LOCAL INFO

Eating

Eating is a serious business. In whichever direction you travel, you will find a plentiful supply of charming restaurants and pubs serving excellent food, whether in Sawrey or a little further away at Hawkshead, Ambleside, Windermere or Bowness. Travel is easy, as the Lake Windermere car ferry crossing is a mile away. We have left details of some of our recommendations and sample menus from our favourite restaurants in the apartment. Dining out on Saturday evening is popular and if you would like us to recommend somewhere for you to book on your first night at The Morning Room Suite we will try to help.

Our favourite eating place is Lucy's of Ambleside where they have a menu to suit all tastes, as well as a delicatessen, which is guaranteed to whet any appetite.  Should you want to relax, you can also order a  picnic, buffet or dinner party for delivery directly to your apartment.  And if you want to improve your cookery enquire about their nearby cookery school.

Relaxing

If you are looking for relaxation you need only admire the view from your armchair or the garden bench. You dictate the pace of life while on holiday.

Gardening (without the backache!)

There are a number of National Trust and private gardens to visit (Stagshaw Garden, Brockhole, Sizergh Castle, Holehird Gardens, Brantwood, Hill Top). It is also worth keeping an eye open for gardens featured in the yellow National Garden Scheme booklet (see www.ngs.org.uk)

Brockhole visitor centre and lakeside garden

Brockhole visitor centre and lakeside garden

Tennis

Our tariff includes free access to a private hard tennis court at set in delightful countryside at Satterthwaite.

Tennis at Satterthwaite

Tennis at Satterthwaite

Swimming/sauna/sports

Our tariff also includes free access to Parklands Country Club at Bowness where there is a swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room, and other facilities.

Shopping

If you are looking to while away time shopping, the pretty village of Hawkshead (3 miles), Bowness, Ambleside and Windermere are all a short drive from Sawrey Knotts. Many of the large multiple retailers including Marks & Spencer are at Kendal.

Farm Shops at Low Sizergh Barn on the A590 (telephone (01539) 560426) and Plumgarths (telephone (01539) 736136) are worth a visit as is the monthly farmer's market at Kendal and Hawkshead Organic Trout (telephone (015394) 36541). All sell organic food.

There is the Hawkshead clothing outlet in Hawkshead and the Lakeland household goods outlet at Windermere. K Village Outlet Centre at Kendal contains 12 outlets under one roof and is a particular attraction.

There are many 'proper' shops. Supermarkets are rare, being in Hawkshead (a small Co-op) and Ambleside (Spar). The largest supermarket in the area is very good, Booths at Windermere (with adjoining car park) or Kendal.

Walking

Sawrey Knotts is well placed for delightful walks, our favourites being from our front door to Claife Heights which enjoys breathtaking views of Lake Windermere and Moss Eccles Tarn (a site of Special Scientific Interest - see the lily pads where Beatrix Potter created Jeremy Fisher). It is worth carrying on up the hill to see the blue dragonflies. A walk to the shores of Lake Windermere takes approximately 10 minutes.

The path to Claife Heights from Sawrey Knotts

The path to Claife Heights from Sawrey Knotts

Golf

The nearest golf club is at Bowness on Windermere (near to Gilpin Lodge Hotel), a short distance from the Ferry.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is an energetic and satisfying activity. There are an unlimited number of bridle paths and quiet lanes to explore from Sawrey Knotts and a little further away. Particular favourites are the ride along the side of Lake Windermere to Wray Castle and from Ambleside to Grasmere, which takes in some of the best views of Rydal Water and Grasmere Water. Mountain bikes can be hired from The Croft at Hawkshead (Tel (015394) 36374 or Biketreks in Ambleside Tel (015394) 31505, email www.biketreks.co.uk).

You can also hire Mountain Bikes at Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre (telephone (01229) 8600100, email grizedale@forestry.gsi.gov)

Mountain biking and the spectacular views

Mountain biking and the spectacular views

Canoeing, Kayaking & Outdoor pursuits

Total Adventure are made up of Grizedate Mountain Bikes Total Adventure, Total Sailing and Windermere Canoe and Cycle. They can provide a whole range of outdoor activities such as sailing, mountain climbing, cyling or canoe & kayak hire.

Going Ape!

Grizedale Forest Visitor Centre (01229) 860010 runs an activity centre with a difference - everything is up a tree! For those with a head for heights it comes highly recommended by previous guests, young and young at heart!

Fishing

Fishermen are well provided for with trout fishing at nearby Esthwaite Water and Moss Eccles Tarn (permits required).

Cruising

If you prefer to be on the water rather than at the edge of the water there are cruises on Lake Windermere from the Ferry House at Sawrey and from Bowness. In the summer months an evening cruise with a jazz band and supper is a delight and cannot fail to put you in a holiday mood ((telephone (015394) 43056), www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk ). There are also boat trips on Coniston Water on the 'Gondolier' run by the National Trust. The boat stops at Ruskin's splendid house, Brantwood and is a very civilised way to arrive.

Sailing/Waterskiing

For those that don't mind being in the water, sailing and water skiing can be arranged locally.

Horse Riding

This can be arranged at the Lakeland Equestrian Centre at Troutbeck.

Tourist Information

The nearest tourist information is at Hawkshead. (Telephone (015394) 36525. Email: hawksheadtic@lake-district.gov.uk, but if you have any queries please feel welcome to contact us and we will do our best to assist at all times.

Children's Activities

As well as the local appeal of Beatrix Potter at Sawrey and Hawkshead, there is the Beatrix Potter visitor attraction centre at Bowness-on-Windermere. Why not visit the South Lakes Wild Animal Park at Barrow or the Aquarium of the Lakes near Newby Bridge. For the fit and adventurous, imagine a Swallows and Amazons style holiday, Go Ape, cycling and plenty of walking.

Bird Watching

There are a large number of birds to be seen in the grounds and nearby environs including

These birds were heard from Sawrey Knotts but we have not seen them yet. We think the peacock lives in a garden nearby.

Stargazing

The amount of artificial lighting in the Lake District National Park is strictly controlled. This means that the low levels of light polution give you an exceptional view of the night sky.

For more information about the night sky why not visit one of these sites:

Morning Room @ Sawrey Knotts
Far Sawrey, Hawkshead, Lake District, Cumbria LA22 OLG - England, UK
contact us
Telephone: +44 (0)15394 42435 24 hrs
Write: Lakeland Hideaways, The Square, Hawkshead LA22 0NZ

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 Maintained by Ian Forster