 About the district Cumberland is one of the northernmost counties of old England, sitting along the Scottish border and straddling the Cumbrian Mountains in the south. It is now part of the modern county of Cumbria with the administrative centre of Carlisle in the north east of the county. Cumberland is a county of breathtaking scenery, from Sca Fell, the highest mountain in England to the plains of the Solway and the lush Eden Valley. Lakes are scattered jewel-like across the countryside. Places of interest. The Lake district and Cumbria, of which Cumberland forms a part, offer some of the most beautiful landscapes in the United Kingdom. There are many places well worth exploring across the region, including: Penrith Castle. Tarn Hows, The Cumberland Toy & Model Museum, Long Meg and her Daughters, Cars of the Stars Motor Museum. Lake District National Park, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway,and Grizedale Forest Living in Cumberland The district has a good range of schools, both independent and comprehensive, and several further education colleges, Carlisle College, Cumbria College of Art & Technology, Newton Rigg College, Furness College, Kendal College, and West Cumbria College. There is also the University of Northumbria Carlisle Campus. The district has excellent transport services, with rail links from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. There is a station at Oxenholme, close to Kendal. Another 20 minutes will take you on to Windermere. Penrith and Carlisle stations also have stations. The journey from London to Oxenholme takes around 3 hours. Manchester is the nearest airport, and also has its own Rail Station, with links to Windermere, Carlisle, Penrith and Barrow-in-Furness. Glasgow, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford being the other Airports. There are a number of Coaches and Buses from various links around the country. There is an excellent road network from the south and north of the county with the M6 motorway being the central link. There are some fine shopping centres and outlets, covering all types of retail shopping. From the high street, to market stalls, large towns to quaint villages, you will find a variety of goods to purchase, including local produce and crafts. There are particularly excellent shopping facilities in Kendal and very good outdoor shops at Ambleside for all your gear. Activities range from fell walking and climbing to the leisurely pastime of fishing. The Lake District is England's most popular area for walking and climbing due to its ease of accessibility and the varied levels of activity available, from the gentle to the more strenuous. The area offers excellent fishing for all types of anglers from the Cumbrian coast to the lakes and tarns across the Lake District. Cycle routes from woodland tracks in Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests and challenging climbs and descents with the summit of Skiddaw offer a range of possibilities for cyclists. Golf courses and driving ranges with golf courses to suit most abilities can be found in throughout the county. Water sports on offer range through sailing, canoeing, kayaking and boat hire. Horse riding is readily available, suitable for all ages from the novice to the experienced. |
