Scared of the Lake District

Tecnikal

Tecnikal

Free Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2013
Posts
69
Likes collected
32
Location
Essex
Funster No
28,608
MH
Van Conversion
Exp
I'm a newbie
Hi all,

So far we have stuck to main roads mainly in the south of England and have had very few problems with narrow country lanes.

We decided we want to visit the lake district in October. My other half is unable to walk too far so we thought we would hopefully find some nice road routes that still offer the same sort of scenery that you would get from some of the walks.

However on searching the internet for some good routes we have started reading horror stories about narrow, winding, steep roads that are not suitable for MH's.

Is this true? We are not small like a camper van or overly large like an RV but a mid size which is a Fiat Ducato IH Conversion, do you think we will be ok?

Someone said that there is sometimes only room for two small cars to pass and I wonder if we are wasting our time going if it is going to be really stressful.

Any advice from people who have motorhomes in the Lake District would be very helpful as I am now nervous about going.

Many thanks. funsters.
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
Just avoid wynrose & hardknock passes and you will be OK, delivery lorries and dust carts manage to get round.
Can get a bit tight if a van comes the other way on a narrow road a bit frightening with the stone walls, just pull your door mirrors in & breath in works for us.
Been down roads in Ireland where both doof mirrors have been in the hedge on each side just prayed (and I'm not religious ) nothing came the other way.
In all honesty commercial drivers know the width of their vehicles quite well, women who can't reverse are your worst nightmare but you are in the bigger vehicle so just stand your ground and intimidate them into reversing to let you through.
 
Upvote 0
Thanks. Will make a note of wynrose & hard knock and make sure none of our route goes through there.
 
Upvote 0
There are other difficult routes I would not like to take............The Struggle out of Ambleside is aptly named. Why not plan a route and places you want to visit and post it on here for more specific advice.
 
Upvote 0
Tecnikal said:
Thanks. Will make a note of wynrose & hard knock and make sure none of our route goes through there.
Click to expand...

I think it is Wrynose and Hardnott Pass respectively and no, I wouldn't want to drive my MH up them although many years ago I did them in a 3 speed Renault 4 - just!

I had a week in the Lakes in my MH this summer keeping to scenic main roads and had no troubles at all and I was towing a trailer. Give it a go, you'll not regret it.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
lennyhb said:
women who can't reverse are your worst nightmare but you are in the bigger vehicle so just stand your ground and intimidate them into reversing to let you through.
Click to expand...

And what about the men that cant reverse. Some women are very good drivers. If I met you on a lane then theres no way Id be backing up for you unless it was easier. Pig headedness will get you nowhere.

On most roads a little care and common sense gets you there .
 
Upvote 0
lennyhb said:
Just avoid wynrose & hardknock passes and you will be OK, delivery lorries and dust carts manage to get round.
Can get a bit tight if a van comes the other way on a narrow road a bit frightening with the stone walls, just pull your door mirrors in & breath in works for us.
Been down roads in Ireland where both doof mirrors have been in the hedge on each side just prayed (and I'm not religious ) nothing came the other way.
In all honesty commercial drivers know the width of their vehicles quite well, women who can't reverse are your worst nightmare but you are in the bigger vehicle so just stand your ground and intimidate them into reversing to let you through.
Click to expand...
Haha Lenny, I knew this would get you in trouble.....brave man :lipssealed:
 
Upvote 0
I have been over wynrose & hard knock in a camper but it is not for the faint hearted. As said before the roads are ok but most have stone walls either side which are not forgiving if you touch them but coaches and lorries manage ok.
 
Upvote 0
lennyhb said:
In all honesty commercial drivers know the width of their vehicles quite well, women who can't reverse are your worst nightmare but you are in the bigger vehicle so just stand your ground and intimidate them into reversing to let you through.
Click to expand...

You're an extremely arrogant person!

Apart from your ridiculous assumption that women can't drive... why do you feel the need to intimidate another driver into reversing.... or could it be that you aren't able to!!

I hope never to meet you on the road.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
sdc77 said:
(Grabs popcorn and protective glasses
. Sits back and watches)
Click to expand...


I know I should laugh off the arrogant one's comments but, as a woman, I get really fed up with that type of attitude.

I can just imagine (because I've encountered it myself first hand) what it would be like to meet him on a narrow road. In my own experience such folk often take a perverse delight in making the situation even more difficult.

By the way Lenny, I'm a capable driver, held a licence for 42 years and in that time have driven horseboxes, flatbed trucks, trailers, tractors, our 7.6 metre MH and my car is large and fast .... and..... incredible though it sounds...... I do actually reverse sometimes!
 
Upvote 0
Tecnikal - go to the Lake District and enjoy it - there are plenty of decent roads and you will be fine so long as you take your time and don't let any other drivers fluster you.

For those who think there is some sexual variation in driving ability and without wishing to pour any petrol on a smouldering fire, here is an entertaining book that attempts to explain some generalised differences from a base of physiological evidence. There are differences (thank goodness) and men are lacking in many vital skills.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752846191/?tag=mhf04-21
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Upvote 0
You will find that most of the lakes is perfectly accessible with your motorhome.
If you are unsure about some of the route, use google maps street view to decide if it is suitable for you.
As said above, the real risk is scraping the side on the rocky walls that are on some roads but just do as the coaches do and move out a bit if nothing is coming from the other way and stop if required till oncoming traffic passes.
Mainly just remember that you are not in London, the vast majority will not worry that you may hold them up for a few seconds so don't stress about going at your pace.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
JeanLuc said:
Tecnikal - go to the Lake District and enjoy it - there are plenty of decent roads and you will be fine so long as you take your time and don't let any other drivers fluster you.

For those who think there is some sexual variation in driving ability and without wishing to pour any petrol on a smouldering fire, here is an entertaining book that attempts to explain some generalised differences from a base of physiological evidence. There are differences (thank goodness) and men are lacking in many vital skills.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0752846191/?tag=mhf04-21
Click to expand...
Brilliant - you've just solved the problem of what to buy for my husbands birthday!!!!
 
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Upvote 0
We take most notice of road signs restricting vehicle length / weight. They are a good indication of trouble ahead and we avoid those roads whenever possible. If a sign says restriction 7.5 tons or more we know we should be fine. 3.5 tons will be tricky so we will try not to go. There are plenty of lovely places to go in the lakes whilst avoiding the small roads.
 
Upvote 0
Hello,I found the kirkstone pass quite a challenge as it was also bin collection day and made for an interesting drive and Tinas nerves were on edge for the whole time we were on the pass although I was relieved when open country came into sight .
 
Upvote 0
My only reservation about The Lakes is that it has become too commercial with coachloads of 'Grockles' all over the place-much like Les Plus Beau Villages in France.:eek:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
Honister pass and route from cockermouth to Buttermere gets a bit tight in places. However, the brewery lorries and dustbin lorries get round so its do-able with care and well worth seeing. Also there are "mountain goat" bus services to get you around these places. The campsites are full to bursting with camper vans and caravans, come and drink it in. October can be beautiful with the changing colours.
 
Upvote 0
This site contains affiliate links for which MHF may be compensated.
Upvote 0
if the satnag says you can fit down the road, don't you still get problems with oncoming traffic?
 
Upvote 0
MikeandCarolyn said:
My only reservation about The Lakes is that it has become too commercial with coachloads of 'Grockles' all over the place-much like Les Plus Beau Villages in France.:eek:
Click to expand...

Are you not also a Grockle when there?


:cooler:

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
Upvote 0
I wouldn't go in too far if you are concerned, I took my 8m MH too far in to a prebooked site, no mention on the details that the road in to the site has a 6' width limit (and for good reason) definitely not for the faint hearted

The biggest problem as ever is white van man, closely followed by coaches, they being the larger vehicle (coaches that is) will expect you to back up, even the A roads have some tight passing points

Keep on going to Scotland, similar scenery in SW Scotland and a fraction of the people :)(y)
 
Upvote 0
I'm not playing that game. I used to drive to Buttermere everyday to work, it was worth it for the fantastic scenery. Seen some Fiddlesticksless drivers of both sexes and all ages. @pandj :sick:
 
Upvote 0
MikeandCarolyn said:
My only reservation about The Lakes is that it has become too commercial with coachloads of 'Grockles' all over the place-much like Les Plus Beau Villages in France.:eek:
Click to expand...
Outside school holidays its a delight...so much so I moved here
Paul
 
Upvote 0

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Join us

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top