Newby Bridge lies by the banks of the River Leven, just below lake Windermere, overshadowed by the Finsthwaite Height. Leaving the A590 you cross a handsome, five arched, stone bridge spanning the Leven and are immediately confronted with the Swan Hotel. The village or hamlet is very small, a few house dotted along the lane toward Lakeside The Leven is for the most part private fishing, however there are reasonable areas, both from the Swan’s grounds and a little west of the bridge, where you can get down to the waters edge. The leven is famed for salmon, and about a half a mile beyond the bridge it becomes turbulent, with impressive rapids and white waters. The rapids are a draw to cannoists, where throughout the year scores of these fragile little craft, all brightly coloured, can be seen struggling against the river's might. Along the river lane is the Newby Bridge Halt, one of the stops where you can take a short journey on the steam railway line. Volunteers keep the Halt in immaculate order, with flowers and shrubs and lickerty spit paint work, and when the train is standing at the platform huffing and puffing the picture is one of a more genteel age. Finsthwaite Height offers a good walk and is approached from a track by the bridge just beyond the Swan. The start is a bit steep but levels off to a pleasant trek through birch, oak and beech woodland, rising to a respectable four hundred feet. The air is crystal clear and lichen and moss grow to huge size. Wild life abounds and rare birds such as Tree Creeper, Owl, Kite and Buzzard have found refuge in this lesser know area. At the top of the fell is the tower. This odd feature, with its crenalated capital, appears in the middle of the woodland and was built in 1799 by James King of Finsthwaite House in honour of the men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines and their defeat of the French, Spanish and Dutch Fleets. Leaving the Swan on the Lakeside Road, you shortly come to Lakeside. Here there is the excellent Lakeside Hotel, the steamer pier, the Haverthwaite steam railway terminus and the Aquarium - a well presented, award winning, exhibition, following a lakeland river from its source high in the fells to its final destination in the surounding coastal seas. There are plenty of interactive bits for the kids and the high point is the glass tunnel where you walk under water with fish and ducks swimming above and by your side. The Aquarium has a nice cafe overlooking the lake and decent gift shop, On from Lakeside to the last of this little group of hamlets and the outskirts of Finsthwaite. The Stott Park Bobbin Mill, under the care of English Heritage, is one of the few remaining and best preserved working mills in the country. The guided visit takes about forty five minutes and you get a chance to come away with your own bobbin. Finsthwaite is again a collection of attractive traditional lakeland homes and farmsteads dotted along the lane and in the fells. The fine church was built by Pailey & Austin. In the churchyard you will find the grave of Clementina Douglas, reputed as the illegitimate daughter of The Young Pretender, and who it is said was conceived and raised at Waterside House. From Finsthwaite, just north of the church, is the start of a easy, delightful walk up to High Dam. Park up in NT car park and simply follow either the track or the old river bed and you will come to two of the prettiest tarns in the lakes. When you reach High Dam the path around the water is well marked and there is plenty to explore; you can hunt for mushrooms in the season or simply walk and picnic with young children. All good walks deserve a pint and a good meal and options have become pretty good in the last few years. The Swan, managed by my dear friend Paul Roebuck, has been completely refurbished, the inn that is! The setting on the banks of the Leven is idyllic, with a bar serving a good a pint in comfortable surrounds, a roaring fire in winter, guests spilling out onto the river bank in summer and all managed by the charming Elaine. There are two restaraunts, the brassiere down stairs, good and simple and the Mail Coach upstairs in the pitched, oak beamed roof, serving a more delicate cuisine. The Lakeside Hotel has views over Windermere and offers a good bar, a fine restaurant with superb cuisine set in genteel club like surrounds. Booking in season is advisable. Opposite the Lakeside is the newly opened Boaters inn, a sort of pub cum lounge bar and restaurant. The beer is good and the food is freshly prepared by the owners.