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Famous as the birthplace of modern rock climbing, few locations in the UK can match the Lake District. The variety of crags and the beauty of the surroundings make Cumbria the perfect place to try this great outdoor sport. Climbing is also a great way to keep fit – not to mention the challenges and enormous sense of achievement. The Lake District is the ultimate climbers’ playground.

The abundance of gear shops in Ambleside certainly gives you the feeling that you’re in the home of climbing. Even better, once you’ve decked yourself out in the latest must-have climbing attire, the majestic fells of the Langdales are on your doorstep.  It’s home to some of the very finest crags in the Lake District. Generations of climbers have flocked to the region to enjoy Bowfell, Gimmer and Pavey Ark for their outstanding rock, fabulous position and a truly first rate selection of pubs.

Buttermere rewards the more adventurous climber, willing to venture off the beaten track and explore. This isn’t to say that the famous crags that have consistently drawn countless visitors to the area aren’t obvious. Grey Crag, Eagle Crag and High Crag each tower majestically over the valley. They are well worth the time it takes to reach them as they have that special blend of tradition, outstanding rock and thrilling exposure that’s a true test of your route-finding and offers you the best of British mountaineering.

Coniston is an area of breathtaking natural beauty and home to a vast number of interesting and varied routes guaranteed to entertain the visiting climber. At one end of the scale it nurtures less experienced climbers with highly accessible, single-pitch slate routes and at the other, challenges and enchants the most experienced climbers with wonderfully atmospheric, high-mountain crags; like the classic, multi-pitch Dow Crag and the unspoilt Duddon Valley.

Around the picturesque upper reaches of Ullswater, in the eastern Lake District, the more adventurous climbers will be rewarded with some of the best hidden gems around. You’ll normally have to put in more than a half hour walk to the routes but it is well worth it. For the more experienced climber, a visit to Dove Crag and Raven Crag simply should not be missed.

Climbing in the Keswick area is centred around Borrowdale. Many feel that the real strength of the area is in the abundance of easily-accessible valley crags. There’s also plenty for the dedicated rock athlete. There are some routes with lots of broody, awe-inspiring character. Test yourself on the sombre Eagle Crag or Gillercombe; climb in the shade on Goat Crag or join a buoyant climbing community on Shepherds, it’s up to you.

Wasdale, the birthplace of rock climbing. With the ascent of Napes Needle in 1886 by WP Haskett Smith, climbing became a means to its own end. The history of the area is inspiring in itself, these seminal routes honing the skills of generations of climbers. Don’t be over-awed though, you’ll find a classic route sure to surpass your expectations. Then there’s always the Wasdale Head Inn if you want to kick off your boots, sit by a roaring log fire and tuck into tasty Lakeland food and drink.

The winter is a stunning season in the Lake District, Cumbria.  Crisp days, dramatic skies, icy lakes, snow-dusted fells, there’s never a better time or a better place for a winter walk followed by a proper bar meal in a cosy Cumbrian pub.  Here are some of our favourite places to warm up this winter…For more information about the Lake District, Cumbria go to www.golakes.co.uk

The Masons Arms, Strawberry Bank
Recently one of only five pubs shortlisted by Country Life Magazine for the Country Pub of the Year Award… A wonderful, atmospheric Lakeland inn perched on the fell side overlooking the beautiful Winster Valley.  As well as the traditional bar and dining room they have a lovely outdoor terrace complete with canopies and heaters just perfect for enjoying a relaxing drink at sunset.  They offer good, local, wholesome food, freshly prepared using top quality produce.
015395 68486/ www.masonsarmsstrawberrybank.co.uk

The Bitter End, Cockermouth
A welcoming pub complete with its own micro brewery where the whole brew process can be seen through a glazed partition in the pub. With roaring open fires, superb home made meals and fantastic real ales this is a very appealing place to relax.
01900 828993 / www.bitterend.co.uk

The Sun Inn, Kirkby Lonsdale
A welcoming 17th century inn set in the heart of the town, overlooking St Mary’s church, close to Devils Bridge and Ruskin’s View. Enjoy a drink in front of the log fires or relax in the lounge and wine library.  The restaurant offers excellent food created using fresh local ingredients and is fast gaining a well-respected reputation for quality.
015242 71965/ www.sun-inn.info

The Vagabond Whitehaven
A popular pub right on the pretty harbourside in Whitehaven.  They specialise in good comfort food using local ingredients and often fish fresh from the fishing boats docked nearby.  It offers a great atmosphere, friendly staff and there are often blues and folk bands playing there so you can enjoy live music as you eat.
01946 693671/ www.thevagabondwhitehaven.co.uk

The George and Dragon, Clifton, near Penrith
The brand new George and Dragon Inn nestles in a charming village on the edge of the Lowther Valley This former coaching inn, built in the late 18th century, has been lovingly restored by local craftsmen who have reused stone, slate flags, design and colours sympathetic to the early Georgian period.  Comfy sofas, bare wooden tables, intimate alcoves and open crackling fires make it a perfect place to relax and unwind and the freshest local, organic ingredients, sourced within 20 miles of the inn, make the menus mouthwatering.                                                      01768 865 381 / www.georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk

The Strickland Arms, near Kendal
This has an impressive reputation for superb food, good service and lovely surroundings. Stylishly contemporary and airily spacious with two log fires, the menu is simple and seasonal and the food fresh and delicious.  Definitely worth a visit.
015395 61010 / www.ainscoughs.co.uk/Strickland-Arms/strickland-arms-home.html

Tower Bank Arms, Near Sawrey
This pub is next door to Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home and can be seen in one of the sketches for The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck.  This 17th century Lakeland inn offers friendly professional service, quality fresh food and an extensive selection of traditional local ales and organic soft drinks and wines.
015394 36334/ www.towerbankarms.co.uk

The Weary, near Carlisle
This inn has been extensively refurbished and now offers boutiquey accommodation, stylish bar and restaurant and great food.  Their menus are fresh, local and seasonal and their desserts are to die for.  Ideal if you need to put on a bit of weight for the winter!
www.theweary.com

The Kings Head Hotel & Inn, Thirlmere
Situated at the foot of Helvellyn in the heart of the Lake District, this 17th century coaching inn enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by spectacular scenery. The Kings Head offers both bar and fine dining with an extensive menu featuring traditional English dishes and local specialities created from the finest produce. The on- site local produce store offers a wide range of cumbrian foods and drinks.
017687 72393/ www.lakedistrictinns.co.uk

The Drunken Duck Inn, Barngates, Ambleside
A multi award-winning family-owned inn which serves the finest local produce imaginatively prepared and served. The food is complimented by fine local beers, top wines and spirits and a traditional interior with an open fire and Brathay Black slate bar top. The inn site’s within 60 acres of private land high above Lake Windermere, providing a scenic setting for a relaxed lunch.
015394 36347/ www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk

Christmas is a time for loading up your larder with sweet treats and spicy snacks. There’s few places better for stockpiling your “weapons of mass consumption” than the Lake District. Combine a winter weekend with a festive forage by visiting the dozens of small independent food shops offering totally authentic locally-made food. Here’s a tour of the top festive foods and where to get them.

Rum Butter
Whether it’s Croissants on Christmas morning or livening up moreish Mince Pies, the deliciously thick Wilson’s Cumberland Rum Butter adds a sweet-spirit kick to any snack. This golden-brown sugary paste sold in retro, cup-cake-like tubs, is a Lake District speciality. You’ll find it hiding on the corners of shelves in many quaint food shops like The Honeypot in the storybook village of Hawkshead. http://www.honeypotfoods.co.uk/

Damson Gin Christmas Pudding
The Winster and Lyth valleys are home to some of England’s most spectacular and productive orchards whose branches bloom snow white in Spring and hang heavy with baubles of the purple fruit by September. Damson is used to make everything from jam to gin and one of the new specialities is the Fruity Damson Gin Christmas Puddings. These are made by Cowmire Hall based at Crosthwaite on the outskirts of Kendal. It makes its ruby red liquor gin available through Fortnum and Mason’s, London, and if you fancy a trip to the Lakes, you can stay at Cowmire’s delightfully cosy bothy. http://www.cowmire.co.uk

Cumberland Smokey Cheddar
If you’re tired of endless steamed stodge or sweet things over Christmas, spice up your water biscuits and oatcakes with a few slices of thick cheddar. The multi-award winning Lake District Cheese Company makes a range from the dairy herds feasting on the lush Lakeland grass. Try it’s Cumberland Smokey for starters. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, head to Churchmouse Cheeses, Kirkby Lonsdale, which has a range of superbly-named products like How’s Yer Father, Admiral Collingwood and Blacksticks Blue. If you’re really lucky, they may even play “Little Donkey” on the in-shop Piano. http://www.lakedistrictcheesecompany.co.uk/ or http://www.churchmousecheeses.com

Truffles
In the busy resort of Bowness, make a beeline for Hutton’s a traditional, specialist hand-made chocolate confectioners which makes claims to being “the oldest shop in the village.” If you’ve presents on your mind, mix and match your own specially-made gift box for someone special. Alternatively, cherry pick a bag of your favourites for packing on a lakeside walk. If you’re more interested in how they’re made, go to Kennedys Fine Chocolates at Orton, Penrith. The tiny factory allows you to view the chocolate makers at work. Their Conservatory Coffee Shop serves divine chocolate cake with slightly warm vanilla ice cream.
http://huttonschocolates.co.uk/

Cold Cuts of Lakeland Lamb
You might never make it through the door of Yew Tree Farm due to being struck by the awesomeness of its setting. Inside you’ll find a farmhouse once owned by Beatrix Potter, now providing locally made jams and relishes. Its real industry though is it’s 600-acre farm, specialising in prime cuts of its free-roaming Herdwick Lamb, perfect with roasties and sprigs of Rosemary. Alternatively, bag a tender beef joint from its Belted Galloway cattle (cows with black belts). If you can’t visit in person don’t worry, they now deliver anywhere in the UK. www.yewtree-farm.com / www.heritagemeats.co.uk

Chutneys
The Hawkshead Relish company really knows how to “do” Christmas with its festively-named lines of products. Try it’s gingery Boxing Day Chutney with Turkey sandwiches or coat your crackers with Michaelmass relish. For those that like to keep out the winter with something hot, try it’s decadent Chocolate Chilli Fudge. You can wash it down with some Lakeland Lager or, at 4.9%, Brodie’s Prime real ale, named after Alex Brodie, the ex BBC man now behind the pumps of the Hawkshead Brewery. For festive snacks, try its cross between piccalli and chilli – Chillilillli. Alternatively, prepare your Turkey Curry with a dollop of its Orange and Red Onion Marmalade to give it extra zang, or reinvigorate your “pigs in blankets” with its Hot Garlic Pickle.
www.hawksheadrelish.com

Ginger Bakers
When she’s not collecting food awards,Lisa Smith makes a range of cakes, bakes and Brownies  There’s no shop to visit but she supplies the likes of local coffee shops, retailers and Deli’s. You can order online too. All the products are gluten free and she uses the freshest ingredients, organic and locally sourced where possible and always free range eggs. Try the luxury 1lb loaf fruit cake for £6 – shining with brandy and topped with glistening fruits and nuts.
http://www.gingerbakers.co.uk/

Kop Kops and Kola Kubes
Forget your over-priced Supermarket selection boxes re-packaging treats you can buy anywhere 365 days a year. Instead, fill your Christmas stockings with a range of “retro” sweets. The Lake District is still home to a few traditional sweet shops with jar-lined walls, brown paper bags and Euro-sceptic shop keepers still happy to measure out in quarters instead of kilos. Try Kola Kubes, Pear Drops, Sherbet Lemons, Kop Kops or Rhubarb and Custard. Try the Sweet Shop in Kirkby Lonsdale (015242 71570), Morgan’s in Cockermouth (01900 826427) and the Green Door Sweet Shop in Sedbergh www.thegreendoorsweetshop.co.uk. Fill your lungs with the sweet aroma of pipe tobacco – safely wrapped in its packaging, of course.

Festive Fizz
Pick up your Christmas Day plonk at Organico – a state of the art wine house tucked away in the Staveley Mill Yard offering over 200 organic wines. Run by the Jackson family – Peter, Sue and son Chris – the store is like stepping into a vineyard with its grapes, soft wood and rustic presentation. There’s a resident Sommelier on hand to help you find your way around its shelves and explain its special cases. For Christmas, pick up a bottle of its 1996 Champagne Vintage for £41 from the Fleury vineyard or at the other end of the price range its £19.95 for an effervescent Champagne Premier Cru Brut.
http://www.organi.co.uk/

Holker Hall Christmas Hamper
Head to historic Holker Hall – country seat of Lord and Lady Cavendish – home to 17,000 acres of estate and carefully-cultivated courtyard. The estate has blazing braziers on special Christmas weekends and is decorated by London’s European Designer Christmas Company, Gisela Graham, with twilight illuminations.  As well as its deer-roaming parkland, gardens and the mansion itself to explore, there’s a gift shop and fantastic Food Hall. This is the place to snap up unique treats like rich Christmas Coffees and quality Christmas Hampers.
http://www.holker.co.uk/