Allerdale's
Great Outdoors
Outdoors adventures in Allerdale
Swim, cycle, hike or try something completely different, you can all sorts of outdoor activities in Allerdale. Whether you’re a water baby, want to walk your legs off, hit a trail on two wheels or discover nature, West Cumbria is just one big adventure playground.
Our crystal-clear lakes are a beautiful place to start – Derwentwater, Buttermere, Crummock Water and Bassenthwaite Lake attract wild swimmers from across the UK and beyond. And why wouldn’t they? The scenery which surrounds them is stunning – and you’ll get an uninterrupted view once you’re in the water.
Paddling in Crummock Water
Kayaking on Derwentwater
You can try loads of different watersports here, like ghyll scrambling, canyoning, kayaking, paddle boarding and sailing, or try something more sedate, like a lake cruise or a little jaunt in a rowing boat.
Our cycling routes are pretty special too – that’s why the Tour of Britain race keeps coming back here. From the flat routes up the stunning Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty to the gruelling climbs up the steepest passes in the country, you can challenge yourself as much as you like.
There’s amazing mountain biking here too. From marked trails at Whinlatter Forest Park to countless miles of bridle paths up some of the remotest high fells, this is a place which keeps bikers coming back for more.
Allerdale also includes parts of some famous routes, like the C2C, the Hadrian’s Wall cyclepath and the Fred Whitton Challenge, or lesser-known meanders through our pretty villages.
Walk on the coast, or head into the fells, amble around a lakeshore, or bag yourself a few Wainwrights while you’re here. We’ve got plenty of those world-famous routes, including the one the acclaimed writer said was his favourite – the beautiful Haystacks, which became his final resting place.
Approach to Loweswater
Silloth Golf Course
We’ve got plenty of places for golfers to play too, on some of the best courses in the country – choose sea views or fell-top vistas. Just keep your eye on the ball!
Allerdale is a location packed with natural wonders too, not least the Solway Coast. But you could also see everything from ospreys to otters, red squirrels to roe deer and dolphins to dippers if you know where to look.
Eat
If you’re outdoors all day you’re going to want to pack a picnic. All our towns have great delicatessens, bakeries and supermarkets, as well as fabulous independent cafes who will serve takeaways so you can eat al fresco. Lots of our lovely country pubs are reopening carefully and safely too. Please plan ahead and book a table.
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Lorton, Near Cockermouth
Caravans in Bowness on Solway
Stay
Caravan sites, glamping pods, coastal lodges and country hotels and guest houses can offer amazing places to stay in the middle of nowhere. Whether you want to drop off to the sound of the sea or wake up to the dawn chorus, find some blissful isolation on a farm or rest your tired limbs in luxury lakeside retreat, Allerdale has them all.
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