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Situation
Bawd Hall is situated 750ft
high in the Newlands Valley, in the heart of the Northern
Lake District, mid-way between Keswick and Buttermere.
The adjacent road is very quiet but all the major fells in
the North Lakes region are in easy reach, with a number
of excellent walks straight from the front door.
Map
Local facilities
The nearest town
is Keswick which is about 6 miles (15 minutes drive) away
and has an excellent range of shops catering for the
walker’s every need, as well as a good supermarket (Booths)
and
many pubs and restaurants. There are several taxi firms.
20 minutes away is Cockermouth - a prosperous
market town, famous for being the birthplace of Wordsworth,
and the site of Jennings - Cumbria's best known brewery.
It has a good range of general shops, pubs and restaurants, and a Sainsbury’s
supermarket.
To save time, Tesco.com
and the Co-op in Keswick will deliver groceries to the
door. If arriving from the south via the M6, then
try the Westmorland Services farm shop just north of
junction 38. Penrith
has a large Morrisons and Rheged (1st roundabout on
A66 after Penrith) stocks local specialities. Also,
there is a well-stocked village shop at Braithwaite,
where you turn off the A66 to go to Bawd Hall. Buttermere
has good pubs in a lovely setting. Please
support the local businesses and producers wherever
possible.
Local History
Keswick at the head of Derwentwater derives its name from old English meaning cheese
farm. The K at the beginning of the name signifies a Norse
influence, as do local names ending in 'thwaite', 'seat', and 'dale'. The
history of the area around the town goes back to Neolithic times as
witnessed by the existence of the nearby Castlerigg Stone Circle where primitive
man made stone weapons and implements. The circle is in fact slightly oval
with an entrance on the north side, composed of 38 outside stones and ten
inner stones. It lies directly between the summits of Skiddaw and
Helvellyn. There is also some sketchy evidence for a Roman camp
having been established nearby, guarding the northern extremities of the Roman
Empire.
In 1563 Queen Elizabeth
first brought skilled German miners to the area to work in Keswick to dig
for copper ore in the Newlands Valley. The later discovery in Seathwaite
of graphite in the sixteenth century started the pencil making
tradition in Keswick. This continues until today, a visit to the Pencil
Museum is a must for many visitors, where you can see the world's biggest
pencil. Tourism started in the late 1800s with visitors following in the
footsteps of the Romantic Poets Coleridge, Southey (Robert Southey
1774-1843, Poet Laureate, 1813) and Wordsworth.
The arrival of train travel and the opening of Keswick Station in the mid
1800's boosted the reputation of the town far and wide. Ever increasing
numbers of tourists from this time have ensured that Keswick has remained
at the forefront of Lake District popularity. The timeless
beauty of the surrounding fells reflected on the surface of Derwentwater,
gave it the nickname 'Queen of the Lakes'.
Things to do
The Lake District
is best enjoyed on foot. There are a large number of excellent
walks straight out of the house varying from a simple
stroll to a strenuous hike. The boating facilities
on Derwent Water are nearby.
The area is ideal for cycling, either on the fells (where permitted), or along the
quiet roads between Newlands, Derwent Water and Borrowdale.
If the seaside appeals, then the coast north of Maryport has a number
of excellent sandy beaches and associated facilities.
Generally the Lake District is generously provided with things to
do and see, even if the weather is less than ideal. See the
separate "Things to do" page
for ideas and links.
Weather
The driest months are usually April to July and the warmest are
May to September. Spring and Autumn are often the best times
for serious walking, whereas the warmer Summer months
are best for boating. Winter usually brings stunning
views of snow-topped mountains and often there are beautifully
crisp and clear days. It is generally mild and some fine days
can be had even in the depths of winter. The weather can be
changeable, so it is advisable to get the local forecast before
setting off (0870 055 0575).
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