Cumbria Tourism has teamed up with some of the country’s top cycling instructors to offer a bumper programme of free bike-related activities for all the family throughout this summer.

‘Passport 2 Pedalling’ has something for everyone, providing beginners with 30-minute taster sessions on mountain bike skills at events across the county to half day organised rides through some of the Lake District’s most stunning scenery.

For those who want to try something a little bit different, there is even ‘beach biking’, at various beaches along Cumbria’s coastline with all kinds of competitions ranging from ‘biggest skid’ for children and young at heart adults, and a ‘how deep can you go’ challenge exclusively for adults.

Penrith based cycle guiding and training company, CycleActive will be running the majority of the sessions.

Chris Ford, Director of CycleActive said: “We wanted to come up with things that everyone could do that would offer great training and great fun at the same time. We’ve also brought in a brand new fleet of junior bikes of all sizes, which are available free of charge so there’s nothing stopping people from getting involved if they want to have a go.”

Supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), Passport 2 Pedalling is part of a wider scheme to get Cumbria recognised as the UK’s undisputed number one adventure holiday destination – the Adventure Capital of the UK.

The free cycling activities are also being used to kick-start the Passport 2 Pedalling Cycle Challenge, which calls on people to ride 2,012 Cumbrian miles before the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Opening Ceremony of the Games is on July 27th 2012, and to successfully meet the challenge, people would have to cycle approximately 20 miles each week from now until July 2012 – or the distance of Whitehaven to St Bees on the popular Hadrian’s Cycleway on Cumbria’s West Coast.

Compared to 10 years ago, almost 50 per cent of the UK population now goes on an activity break with cycling being one of the fastest growing activities for people to take part in.

Andrea Runkee, Adventure Capital Project Manager at Cumbria Tourism, said: We’re offering lots of free cycle rides and activities to encourage more people to get out on their bikes this Summer.

“The Government is looking for new ways to improve people’s health and get them involved in exercise and are committed to getting one million people taking part in more sport by 2012. There is no better place to do this – and more importantly, to enjoy it – than here in Cumbria.”

Dr Rebecca Wagstaff, NHS Cumbria’s Director of Public Health, said: “This is a great scheme to get people both living in Cumbria and visiting the county out and about exercising in our beautiful surroundings. Cycling is a great source of exercise and its easier on your joints than running or other high-impact aerobic activities. Exercise is important as it doesn’t just help you stay in shape and improve long term health, but it also helps to boost people’s moods, making them feel happier and healthier.”

Cumbria has a wealth of cycle routes suitable for all levels of ability from peaceful country lanes for beginners to England’s highest mountain passes for more extreme cyclists. The forest parks of Grizedale and Whinlatter have purpose built mountain bike trails while the lakeshores, old railway lines and gentle bridleways provide more relaxing escapes.

The Lake District could be granted the highly-prized world heritage status and join the Taj Mahal as one of the most iconic places in the world.

World Heritage Sites are chosen for their outstanding universal value to culture, history or science. The Lake District is one of 38 nominations from across the country unveiled by the Government as bidding for the status.

An independent expert panel will now be set up to assess each bid and advise ministers on which should be included in a shortlist submitted to UNESCO in 2011.

Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose said: “The UK’s heritage is world class and this list represents the unique variety and history present in all corners of this country and our overseas territories. We wanted a strong and varied list to eventually put to UNESCO and I’m delighted that so many wonderful, diverse places have been put forward.

“Any list that includes Jodrell Bank, the Forth Bridge, Blackpool and the Turks and Caicos Islands certainly doesn’t lack variety. But what all 38 sites have in common is a wow factor and a cultural resonance that makes them real contenders to sit alongside The Pyramids and Red Square in this most distinguished of gatherings.”

Earlier this year Government invited councils and others to bid. Places winning through will join the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, The Statue of Liberty and more than 800 other sites on UNESCO’s list of the most iconic and important parts of the planet’s heritage.

The entire process can take between five and 10 years. After the bid is submitted to UNESCO by the UK Government, it will then be assessed by the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) and the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

Here’s a nice video highlighting the attractions of the Grasmere region of the Lake District.

Grasmere – Lake District – Video Of Hotels, Attractions, Pubs from David Mottershead on Vimeo.

A Michelin-starred hotel in the Lake District which has played host to Tom Cruise and David Beckham is set to offer its guests refunds if it rains during their stay.

Despite the fact that it is situated in one of the wettest parts of the British Isles, The Samling hotel in Windemere, Cumbria, has promised to offer people refunds of £100 – even if it is only drizzling – after one of the driest winters in living memory.

Most visitors to the Lake District expect to pack a pair of wellington boots and a rain jacket when they visit the national park, however the region has recorded its driest winter since 1929.

Bookmakers William Hill is offering evens, or a 50% chance, on the Samling not having to pay out between now and the end of the offer in September.

The drought has prompted water company United Utilities to ask the Environment Agency for permission to take more water from Ennerdale lake, which drains some of England’s highest mountains including Pillar, Steeple and Great Gable.

Similar requests may follow for Windermere and Ullswater, whose water levels have already dropped significantly.

Speaking to the Guardian, hotel manager Andrew MacKay said: ‘We’re convinced that we’re going to have a long hot summer in the Lake District.

‘We had some terrible weather last year from floods to heavy snow before the dry spell set in, so I think we are due a bit of fortune.’

Overlooking the north shore of Lake Windemere, the 17th Century hotel is considered one of the most exclusive properties in the Lake District and was once owned by John Benson, landlord to the poet William Wordsworth – who would walk to the house to pay his rent.

The offer is open to anyone staying at the hotel between now and September, with bookmakers giving The Samling a 50 per cent chance of not having to pay out during that time.

Bassenthwaite Lake

Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the largest of the Lake District at approximately 4 miles long and ¾ miles wide. Despite its size this long and narrow lake is very shallow, at its deepest point it reaches a depth of just 70 feet. The Lake is easily accessible with the A66 dual carriageway running along the western edge. The laybys are extremely popular for people wanting to take pictures and a spot of bird watching.

Coniston Water

Coniston is the third largest of the lakes and is approximately 5 miles long and ½ a mile wide. The lake is hugely popular with tourist due to its large expanse of water, which contains a number of tranquil islands, as well as the stunning scenery. The lake was famously the setting for the book Swallows and Amazons as well as the setting for Donald Campbell’s ill fated attempt to break the water speed record.

Derwentwater

Derwentwater is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide making it the widest lake in the Lake District.

The lake has a number of islands within, one of which contains Derwent Island House which is open to the public just 5 days a year.

The huge Skiddaw overlooking the lake and the nearby market town of Keswick make Derwent one of the most popular lakes for visitors.

Ullswater

Ullswater is the second largest of all the lakes in the Lake District at approximately 9 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide.

Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the lakes, Ullswater often finds itself compared to lakes in Switzerland, such as Lucerne.

This favourable comparison is thanks to the beautiful scenery with mountains to one side and green fields and woodland on the other. The lake is great for water sports, with canoeing, sailing and wind surfing particularly popular. There are also the more relaxing steamer boats that take you on a cruise of the lake.

Windermere

Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is the largest in the whole of England at approximately 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. As well as being the largest of the lakes Windermere is also the most well known and has long been a very popular attraction for tourists. Many of the tourists who do visit end up taking part in at least one of the many on water activities available. These range from wake boarding, sailing and canoeing to a more sedate pleasure cruise.

Holidaymakers staying in Lake District hotels in the coming months may see the area change shape.

This is because two conservation areas in the district – Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket – are to be extended following a review of their boundaries by the UK’s leading environmental heritage consultants.

According to members of the Park Strategy and Vision Committee, both extensions will be designed to “support the existing character of the conservation areas”.

Meanwhile, a report from national park conservation and design adviser David James stipulated that the landscape, cultural heritage and wildlife of the two areas would be improved by “supporting the development of new approaches to celebrating cultural heritage, design and the built environment”.

Both conservation areas were designated as national park sites in 1983, with the programme of appraisal and review for Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket commissioned for 2007.

Covering 885 square miles, the Lake District is the largest national park in England.

An exciting conservation project has been launched which will see 90 spectacular red kites released in the Lake District – the first time the birds have been reintroduced in the North West.

Following the issuing of a special licence from Natural England, the Forestry Commission North West England has begun a three-year project that will see the birds of prey released in Grizedale Forest.

The birds will be taken soon after hatching from Rockingham Forest, Forestry Commission woodlands in Northamptonshire, and brought up to Cumbria 30 at a time – 30 birds will be released each year for the duration of the three-year scheme.

The Grizedale programme will be the ninth reintroduction of red kites into different regions of the UK, and the final reintroduction phase in England.

Forestry Commission Wildlife ranger Iain Yoxall, project manager for the Grizedale Red Kite Release Project, said:

“I’m very excited about this scheme. I have a keen interest in birds and in birds of prey in particular.

“It is a real conservation coup for the area and it will help to establish the red kites in the largest region in England from which the species is absent, a process which could take decades naturally.”

Red kites were almost eradicated from the UK following persecution between the 16th and 19th Centuries. However they managed to cling on in mid Wales and their numbers recovered thanks to the actions of local conservationists.

Now the birds are beginning to thrive again following the conservation work undertaken by organisations like the Forestry Commission.

The red kites that will be introduced into Grizedale are the product of a reintroduction programme that took place in Northamptonshire in the 1980s.

The young birds will arrive at Grizedale between late June and early July and will then be held in special pens for up to two months where forest wildlife rangers will feed and water them until they are ready to leave.

Even after they have left the holding pens rangers will continue to feed the young red kites until they stop coming back because they have learned to fend for themselves – however special care will be taken to ensure the birds do not become accustomed to contact with humans.

All the birds will be wing-tagged with a colour and number and will be given leg rings. Around ten per cent will also be tagged with radio transmitters, which will help Forestry Commission staff to monitor the success of the release programme.

Mr Yoxall is confident the birds will prove to be a big hit with visitors to Grizedale.

“They are large spectacular bird and have a wing span of around five feet. They are stunning to see in the sky as they are also very agile. They will be an exciting thing for people to see and an added attraction for people visiting Grizedale.”

A special advisory group has been established, containing bird experts from organisations like Natural England, the RSPB and the British Association of Shooting and Conservation, to help ensure the project’s success.

Red kites are coloured chestnut red and have white patches under their wings. They are primarily a scavenger and feed mostly on carrion. They breed from around the age of two years and usually pair for life.

An award-winning “designer-chic” hotel in the Lake District is aiming to literally double its guests this summer through launching a unique “Two’s a Couple, Four’s a Delight” offer.

Having recognised that many first-time guests then go on to return to the hotel with friends and relatives, the four-star Rothay Garden hotel in Grasmere has introduced a special incentive to groups of friends and relatives who decide to visit the Lake District together.

This summer (for short breaks and holidays in July and August), guests who book to stay with friends or relatives at Rothay Garden (in two or more of the hotel’s luxurious bedrooms or Loft Suites), will be greeted with a sparkling complimentary bottle of Roederer Champagne and four flutes in the hotel’s lounge on check-in, to ensure that the break gets off to a flying start.

The “Two’s a Couple, Four’s a Delight” champagne offer is even valid on the hotel’s popular Summer Saver rates, which give generous discounts off four and seven-night stays at Rothay Garden.

The Cranleigh, a luxury cutting-edge guesthouse, with in-room facilities that rival the best Lake District hotels, has created the perfect sanctuary for those with love on the mind.

The Sanctuary is a converted bungalow that has been transformed into its own private retreat featuring high ceilings, natural beams, remote control contemporary log effect fire, Bose surround sound throughout including the bathroom complete with a Ben Di Lisi glass bath, with mood lighting throughout.

Guests are greeted with champagne and strawberries on arrival to help them get in the mood.
The bedroom has a Super King size bed with luxury goose down bedding and an 8-foot high designer headboard.

There is a built in designer remote control log effect fire with a 46″ LCD television above which is connected to a Bose surround sound Lifestyle system with Ipod docking station and DVD player.
There is a separate breakfast area, under-floor heating, built in wardrobes with a well stocked mini bar featuring contemporary cool lighting.

There is a dressing table, hair dryer and remote control blinds in the high pitched ceilings with natural oak beams. The room has alternative mood lighting to set an ambiance especially in the winter with the warmth of the fire.

The room has an internal phone to contact reception for any requirements, free internet access and free access to a large DVD library. The fabrics and designer papers are from the Royal Collection which has been produced from the Queens archives.

The large bathroom features the first Ben Di Lisi glass bath ever to be put into a hotel room. The floor is tiled with Black Magic marble tiles and the walls with Samara Platinum and has underfloor heating.

The large shower enclosure features mood lighting and an Ethos Chromatherapy shower head for the ultimate showering experience. Twin sinks, twin mirrors, luxury toiletries, towels and accessories with a 18″ television to watch while relaxing in the bath. The bathroom also features Bose surround sound too if you prefer to listen to your favourite music through the Ipod docking station.

Through the bathroom and to the outside is a private Hot tub area that has been designed and built using Iroka timber featuring curved walls and decking. The area has mood lighting and outside Bose speakers to relax ideally with a bottle of Champagne. The hot tub can fit 2 people comfortably and has spa controls and underwater lighting.

All occupants have free access to brand new 3 million pound refurbished leisure facilities where you will find a luxury spa with a 20m pool, steam room and gymnasium located a two minute walk away.
The Cranleigh is perfectly located just one minutes walk from the shores of Lake Windermere and just one minute’s walk from the centre of Bowness on Windermere, where you will find a large selection of established restaurants, bars, shops and cafés.

Stephen and Louise, the owners, bought the Cranleigh with a vision to create a luxury cutting-edge guesthouse, with in-room facilities that rival the best Lake District hotels. Their aim is to change the perception of traditional guesthouses by creating a haven of style and comfort with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in the centre of the English Lake District.

Much care and effort has been spent on design, layout, decoration and furnishings on all the new rooms.

The lounge, dining and reception areas of the main building have also been refurbished using contemporary classic design as a theme throughout, complementing the Arts & Crafts design of this period property.

The Cranleigh has achieved AA 5 stay Highly commended and Visit Britain 5 star Gold making it the highest accommodation provider in its class in Bowness on Windermere.

Prices: From £250.00 – £400.00 per room per night inclusive of breakfast and based on two people sharing.

Japanese tourists are being asked to give £5 each to help preserve the Lake District. The visitor payback scheme, will help mend footpaths and replant native trees round the Lakes by asking Japanese visitors to donate money through organised tours and travel corporations.

it is thought the scheme, controlled by Nurture Lakeland, will encourage other nationalities to follow in kind and help raise £25,000 this year to keep the Lake District in spotless condition. The Japan Forum, a grouping of Lake District firms which benefit from Japanese tourism, helped invent the program. Stephen Broughton, of touring company Mountain Goat and an affiliate of the forum, expounded : “it is a new concept and we are hoping it’s going to be a communicable one.

“if we are able to develop this concept to other UK and world groups then hopefully we will raise lots of cash for the Lake District.I suspect folk would like to give cash after they see the views on offer here as we love nature. It manifestly relies upon what folks wish to do but I do not believe £5 is much to give when you consider how gorgeous it is here.”

Andrew Dobson, who owns the Lakes Lodge Bed and Breakfast in Windermere, announced between 30 and 40% of his guests were Japanese .

He suspects they might be very unlikely to give cash for conservation of the Lake District. “when they’ve paid for everything on their trip it customarily costs a ton of cash, so I don’t believe they will need to give anything more”

“from my personal experience of the Japanese they desire what they pay for and they will pay no more and no less. “I believe it’s up to area folk to pay for conservation instead of visitors because holiday makers are visitors here they do not get any permanent benefit by giving money for these causes.”

The Japanese visitor market has boomed since the releasing of the Miss Potter film in 2007. Doners to the visitor payback scheme will get a Peter Rabbit pin badge and certificate, and around five thousand badges are anticipated to be sold in 2010.

Japanese visitors head to the Lake District to go to Beatrix Potter attractions like Hill Top in Near Sawrey, the Beatrix Potter Studio in Hawkshead, and the sector of Beatrix Potter.