Author: Ron Freethy

Publisher: Countryside Books

ISBN: 1-85306-977-9

I’ve always had big love for the Lake District and teashops are favourite haunts of mine. It seems to be the perfect combination to write a walking guide to the Lakes and combine that with teashops.

We English do enjoy scones with cream, homemade jam and a cuppa to wash it all down after a good walk. So Ron, with his own passion for the Lake District, has composed this brilliant guide.

I loved the fitting cover of this book with the scenery in the background through an opening in a wall. It would have been good to put in some mountains too to give an impression of the lakes but never-the-less it is still attractive and makes you want to open the book to discover what treats are inside. The table set with afternoon tea with cream, jam and scones on the cover certainly encourages you to do this and discover where these teashop treasures are to be found.

The opening walk is in Dent, Ron has given clear pointers as to the distance of the walk, time to allow, a map and also the starting point. All these are good things to know because if you are starting this walk in the winter, two and a half hours is no time at all as darkness quickly falls. There is a lovely picture of The Sedgwick memorial with Dent church in the background. Also another photograph accompanies the walk on the opposite page. Sadly I would have preferred to see the photos in colour rather then in black and white and also it would have helped if the author had given a more detailed route however you cannot say Ron hasn’t tried. It is still a very good guide, pointing out the various teashops to discover along the way with some walks two and a half miles going on to varying ones right up to seven miles long.

The next walk is in Kirkby Stephen with its beautiful countryside and an area with the fitting name of Eden Valley. This walk is over a bridge called Frank’s Bridge and through lovely woodland. Again a walk not to be missed.

Aira Force is one of my top most favourites. Again passing over bridges and taking in the splendid scenery, you can’t miss this gem. Also along the way is the famous waterfall, Aira Force, which was greatly loved by Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy. This is a pretty walk with The Wells Teashop café there to discover a delight where they make simply mouth-watering fudge, points out Ron. It is one walk that I must go on.

I could go on to name all my favourite walks inside this guide, but don’t let me be the judge, find the ones which you like the best for yourself.

I would say all these walks are to be enjoyed by the whole family, but there are some quite long, lengthy ones too so make sure you are a decent walker and have some good walking boots . This is a book for everyone you just have to pick out the walk that sounds like your type.

The above review was contributed by:  Jessica Roberts: Jessica has been a book reviewer for a newspaper and a national women's magazine and is working on a novel. To read more of Jessica's reviews CLICK HERE 

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