The header photo both of this blog and our “English Lakes” site is of Ullswater. The second largest body of water in the Cumbrian Lake District, Ullswater is much less commercialised than the larger Windermere. There are few significant centres of human habitation. At the northeastern end of the lake is the small village of Pooley Bridge. At the southern end is Glenridding, and this is the focal point of an article in the December ‘09 issue of Country Walking magazine.

Headed “48 hours in Glenridding” the article suggests walks over Place Fell on a Saturday followed by Glenridding Dodd on the Sunday morning. It also points to places to while the time away over a meal, and of course advises a trip on the Ullswater Steamer.

One of the outstanding features of Country Walking is its monthly selection of walks in places all over Britain. These “Route Cards” are graded for difficulty and arranged to be cut out and carried with you for reference. Detailed maps are included, and helpful notes on such matters as refreshments, public transport and public toilets (where there are such things). The Place Fell walk (‘Challenging’) and the Glenridding Dodd circuit (mostly ‘Easy’ but with a couple of steep and rough sections) are described in detail in this month’s selection of 27 walks.

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Next month’s issue (January 2010) has “The Lake District in Winter” as a major theme. Don’t miss it.

A few minutes ago I was tidying some magazines in my office when I came across a pile of Country Walking back issues. What immediately struck me was the frequency with which the Lake District featured on the front cover. Here are just a few.

This excellent monthly magazine not only contains articles describing great walks in many parts of the country, but also includes expert reviews of a wide range of outdoor equipment (gear and gadgets) relevant to the enthusiastic walker.

The photography is excellent and the writing of a high quality – clear and easily read. Each month also there is a series of route sheets, covering walks in many parts of the UK, conveniently sized for cutting out and laminating; each one has a relevant section of OS map.

For the Lake District enthusiast the February 2009 issue of Country Walking has an article on Buttermere as well as two Cumbrian walks in the Routes section.

Click above on the photo or here to order a year’s subscription, saving over buying monthly from the newsagent, and ensuring that you don’t miss a copy. And how about a gift subscription for a friend or family member?