Home from home in the Lake District
Jul 23 2010 By Roger Clarke
Roger Clarke relaxes at a tranquil country guest house in the Lake District that has strong ties to the Midlands.
Standing on top of a hill in the Lake District and looking out over the fells you realise just what we have in our own back yard.
We all oohed and aahed at the scenery in the Greek islands, Majorca, Lake Garda or wherever we spend our summer euros but with the sun shining and clear skies, the Lake District is stunning – particularly off the beaten track where you can avoid the crowds and trippers.
The Lakes are a bit far for a day trip from the Midlands – unless you enjoy setting off at the crack of dawn – but it is an ideal distance for weekends and short breaks working out at about 80 miles and 90 minutes closer than Cornwall, that other Midland favourite.
Much as I like the West Country I do find the Lakes, and the nearby Yorkshire Dales, that bit friendlier and better value.
And when it comes to a warm welcome you would be pushed to improve on that from Josette and Mark Bayley at Lane Head Farm at Troutbeck which is set back from the A592 midway between Keswick and Penrith.
The couple took over the existing guest house three years ago and managed to keep not only the previous owner’s regulars but also built up a clientele of their own with some very serious walkers among their number. One couple were happily working their way through Wainwright – again.
The farm is in a good spot for walkers with gentle strolls around Aira Force and High Force – posh names for waterfalls – which run into Ullswater to more vigorous hikes such as Scafell Pike.
Aira Force is about 10 minutes away by car and is a walk of a little over two miles while Borrowdale is about 15 minutes away with the hike up Scafell Pike taking a tad longer.
The summit, by the way is a war memorial. Lord Leconfield donated the summit to the National Trust in 1919 in memory of the men of the Lake District “who fell for God and King, for freedom, peace and right in the Great War”.
Nearby are lakes such as Ullswater, Thirlmere and Windermere and interesting villages such as Pooley Bridge and Grassmere while the guest house is also close to a national cycle route.
The Bayleys met at the University of Wolverhampton where Josette was on an American studies course and Mark was taking a history degree with a view to changing careers to become a teacher.
Mark, 36, from West Bromwich, and a Baggie’s supporter, had started his working life as a chef after training at Birmingham College of Food at the end of the 80s – good training as anyone who has eaten there will know.
He worked as a chef for West Midlands Police and for Ansells with a long spell at The Park Tavern in Walsall but the role and independence of the chef diminished and coupled with the long hours and low pay encouraged him to move on.
