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Feature

02 Apr 2025

Photos by Craig Charters

The ultimate Lake District road trip

Exploring breathtaking landscapes and forging friendships with R12’s 2024 Lakes Tour 

Written by Glenn and Emma Jackson, Regional Organisers for Norfolk & Suffolk

Organising a captivating road trip in the picturesque Lake District was no small feat. To create an exceptional road book for our adventure, we dedicated countless hours to meticulously researching the best routes online. In fact, I spent more time than I care to admit on Google Street View, inspecting every local road. The last thing we wanted was to lead our convoy of Porsches down a narrow, winding country lane with no passing places, only to find ourselves wedged in a tight spot and completely stuck.
 
Having not visited the Lake District in more than 20 years, we knew we had to tap into the expertise of our friends, Dave and Judy Carter. Avid explorers of this breathtaking region, they have spent many a trip admiring the beauty of the Lake District. With another visit planned just a month before ours, they graciously offered to scout some of our proposed routes, ensuring we chose the safest and most scenic.
 
To further refine our itinerary, we reached out to local Regional Organisers Mike Trotter and David Baker. Their insights proved invaluable too, as they carefully reviewed our planned routes for any potential pitfalls and offered suggestions that enhanced our journey. Their extensive familiarity with the area helped us avoid common tourist traps and hidden hazards.
 
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The result was a fabulous four-day driving extravaganza across stunning landscapes. We were aware that this trip represented a significant investment of time and trust for our members and was potentially their sole holiday of the year. To our delight, 34 adventurous souls chose to join us and placed their faith in our planning (or perhaps simply embraced their wild sides!).
 
Our home for the duration of the trip was the delightful Daffodil Hotel & Spa in Grasmere. From the moment we arrived, the staff went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. Whether it was accommodating specific room requests or addressing dietary requirements, their hospitality was exceptional. In a generous gesture, they even cordoned off a section of the hotel car park exclusively for our cars.
 
Over the course of our adventure, our convoy covered nearly 400 miles of scenic driving, showcasing some of the most breathtaking vistas the UK has to offer. To chronicle this incredible journey, we enlisted the talent of Craig Charters, an automotive cinematographer who calls this beautiful region home. With his knowledge of the area’s hidden gems, Craig and his colleague Paul captured stunning photographs and footage over the two days they joined us. These visuals beautifully showcase our adventure and can be found in our travel album. 

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While our trip consisted of many experiences, there were a few memorable highlights that truly made it special. One involved Ronnie and Stacey, who brought their striking 991 GT3. During our journey, they hit a bump in the road that jolted their car into safe mode, accompanied by a cacophony of alarms. While the car remained drivable, it understandably caused a wave of concern. Thankfully, Porsche Assist came to the rescue, arranging to meet them along the route to inspect the vehicle and ensure they were safe. However, this incident did not dampen their spirits. They had initially planned to join us for just the first day of our four-day trip but, as the adventure unfolded, they were having so much fun that they made the remarkable decision to make the 600-mile round trip to rejoin us two days later!
 
Another highlight of our itinerary was a visit to Porsche Centre South Lakes, the oldest Official Porsche Centre in the UK and a delightful family-run business. Richard, the marketing manager, warmly welcomed our large group and treated us to an enlightening presentation about the history of the dealership. He showcased some fantastic old photographs, including a surprisingly quirky shot of comedian Ken Dodd promoting a 911 launch. As organisers, we were incredibly grateful that they allowed us to take over their showroom for a couple of hours, especially as we hailed from various Regions across the country. However, as we prepared to leave, we discovered that one of our members, Christopher, was occupied making an exciting purchase: a beautiful GT3 Touring that just happened to catch his eye in the showroom. It certainly made the 30-odd cups of coffee we received that morning well worth it for the business.
 
Reflecting on our journey, it’s clear that even the most meticulous planning can come with its share of learning experiences. One invaluable piece of advice I can offer is to think twice before attempting to drive the 300 miles back home on the Friday of a Bank Holiday weekend!

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Our adventure through the Lake District was more than just a road trip; it was an experience of camaraderie, trust and exploration. With every mile, we forged better connections within our community and embraced the thrill of the open road. Every moment, from the tiniest mishaps to the greatest triumphs, contributed to a tapestry of shared stories that brought us all together, making us eager to plan the next adventure. 
 
So, here’s to future journeys, new friendships and the enduring love of the road. Thank you to everyone who joined us on this unforgettable journey.

Watch Craig Charters’ video of the journey:
 

This feature was written by Glenn and Emma Jackson R12 joint ROs, and first appeared in the February 2025 issue of our monthly Club magazine, Porsche Post. 
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