cottages4you blog: inspiration for your cottage or villa holiday in UK, Ireland and Europe

Those heading on a Lake District holiday should take their bicycles along and enjoy a new route through the pretty scenery.

Starting at Keswick railway station, the Keswick Railway Path allows you to take in the sights of the line that runs to Penrith.

At ten kilometres long, the new route would be perfect for those wanting to spend a day out on their bikes.

But if you simply want a taste of what the path has to offer, you can take a number of shortcuts and adapt it to your needs.

And you needn’t be a cyclist at all to enjoy the route, as it is ideal for walkers too.

"We believe the path will also be popular for people with limited mobility and families with children not yet ready for the more strenuous Lake District walks," says Charlotte Crosby, National Park publications coordinator.

If you’re planning a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, you’ll be pleased to hear no motor cyclists or horse riders are allowed on the route.

Keswick also offers a range of forest trails and hill walks to add variety to your stay.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

If you’re planning holidays in the Lake District and exploring is your thing, a new woodland trail could be just the ticket.

Bassenthwaite Reflections – a community landscape programme funded by Heritage Lottery – is creating the trail at Whinlatter Forest.

It is hoped the creation will mark the work done by the community programme and act as a permanent reminder.

And it could also be the perfect way to keep families staying in Lake District holiday cottages occupied.

Martin Varley, head of Reflections, said: "Our new oaks will stabilise soil, which ultimately helps in our goal to improve water quality in Bassenthwaite Lake. They also play host to a spectacular variety of wildlife, generate oxygen and store carbon."

He explained work has been underway in the area since 2007 and this is the ideal reminder of how valuable woodland is.

Some 30 projects have been undertaken by Bassenthwaite Reflections since it was given funding, so why not enjoy the fruits of its labour on your next trip to the Lake District?

Posted by David Sollberger

Have you previously been on holiday in the Lake District and marvelled at the beauty of Lake Windermere?

If so, you may be interested in a search to find people who will manage the area and keep it so popular.

There are four vacancies at the Windermere Lake User Forum, which is made up of 11 members who advise officials on how to manage the lake.

Or, if you just fancy staying in a holiday cottage in the Lake District, you may want to visit the area and give your opinions to the locals.

Applications for the vacancies must be received by May 17th and coordinator Suzy Grindley urges anybody who is interested to apply.

"It is essential that members are able to gather comments from the lake users they represent and that they can circulate information from the meetings back to those lake users," she explains.

Windermere is England’s largest lake and adds to the beautiful countryside surrounding it.

Visitors to Lake District holiday cottages who are interested in the history of the area now have a chance to learn more by taking a trip to Workington.

An exhibition has arrived in the town, showcasing the development of the landscape as well as providing information about human history.

Eleanor Kingston of Lake District National Park said the event has already gone down a treat at the various museums and libraries it has called at around the country.

"We are hoping to reach as many people as possible and encourage them to be aware of the past and its influences on our lives today," she stated.

Running until April 26th, the exhibition will include a family open day on April 21st – featuring various activities and an opportunity for guests to get their hands on the artefacts on display.

Lake District National Park is the largest in England and welcomes more than eight million day visitors every year.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

Regular users of Windermere in the Lake District are being encouraged to give their views on what needs to be done to protect the lake in the future.

A six-hour drop-in session organised by the Windermere Lake User Forum is due to take place at Ferry Nab in Bowness on April 10th, where those who use the Lake – such as people who regularly enjoy boating or other activities during their stay in a Lake District holiday cottage – can discuss issues they want raised.

Eleven members of the forum will be present between 10:00 and 16:00 BST and catchment projects coordinator Suzy Grindley said that the day will be "an excellent time for people to tell us what their future aims and ambitions are".

"I would encourage lake users to come to the drop-in session," she said, adding it is a "special chance" for them to voice their opinions on improvements that can be made to the lake.

Windermere is the largest lake in England, measuring 10.5 miles in length and 219 feet in depth.

Posted by David Sollberger

There is a lot more to the Lake District besides Windermere, the domestic market manger for Cumbria Tourism has argued.

Ian Hawkins said that while Windermere – which at 10.5 miles is the longest lake in England – is popular due to it being easy to access from places like London, Liverpool and Manchester, there are a number of other natural attractions that people should check out during a Lake District holiday.

"Do a bit of research into places like Ulls Water, Crummock Water and Derwent Water – all those places are great to see," he remarked, adding areas like this are often quieter than Windermere but still benefit from good road links.

And for those who fancy a bit of an adrenaline rush during their break, the Lake District will not disappoint, as Mr Hawkins added it is great for outdoor activities like hill walking, mountain biking and hiking.

People who plan to stay in Lake District holiday cottages over the Easter period will not be short of things to do.

This year Good Friday is April 2nd and Easter Monday April 5th and the Lake District National Park has suggested a few ideas for those making the Lakes their base for the long weekend.

Almost 600 activities have been listed for families to do, which may include those who have booked Lake District holiday cottages for the convenience and affordability that being self-catered delivers.

Included on the national park’s list is the chance to Meet the Mammals on March 31st, for those who may decide to head off on their holiday a littler earlier.

This includes learning about native creatures like Tiggywinkle the hedgehog and costs £3.

On April 4th families can go on a Swallows and Amazons adventure and get a Taste of Creativity.

National park events organiser Andrea Hills said it can be difficult for busy parents to sometimes work out how to entertain youngsters during the school holidays.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

The government has allocated more funding to help repair the damage done to the Lake District during last November.

During a visit to Cumbria last week, flooding minister Huw Irranca-Davies announced £330,000 from the latest round of round of flood protection grants will go towards preparing the region for tourists and visitors this summer.

Part of the cash will be used to repair the footpaths, gates, footbridges and stiles that were damaged by the floodwater – good news for those planning on experiencing the range of walks the Lakes has to offer during a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage.

The money "will ensure visitors and local people can continue to enjoy the National Park’s natural beauty" observed Mr Irranca-Davies, adding a portion will also go towards flood protection measures designed to limit damage to houses.

Speaking last December shortly after the flooding took place, Mark Eccles of the Lake District National Park urged visitors to be careful on pathways until all the necessary repair work has been carried out.

Posted by Toby Lawrence

The Langdale Pikes in the Lake District is one of the best walks the UK has to offer.

This is according to Birmingham Mail writer Adrian Caffery, who has described it as "one of the finest one-day walks in the country".

Mr Caffery, who tackled the route as part of a Lake District holiday in October last year, said that it offers a number of great sites along the way, including "a series of impressive waterfalls" a large tarn and "wonderful views" of the Langdale Valley.

However, he noted that parts of the walk may be difficult after it has rained, as the trek involves fording a stream.

"On days when the water is high, the crossing can be too hazardous and so some rock scrambling is in order," Mr Caffery warned.

According to Lakeland Landscape, the route is popular among hill walkers, as it is relatively easy but still offers some tricky parts.

There is still plenty of time for people wanting to pitch in and help with conservation projects in the Lake District to sign up to forthcoming events.

This is according to head of Bassenthwaite Reflections Martin Varley, who noted that the body is in the process of organising a number of archaeology and environmental initiatives across the Lakes.

Such schemes may be ideal for those heading for a stay in a Lake District holiday cottage who want to get their fingers dirty.

The programme, which was launched in 2007, has backed 30 projects so far, but is to finish at the end of this year.

And a new survey assessing what people think of the initiative resulted in some overwhelmingly positive results.

"People have said how much they valued getting involved and being part of the legacies we’ll leave behind; a nature reserve, important bridge, footpaths and the list goes on," Mr Varley remarked.

Bassenthwaite Reflections is running a dry stone walling course this weekend, giving visitors the chance to learn a new skill while on a Lake District holiday.

Posted by Ben Webster