William Wordsworth's Guide to the Lakes gives a first-hand account of his feelings about the unique countryside that was the source of his inspiration. He addresses concerns that are relevant today, such as how the growing number of visitors, and the money they might bring, would affect such a small and vulnerable landscape. It is now understood that Wordsworth's notion of the Lake District as 'a sort of national property, in which every man has a right and interest who has an eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy', expressed in his Guide, gave a rationale for the foundation of the National Trust in 1895 and the establishment of the Lake District National Park in 1951. Furthermore, the 2017 nomination document for the Lake District as a World Heritage site quotes this phrase in recognition of Wordsworth's contribution to the idea that 'landscape has a value, and that everyone has a right to appreciate and enjoy it'. We can now see how Wordsworth's Guide has had a far-reaching influence on the modern concept of legally-protected landscape. First published in 1810 and repeatedly revised by its author over the ensuing twenty-five years, William Wordsworth's Guide to the Lakes has long been considered a crucial text for scholars of Romantic-era aesthetics, ecology, travel writing, and tourism.

An alternative view of the North West of England that delves into its stranger past. I Hate the Lake District offers a different vision of the rural environment from those found in much contemporary nature writing. Based on the author's trips around North West England, the book engages with nuclear power and nuclear war, slavery, imperialism, ghosts, love, God, cockroaches, and the sheer violence and contingency of “nature” itself—of which the human presence is merely a part. Each chapter starts with an account of a visit to a place in this remote part of England, the deep north, but digresses and wanders through multifarious themes and subjects. Among the sites Gere visits are the defunct nuclear power station at Sellafield, home of all British nuclear waste; Lake Coniston, where Donald Campbell died trying to break the water speed record; Hadrian's Wall, furthermost reach of the Roman Empire; the mysterious and deathly Morecambe Bay; sites of slavery in the North West; places where UFOs have been sighted, avant-garde artists created work, and Islamic terrorists trained; shantytowns where the navvies who built the railways lived with their families; and even the remains of Blobbyland in Morecambe. In I Hate the Lake District, Gere challenges the bourgeois pastoralism of popular nature writing and reveals the landscape of North West England as profoundly unnatural and strange.

The Rough Guide to the Lake District Make the most of your time on Earth with the ultimate travel guides. World-renowned 'tell it like it is' travel guide. Discover the Lake District with this comprehensive and entertaining travel guide, packed with practical information and honest recommendations by our independent experts. Whether you plan to take a cruise on Lake Windermere, hike the Cumbria Way or sample the region's renowned restaurants and pubs, The Rough Guide to the Lake District will help you discover the best places to explore, eat, drink, shop and sleep along the way. Features of this travel guide the Lake District: - Detailed regional coverage: provides practical information for every kind of trip, from off-the-beaten-track adventures to chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas - Honest and independent reviews: written with Rough Guides' trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, our writers will help you make the most from your trip to the Lake District - Meticulous mapping: practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys. Find your way around Keswick, Ullswater and many more locations without needing to get online - Fabulous full-colour photography: features inspirational colour photography, including the Langdale Valley and Coniston Water - Time-saving itineraries: carefully planned routes will help inspire and inform your on-the-road experiences - Things not to miss: Rough Guides' rundown of Grasmere, Borrowdale, Cartmel and Honister's best sights and top experiences - Travel tips and info: packed with essential pre-departure information including getting around, accommodation, food and drink, health, the media, festivals, sports and outdoor activities, culture and etiquette, shopping and more - Background information: comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter provides fascinating insights into the Lake District, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary - Covers: Windermere; Grasmere and the central fells; Coniston Water; Hawkshead and the south; Keswick; Derwent Water and the north; The western fells and valleys; Ullswater; Out of the National Park You may also be interested in: The Rough Guide to Yorkshire, The Rough Guide to the Cotswolds, The Rough Guide to Bath, Bristol and Somerset About Rough Guides: Rough Guides have been inspiring travellers for over 35 years, with over 30 million copies sold globally. Synonymous with practical travel tips, quality writing and a trustworthy 'tell it like it is' ethos, the Rough Guides list includes more than 260 travel guides to 120+ destinations, gift-books and phrasebooks.

The Rough Guide to the Lake District, features comprehensive reviews of the finest places to stay and eat for every budget, based on personal inspection by a long-time Lakes expert. Whether you're looking for a walker's hostel or boutique hotel, café or gastro-pub, farmhouse B&B or country-house hotel, this guide has the lowdown on all the best deals. There's detailed information on the best way to get around by public transport, while special features on the great outdoors focus on local walks, classic hikes, mountain climbs, lake cruises and family adventures. Whether you're on a walking holiday or family break you can discover all the facts you need - from current opening times to festival dates. There's also background information on the history, culture, nature and wildlife of the English Lakes, and plenty of special features - from the history of rock-climbing or a rundown of music festivals to the fascinating lives of the locals. Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to the Lake District. Now available in PDF format.