Some of the best scenery and experiences of the lakes are combined to provide a true taste of what Cumbria can offer. Exploring the Lake District on a journey of 50 miles, we hike the fells, sail on the lakes of Ulleswater and Windermere, and board the Lakeside stream train.

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We arrive at Penrith railway station, and immediately spot a steam train which obviously delays the start of our journey. Finally released from our curiosity we cross the road to have e a brief walk around Penrith castle where we discover Richard III lived for twelve years of his live. We then begin our hike on the recently open new trail Eamont Way. This we follow for 5 - 6 miles to Pooley Bridge.

At Pooley Bridge we board the ferry at a cost of £10 to land at Howtown. From here we use the Ulleswater Way to walk to the camping site at Side Farm (£12) which we find at the southern end of the lake. The next morning we pass Patterdale to begin the ascent of Gale Crag and then further into the fells we gain the highest point at Hart Crag. We immediately turn south and almost in a straight line follow the path down over High Pike and Low Pike to Ambleside.

At Ambleside we have an overnight stay planned (cost £27 for a room). The Ambleside Jetty is next door and makes the morning hike to the start of our second part of our journey just a matter of metres. Paying £18 for a single we board the historical Swan ferry to Lakeside. The journey on the lake is one hour and twenty minutes and includes a stop at Bowness on Windermere.

Having arrived at Lakeside jetty we now board the steam train to Haverthwaite (cost single £6.50). This journey is just 18 minutes long and then we take to boot power again, for the last leg of our journey. Now we are initially heading towards Carmel Priory, passing Cartmel Racecourse and passing through Carmel village.

Now we wonder into Grange-over-Sands along the promenade noting the disappearing sea and finally arrive at the refurbished railway station. I estimate the hiking element was 30 miles and a further 20 miles was achieved by the use of the historical boats and trains of the Lake District.