Travelogue We were very pleasantly surprised by a recent trip to the Lake District.
As the worn out parents of a very active 15 month old baby, we had neither the energy or the inclination to go abroad this year, and decided on what we considered to be a second best option of a holiday in the UK and the distinctly hit or miss weather of the Lake District at that.

We couldn't have been more wrong, the weather was lovely for the first 5 days only deteriorating slightly the last 2 days. The cottage was genuinely idyllic, all 17th century oak beams, quirky shaped rooms, a beautiful cottage garden and patio area and an Aga to take the pressure off mum cooking. It was also in a high state of cleanliness and neatness, which with our baby admittedly was a chore to maintain but once all the pretty breakable things had been placed out of baby's reach, we were all able to relax.

We stayed in a little hamlet called Outgate just outside Hawkshead, one of the pretties villages in the Lake District All amenities including 2 pubs, and lots of shops etc were within a short drive or slightly longer walk.
The Lake Distict itself we found very geared up for tourism, and the steam trains, and Ferries all ran to excellent time and were good value.

Babies were also catered for very well, and all but one of the restaurants we visited had high chairs. Public Toilets in all the towns were plentiful and clean, excellent restaurants and tea rooms were available. All in all a good time was had by all, even our fussy and easily bored little madam.

There were many attractions to visit including beautiful homes and gardens, Beatrix Potter attractions and even otters to see at play in the Lakeside aquarium.
It was so pleasant we will happily go back next year and are even plotting a family visit, so I can have more time to enjoy myself while the relatives squabble over who gets the baby.

Pleasantly relaxing and comnfortable time had by all.

Drinking chilled chardonnay in the garden while watching baby chase butterflies is a particulary pleasing memory.