Why visit the Lake District?

The Lake District is in the county of Cumbria which was formed from the older counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and parts of North Lancashire, and North Yorkshire. It contains The Lake District National Park, the largest national park in Britain, established in 1951 and covering 2,292 sq km (885 sq mi). It is an area of glaciated mountains - including Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 978 m (3,209 ft).

The northern ranges of the Lake District consist of slate that dates back about 500 million years, the central ranges are of younger volcanic rock, and a southern range of limestone and other rock are about 440 million years old.

The highlands are dissected by U-shaped valleys, known as dales and contain the lakes some of which are artificial and all but one of which do not have the word “lake” in their names they are known instead as “meres” Windermere, Grasmere, Thirlmere and “waters” Ullswater, Wastwater, Coniston Water, with the exception which is Bassenthwaite Lake. The animal life of the Lake District includes the famous Windermere char and a number of rare golden eagles.

Human settlements are first known to be in the Lake District from at least 5,000 years ago, when Pike o'Stickle and other mountains became the resource for stone for axes and are the sites of stone circles at Castlerigg, Long Meg, and in other areas of the Lake District. Later groups dug parts of the mountains and fells for copper, iron-ore, graphite, and green slate.

In Neolithic times Cumbria was a most important source of stone axes, some of which can be seen at www.keswickmuseum.co.uk.

Historically Celts, Romans and Vikings settled in the Lake District. It was the Vikings that made-up place-name elements such as “-thwaite” meaning clearing, “fell” meaning mountain with grazing, “gill” meaning ravine, “force” meaning waterfall, and also introduced the local Herdwick sheep, which are born black and become white. Herdwick sheep have become very popular recently with their meat now being prized by butchers and their fleece being used to make anything from loft insulation to skipping ropes!

The English Lake District is an area rich in history and culture, and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the World. Almost a third of the land is now owned by the National Trust, whose role it is "to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Lake District and to ensure that people can continue to enjoy their most prized National Park.

Poets and artists throughout the ages have been drawn to the area especially during the spring and summer months when the area blossoms into that idyllic environment that inspired them. William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Beatrix Potter, John Ruskin, Heaton Cooper, and Kurt Shwitters originator of the ‘Mertz ‘art movement.

As well as camping in a Tipi in the Lake District there's so much to see & do!
You will find there just isn’t enough time to get to see all you want to in the Lake District so you will want to come back again and again to enjoy all its attractions.

You can explore the rustic Lakeland towns and villages, discover the history of the area at its castles and historical houses many of which are owned by the National Trust www.nationaltrust.com.

The National Trust was formed in 1896 by Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, Vicar of Crosthwaite, Keswick, Miss Octavia Hill and Sir Robert Hunter.

It is now responsible for the conservation and management of about one quarter of the Lake District National Park. The total of about 50,000 HA in turn is about a quarter of the Trust's entire holding in England and Wales. They control 90 farms, almost all the central fells area, the major valley heads, six of the main lakes and much of their shorelines.

Fell Foot Park www.fellfootpark.co.uk is a Victorian park and garden in the Lake District right across the road from Fell Food Woods one of the locations used by 4 Winds Lakeland Tipis. In early Spring Fell Foot Park has masses of daffodils, followed by rhododendrons flowering until the beginning of June. There are many trees such as oaks and pines down to the lake shore. The house that once stood in the park gardens was demolished years ago.

The attractive grounds are open throughout the year and have access to the lake shore and numerous picnic sites. You can hire boats at the lake and there are regular ferry sailings from Fell Foot Park to Lakeside www.lakeside.co.uk nearby on Lake Windermere where you can visit some of the attractions near to both our holidays locations.

Sizergh Castle also owned by the National Trust was home to the Strickland family for over 750 years, Sizergh Castle, nr. Kendal, Cumbria was originally built between 1239 and 1340 as an essentially defensive pele tower for Sir Walter Strickland. It has been extensively extended over the years, with the major additions dating from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. The Strickland family were Royalists during the Civil War, and had to abandon the castle for a short period of time. But the castle has stood the test of time, and the interior has some excellent carved Elizabethan chimney pieces, oak furniture, portraits and a magnificent staircase. The gardens are also impressive, with a large and beautiful limestone rock garden and a newly refurbished café and shop area.

You can enjoy a great variety of attractions or have some family fun at the many events taking place all year round www.cumbria-calling.com Whatever the weather www.bbcweather.com there is something for everyone.

What sporting activities take place in the Lake District?
The Lake District is the country's best outdoor playground. Walking, mountaineering, cycling, mountain biking, sailing, climbing canoeing, llama trekking and kayaking are all available in the Lake District and are right on your doorstep when you book a 4 Winds Lakeland Tipis camping holiday.

We can introduce you to many of the activities mentioned above by www.riverdeepmountainhigh.co.uk where you can join in there activities whilst staying in a 4 Winds Tipi.

For a truly unique experience why not go llama trekking? Lake District Llama Trekking www.lakedistrictllamas.co.uk offer llama treks and picnics in many different locations.

For sporting events and locally sourced vegetarian food you can visit Wilf’s Café www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk in Staveley where you can enjoy free guided walks on Fridays and Sundays in the summer months.

The Lake District is a haven for food and drink lovers!
The area has always been renowned for its gastronomic delights especially the Cumberland Sausage the history of which you can find here:

"About 45 years ago, a gentleman Butcher by the name of Billy Clague, was the manager at the Co-operative Butchers in Workington, Cumberland. He had been making Cumberland Sausage since the 1920’s.One of his apprentices Rodney Flett, himself from a family of Farmers and Butchers was learning the finer points of Master Butchery. Part of that training was how to make the famous “Cumberland Sausage” This involves using only natural ingredients and selected cuts of pork. It does not contain any added coloring or preservatives.(OK so adding chemicals might make the product look more attractive, and give it a longer shelf life, but if its real Cumberland Sausage you are looking for, then I guess you don’t want any additives).The meat is cut by hand and great care is taken to ensure there is no gristle (you know, those bits associated with sausages which stick between your teeth). The seasonings are prepared from a variety of spices and herbs (non of that pre-prepared stuff out of a packet). Once minced together the ingredients are mixed and filled by hand into natural pork casings." www.cumberlandsausage.co.uk.

The Lake District is also the home of Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding www.cartmelstickytoffeepudding.co.uk and Damson Gin and Ale www.masonsarmsstrawberrybank.co.uk.

There many famous restaurants in the area including www.millerhowe.co.uk and www.leclume.co.uk we are also home to Low Sizergh Barn www.lowsizerghbarn.co.uk which has many awards for its organic local produce and its working organic dairy farm. 4 Winds Lakeland Tipis always likes to promote local organic produce for guests when they come to stay with us.

So all you need to do now is go to our Bookings Page and book your Lake District Camping holiday with a difference!