The Lake District is, if you will, not 'gay scene', and is a bit thin on the ground for gay mecca fun and larks? The Gay Times does point to some great clubs, discos and saunas in places like Carlisle, and check out the Steam Packet in Workington. What some gay friendly guesthouse owners have suggested is that many of their guests are 'non-scene', and simply come to the Lake District to escape.
Gay networks and the scene seem to be building nicely in areas like Kendal however. Says Jo Moore of the group 'Out' in Kendal, "There is no reason why urban centres should have a monopoly on gay initiatives". Three cheers to that!
www.gaytimes.co.uk www.rainbownetwork.com Pink Weddings state the following on the Lake District Gay Scene, "We know there is one, but if you can find it and let us know then we will send you something bubbly". www.pinkweddings.biz/venues/cumbria.htm. Find gay friendly Lake District accommodation
Ah, the twin bed nightmare! Gay friendly accommodation means a warm and friendly welcome to gay and lesbian guests, usually located close to gay bars, gay saunas and gay clubs, but not so much in the Lake District which needs to work a little harder on it's scene! Some gay friendly accommodations may be gay owned, some not.
Know what you want before booking, make it clear to the hotel, guesthouse or accommodation owner and this way you're more likely to end up with the perfect gay friendly accommodation venue for you! There's always a bit of luck involved if you're visiting an area for the first time!
Some gay friendly guesthouses may be exclusively gay, some gay friendly welcoming all. Check out 'Gay Times. Great Britain and Ireland', by John Szponarski for some useful tips or the Spartacus International Gay Guide.