The Western Lake District is a far cry from the commercialised SE of the National Park. Most of the shoreline of Ennerdale Water is owned by the National Trust and the surrounding woods by the Forestry Commission. Unlike most major lakes in the Lake District, no public road runs along the shore, making Ennerdale a peaceful haven for wildlife. Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Long Distance Path, passes the front door of Fox and Hounds and follows the length of Ennerdale. You can also walk a circuit of the lake (if you can negotiate the rocky outcrop of Angler's Crag!) or venture into the high fells with routes to Pillar and Steeple, the High Stile Ridge, and even Great Gable. The C2C Cycle Path is also nearby and is great for safe, off-road cycling; there are also forest trails for cycling.

Riding at Ennerdale; fishing on several nearby lakes; golf at Cockermouth golf course; various climbing routes nearby including Pillar Rock, Kern Knotts, Napes Needle and Burtness Combe.
 

Nearby Loweswater, the smallest of the Lakes, is seldom visited and a real gem, and given a starring role in the film "Miss Potter". Superlative Buttermere and neighbouring Crummock Water are only a 30 minute drive away.

To the south lies dramatic Wasdale - home to England's highest mountain, Scafell and its deepest lake, Wastwater. This contrasts with tranquil Eskdale, where a trip on the Ravenglass to Eskdale steam railway is a delight. Muncaster Castle is well worth a visit with its beautiful gardens, famous for rhododendrons, the daily owl show and medieval castle.

The historic market town of Cockermouth, Wordsworth's birthplace, lies 10 miles north, where you can visit Wordsworth's House and Jennings Brewery and well as peruse the numerous galleries and antique shops. The coast at Whitehaven is 9 miles west, where you can visit the Beacon museum at the regenerated harbour and The Rum Story.

For a trip to the seaside you can visit St. Bees Heritage Coast, with its lovely sandy beach and Priory Church. You can also walk along the 300ft high cliffs which afford spectacular views and the chance to glimpse rare seabirds as this is an RSPB reserve.

Keswick can be reached in under an hour - a tourist magnet on wet days with all the outdoor shops you could dream of; indoor swimming pool with flumes and wave machine; Museum and Art Gallery, and various family attractions including Puzzling Place, Cumberland Pencil Museum and Cars of the Stars.