KESWICK'S COACHES OPEN UP LAKELAND
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IN many of the more flamboyant holiday centres the local coach services are, as much as anything, part of the entertainment programme —" something to do." In relatively
few resorts are excursions by coach or bus an essential part of the pursuits of many holidaymakers.
Keswick, the little Cumberland town of 5,000 population, which is generally regarded as the tourist capital of the Lake District, falls into this category. It stands at the centre of the backbone road of the area, the highway that runs from .Kendal, by way. of Windermere and Ambleside, along by Thirlmere and Bassenthvvaite Lake to Cockermouth.
84 Because of the attraction of much magnificent country near Hardknott National Forest Park, visitors are being increasingly drawn to this area and, because many of them are not trained up to the tramps and climbs of the real Lake District enthusiast, they must rely on coach or bus to show them the beauties of the Lakeland scene.
There is, of course, nothing new about this facility, for visitors to the quiet grey town at the head of
Derwentwater have for many years enjoyed such services. Horses and the four-in-hand were in vogue before the 1914-18 war and, indeed. provided a popular method of seeing Lake District scenery until not long before the start of the 1939-45 war.
The title of Lake Hotel Coaches, Ltd., one of the town's principal operators, is derived from the horsed coaches which were in use at the time the company was formed in 1909 and the chief, Mr J. S. Wilson. served his who are content to be no more than passengers, demand the opportunity for seeing places far off the beaten track. Local authorities have restricted the capacity of vehicles to be used on some of the narrow and precipitous roads, but ,so that thepublic may not be denied opportuni accommodation is packed to overflowing with rucksacks and other impedimenta of those to whom the everlasting hills make irresistible call.
The Weightman fleet includes a Commer 32-seater bus on the Borrowdale service already mentioned, whilst the touring vehicles (all Commer) comprise a 79-seater, a 31-seater and a 14-seater for use on restricted routes, The associated house of Papes has two Commer 29-seaters and, incidentally, claims to have run the original four-in-hands over the, passes.
One of the most popular of the full-day outings run from Keswick by the joint organization is the Eleven Lakes Tour-, which, on a
7-hour trip, covers a remarkable variety of country, visiting Ullswater, Brotherswater, Windermere, Coniston, Esthwaite, Elterwater, Grasmere, Rydalwater, Thirlmere, Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater. There is a day visit to the more remote country of West Cumberland, embracing Wastwater, Ennerdale Lake, Loweswater and Crummock Lake, whilst another popular day trip is to Haweswater.
The excellence of Keswick as a touring centre is emphasized by the operation of day tours also over the Scottish border to Dumfries and Gretna Green, whilst southward there is a combined lake and seaside tour to Morecambe.
Half-day Tours
Among afternoon trips, passengers have a choice of Eight Lakes (including Kirkstone Pass), Nine Lakes, the John Peel Country, Ullswater and Buttermere. The Buttermere tour includes an extension to the foot of the long and steep Honister Pass, thence returning by way of Whinlatter Pass.
Although principally serving the Lakes, the tows of Lake Hotel Coaches, Ltd., go even farther afield. On Wednesdays and Thursdays there are day visits to Edinburgh (with a four-hour stop for sightseeing), whilst on Fridays there is a trip to Blackpool. Excursions ' to Morecambe, Dumfries and Gretna are also run, as are tours to the Eleven Lakes, to Wastwater and to the seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands. incorporating visits to eight lakes en route.
The Lake Hotel afternoon programme includes both the Eight Lakes and the Nine Lakes, Ullswater, Haweswater, Windermere, Skiddaw and Saddleback, whilst the popular trip to Buttermere and the foot of Honister is also operated.
From the fleet title, visitors sometimes assume that this operator's coaches are occupied on inclusive tours for Keswick's Lake Hotel, but this is not the case. The transpoit business, which was founded some 47 years ago, is entirely devoted to catering for the general public. The fleet now consists of four Bedfordsa 15-seater, a 25-seater and two 29-seaters—anll a Daimler 33-seater.
In some circles recently there has been discussion on the question of the most suitable practice in relation to the cancelling of reservations, and in the brochure issued by Lake Hotel Coaches, Ltd., it is made clear to prospective patrons that reservations may be cancelled and fares fully refunded, or reservations transferred to another date, by giving an hour's notice. Whilst on the face of it this is generous treatment for the passenger, Mr.. Wilson contends that it encourages reservations, thus enabling the operator to plan ahead. It also tends to settle in advance the mind of the customer who, in other circumstances, might well postpone making any decision until the last moment.
Incidentally, before the Road Traffic Act was passed in 1930, local operators had an arrangement whereby passengers making a threetour booking obtained a substantial discount.
Pooled Working
Cumberland Motor Services, Ltd, and Ribble Motor Services, Ltd , have a pooling arrangement for the Penrith-Keswick stage-carriage service, and they work jointly on a schedule of excursions which includes a day circular tour of the Lakes, together with trips to Windermere, Ambkside• via Ullswater, St. Bees, Hawkshe-ad, Aira Force, Carlisle and Silloth, and half-day trips to Dungeon Ghyll via Great Langdale and to John Peel's Troutbeck Among other passenger operators serving this area are Messrs. Fletchers Touring Coaches, of Keswick, whilst several companies from other areas have picking-up points in the vicinity.