Kendal to Keswick on A591

[andyelbac]

We're off to the Lake District on the 11th (first time and therefore first time in a MH). We've heard that the A591 between Kendal and Keswick is beautiful....but is it readily accessible for a 7mt MH? Also, assuming the answer is 'Yes' can any Funsters recommend day parking at both towns please.

 

[Brains]

We're off to the Lake District on the 11th (first time and therefore first time in a MH). We've heard that the A591 between Kendal and Keswick is beautiful....but is it readily accessible for a 7mt MH? Also, assuming the answer is 'Yes' can any Funsters recommend day parking at both towns please.

Driven that road, more than once in a 6.7m minibus with a trailer on the back. Perfectly doable worst bit is the traffic around Windemere.

Parking, any parking, is a challenge.
At Kendal think we parked at ASDA.

At Keswick we parked at the Derwent Pencil Museum, which is surprisingly actually very interesting!

(At Keswick, do not be tempted by 'The Old Keswickian' fish and chip shop, any other Fish and Chip shop ,is better)

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

A591 is absolutely fine for just about any size of MH given that double-decker buses regularly run up and down. Day parking is more of an issue in both towns. Car parks in Kendal (my hometown) are pretty small so will be tight for a 7 m. Supermarket parking at ASDA, Sainsbury's and Morrisons but only a couple of hours in each. Kendal Cricket Club offer overnights and from memory their car park is a fair size. Keswick is even trickier and I don't know of specific options in the town itself. Yep, the drive is gorgeous and I think my favourite in the Lake District.

 

[Charlie57]

A591 is absolutely fine for just about any size of MH given that double-decker buses regularly run up and down. Day parking is more of an issue in both towns. Car parks in Kendal (my hometown) are pretty small so will be tight for a 7 m. Supermarket parking at ASDA, Sainsbury's and Morrisons but only a couple of hours in each. Kendal Cricket Club offer overnights and from memory their car park is a fair size. Keswick is even trickier and I don't know of specific options in the town itself. Yep, the drive is gorgeous and I think my favourite in the Lake District.

Hardknot and Wrynose surely

Note: NOT in a MH Although I think I remember seeing a Royal Mail Post |Bus on there once

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Regularly take our van (7.43m) to dealers on that road, and it’s no problem - there is a stretch by the southern end of Thirlmere which is a bit narrow with stone walls on each side, but even that is not a problem. Particularly if you don’t meet one of the double decker buses going the other way! If you do, just take it gently- the bus driver will be more used to it than you!

Not sure about parking in Keswick town centre - within walking distance, you often see vans parked on the road off on the left toward Portinscale from High Hill, before you get to the bypass. And satellite view on Google Maps shows what looks remarkably like motorhomes parked on a car park beyond the Rugby Club. But I haven’t used either of them myself.

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[Wendo55]

If you're in the Camping and Caravan Club there's a THS at Spital Farm, Kendal. Morrisons and pub very near and about 1.3 mile walk into town. £10 a night.

 

[namwaldog]

Our neck of the woods....

591 is a lovely run and very doable in a MH. This video is being done on a m/ bike.




If you want a little bit more of a challenge, turn right as you leave Windermere (town) onto A592 via Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale and Pooley Bridge. Nowhere near as busy as the 591, but a little more challenging, Less urban & spectacular scenery. Look well ahead down to Brotnerswater so you can anticipate the pinch points as the drystone walls are well built and tend not to move much.

We have a 7.4m MH and have done both, but not very often.

If we need to be at Kendal we invariably opt for the A6. Very quiet now and nice scenery some nice big layby's on the top of Shap for a brew with a view.

Good Luck.

 

[Figaro]

For keswick, Lakeside carpark, Lake Road near the theatre is a good p & d option with loads of space. Short walk through Hope Park into town.
You can see Max the Miracle dog

 

[Nirvanauk]

I believe a member on here took his big Morelo from Ambleside to Coniston recently as the main road was closed. That must have been a fun drive!!

 

[WillH]

Been down there many times in a 7m van, parking in Keswick is difficult. I don't visit Kendal anymore as the traffic is awful, best by-passed.

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[boxtraveller]

Take a look at https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/wiki/index.php?title=A591
A useful site for info on the road both past and present.

 

[andyelbac]

Our neck of the woods....

591 is a lovely run and very doable in a MH. This video is being done on a m/ bike.




If you want a little bit more of a challenge, turn right as you leave Windermere (town) onto A592 via Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale and Pooley Bridge. Nowhere near as busy as the 591, but a little more challenging, Less urban & spectacular scenery. Look well ahead down to Brotnerswater so you can anticipate the pinch points as the drystone walls are well built and tend not to move much.

We have a 7.4m MH and have done both, but not very often.

If we need to be at Kendal we invariably opt for the A6. Very quiet now and nice scenery some nice big layby's on the top of Shap for a brew with a view.

Good Luck.

Thanks and great video! If the weather's dry it might just persuade my partner to let me get the scooter out of the rear garage and use that for the drive instead!

 

[Figaro]

If the weather's dry

This is the lake district

Having said that, when I was there in June they'd had no rain since early may and the grass was turning brown.
So you may be lucky ?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

This is the lake district

Having said that, when I was there in June they'd had no rain since early may and the grass was turning brown.
So you may be lucky ?

There’s been plenty of rain in July! If the grass is brown now, that’ll be mud…

 

[MrPG]

I use Keswick Rugby Club for daytime parking which is walking distance to the town. It shares the entrance with the CC site.

• Keswick Rugby Club Car Park, Crow Park Road (what3words ///gilding.rarely.hairspray) - £4 all day and includes overnight parking to 9am CA12 5EG No overnight parking for campervans/mobile homes

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[lindyloot]

My late hubby always had a saying " If the milk tanker can get up there you can"

 

[frwjd]

The road is fine.
In Kendal park at the cricket club

 

[Langtoftlad]

My late hubby always had a saying " If the milk tanker can get up there you can"

Does the milk tanker worry about scratches & dents ??

 

[Camper Sue]

We're off to the Lake District on the 11th (first time and therefore first time in a MH). We've heard that the A591 between Kendal and Keswick is beautiful....but is it readily accessible for a 7mt MH? Also, assuming the answer is 'Yes' can any Funsters recommend day parking at both towns please.

The road is fine. I can highly recommend the Kendal Cricket Club BUT DO NOT USE THE POSTCODE in a sat nav. You'll be taken down a very thin dead end road. Eeek.
£10. A night in the honesty box and you are most welcome in the club bar. Easy walk to town centre, about 5 - 10 minutes.
Keswick just head for the Lakeside carpark near the theatre.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

The Lakeside car park is very convenient in terms of situation, but does get very busy. In mid August, unless you’re likely to get there early morning, I’d personally want a back up plan at the very least. As far as I know, it doesn’t have MH specific spaces, and there have been complaints in the past about traffic wardens being very enthusiastic in penalising parking beyond bays.

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[Figaro]

As far as I know, it doesn’t have MH specific spaces

Correct, no specific motorhome bays but lots of bays where you can overhang the rear end over grass.
I imagine it will be very busy in August.

 

[Neilellis3686]

We're off to the Lake District on the 11th (first time and therefore first time in a MH). We've heard that the A591 between Kendal and Keswick is beautiful....but is it readily accessible for a 7mt MH? Also, assuming the answer is 'Yes' can any Funsters recommend day parking at both towns please.

Hi we drove through the A591 with a 7.5 mtr motorhome 2 days ago. Windermere was a bit busy but only took 5 minutes to pass through. Scenery is well worth the wait.

 

[dawsey]

I don’t even understand why the question was asked. It’s a A-road.

A roads have to be capable of taking all traffic, this includes double deckers, 40 ton artics, and yes even the very biggest camper vans.

 

[Brains]

I don’t even understand why the question was asked. It’s a A-road.

A roads have to be capable of taking all traffic, this includes double deckers, 40 ton artics, and yes even the very biggest camper vans.

Not all A roads.
For example the A39 at Porlock is limited to 18 tonnes and no caravans or long trailers.
It would be 'interesting' in a big motorhome.

There are quite a few other 'A' roads in the west country with length, weight or height restrictions.

 

[dawsey]

Not all A roads.
For example the A39 at Porlock is limited to 18 tonnes and no caravans or long trailers.
It would be 'interesting' in a big motorhome.

There are quite a few other 'A' roads in the west country with length, weight or height restrictions.

It’s usually a physical feature, most often a crossing that creates such (an often highly localised) restriction though, usually a weak or a low bridge. Even the restriction cited would not restrict any camper or motorhome.

Coming from the lakes I can assure all that that particular road is fine for any vehicle.

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[Mr porky]

I believe a member on here took his big Morelo from Ambleside to Coniston recently as the main road was closed. That must have been a fun drive!!

Guilty as charged, it wasn't a problem if you take your time.

 

[Nirvanauk]

Guilty as charged, it wasn't a problem if you take your time.

I waved as you passed. But it was easier getting out wasn't it?

 

[Mr porky]

I waved as you passed. But it was easier getting out wasn't it?

It was

 

[Robert1351]

Our neck of the woods....

591 is a lovely run and very doable in a MH. This video is being done on a m/ bike.




If you want a little bit more of a challenge, turn right as you leave Windermere (town) onto A592 via Kirkstone Pass to Patterdale and Pooley Bridge. Nowhere near as busy as the 591, but a little more challenging, Less urban & spectacular scenery. Look well ahead down to Brotnerswater so you can anticipate the pinch points as the drystone walls are well built and tend not to move much.

We have a 7.4m MH and have done both, but not very often.

If we need to be at Kendal we invariably opt for the A6. Very quiet now and nice scenery some nice big layby's on the top of Shap for a brew with a view.

Good Luck.

Drove the Kirkstone S to N in a 12m coach many years back. Interesting meeting coaches on very tight bends coming in the opposite direction. Not sure if most still go N to S. should be fine in any MH up to 12m……