I found this while browsing through the travel guides at the library and it sounded like a unique way to get to know the Lake District. The whole premise is that the writer and his son spend nine days cycling around the Lake District. It’s not a place that’s new to them, but it’s a great way for them to introduce us to bits of history and trivia about the Lakes.

To be honest, I read this book hoping to know what parts of the Lake District to prioritise and what parts could be skipped, but after finishing this book, I feel like there’s no way we can skip any of the lakes. They all sound marvellous, with their own unique points and I want to see them all.

The book was also useful in increasing my TBR list of books to read before our next visit. Apart from Beatrix Potter, this book reminded me that the Lake District is also the home of the Lake Poets, including William Wordsworth. Not to mention Tennyson’s version of the legend of Arthur, which is supposed to be inspired by St. Bega by Bassenthwaite Lake. It also introduced me to a new writer, Arthur Ransome, who’s book Swallows and Amazons is supposed to be based on Coniston Water and Windermere – it might be for children but it sounds like something I would enjoy (still a kid at heart, clearly).

Style-wise, this book is pretty light-hearted. The author gets lost quite a few times and never manages to see all the animals he hoped to spot, but he takes it all in good humour. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and chuckled a few times while reading it.

This has definitely made me more excited for the upcoming trip to the Lake District, although I still have no idea how we’re going to fit everything or what we’re going to prioritise.