Low Millgillhead

Lamplugh is the perfect starting place to explore the Lake District. There are a variety of walks right from the front door, or Loweswater Lake is just three miles away, with Buttermere and Crummock just a mile or two beyond. At Loweswater is the Kirkstile Inn at one end - a pub renowned for good food.

Having visited Loweswater and Crummock Water, drive through the Newlands Valley, over Whinlatter Forest Pass to Braithwaite and then Keswick beyond. It's a lovely drive and Keswick is a busy market town (market day is Thursday and Saturday) with lots going on. Here you can go boating on the Lake, hire bikes, visit the climbing wall, take a trip to the "Cars of the Stars" Museum, the Puzzling Place or even the Pencil Museum (all good wet weather activities for kids and adults alike). Keswick also has a theatre and a cinema (which also shows World Cinema films on a Sunday afternoon throughout winter).

Wordsworth's House in Cockermouth

Cockermouth, the birthplace of William Wordsworth, is seven miles away. William Wordsworth's home is worth a visit, as is Jennings Brewery and Museum. There are plenty of antique shops and cafes, including Merienda which holds the occasional Jazz evening. There are a variety of pubs and smaller shops (butchers, bakers etc) as well as a Sainsburys.

Ennerdale Water

In the opposite direction is Ennerdale Lake with its forest walks and mountain biking. You can walk right round the lake or up Pillar and the surrounding fells.

Just beyond Ennerdale, on Cold Fell, is Bradley's Farm which has pony trekking on the fell. Driving along the fell road and coming across the ponies apparently roaming wild is quite a sight to see.

Cumbria's western coast is also nearby - Whitehaven is ten miles away and was once the second biggest port in Britain. The harbour area of this Georgian town has been regenerated and the Beacon is also worth a visit. There is both a Tesco and a Morrisons here, although for general high street shops go to Workington (9 miles from Orchard House) which has just had a new shopping centre built, as well as having the nearest multi-screen cinema.


Golf

Golf Courses in Cumbria provides a list of courses. Fairly close are:

* Cockermouth Golf Club (7 miles from Lamplugh)
* Silloth Golf Club (24 miles from Lamplugh)
* Keswick (Threlkeld) Golf Club (24 miles from Lamplugh)
* Penrith Golf Club (38 miles from Lamplugh)


* Workington Golf Course (9 miles from Lamplugh)
* Whitehaven Golf Course (9 miles from Lamplugh)
* St Bees Golf Course (10 miles from Lamplugh)
* Seascale Golf Course (16 miles from Lamplugh)
* Eskdale Golf Club (21 miles from Lamplugh)