lake District has to offer in autumn – the best way is to get out there and discover them for yourself! You’re going to need somewhere to stay whilst you’re doing all this exploring. Whether you’re looking for holiday romantic cottages for two, Lake District hideaways with hot tubs, or Lake District golf breaks, Mill House can help and offer you a perfect dog friendly cottages in the Lake District, or further afield such as self-catering holiday cottages in France. Contact us today for more information about our luxury holiday cottages.
They may not be the tallest in the world, but what Scotland’s mountains lack in height, they make up for in natural, breath-taking beauty that will reward any avid hiker with picture-perfect views of Scotland. From the glens of Perthshire to the Highlands and tundra of the Cairngorms, Scotland is a treasure trove of majestic mountain walks that will leave you in awe. Here are a few of our favourite mountains to climb. Next time you’re staying in one of our dog friendly cottages in Scotland or in a luxury holiday cottage in the Lake District why not try tackle one or two yourself?
Height: 1345 metres
Length of Walk: 17 Kilometres
Located: Fort William
Difficulty: Hard
We’ll start with the most famous Scottish mountain of them all, Ben Nevis. Situated on the western side of the Grampian Ranges in the Lochaber area of the Scottish Highlands, Ben Nevis is considered the highest mountain in Scotland. Over 25 thousand people make the ascent to the summit every year – many using the Mountain Track starting at Glen Nevis on the mountain’s south side. The high cliffs of the north face are a playground for rock climbers and mountaineers, and the mountain is one of the top locations in the UK for ice climbing.
Height: 974 metres
Length of Walk: 7.5 Kilometres
Located: Loch Lomond
Difficulty: Hard
Loch Lomond is arguably Scotland’s most famous Loch – but it’s hard to appreciate its true beauty from the side of its banks. To see the Loch in all its glory, you need to conquer Ben Lomond. It’s a challenging climb, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the National Park even before you’ve reached the summit.
Height: 280 metres
Length of Walk: 3.6 Kilometres
Located: Edinburgh City Centre
Difficulty: Easy
You don’t have to be lost in the wilderness of the highlands to appreciate Scotland’s mountains. Arthur’s Seat – an extinct volcano – overlooks the historic city of Edinburgh and is a doddle to climb. That said, do make sure you wear sensible shoes as the summit can be a little muddy and slippy. From the top, you’ll be able to see right across Edinburgh to the Firth of Forth, and on a clear day, you can even see the Forth Bridges
Height: 884 metres
Length of Walk: 11.2 Kilometres
Located: Arrochar
Difficulty: Medium
With its rocky crags and distinctive peak, The Cobbler looks much harder to climb than it really is. It’s a relatively straightforward walk with good paths to follow (providing you have good weather, of course). Reach the pinnacle, and you’ll be treated to stunning views of the Arrochar Alps and beyond. If you’re not one for heights, maybe steer clear of this one as it is a lot taller than it looks.
Height: 731 metres
Length of Walk: 20.1 Kilometres
Located: Lochinver
Difficulty: Very Hard
Don’t let the size of this wee mountain fool you; Suliven might seem dwarfish compared to the likes of Ben Nevis, but its 2-kilometre rocky ridge is not for the faint of heart. The walk to Suliven alone will take you most of the day, followed by a steep climb up a small gully in the face of the hill. Preparation and grit are required to tackle this otherworldly rock, but the views from the top are awe-inspiring.
Height: 1083 metres
Length of Walk: 10 Kilometres
Located: Braes of Foss, Perthshire
Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Known as the ‘fairy hill of the Caledonians,’ Schiehallon is a mystical hike most easily traversed in good weather. The Monro has a near-perfect conical shape, isolated from surrounding peaks when viewed from the West. Plan a trip to this Monro carefully, as, during winter, the hike is best left to highly experienced walkers.
Height: 958 metres
Length of Walk: 8 Kilometres
Located: Glencoe
Difficulty: Hard
The Glencoe mountains can be wild and merciless, but the slightly smaller Buachaille Etive Beag puts those stunning views a little more within reach of the average hiker. The ascent is steep, so go prepared – but climb happily knowing you’ll be conquering not one but two Monros - Stob Coire Raneach and Stob Dubh. The view from the top will offer a new perspective of Glencoe.
Height: 454 metres
Length of Walk: 3.7 Kilometres
Located: Callander
Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Known as the mountain in miniature, Ben A’an is a very popular hill right in the centre of the Trossachs. It’s an excellent lookout point and a popular spot for watching the sunset, particularly in the summer, although you can visit Ben A’an at any time of the year and you won’t be disappointed.
Height: 725 metres
Length of Walk: 14 Kilometres
Located: Trossachs
Difficulty: Medium
Ben Venue is small in stature but full of character. The walk up Ben Venue is varied, with forest tracks, bogs and rockier ground closer to the summit. Don’t let the boggy parts put you off. In recent years, wooden bridges have been constructed to make traversing these sections less tricky. From the summit, you’ll get to experience fantastic views of Loch Katrine.
So there you have it – there’s plenty of mountains in Scotland to chose from, no matter your hiking skill level. If you’re planning a hiking holiday in Scotland or a change of pace with golf breaks in Yorkshire or self catering holiday cottages in France and are looking for luxury accommodation in St Andrews or the highlands, contact Mill House Cottages today. Our dog friendly cottages in Scotland are the perfect holiday retreats to put your feet up and relax in after a long day spent walking.
