A Little Last Minute Lake District Adventure

After the wettest and gloomiest start to winter in years, we were beginning to feel a bit down in the dumps about the lack of opportunity for cold, crisp adventures, or any adventures for that matter. But, as luck would have it, we wrapped up a few design and conservation jobs just as the weather forecast showed the chance of sunshine and colder temperatures. We booked a little cottage, packed the van in a hurry and headed for a mini adventure in the Lake District. We have fond memories of visiting The Lakes; it was here that we took our first family holiday with Benji just after he was born, hiking in the fells with him strapped to our fronts. We have also been here many times to visit our friends at Millican near Keswick, but this time we headed to Kendal, an area of the Lakes we hadn’t visited before and were looking forward to discovering new spots.

With only 2 full days to explore, and a three year old in tow, we decided to keep things fairly easy and relaxed. We planned to find waterfalls, rivers and low fells and crags for Benji to climb under his own steam. He had a great time climbing the small but fun Castle Howe Crag (spurred on by the promise of Firepot beans for lunch at the top) after which we wandered in a valley full of ancient, twisted juniper trees, a rare and beautiful sight, especially in the somewhat tree deprived Lake District.

After the success of Castle Howe, we decided Benji was ready to attempt a more challenging climb the following day and settled on Helm Crag (also known as The Lion and the Lamb), just north of Grasmere. At only 405m, it’s achievable for little legs and Benji was keen to give it a go. We parked up, piled on the layers and set off, following the gurgling streams and falls upwards before heading off on the well worn path towards the summit. Fuelled by Haribo and dried strawberries, we made it, not quite to the very top, but close enough for high fives all round. Benji was stoked! From here we were afforded good views of the surrounding fells, all looking rugged and wintry topped with a dusting of snow.

After a reward of chips and gravy in the van for tea, we headed back to our cottage, packed up again and were back home by Monday afternoon. Although short, we always come home from these mini trips full of renewed enthusiasm and energy and we’re already looking forward to the next one…