Not so long ago, holidaying in the Lake District meant hardcore walking and climbing, or pootling across a lake, followed by a scenic drive, with a bit of Beatrix Potter thrown in. And always with the possibility of rain.
Staid hotels for the posh, and cheery B&Bs and muddy field camping for the rest of us were the order of the day.
Fast-forward 40 years or so and there’s been a tsunami of a transformation – although the mesmeric, bewitching beauty of the landscape remains a constant. And the rain.
Today, adrenaline-seekers can get their fix from everything from high-wire bridges to Via Ferrata climbs, and from extreme mountain-biking to remote tarn wild swimming. Children can burn off boredom on zip-wires or getting soaked climbing up waterfalls. Organised self-guided and guided walks means fell-walking is open to everyone, not just anoraks-with-compasses (though, to be serious, proper walking gear is essential).
More sedentary pleasures have spun out from a bit of photography and painting into learning crafts such as weaving, enamelling and raku pottery. And if, frankly, all this busy-ness is too much yet you still hanker after the sublime scenery but with a generous helping of indulgence, fear not: hotels have upped their game with spas, infinity pools and outdoor saunas.
It’s now perfectly acceptable to wander outdoors in a white towelling robe rather than full GORE-TEX kit. Camping options, too, have been elevated to include shepherds’ huts, glamping pods and shiny American Airstreams.
But one of the biggest changes is the food scene. No longer just pubs and tearooms, now you’ll find funky bistros, smart gastropubs and cool coffee bars while gourmet-hunters come salivating on the trail of the 13 – yes, 13 – restaurants waving their Michelin stars.
Cycle the hills with ease
So, you fancy a spin on a bike but without the sweaty stuff? Even better with a massage on hand on your return? And, preferably, someone to organise it all, so you don’t have to faff around working out routes.
Brimstone, an adults-only, all-suite hotel, has a team of hosts looking after guests’ needs who will arrange e-bike hire and delivery, kit you out in appropriate clothing, and suggest tried-and-tested cycling routes.