Wainwright, Britain's most famous walking hero and pioneer of the outdoors, regarded this area, with its deeply gouged valleys reached from the passes of Whinlatter, Honister and Newlands, as his favourite spot. Lorton is only about 5km south of Cockermouth, so is an optional stop-off for those departing from Workington.

To get to New House (below) on the B5289, you can either a) carry on straight through Loweswater for 3km on the road parallel with the route, or b) turn right onto the B5289 at the cross-roads just beyond the Lorton bridge. It's only 2km from the route.

1. Lorton		Back to
Hazel Thompson		New House Farm, Lorton, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA139UU
Tel		07841 159818
Web		www.newhouse-farm.com
Email		enquiries@newhouse-farm.co.uk
Rooms		5D, 1T (E-S)
B&B		£75
Packed Lunch		£7.50
Evening meal		£24 for 3 courses
Distance from C2C		2km
VisitBritain 5 stars		Which? Hotel of the year award winner
Pub 2km		Tea room now available

'Winning 17th century grade II listed farmhouse set in stunning surroundings, now boasting a tea room with declicious home-made produce. Beautiful antiques throughout compliment the original oak beams, flag floors and stone fireplaces where log fires crackle on colder days. Four posters, hot tub in the garden. Delicious food.'

Ann and Nick Lawler		Winder Hall Country House, Low Lorton, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9UP
Tel		01900 85107
Fax		01900 85479
Web		www.winderhall.co.uk
Email		stay@winderhall.co.uk
Rooms		7D, 2T, 2F, 2 Four-posters (E-S)
B&B		£37-£64; £71-£101 (DB&B)
EM		£26-£37
Distance from C2C		100m
5 Diamonds		Fine Dining Award

Beautiful hide-away location in a historic manor house just off C2C. Now a popular stopping off point for sandwiches and coffee mid-morning before the tough climb up Whinlatter. Also proving popular for afternoon teas. Those who like to take things easy might care to make this a stopping off point. Indeed, not a bad overnight for anyone coming back along the Reivers (about 3 miles south of the route down the B5292). The rooms are very pretty and the food is organic and excellent.

Christine Edmunds		Meadow Bank, High Lorton, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9UG
Tel		01900 85315
Web		www.MeadowBankbandb.co.uk
Email		CEdm85315@aol.com
Rooms		1D,1T (E-S)
B&B		£26 - £28
Packed Lunch		£4
Distance from C2C		300 m Pub 1 km

The reception here is as warm as the rooms and the location could hardly be bettered. Secure bike storage, drying facilities - pub close by and a great breakfast to see you on your way.

The first real challenge comes when you leave High Lorton: the uphill slog to Whinlatter, the first section of which is fairly unremitting, until you join the B5292 on the Whinlatter Pass. Now you should bear right along the forest track, then first left along the wide track, ignoring other routes to off to the right. This path takes you over rough terrain for a couple of kilometres before coming out on the B5292 again, at which point go left then right for the Whinlatter Visitor Centre (if for any reason the off-road track is closed, as it was when I last cycled the C2C, then continue along the road to the visitor centre).

You are in the heart of England's only mountain forest. Because of the pure mountain air a sanatorium used to stand in the Whinlatter Forest. Sailors with TB and other communicable diseases were kept there in isolation.

Just beyond the visitor centre the route goes sharp right down a forest track to Thornthwaite. It commands some stunning views of Bassenthwaite Lake. Take time, weather permitting, to admire Blencathra, Skiddaw and, over to the right, Helvellyn. There are plans for this whole area to have extensive mountain bike routes built, and for it to become a cycling `hub' for the northern Lakes. Also take time to have a good look around the visitor centre. A must for ornithologists, it also contains a wealth of forest habitat information and has a fine tea room.

At Thornthwaite the route links up with the Workington to Keswick alternative, via the Braithwaite and Portinscale, where there are some charming accommodation possibilities which I shall highlight atter outlining the Workington route.