Boats and trains:
You may wish to consider these as part of your stay at the Glaramara Hotel. All of the following are within driveable distance in any one day:
Keswick Launch Company (Derwentwater):
Perhaps less understated but no less popular than those on in Ullswater or Windermere, Derwent Water Cruises offered by the Keswick Launch Company give visitors a chance to explore stretches of the Borrowdale Valley. Not only convenient for those staying with us at Glaramara Hotel you can get on and off at The Boat Landings in Keswick, allowing you to spend some time in the town itself. Sailing all year round (forming part of the public transport system), the launch takes you to some of most the quiet but attractive bays around the lake that are inaccessible by car, The nearest and most convenient jetty is the one at Lodore. Private boats (rowable or motorised) can also be hired from the company.
Windermere Lake Cruises:
Further afield, England’s largest natural lake is best seen aboard one of their modern and traditional style ferries. Various options available depending upon your time commitments. With a degree of comfort and style it is perhaps no surprise that this is Cumbria’s most popular tourist attraction.
Ullswater Steamers:
Operating on Lake Ullswater for over 150 years, ferrying passengers between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding. Classic vintage ferries, appropriately modernised for current safety requirements, provide for a great photo opportunity. Hop on and hop off at various points between the two ends of the lake.
Coniston Launch:
Slightly further ‘off the beaten track’ this boat service on Lake Coniston is not as popular as its Windermere counterpart but still a very worthwhile use of your time. The classic. traditional timber boat stops at various jetties around the lake shore. Great scenery with the ‘Old Man’ of Coniston looking down. A cruise often combined with a trip to Brantwood House.
Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway (Newby Bridge):
Saved from abandonment in 1973 it is now beautifully preserved, Travel in style in traditional carriages pulled by steam locomotives from the Lakeside pier at the southern end of Lake Windermere to nearby Haverthwaite, a distance of around 3.5m. Combined tickets include a trip on the Windermere Lake Cruises and entrance into local attractions are available.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway:
Not so far from the hotel ‘as the crow flies’, the drive to Ravenglass does take some time, although the scenery makes it worthwhile. This heritage minimum gauge railway was once used to transport mined ore from the mines above the village of Boot, but is now a popular tourist attraction with daily services running throughout most of the year. A steam train (affectionately and locally known as ‘La’al Ratty’, which means ‘little railway’ in olde Cumbrian dialect) will pull you from the village of Ravenglass to Dalegarth Station, near Boot, with plenty of stops along the 7 mile route. Enjoy some time on the Cumbrian coast before returning to the hotel.
More detail on on all the above can be found on their respective websites and social media channels
