Thank you Keswick, but I won't be back

[Sandra6]

We've always loved a visit to keswick. Usually out of season, but we've gone plenty of times in the summer too.
Haven't been for a while, but eldest daughter is home and asked to go.
We usually park just outside and have a nice walk in, but due to the inconsiderate parking of others - including quite a few motor homes that looked like they'd been there for the night - we couldn't get a space.
Drove into the centre to the main car park and attempted to pay £5.30 for parking, only the machine wouldn't accept coins. Tried again with my card but it kept cancelling the transaction. It took us 20 minutes to get a machine that would actually take the money!!!
Went to the loo - 40 p for the privilige!!! The lady in front of me used a card to pay for goodness sakes!!- and the space was so small I had to get an awful lot closer to other people than I'd normally choose to in that situation.
Then it cost me £12 for two bags of chips, a pasty, bottle of water and a coke. How can a single pasty cost almost as much as a meal in a weatherspoons?!
And do people planning a holiday to the lakes all go out and buy north face or rab clothes and rucksacks - you know like you buy a bikini if you're going on a beach holiday - or do they own them already?! And do you really need walking boots and a stick to get from the car park to the coffee shop?!
And so many dogs on stretchy leads!!!!
I just didn't enjoy it at all today.
Are there any places that you feel you've outgrown or that have just lost their finish?

 

[Dave 123]

Anywhere in the lakes near a honeypot town or car park can be awful at times.
Either get there early (before 10) or go late (after 4).

And yes, it's the law to wear high end outdoor gear to walk up the high street.

 

[Beebo]

It is Easter holiday so will be very busy.
The prices are not unexpected.

 

[Beebo]

I agree on the poles.

People walk round my local park in London with those bloody poles.

 

[slowmotion]

What's the point of poles? Walking's hard enough for your legs. Why make your arms suffer too?

 

[Beebo]

What's the point of poles? Walking's hard enough for your legs. Why make your arms suffer too?

It does take weight off your knees, even 5% makes a difference over a 20 mile hike, but best used when actually required.

 

[Brains]

Was it raining ?
All prices double in the Lakes on wet days, it's a local bylaw

 

[NorthernDave]

Anywhere a bit touristy is getting like that now.

Even Ilkley(!) is the same if the weather is decent - although they have a 'spoons so you can get a meal without a second mortgage. If you can find an empty table not occupied by the hordes who've gone for a 'day out in the countryside' which seems to entail getting a seat in there and drinking the free coffee refills all day.

What's the point of poles? Walking's hard enough for your legs. Why make your arms suffer too?

Ask if they've lost their skis- that confuses them.

 

[BoldonLad]

We've always loved a visit to keswick. Usually out of season, but we've gone plenty of times in the summer too.
Haven't been for a while, but eldest daughter is home and asked to go.
We usually park just outside and have a nice walk in, but due to the inconsiderate parking of others - including quite a few motor homes that looked like they'd been there for the night - we couldn't get a space.
Drove into the centre to the main car park and attempted to pay £5.30 for parking, only the machine wouldn't accept coins. Tried again with my card but it kept cancelling the transaction. It took us 20 minutes to get a machine that would actually take the money!!!
Went to the loo - 40 p for the privilige!!! The lady in front of me used a card to pay for goodness sakes!!- and the space was so small I had to get an awful lot closer to other people than I'd normally choose to in that situation.
Then it cost me £12 for two bags of chips, a pasty, bottle of water and a coke. How can a single pasty cost almost as much as a meal in a weatherspoons?!
And do people planning a holiday to the lakes all go out and buy north face or rab clothes and rucksacks - you know like you buy a bikini if you're going on a beach holiday - or do they own them already?! And do you really need walking boots and a stick to get from the car park to the coffee shop?!
And so many dogs on stretchy leads!!!!
I just didn't enjoy it at all today.
Are there any places that you feel you've outgrown or that have just lost their finish?

You may already know this, but, there is a Weatherspoons in Keswick now (in the old Police Station).

Quite a few people of my acquaintance regularly visit Keswick, (complete with their dog(s) ) and get no further than the High Street / Market Place (why bother?).

There are a few "traditions" you just have to continue with however ie over-priced cakes at Brysons, queues for Fish and Chips at the Market Place Chippy, pint of Jennings, in the Dog and Gun.........

 

[Brandane]

Are there any places that you feel you've outgrown or that have just lost their finish?

Yep - Britain!
Keswick lost the plot when the "Cars of the Stars" exhibition closed down. Apparently the pencil museum is quite interesting, but I just can't bring myself to find out.

 

[GuyBoden]

Skiddaw at the back of Keswick isn't busy this time of the year.............

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I agree on the poles.

People walk round my local park in London with those bloody poles.

Ooh you big racists

 

[slowmotion]

This thread has great grumpy potential. Keep up the good work! Here's my contribution.....

Derwent pencils are rubbish compared to Faber-Castells.

 

[Sandra6]

You may already know this, but, there is a Weatherspoons in Keswick now (in the old Police Station).

Quite a few people of my acquaintance regularly visit Keswick, (complete with their dog(s) ) and get no further than the High Street / Market Place (why bother?).

There are a few "traditions" you just have to continue with however ie over-priced cakes at Brysons, queues for Fish and Chips at the Market Place Chippy, pint of Jennings, in the Dog and Gun.........

I've been to the chief justice of the common pleas, aka Spoons. It's quite a nice one, but we foolishly thought chips would be cheap!

Yep - Britain!. Apparently the pencil museum is quite interesting, but I just can't bring myself to find out.

It isn't.

 

[Beebo]

Ooh you big racists

I have nothing against Eastern Europeans. As long as they are walking without poles.