Book now for the ultimate boy’s weekend

The Western Lake District is providing all the ingredients for the ultimate boys’ weekend this March, with motors, menus and manly exploits in abundance.

On March 1, 2008, the Malcolm Wilson Rally will be taking place in and around the historic Western Lake District market town of Cockermouth. Whilst this was the birthplace of poet William Wordsworth, this event is not much ado about nothing, being a fantastic day’s motorsport for both rally drivers and spectators alike.

45 miles of rallying will take place on classic Lakes stages, excellently maintained by The Forestry Commission. Starting and finishing in Cockermouth High Street, the stages will take competitors through the beautiful Whinlatter and Grizedale forests, close to the Lakeland town of Hawkshead, and back to Cockermouth via Greystoke, near Penrith.

Whinlatter Forest is England’s only mountain forest, planted after the First World War, to overcome a shortage of timber. It is now a wonderful recreational location, with children and adults alike enjoying a discovery of forest life via a network of waymarked, woodland paths.

Rally spectators may park at the Whinlatter Visitor Centre and follow signs to the stage, but all year round, this same centre is an ideal place at which to start a visit. The centre houses an audio-visual presentation delivered in the distinctive Cumbrian dialect, a walk-through badger sett, a model of life in a working forest and a gift shop and restaurant.

Guides to the forest can be purchased at the centre, enabling walkers and cyclists to both enjoy 14-miles of road, with walkers also able to take off up many other woodland paths. Wonderful views abound, whilst children can let off steam in a forest playground, or head off on a junior trail.

Those wishing to base a weekend around The Malcolm Wilson Rally, are spoilt for choice when it comes to excellent accommodation and food.

The Pheasant Inn, at Bassenthwaite, is an award-winning, AA rosetted, former coaching inn, with 15 individually decorated bedrooms available for those wishing to stay in comfort and enjoy some fabulous food.

Bed and breakfast at The Pheasant Inn costs between £85-£90 for a single room, on a bed and breakfast basis and between £113-£118 with dinner. A double room costs between £80-£85 and £108-£113 respectively.

Another great bed and breakfast option, right in the heart of Cockermouth, is 6 Castlegate, a six-bedroomed, high quality, 2* bed and breakfast establishment, within a Georgian townhouse.

Here, bed and breakfast costs £30-£45 per person, per night, with guests staying in en-suite rooms, equipped with internet access, modern furnishings and flatscreen TVs. Breakfast can be a choice of full Cumbrian delights or lighter options. Either way, it is freshly prepared, using local ingredients. Packed lunches can also be made up, on request and guests can also enjoy use of the Cockermouth leisure centre and pool.

Those staying on a B&B basis can enjoy fabulous food at a choice of restaurants within Cockermouth. Right opposite Six Castlegate lies the Qunice & Medlar, a multi award-winning vegetarian restaurant open Tuesday-Saturday.

Here, starters include delights such as Indian spinach globes, served in puff pastry with spicy yogurt, and sticky lemongrass rice. Main and dessert could be smoked Cumberland Cheese and Mushroom Roulade, served with a tomato and red wine sauce, followed by Cointreau and Chocolate Orange Terrine.

Meat and fish eaters can head to Seven Bar and Restaurant, off Main Street, Cockermouth, where they could enjoy a starter such as Mediterranean Meat Platter, or Crayfish and Smoked Salmon Cocktail, followed by a steak, Jerk Chicken, Spicy Pork Strips, Teriyaki and Ginger Glazed Salmon, or Seafood Paella.

Hearty lunches can also be enjoyed at Wellington Jerseys farm, for those loving home-made tray bakes and scones, or wonderful farm-food platters – not to mention the delicious Jersey ice-cream!

Those looking for another activity to enjoy during their stay might well be drawn to the Cockermouth-based Jennings Brewery, where real ale brewery tours can be enjoyed in March, April, May, June, September and October at 11am and 2pm every day between Monday and Saturday. In July and August, this increases to a seven-day-a-week basis.

Visitors can learn about the techniques used by this traditional brewer and complete the tour in the best possible way, with a few tipples of the superb Jennings Lakeland ales, in The Old Cooperage – an atmospheric bar, within the brewery.

Bookings can be reserved by calling 0845 129 7190 and evening tours are also available for groups, by appointment. Admission costs £4.95 for adults and £2 for children over the age of 12 only.

For more information on things to do in the Western Lake District, visit Western-lakedistrict.co.uk.