Longland Lake Country Park — Attraction in Cleator Moor

This is a secret location for a small lake just south of Cleator Moor in the north western Lake District. The entrance off the main road looks like a small industrial estate but there is a sign showing an area of natural beauty, if you know what the road sign looks like. It's a bit like the old "sports for all symbol".

Once you drive off the main road and between some houses to an area with a few buildings, look for the track on the right, just wide enough for a car. The sign for a place of natural beauty is at the top of the track again. When you turn the bend you'll see a rough car park and best go as far as you can.

Walk across the bridge and then straight ahead. My only criticism, hence 4/5 stars, is the map on the plinth is completely opposite to the site itself, so can be disorientating to look at.

However, if you walk straight over the bridge and keep going, you soon see a clearing and picnic tables. It's such a peaceful spot to have a little meal and relax.

You can walk or cycle around this small lake. I saw two lads ride around the lake in a matter of minutes. There are jetties all around, so you can walk out and daggle your bare feet in the water or even throw a line for fishing, I suppose. I didn't see any sign saying "no fishing".

A local man said he saw some big trout in there but I already had my fish and chips from the chippy in Frizington, just north of Cleator, the shop that gave me directions to the lake. It took me just over 5 minutes to drive here from the Fish & Chip shop.

Warning: Don't swim in the lake, even on a very hot day, as the water will still...

Beautiful Place

Longlands Lake is on the site of the former Longlands iron ore mine, which first produced ore in 1879 from four pits. West Cumbria haematite was particularly valued because of its high metal content (51% on average at Longlands). However, by 1924 the mines had been abandoned, and in 1939 the mines started to subside, flooding the area to create what is now Longlands Lake.

Longlands was aquired by Cumbria County Council in 1980, and through sensitive management is now a haven for wildlife of all kinds. The combination of open water, the confluence of the Rivers Ehen and Keekle, herb-rich grassland, gorse scrub and broadleaved woodland invites a broad range of bird species. There is a wide variety of wildflowers, which are at their best in early summer. There is a parking area near the lake, picnic areas, a path which goes round the lake, and a seperate path which goes to the remains of the old forge, then on...

What a lovely spot for a nice easy walk around a small lake. There are plenty of birds to see and hear. A few duck and a Swan on the lake to feed, although someone takes a lot of bread down on a regular bases, which is not really that good for the ducks, and tend to fill them up which spoils the experience for the kids.

Lots of benches to sit and rest of watch the wildlife.

One big complaint!! People DONT CLEAN UP AFTER THERE DOGS and we have had to clean it off the pram wheels and kids boots too many times for...