Welcome to the Golakes Blog

If you’re one of the many who have started the new decade with the target of leading a healthier, more active life, well done! Now, to help you to stick to your noble intentions, it’s important to set yourself goals along the way.  For those that have got themselves a bike, perhaps even tax free on the Governments Cycle to Work Scheme, you have an ideal opportunity to do your bit for the environment while getting yourself fit. However, after a few wet and windy winter mornings, you may not have the same zeal for your new active life that you started with. That’s why it’s important to set manageable milestones that can keep you on the right track. With this in mind, why not set yourself a challenge that you can really look forward to?

A springtime cycling holiday could be just the inspiration that you need. As one of the most picturesque and rural counties in England, Cumbria is the ideal destination for cyclists of all levels of ability. It is home to the Lake District National Park, the majestic rolling hills of the Eden Valley and miles of quiet coastline, not to mention the charming pubs and picturesque villages that seamlessly punctuate your journey. The Eden Valley cuts right through Cumbria, from Brampton in the North through to Kirkby Stephen in the south, separating the ridge of the Pennines from the peaks of the Lake District. The valley is home to quiet country lanes, which cut between villages and hamlets, connecting a wide variety of routes.

The Lake District is the ideal playground for the slightly more advanced cyclist. The stunning peaks ensure a scenic day out for your cycle but you will encounter some hills, from small climbs to relatively major passes that are sure to test even the most hardened legs. For something a bit quieter, the Solway Coast is tucked away to the north west of the county and offers some beautiful views and remote cycling, along with access to idyllic beaches and coastal villages. As you travel south around the Cumbrian coastline there are many other places worth cycling to, many now linked by National Cycle Network routes.

For the even more accomplished, the Fred Whitton Challenge is a must on the British cycling calendar. Not for the faint hearted, this gruelling event takes place on Sunday May 9th 2010 and will see 1,250 riders take part. Covering a 112 mile circuit, the Fred Whitton Challenge takes place in and around the Lake District, encompasses six of the most difficult passes in the UK and climbs over 3,800 metres. Run in the memory of Fred Whitton, all proceeds from the event are donated to charities including MacMillan Cancer Care and the Dave Rayner Fund. Until his untimely death in 1998, aged just 50, Fred Whitton was an extremely popular member of the Lakes Road Club. As club secretary, he was the organiser of the Lakes Road Club Easter 3-day each year, which attracted a great many of the UKs top riders.

Without taking part in the Challenge itself, the 4 Seasons Fred Whitton Bike Tour follows the annual route but can be completed at your own pace, at any time of year that suits you. So if you want to set yourself a challenge for later in the year, this outstanding route provides a great opportunity for individuals and groups to complete one of the most famous and challenging cycling routes in the country. Why not make a break of it and stop over in a range of inviting accommodation en route? You can even have your official finish time posted on the Fred Whitton website.

Visit www.golakes.co.uk for more information on the stunning routes that have made Cumbria home to some of the very best cycling in the British Isles.

If you are looking to fully experience the majestic natural beauty of the Lake District, as well as all of the fabulous activities that the Cumbrian great outdoors have to offer, a camping holiday in the Lake District is the ideal way to do it. Opportunities to pitch your tent are as stunningly varied as the wonderful Cumbrian countryside and the unrivalled proximity to nature that sleeping under canvas affords you makes a camping holiday in the Lake District an awe-inspiring experience.

Naturally, when it comes to beautiful Lakeland campsites you are simply spoiled for choice. A huge range of amenities are also on offer, catering for whatever level of creature comfort that you look for when ‘roughing it’. Where some may feel the need to make concessions with regard to their amenities, there is never any compromise on the breathtaking vistas that the Lake District has to offer.

Pitch your tent in the foothills surrounding England’s highest mountains and absorb the dramatic scenery that is synonymous with the countryside in Cumbria. Place yourself in the middle of a landscape that sees enchanting, misty peaks reflected in the cool, glassy waters of the Lake District. Whet your appetite for adventure and wake up to the majesty of nature, first-hand. Savour the sunrise over Ullswater before spending your days enjoying all of the outdoor pursuits that make the Lake District the greatest adventure playground in the country. Then, after another day of adventuring, head back to camp for a hearty fireside meal.

Camping in the Lake District isn’t all about nights under canvas though. You’ll also find a great selection of caravan and touring parks. The facilities that these parks have to offer are first rate and the sites are spread out across the whole region, giving visitors to the Lake District a great choice of locations. The added mobility afforded by camping allows you to savour a mixture of settings. If you so desire, you can wake up to a different, awe-inspiring scene each morning of your stay. The other key benefit of camping is monetary and Cumbrian caravan parks offer excellent value for money as well as some of the finest locations in the country.

Ideal for both families and couples, Castlerigg Hall Caravan & Camping Park is a superb example of the standard on offer in the Lake District. Crowned holiday park of the year in 2009, it has one of the most enviable vantage points in the Lake District, overlooking Derwentwater and the surrounding fells. The site aims to encourage as much wildlife as possible and is a committed supporter the David Bellamy Conservation Awards, having just achieved an 8th consecutive gold award for their continuing commitment to conservation and the environment.  You can even spend the evening relaxing on your caravan’s terrace, watching deer, red squirrel and even badgers.

Visit www.golakes.co.uk for more information on the finest camping and caravanning that the Lake District has to offer.

The Prince of Wales, Foxfield
There is a really charming, personal quality to this pub, like you wandered into someone’s living room by accident. If you’ve spent a long day walking around the Furness district on the Duddon estuary, or even if you’ve not, this country pub is a real ale lovers paradise. It has its own micro brewery on the premises. The locals are genuinely hospitable, happy to give you tips on the highlights of the surrounding area. It’s a great venue for conversation too, as there is no jukebox.
This is a real, traditional pub with open fires, bar games and some excellent food at meal times.

The Sawrey Hotel, Ambleside
This is a great pub for a hearty ploughman’s lunch after a morning’s hiking. Housed in old stables, the simple, white-washed walls really add to the un-fussy, easygoing ambiance. The atmosphere is nice and cosy; a really relaxed place to have a quiet meal, even on a busy weekend. It’s dog friendly too, so if you’ve been out for a long walk around Ambleside, you and you’re four legged friend can both recharge your batteries. The Sawrey has a distinctly ‘local’ pub feel, which can be both enticing and intimidating. The regulars are warm and well used to tourist custom but The Sawrey can also provide a welcome sanctuary from the hordes of visitors drawn to the area by nearby attractions, like Beatrix Potter’s house.

The Sun Inn, Crook
Between Kendal and Bowness, in the delightful little village of Hawkshead, there lies a traditional, 17th Century Inn complete with stone floors and roaring log fires. The locally brewed beer is absolutely first rate, particularly the Coniston Bluebird and Theakston’s Best Bitter, providing the ideal accompaniment to this welcoming, cosy pub’s atmosphere. The traditional features of The Sun Inn add to the time-honoured ambience of the place. The open fires, exposed stonework, wonderful oak beams and original wood panelling are all hallmarks of a truly historic setting, perfect for wiling away many an hour chatting with the locals or just relaxing after a long day’s walking. The locally reared Herdwick lamb dishes, from the National Trust’s Millbeck farm in the Langdale Valley, are well worth the visit.

The Highwayman,Burrow
In the picture-postcard village of Burrow sits the beautiful 18th Century coaching inn, The Highwayman. Having been fully renovated in 2007, it has since gone on to win awards and become one of the most renowned pub-restaurants in the area. The environment inside is delightfully rustic and effortlessly comfortable. In winter, the crackling log fire reflects off the weathered stone floors and warms the rich, dark-wood furniture. There are also fabulous walled gardens in which to enjoy dining out in the warmer weather. The Highwayman has an impressive wine list which expertly compliments the excellent menu, itself a stunning tribute to the first rate local produce.

The Horse & Farrier, Threlkeld
Visitors to The Horse & Farrier have enjoyed its idyllic location, nestled beneath Blencathra in the picturesque village of Threlkeld, for over 300 years. The inn was built in 1688, just 4 miles east of Keswick in Cumbria, to take in the stunning views over the Helvellyn Range. Beautifully in-tune with its surroundings, built of mellow Lakeland stone, the traditional architecture and peaceful setting make the Horse & Farrier an ideal venue to reward yourself for a day’s walking Blencathra, Skiddaw and the Cumbria Way with a quiet pint of locally brewed real ale and a hearty and delicious meal.