It won’t be long before we are all thinking about day trips and getting out of the house again. I’m already planning my spring and summer weekends with fun activities for the kids. Somewhere that is pretty high on my list (if they don’t put that border in the Irish Sea) is Cumbria, one of the biggest counties in England.
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Where to eat
The area has plenty of places to eat, not surprising considering how big the area is, but that brings a massive variety to the table too. There is a mountain of specialty food that comes from the area. The humble Cumberland sausage, Grasmere gingerbread, and world-famous Kendal mint cake all hail from the area. If you are reading this and are wondering what Kendal Mint Cake is, it’s the original glucose boost for hikers and is great for distance running. If running across the green fields of north-western England isn’t on your agenda, you can still enjoy the food in the local cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
What to do
Being part of the Lake District makes it an area of outstanding beauty that is perfect for exploring. If you find yourself on a Cumbria dating site, you should expect a date that is packed with plenty of country walks and picnics on the lawns of castles. There are so many castles and museums to choose from (my not-so-inner nerd is excited by that). Plus there are hertiage sites, railways, and military shows that you can indulge your craving for history. If you enjoy the great outdoors or history, then this is the place for you. There are other things to do but some of the highly recommended stuff is in the fresh air.
A bit of history
Although the area has a lot of history, it didn’t officially become Cumbria until 1974. But even before it officially existed, it was a source of inspiration for artists and writers. Being an area of outstanding beauty, it has been the setting for many things, including plenty of wars. It was originally part of Scotland and didn’t become part of England until 1092 after William II invaded. After many invasions and battles, the area calmed down and became a hotspot for writers. Beatrix Potter loved the area so much, she became a landowner and left most of her property to the National Trust on her death. It was this land that helped to make up the Lake District that we know and love.
Some local facts
I’ve already mentioned that this is a huge place but it is also sparsely populated. One of the darker facts from the past is the Windscale Fire of 1957, the worst nuclear disaster in the UK. But it’s not all doom and gloom, the disaster was tiny compared to other disasters (not that a nuclear disaster is good on any scale). However, if you fancy gaining a slightly better title for yourself, you can grab yourself a Knighthood at Piel Island Pub or earn the title of World’s Biggest Liar at a pub in Santon Bridge.
These are just a small sample of the fun things that you can do in Cumbria. There are so many things to do and it’s just impossible for me to list them all here. If you are from Cumbria or have visited, let me know in the comments section and give me some ideas for when I come for a visit.