Lochs and Lakes of Great Britain
A cheap and quick getaway doesn’t necessarily mean a coastal resort on the Med. In the UK we have some beautiful Lakes and Lochs which are usually just a few hours’ drive away. Not only are these areas rich in outstanding natural beauty but they also have a variety of activities and things to do too.
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness
Loch Ness
When you mention the word Loch the first thing that comes to mind is of course Loch Ness with its monster ‘lurking’ deep in the cold, dark waters. The Loch itself is the second largest in the UK after Loch Lomond however due to its depth it actually holds the most amount of water.
There is a centre dedicated to ‘Nessie’ the Loch Ness monster and the history of the Loch which can be found by the shoreline. Other activities which can be found to do by the Loch include the visiting of Urquhart Castle which was once one of Scotland largest.
Another activity to do is to visit the Abriachan garden nursery which was opened in 1984 and offers wonderful landscaped gardens intertwined with historic woodland.
Lake Windermere
South of the border and into England, Lake Windermere is a fantastic place to visit and is the largest natural lake to be found in England. It is found in Cumbria in the Lake District National Park which is an area of outstanding natural beauty so much so that over the centuries many famous landscape artists have flocked to the region to paint it.
One of the most popular activities to do on the Lake is boating: There are many boats from Steam boats to ordinary row boats that you can either pay or rent to go around on the Lake on.
Lake Windermere
On the shore of Lake Windermere is also Fell Foot Park which is a Victorian garden and park which the Natural Trust are currently restoring to its former glory. Not only is it a great place to walk but you can also grab some food in a restaurant that is located in a small village by the shoreline.
Loch Lomond
Back to Scotland and the biggest Lake or Loch on surface area in Great Britain is Loch Lomond. Situated on the Highland Boundary Fault it is now part of the Lock Lomond and the Trossachs National Park which was established in 2002. The Loch itself contains many islands within it (around 30 or more depending on the water level) and the Loch is most famous for the golf courses than run around it some of which host on occasions the Scottish Open. The highlands railway also runs around the eastern part of the Loch and so offers some fantastic views. As for the activities you can do in and around the Loch there are plenty included the traditional boating experience. The Loch offers kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, jet skiing, water boating and much more! There is also a steam boat that you can take around the Loch which is currently being restored.
Bala Lake
Finally our last Lake and Loch we will review is Bala Lake which is found in North Wales. It is the largest natural Lake in Wales and the waters that flow through it are famously clear and clean. In Welsh it is called Llyn Tegid which means Lake of Serenity and it certainly lives up to its name. The River Dee flows into the Lake and it has an abundance of different fish types, including perch, trout, pike and a protected whitefish called Gwyniad. You can do a number of activities in or around the Lake and is particularly loved by water sport enthusiasts because of the mountains nearby that collects the wind and blows it onto the Lake. You can rent canoes and kayaks to be used on the Lake if you fancy given it a go yourself. The Lake is surrounded by the Welsh Highlands and the Snowdonia National Park and has a number of small picturesque villages for you to explore and visit.
Overall there are many areas of outstanding natural beauty and plenty of activities that you can do around Britain’s Lakes and Lochs. This guide has just a few, there are also many more in England and Scotland but also in Northern Ireland too, which are perfect locations to visit for a quiet break or a romantic weekend away. They therefore provide a perfect alternative to a holiday abroad that is also kinder on your bank balance too!
By Daniel from Wish.co.uk. Learn more about the short break experiences they offer.
Category: UK
