Lakeland

by Hunter Davies

'I don't know any tract of land in which in so narrow a compass may be found an equal variety of sublime and beautiful features'. So said the poet Wordsworth of England's Lake District, an area as rich in cultural associations as it is in beautiful scenery. Hunter Davies, who has spent every summer in the Lake District for nearly half a century, takes the reader on an engaging, informative and affectionate tour of the lakes, fells, traditions, denizens and history of England's most popular tourist destination. From the first discovery of Lakeland as a tourist destination in the 18th century, to the tale of the Maid of Buttermere, to the poet Coleridge's ascent of Scafell Pike in 1802, to such enduring local traditions as Cumberland wrestling and hound trailing, Hunter Davies brings England's Lake District memorably and informatively to life.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2020

About the author

Edward Hunter Davies OBE is an author, journalist and broadcaster, and a former editor for the Sunday Times of London. He is the author of numerous books, including The Glory Game and the only authorised biography of the Beatles. He was born in Johnstone, Renfrewshire, to Scottish parents. For four years his family lived in Dumfries until Davies was aged 11.

His family moved to Carlisle in northern England when Davies was 11 and he attended the Creighton School in the city. Davies lived in Carlisle until he moved to study at university. During this time his father, who was a former Royal Air Force pay clerk, developed multiple sclerosis and had to retire on medical grounds from a civil service career.

Davies joined the sixth form at Carlisle Grammar School and was awarded a place at University College, Durham to read for an honours degree in History, but after his first year he switched to a general arts course. He gained his first writing experience as a student, contributing to the university newspaper, Palatinate, where one of his fellow student journalists was the future fashion writer Colin McDowell. After completing his degree course he stayed on at Durham for another year to gain a teaching diploma and avoid National Service.

He lives in London.

Reviews

[Cormac Healy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable jaunt through one man's personal reflections on the Lake District. It's not a guidebook, or a history, or even a memoir, just a collection of bits and bobs that I imagine the author wanted to put out there. And I'm glad he did.

My favourite sections were the ones on the different lakes, going through the pros and cons, best spots for a quiet walk, places to avoid in the summer, and the section on the history of tourism in the Lake District, and it is refreshing to hear people have been moaning about it from the very beginning.

The section on different artists dragged a little, but part of that might have been that I was reading it late at night. There are loads of bits in here that are going to inform my weekend jaunts, and definitely one to dip into again and again.

[Janice Bridger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will keep this book as it explains why some people love the Lake District so much. It starts with the first travellers there who were taking on a big adventure and continues with lots of bits of info that the author wants to impart. It then becomes his personal thoughts on the place that he has visited every year for most of his life. You want to become an expert like him- I won’t remember most of the facts but I will dip into it again.

[Anand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed this on the train up to the Lake District. Some interesting facts; more readable than your standard guidebook, and ironically full of the curmudgeonly disease for tourists that Davies notes in many Lake District guidebooks of the past.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked Hunter Davies style if writing, first reading him in The Sunday Times. This book did not disappoint, and will keep for next time go to the Lakes. Was very close to 5* but maybe over heavy on poets

[Vera · Rating 4 out of 5]

A miscellaneous love letter to the Lakes.

[John Ingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fascinating insights, but read a bit like a guide book. A but too heavy on the poets and ignorant on natural history. An entertaining and easy read overall.

[Kbrooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part guidebook, part local history, and part fond compendium of Cumbrian trivia, Lakeland offers a quick and lively primer on England's Lake District. Though there are some notable omissions to my mind: the story of the Curwens and Belle Isle, which includes a cameo by Fletcher Christian and a walk-on by some would-be architecture critic named Wordsworth; the sad tale of the Greens of Easdale; Cat Bells, arguably one of the region's most popular walks (which may be the chief reason to avoid it, I guess, but still: it's an icon of Derwentwater); the evolution of the extensive local bus system (a boon to all and a vital ecological measure as well); the rather incongruous Quaker presence in Kendal; the gorgeously sited and easily accessible Blelham Tarn; the loss of historic Pooley Bridge in the disastrous 2015 floods (Storm Desmond is just briefly alluded to but there is much more to be said about the Lakes' version of Hurricane Katrina); and the most egregious oversight of the lot, the justly famous Grasmere gingerbread (with its fights over who owns the authentic recipe) and its partner in crime, Cumberland rum butter. Of course this book is subtitled "a personal journey," so Davies is free to leave out whatever he likes (the better to stump for Carlisle). But I was surprised that the other recent inundation--Asian tourists--didn't get a mention, because this is certainly the latest and most bizarre chapter in the knotty history between the Lakes' longtime residents and visitors/"off-comers." The Japanese are especially Beatrix Potter-mad (so kawaii!!!); Japanese- and Chinese-language signage springs up everywhere; and Chinese restaurants are now a fixture in Windermere. One morning I was crushing on the Stagecoach agent at Windermere station as he wrangled a gaggle of Chinese girls, whipping out some occasional Mandarin in his magical Irish lilt. (He's a charmer, that one. But a discussion of Cumbrian transit employees would require a whole other book.) Still, Davies told me some things I didn't know, and for an engaging albeit subjective introduction to the region, less familiar readers could do much worse.

[Angela Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

enjoyed

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A library loan and a lovely ramble round Lakeland.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

A boring, dull book about a region the author himself admits there are way too many books.

[Bernadette and Munro Ben, the dog poet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very personal account of a special relationship with places. An eclectic mix of memories to stir the interest of any lover of Lakeland, beautifully told.