Lake District

Few would argue that the Lake District offers England's most spectacular landscape. Huge peaks and vast lakes make it a ramblers dream. But what many people don?t know is that Lake District golf is a unique and highly enjoyable experience.

In the heart of the area on the A66 east of the M6 and overlooked by Saddleback Fell is Keswick Golf Club, a rolling parkland track measuring just over 6,200 yards. Take it from us, this is no pushover, so don?t get distracted by the views ? you?ll need every last ounce of concentration you can muster. With a number of different and comfortable places to stay in the area, it?s the ideal place to start your visit.

Where the A66 meets the M6 lies Penrith Golf Club, high on a hill looking west across the town towards spectacular rolling landscape. The course provides a difficult test at 6,026 yards, the par is 69 with some seriously long par fours. For post-golf refreshments, the 19th here has one of the most welcoming clubhouses in the area.

Driving south along the A591 from Keswick you pass through the town of Ambleside and arrive in Windermere. The course is best described as undulating but the stunning vistas across the lake and beyond to Scafell Pike, make the heavy breathing seem worthwhile.

At just 5132 yards it?s deceptively short with six par threes and several short fours that will tempt anyone who fancies themselves as a longer hitter, but for those who stray off line beware, you could be out there some time.

A few miles east perched above the town, Kendal Golf Club is one of the few in the whole area where you can hire a buggy, an essential piece of kit for most.

Only thirty minutes south of Windermere, sandwiched between the lakes and the northern shore of Morecambe Bay and just outside the National Park is Ulverston Golf Club. A Herd/Colt designed 6,201 yards par 71 parkland track that remains in good condition whatever the weather ? something to with limestone.

There?s a breathtaking panoramic view north with the 803 metre high Old Man of Coniston as its focus, while in the reverse direction the whole of Morecambe Bay and even Blackpool Tower come into view.

North along the Irish Sea Coast, under the great shadow of the Sellafield Nuclear Plant, is Seascale Golf Club. Don't be put off as this true links, boasts some awesome holes, especially the finishing stretch along the shoreline into the prevailing south westerly wind.

Eden, Brampton and Carlisle are three courses on the northern edge, Carlisle perhaps the best of the parkland courses in the whole region. To the west the towns of Workington and Maryport both possess decent 18 hole courses.

The Lake District is often thought of simply as a destination for walking and sailing. And whilst you?ll certainly need to be in the mood to walk, the courses are top quality, good enough to impress any golfer.

Where to stay

Contact the Lake District Tourist Board on 015394 44444 for information or go to www.gocumbria.co.uk for detailed information on all types of accommodation to suit every budget. Raise View House (015394 35215), Grasmere has idyllic views and rooms from £30pppn. The Samling (015394 31922; www.thesampling.com), nr Windermere has beautiful rooms in an unrivalled location. Doubles from £145 per night. Information centres are situated in all the main towns.

Where to play

A complete guide to all the courses in the area can be found at www.golf-northwest.co.uk

Brampton Golf Club

Tel: 016977 2255

Web: www.bramptongolfclub.com

Green Fees: £22-30

Carlisle Golf Club

Tel: 01228 513029

Green Fees: £30-45

Cockermouth Golf Club

Tel 017687 76223

Web: www.cockermouthgolf.co.uk

Green Fees: £18-22

Eden Golf Club

Tel: 01228 573003

Web: www.edengolf.co.uk

Green Fees: £25-30

Kendal Golf Club

Tel: 01539 723499

Web: www.cumbria.com/kendalgc/home

Green Fees: £22-27.50

Keswick Golf Club

Tel: 017687 79010

Web: www.keswickgolfclub.com

Green Fees: £23-28

Seascale Golf Club

Tel: 019467 28202/28800

Green Fees: £24-27

Windermere Golf Club

Tel: 015394 43550

Web: www.windermere-golf-club.org.uk