TO THE BOTTOM OF WINDERMERE

Another lake, albeit a small one, is next on our journey. This is Elterwater, seen from above, around 1960.

Onwards and upwards, to the summit known as The Old Man of Coniston.

The view from the top.

Coniston station next, seen in Furness Railway days.

A steam railmotor was often used for the passenger service.

In Coniston village, a Formby Coaches vehicle was found, having delivered some tourists into the rain-drenched centre.

Coniston has its "skip works", where oak swill baskets are made.

Here's an old postcard view of Yewdale Road, Coniston.

Now, a more modern view of the Yewdale Hotel.

Next comes the Sun Inn, a Tetley house when photographed.

Close by, the Black Bull, once home to Coniston Brewery.

We'll now head down to Coniston Water, for a tour of the lake.

Over the hills now to another lake - Windermere. At its south end is Lakeside station, terminus of the preserved line from Haverthwaite.

The view of the south end of Windermere, with a bit of sailing going on.

In the next post, we'll take a trip on the lake and a tour around it. Follow the route here.

KESWICK AND GRASMERE

From Helvellyn we head downhill, northwards to hit the old railway line that ran from Penrith to Keswick and the Cumbrian coast. Much of it is now a public footpath, seen between Threlkeld and Keswick. Here it crosses the River Greta a couple of times.. 

There's a short tunnel on the approach to Keswick.

The old station building at Keswick-upon-Derwentwater is still in good condition, put to another use.

This is the same place in 1919.

Today, one is obliged to get to Keswick by bus. Cumberland MS, Ribble and Stagecoach have provided the services over the years.

 

Now for a distant view of St John's church, Keswick.

Here's an old postcard of Keswick town centre.

There are plenty of pubs in Keswick. The Kings Arms does good beer and is a hotel.

The Dog & Gun is a decenr boozer, despite now being owned by Greene King.

The Lake Road Inn, shown here as a Jennings' pub, has since fallen into Robinson's hand.

As you would expect, Lake Road leads down to the lake - Derwentwater in this case.

The steam powered boat arrives for our tour.

We are overlooked by the mountains.

High Brandelow on the shores of Derwentwater.

On the opposite side, just inland, is Ashness Bridge. Here's an old postcard view.

And this is the real thing.

Climbing up into the hills and looking back on Keswick and its suburbs.

Next stop, the village of Braithwaite. Here, there's a Jennings' pub, the Royal Oak.

To the west is Loweswater. This photo is a restored commercial slide that was badly faded.

Onwards now to Grange-in-Borrowdale. An old postcard view.

Borrowdale is, I'm told, the wettest place in England.

Ever onwards, to another lake - Grasmere. These photos are restored commercial slides that were badly faded.

Into Grasmere village, with its church, seen in the mid 1950s.

The poet Wordsworth lived in Dove Cottage for eight years.

Two hosteries for us in Grasmere. Tweedies and the Red Lion both sell decent beer and have accommodation.

After a rest, we'll be off into the South Lakes in the next post. Don't forget, you can follow progress here.

TO THE SEA AND A BIG LAKE

 Today our first stop is the village of Dearham, where two pubs are seen. First, the Commercial Inn. 

There's also the Ploughman, but its future is bleak.

Nearby is the small coastal town of Maryport. Here's the first motor bus in 1908.

The harbour at Maryport.

The Grapes, in nearby Aspatria, was known for selling quality real ales. Now, its long term closed.

Another small port town is Silloth. Here's a general view, followed by a photo of the harbour.

The North British Railway had a branch line serving Silloth.

In 1964, a railtour visited Silloth, headed by Caledonian Railway 123 and GNoSR 'Gordon Highlander'.(Photos by Les Flint)

Just outside the town was a special platform serving Silloth Convalescence Home, seen in 1920.

Another halt on the Silloth branch was Black Dyke, photographed by Ben Brooksbank in 1961.

In July 1982, Richard Huggins visited the Cumberland Motor Services depot at Wigton and took these photos.

Up into the hills now and the village of Hesket Newmarket. The Old Crown Inn is on the right.

Even higher. Great Rigg and Fairfield from Heron Pike near Troutbeck.

Hagg Gill from The Tongue, near Troutbeck.

The hilltops above Troutbeck.

To the north end of Ullswater and the old bridge at Pooley Bridge. Built in 1764, it succumbed to floodwaters in 2015. It has since been replaced. (Creative Commons License).

The Crown Inn at Pooley Bridge. It has a Facebook page.

Nearby, the Sun Inn, owned by Jennings.

The 'Lady of the Lake' regularly takes passengers the length of Ullswater.

But we board the MV Raven at Pooley Bridge.

The rain really comes down near Howtown.

Yachting in the rain on Ullswater.

More inclement weather over the mountains.

Glenridding is the southernmost point of the boat trip on Ullswater. Ribble Motor Services provided onward transport in the 1980s.

A look back at Ullswater from the top of Helvellyn.

More lakes in the next post. Follow the map here.