Chase waterfalls in the South Lakes this Autumn

If you want to go chasing waterfalls, the South Lakes is the place to be in the run up to Christmas, as both the representation and the reality of the magnificent power of water come to life, both indoors and out.

An indoor waterfall experience is already wowing visitors to the Abbot Hall Art Gallery, in Kendal, Cumbria, where Maggi Hambling's No Straight Lines: Waves and Waterfalls exhibition opened on November 6.

A series of monumental and dramatic waterfalls is on show to the public for the first time, encompassing three paintings, the full height of the gallery walls, depicting water cascading from ceiling to floor.

Abbot Hall is also boasting another coup, having Maggi Hambling's exciting new monoprints on display for the first time. These capture the essence of waves and waterfalls, on a smaller scale and demonstrate the versatility of the artist.

Hambling's recent North Sea Paintings, which also form part of the exhibition, convey her slant on waves and surf, physically expressing the powerful and restless movement of the sea. Also on show are her bold paintings and charcoal sketches, of leading figures such as Max Wall, Oscar Wilde and Stephen Fry. These works, alongside representations of her mother, father and lover, Henrietta Moraes, truly demonstrate her expressionistic style and dynamism.

This range of fabulous work by Maggi Hambing is on display at Abbot Hall until December 21. The Abbot Hall Gallery opens from Monday to Saturday, 10.30am-4pm and admission costs £5.00, providing access to the permanent exhibition in the ground floor rooms, as well as the No Straight Lines: Waves and Waterfalls exhibition. For further details visit Abbothall.org.uk.

Those seeking their own artistic inspiration from waterfalls have a few great choices in the South Lakes. Turning off the A591 - recently voted the best road in Britain thanks to its stunning scenery - enables you to park and walk up the road to Wordworth's former home at Rydal Mount. This is well worth a visit thanks to both fabulous cultural insights and stunning views over the Lake District's largest and smallest lakes.

Opposite Rydal Mount is Rydal Hall and, by walking round the Hall building, waterfall-seekers can set a course for the Rydal Falls and Rydal Beck. The Falls can be seen to both the left and right of a bridge across the beck, amidst a beautiful setting. Welcome warm refreshments can also be enjoyed in the tearoom at Rydal Hall, once this force of nature has been fully appreciated.

Another impressive waterfall can be enjoyed on a thirty-minute walk to Stockghyll Force from Ambleside, just a few minutes drive from Rydal. Arriving at these much-loved falls is easily achieved, by walking up the road behind Ambleside's Salutation Hotel, where signs point the way.

Stockghyll Force is located within the woodland of Stockghyll Park and is best viewed by walking along the left-hand side of its beck, before crossing over a footbridge and strolling along the right side of the stream. The cascading display of water produced by this gorge waterfall is a firm favourite and the walk demands little, even from walking softies!

The final waterfall option can be found in the award-winning attraction, The Aquarium of the Lakes, which traces the journey of water from the Cumbrian fells to the area's lakes and down to the coast.

The Aquarium is home to freshwater fish such as carp, pike, sturgeon and Arctic Char, as well as creatures living around riverbanks, including otters, harvest and dormice and diving ducks.

Visitors move through a series of themed zones, enjoying two-level viewing and a fantastic underwater tunnel. The first of the zones is Mountain Top, where an attractively designed waterfall greets the arrivals, creating the right atmosphere and setting the mood from the word off.

Admission to the all-weather attraction, open throughout the winter, costs £7.50 for an adult ticket £5.00for a child and £6.50 for concessions. Family tickets start at £22.00. Further details are available at Aquariumofthelakes.co.uk.

If you fancy chasing waterfalls in the stunning South Lakes this Autumn, explore a range of accommodation options at Lakelandgateway.info or Golakes.co.uk A stay in the South Lakes will allow you to explore an area boasting more things to do, within a small geographical radius than probably any other part of the country.