LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
The Lake District and Cumbria is reknowned for fabulous walks, outstanding natural
beauty - where the mountains and fells meet the lakes, glorious gardens, fascinating
buildings, and amazing history. Many sites are owned by the National Trust or English
Heritage. It’s an impossible task to capture everything that the Lake District has to offer
so here are some personal highlights in close proximity to Swangs. There is a jam-
packed folder of ‘PLACES TO VISIT’ in the cottage that gives further details on these
attractions as well as many more.
- Local Mountains and Walks: Swangs cottage offers fantastic walks right on its
doorstep through Lowick Common, Lowick and Sparkbridge. Lowick Beacon (a
five minute walk away) offers spectacular views across Coniston Man mountain
range, Wetherlam and Hellvelyn in the distance as well as the beautiful Crake
Valley. The whole of the Lake District is within easy reach with the Old Man
Range, Tarn Hows, Hawkshead, Windermere, Grasmere, Bowness, Broughton-
in-Furness all close by.
- Coniston Water and Coniston: This beautiful lake is just a 5 minute drive with
lots of sheltered bays which are ideal for picnics and swimming. A ferry runs
regularly from the Lake Jetty to Brantwood home to John Ruskin. The
spectacular lakeside position makes Brantwood one of the most beautifully
situated houses in the Lake District. 6 miles along the shore of Lake Coniston
brings you to the small town of Coniston which is surrounded by spectacular
scenery and offers many country walks, including the climb to the top of
Coniston Old Man from where on a clear day you can see the whole of South
Lakeland.
- Lakeland Real Ale Pubs: Swangs Cottage is situated less than 1 minutes
walk from the 14th century Farmers Arms and less than 4 minutes walk from
the Royal Oak in Spark Bridge. Both offer local ales and excellent food.
- Lake District: Swangs Cottage is perfectly located to enjoy the Lake District
National Park and learn more about the historic figures that loved and lived the
life including:
- William Wordsworth (Dove Cottage, Rydal Water, Hawkeshead and
Cockermouth);
- John Ruskin (Brantwood);
- Beatrix Potter (Hill Top Farm in Sawrey, World of Beatrix Potter);
- Arthur Ransome (author of Swallows and Amazons, set east of the
River Crake); and
- Alfred Wainwright.
- Ulverston: Picturesque market town (4 miles from Swangs) with cobbled
streets lined with fascinating buildings predominantly built in the 18th and 19th
centuries. Also famous as the birthplace of Stan Laurel and the Laurel and
Hardy museum. Ulverston’s landmark,on top of the Hoad Hill, is a copy of the
original Eddystone Lighthouse in memory of Sir John Barrow. John Barrow
wrote a book about the Mutiny on the Bounty and also discovered the Bearing
Straits. From the Hoad there are great views in all directions. Ulverston is the
nearest railway station and there is a Booths Supermarket here.
- The Haverthwaite Steam Railway: is only 3 miles from Swangs and passes
through 4 miles of beautiful Lakeland scenery before connecting with the
famous Windermere Lake cruise ships at Lakeside, here you can sail to
Bowness or Ambleside, 2 quaint old English towns on the shores of the lake.
- Holker Hall: Home to Lord and Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall can trace its
foundations back to the early 16th century, but was largely rebuilt in 1871. The
Holker Hall Estate with it’s historic buildings, spectacular views and beautiful
gardens is well worth a visit. Furthermore, it also houses the Lakeland Motor
Museum with an extensive collection of vehicles. The vehicles include Sir
Donald Cambell's own sports car and a full size replica of the famous Blue Bird
speed boat.
- Furness Abbey: is one of the greatest Cistercian foundations in the country
being over 700 years old and is located in a peaceful valley just outside of
Barrow-in-Furness. Neighbouring the ruins of Furness Abbey is the Abbey
House Hotel, built in 1914 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, famous as the architect of New
Delhi. The original sandstone mansion was the home and guesthouse of
Commander Craven, Chairman of Vickers Shipbuilding.
- Muncaster Castle: 20 miles north of Swangs is Muncaster castle with its
extensive gardens and also the world famous narrow gauge railway known as
"L'aal Ratty".
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