Must See Sights and Landmarks in Great Clifton Area

"Wray Castle is a Gothic castle situated on the north-west shores of Lake Windermere and is run by the National Trust. Your whole family can try sailing with taster sessions taking place on selected days through the summer holidays. They also offer self-led activities which include den building, skimming stones or making a daisy chain, which you can tick off the National Trust’s ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ list."

"Families can explore the activity rooms inside the castle, where there’s plenty of space for creative play. With a natural playground in the grounds and a path to spacious grassy area on the lakeshore, its a great for the whole family whatever the weather."

"Wray Castle is a Victorian neo-gothic building at Claife in the English county of Cumbria. The house and grounds have belonged to the National Trust since 1929, but the house has only recently opened to the public on a regular basis."

"Cockermouth was the birthplace of William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, whose childhood home was this 18th-century town house, carefully…"

"This old slate mine has been reinvented as a centre for all kinds of activities: you could venture underground into the bowels of the old 'Edge' and 'Kimberley' mines, tackle a via ferrata, or climb inside the mine along a system of fixed cables, tracing the route followed by the slate miners. A tour into the 'Cathedral' mine runs on Friday by request, but you'll need eight people and it costs £25 per person."

"Sitting above Stock Beck next to Rydal Road, Bridge House may be the whole region’s most photographed landmark. Like all of Ambleside this adorable, narrow dwelling is constructed from local slate and has been owned by the National Trust for nearly a century after it was bought and donated by a group of local residents. The Bridge House dates from the 17th century, when it was used as an orchard storehouse, and has since been a mill counting house, chair-maker’s workshop, cobbler’s shop, tearoom and a family home packed with as many as eight people."

"The car park in Waterhead can be the starting point for a picturesque two-hour walk in the ancient woodland above Ambleside, cresting at Jenkin Crag, a great vantage point above Windermere. Nearly all of the path is in thick woodland, and there are steps to make the going lighter on wet days. One of the loveliest sections guides you along the Ambleside Champion Tree Trail, which has England’s tallest grand fir."

"Rope swings on the grounds, picnics in atmospheric old rooms, free tea and coffee, and huge blackboards you can write on: Allan Bank…"

"On the eastern shore of Coniston Water, Brantwood was the cherished home of John Ruskin (1819–1900), the noted Victorian artist, writer,…"

"Metres from Windermere’s northern shore is an archaeological site for the Roman fort of Galava, founded towards the end of the 1st century. This stronghold defended the intersection of three Roman roads, heading off to Ravenglass and Carlisle on Hadrian’s Wall to the north, and Papcastle to the west. The remains date from the 2nd or 3rd century, when it appears that the fort was demolished and reconstructed."

"The Wainwright is a charming pub in Keswick town centre, reopened in 2015 after extensive refurbishment. With the words “We don’t do fast food, we do good food as fast as we can” positioned proudly on their wall, you can expect to find a great range of locally sourced pub grub. The Wainwright has eight impressive real ales on tap so you’ll be able to taste a variety of beers from Cumbria."

"Runners up in the West Cumbria branch of the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) Pub of The Year awards 2016, the Wainwright is a small but lovely pub at the end of the pedestrianised area of Keswick. Sit with your drinks and enjoy retro footage of some local walks showing on the TV."

"The piece-de-resistance at The Wateredge Inn on Borrans Road has to be the large lawned garden that sits right on the lakeshore. There’s even a jetty with boat moorings!. You can enjoy a locally-sourced traditional pub meal and then head out into the beer garden and maybe even dip your toes in the water while you sup your drink of choice."

"Also offering dog friendly accomodation, the bar and restaurant in the Wateredge Inn offers some great value food and a relaxed atmosphere. Check with staff when you wish to dine, as dogs are welcome but only in certain areas. If the sun is out, then head to the beer garden for your dinner and enjoy views over Lake Windermere."

"Wateredge Inn stands on the shores of Lake Windermere, a short walk from Ambleside centre. Set across two former 17th century fishermen's cottages, it offers cosy bedrooms and period features. Many rooms feature lake views and some have lake view balconies or garden patios."

"Sat up a cobbled street just off Windermere's lakeshore, The Easy Breeze is a multi-award-winning piano bar and cafe with live music nights on the weekends and tasty food all week through. As it's name implies, it's a real easy going place for you to enjoy a light bight or a cheesy pizza. You even get a 10% discount when you stay with Sally's Cottages!"

"06/06/2021: We had a wonderful time last night at The Easy Breeze. Excellent food, superb service from a team of happy, chilled staff, and were lucky enough to be treated to live music!. It made our weekend away even better!"

"If you need a picnic spot, or just somewhere to relax in front of Windermere, Borrans Park is a public green space at the lake’s northernmost tip just west of Waterhead. The park merges with the greenery around the Roman fort, and there are benches facing the water so you watch the steamers coming and going, and take in natural splendour the lakeshore. Behind you to the north and northeast are the brooding high fells of the Central Lakeland."

"Borrans Park has magnificent views of Windermere lake and is easily accessed from the A591. There are the remains of a Roman road leading to the ruin of a Roman fort with historical interpretation information in the adjacent field. The large grassed recreation area has picnic tables and ample seating."

"The poet William Wordsworth's most famous residence in the Lake District is undoubtedly Dove Cottage, but he actually spent a great deal more time at Rydal Mount, 1.5 miles northwest of Ambleside, off the A591. This was the Wordsworth family's home from 1813 until the poet's death in 1850 and the house contains a treasure trove of Wordsworth memorabilia. Bus 555 (and bus 599 from April to October) stops at the end of the drive."