Published at 11:05, Thursday, 04 October 2012

SIR – My husband and I and family recently visited West Cumbria on holiday. We stayed in a lovely cottage in Eskdale and had a lovely couple of weeks even though the weather was mixed. The local agency we booked with were helpful and strongly recommended, obviously very good as they have most of the cottages in the area on their books.

popular choice: Tourists and locals enjoy a day on the Ratty, including a stop at Dalegarth Station, Boot

We had wonderful food at all the local pubs and good local ales.

We discovered Miterdale Valley, a hidden gem, and ideal for dog walking and a picnic!

We returned to Muncaster but were disappointed that the family ticket is no longer available which made it very expensive. The owls, however, were as good as we remembered.

Shame the gardens are such a mess – really not what you expect from tourist attraction of the year!

We did enjoy our day on the Ratty, we got on and off as we chose to walk about, had lunch, caught the last train back. What an excellent day!

Really, the Western Lake District is outstanding, its sheer beauty and diverse landscape from coast to wooded Eskdale to dramatic Wasdale, we have stayed in the other side of the Lakes but I must say this is the better side.

Mrs Z PARKICASI

Rugby

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