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 houses and castles of the Lake District, secreted among the lakes and fells, are inextricably linked with their dramatic setting. Many are architecturally distinguished, even more have intriguing tales to tell. In this book Christopher Holliday explores in detail the history and architecture of the houses and the personal stories of their owners through the centuries right up to the present day. Clive Boursnell's stunning photographs capture the houses, inside and out, their gardens and their setting. Houses covered include: Levens Hall, Sizergh Castle, Holker Hall, Blackwell, Dalemain, Hutton-in-the-Forest, Dove Cottage, Rydal, Mirehouse, Brantwood, Hill Top, and many more.

'Photographing the Lake District' is a comprehensive photographic-location guidebook to the most beautiful places to take photographs in the English Lake District. The book guides the reader to beautiful places and gives advice on how to take the best photographs when there.

King of the Fells. Iron man. Lake District fell running legend. Joss Naylor is all of these things and more. His achievements are astounding, his records stand the test of time. In 1983 he completed the 105-mile Lakes, Meres and Waters (LMW) route in a staggering 19hr 14min and to this day, describes it as one of the best routes he ever ran. High praise indeed and yet, so few know of it. Part guidebook, part inspirational regaling, this book interweaves tales of past and present as Naylor reflects on his 1983 epic on a re-walk 37 years later. In the company of award-winning author, Vivienne Crow, Naylor recalls that magical day, sharing stories and anecdotes from, not just his run, but the 1980s fell running scene, his working life and growing up in the Wasdale Valley. Naylor's tales, together with breathtaking photography, are accompanied by basic guide notes for the LMW route, sticking as closely to his 1983 run as possible. These notes divide the route into ten stages (ranging from 9 to 14 miles), allowing runners and walkers to follow in the footsteps of the King of the Fells, albeit on a more relaxed schedule. From Loweswater to Over Water, visiting 27 of the Lake District's largest bodies of water, the LMW route guarantees vistas of unparalleled beauty and an unforgettable experience in true fell country.

An inspirational guidebook to the best days out in the Lake District mountains, including Scafell Pike, Fairfield, Helvellyn, Skiddaw, and Blencathra and other lesser-known but wonderful Lake District mountain walks. Each route offers a Great Mountain Day, a challenging walk exploring the beauty of the Lake District. This larger format book is perfect for choosing the next mountain to summit whether that will be a well-known classic challenge or revisiting a favourite mountain via a new route. Ideal for those new to the Lake District or those who think they know the Lake District well! Centres include Ambleside, Keswick, Patterdale, Seatoller, Boot, Ennerdale, and Wasdale Head. Each of the 50 great mountain days can be hiked in one day or are suitable for backpacking adventures. The circular walks are between 4 and 14 miles in length and all graded for difficulty, making this guidebook equally suitable for less experienced walkers and those looking for a challenging day out on the fells. All routes are illustrated with Harvey maps and the author's pictorial route diagrams.

One name above all others has become associated with walking in the Lake District: A. Wainwright, whose seven-volume Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, first published in 1955–66, has become the definitive guidebook. Wainwright’s meticulously hand-drawn maps, diagrams and drawings take you up the 214 principal hills and mountains of the Lake District, describing the main routes of ascent from different starting points, as well as lesser-known variants, showing the summit viewpoint panoramas and the ridge routes that can be made to create longer walks. The Western Fells, Book Seven of Wainwright’s Walking Guide, covers Great Gable and the High Stile and Pillar ranges, overlooking the Ennerdale, Cocker and Wasdale valleys.