Hardknott Passes public poll

Hardknott pass has been voted amongst the top 7 "Wonders of Britain" beating The Houses of Parliament and The Angel of the North. The Poll was conducted on line to find Must-See List For 'Road Trippers. Loch Ness' Urquhart Castle has claimed top spot in a national poll to find the ‘Seven Wonders of Britain'. The remote wonder beat off more familiar sights including Windsor Castle and was a staggering 41% above seventh place Houses of Parliament.

Our own Hardknott pass with it's 1:3 hairpin bends and Roman fort came 5th overall in the survey. The fort is probably one of the remotest outposts that the Romans built in England. It's a worthy visit in it's own right with no entrance fee it's worth every penny you pay. It lies about 100 metres off the road. Drive up or down the Eskdale side of the pass and stop around halfway where the road levels a little. A small amount of parking is available next to the road.

This picture includes Hardknott Fort and it can be seen just to the left of the road. You might need to click on the picture to download the higher resolution version to be able to see it.

Along with finding out about the RAC poll yesterday we also got a visit from one of the CAMRA branch members delivering an envelope. In it was the letter of congratulations and stickers for our entry into the Good Beer Guide. 3rd year running.

We hope to have more news on this in a future post. Meanwhile, we'd like to thank the CAMRA branch for all thier work supporting and encouraging real ale pubs and breweries. Without CAMRA we would all be serving dead, tasteless, over-chilled, over-fizzy liquid in the name of beer.
A closer view of the top and most troublesome hairpin bend. It is almost imposable to do the road justice by camera. It really can be a problem to drivers unused to this type of road. The biggest problem for drivers who are used to this type of road are the drivers who are not. Because for us this road is Hardknott.

It's a long drive over this pass from Ambleside. But if you do make it all the way there is our little place about a mile from the bottom of the Eskdale side.

Please note our little Inn cannot be supported if toilets are used by people who do not spend any money with us. If you need a loo stop, please at least buy a coffee as well. The staff who clean the toilets need to be paid. The company that empty the sceptic tank don't do it for free (after all - would you?)

Also note that we are regularly asked to help stranded motorists who have worn out clutches, punctured both nearside tyres on rocks, overheated or otherwise rendered their vehicle un-drivable. We will try to help if we can, but mobile phones don't work here, BT don't maintain the phone network out here very well and so yes, the freephone number to the AA is not free here.

We do hope you visit us over the pass. Please take care with your driving, be considerate to other drivers (vehicles coming up have priority, always) and don't leave litter by the road.