My first ever trip to the Lake District: Joshua Gee
What happens when you swap city streets for mountain views? Young Londoner Joshua Gee shares the highlights of his first Lake District adventure and the lessons he took home.
- First Impressions of the Lake District
This summer was my first time ever visiting the Lake District National Park, alongside my friends and family. My first impressions? It was incredibly scenic and beautiful, and I never imagined the UK could have views like this. While cruising through the area, the landscape immediately caught my attention with large mountains, huge areas of natural greenery and peaceful lakes. The tranquillity and calmness created a completely different environment that I wasn’t used to living in a busy city. I’m 27 years old, work as a private tennis coach, and I live in London, so I’m more used to a noisy, crowded, hectic city environment. I immediately noticed the Lake District National Park had a much more relaxed and slower pace of life, which I enjoyed – for me it was a great way to escape and reset. I loved it. I think a lot of young people, particularly from urban areas, are craving that kind of experience. (Want to plan your own Lake District weekend? This blog post has everything you need to know.)
- The Memorable Moments
We did a lot of hiking and exploring while in the Lake District and there were loads of highlights. But, if I was forced to choose, some of my favourite and most memorable moments would be swimming in serene spots such as Ulpha in the Duddon Valley, hiking up and around Cat Bells near Keswick, and visiting Rydal Water. As well as outdoor activities, I also love sport and while in the Lake District I got the chance to play tennis on one of the most scenic courts I’ve ever seen.
I’d also say that all of the locals were so friendly and welcoming, kindly giving us recommendations of specific places to visit and see – and that’s partly how we managed to discover some of the cool spots featured in the videos I’ve posted online [insert link to Instagram post]. As a Londoner who’s more used to hiking in and around our capital city, the Lakeland views and scenery were on another level, like something I’ve never seen before. I will definitely be visiting again!
One of my favourite moments was coming across a hidden spot that had both waterfalls and streams. We all sat at this spot for a good few hours, barely speaking but just taking in all the views and enjoying the peace and nature. There was something very wholesome about all being together at this beautiful spot.
“I was able to slow down, relax and come back to London feeling refreshed…with a clearer and more creative headspace”
- Learning to Leave No Trace
I sparked conversation with almost every person we came across while in the Lake District and, in doing so, I learnt more about the importance of ensuring the environment was kept intact and protected. I learnt about ensuring no trace is left behind by taking litter home and just respecting the wildlife and nature in general. I also discovered that barbecues and fires are not permitted in the Lake District National Park.
In London, I often make my own packed lunch before every hike and encourage other people to do the same on their trips. It’s simple, just preparing a few different snacks and sandwiches, and I decided to do the same here. We ended up having one of the most scenic lunches together at the top of the Cat Bells hike, with a view that took our breath away. (Here’s our guide on everything to pack for your next Lake District visit.)
The difference with London was huge, however. In the big city there are bins around every corner and, sadly, people often expect there to be council staff to clear up any rubbish left behind in parks. But I quickly learnt that things are very different in the Lake District. There are no bins out here in the high mountains and you need to be prepared with a plastic bag to pack away your rubbish. It’s not complicated. It’s simple and easy to do, and during my visit I learnt how doing something small like this can actually have a positive and long-lasting impact on the environment.
- Why I’ll Be Back & Future Plans
After visiting the Lake District for the first time, it encouraged and taught me to explore the UK more! There are so many more places in and around the Lake District that I want to visit and I’m feeling both inspired and motivated to hike, explore and be out in nature more, all while sharing my experiences online so more young people can do the same. Next time I might travel to the Lakes by train or bus – it looks quite easy. I also want to show people that doing cool and fun things like hiking up mountains and wild swimming (safely, of course) is more easily accessible than a lot of us may think.
During my time in the Lakes, I was able to slow down, relax and come back to London feeling refreshed and ready to work again with both a clearer and more creative headspace. If you’re thinking of escaping your own city or town and want to spend some time in nature and the outdoors, I would highly recommend visiting the Lake District for some of the most scenic views and landscapes – you won’t regret it!
