Beautiful wood sculptures to look out for while you’re out and about exploring the Lake District
8 curiosities you may have spotted on your way through the Central and South Lakes
When travelling as a passenger in a car or on public transport, there are all sorts of unusual landmarks and intriguing features to be spotted around the Lakes. Here are the stories behind them.
Staying at home: Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the Lake District
Should you visit the Lake District during the COVID-19 crisis? At the time of writing, the Lake District National Park Authority and Cumbria Tourism are urging anyone considering travelling to the Lake District for exercise to remain at home, despite the change in rules which come into force tomorrow (13 May 2020). Sadly the Lake…
10 beautiful places to calm and recharge the mind – each in just the space of an afternoon
Recently I had a conversation with someone about holidays and the Lake District, during which they were saying what a shame it is that despite living just outside the Lakes, they rarely have time to explore what’s on their doorstep. Those are almost exactly the words I would have used myself before I started this…
Explore 200 years of boating heritage at the NEW Windermere Jetty
If you’ve been following the blog for a while now, you may remember that I’ve written on a couple of occasions about a new visitor attraction due to open on the eastern shore of Windermere – the Windermere Jetty Museum of Boats, Steam and Stories. And after much anticipation, this £20 million attraction finally opens…
Explore somewhere unique with Cumbria’s National Garden Scheme
It may be a little bit (OK, very) chilly outside at the moment, but as I passed a leaflet rack at the exit to the supermarket yesterday, a very welcome sight was waiting to greet me – the new season’s Cumbria National Garden Scheme guide! I’ve mentioned the National Garden Scheme on the blog before…
10 short walks in the Lake District with tearooms
After the hustle and bustle of the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year, it’s lovely to return to the quieter months of January and February, and to return to finding enjoyment in some of life’s simpler pleasures. And what could be simpler but more thoroughly enjoyable than a gentle Lake District walk followed by a leisurely pot of tea in a nice warm tearoom? If this idea appeals to you, here are some popular – and less well known – short walks with tearooms you may like to add to your list in the next few weeks and months. To…
A festive tour of Keswick town centre
Earlier this week I spent a couple of hours one afternoon in Keswick in the North Lakes and, as always, the atmosphere there was great. I’ve previously written about why you should go shopping in Keswick here. I found myself drawn to photographing some of the lovely shop windows and Christmas light displays in the…
Kirkby Lonsdale: Independent shops, characterful buildings and a stunning river view
Whilst it may be tempting to explore only the towns and villages of the Central Lakes during your time in the Lake District, it’s also well worthwhile investigating those on the edge of, and just outside, the World Heritage Site itself. The small market town of Kirkby Lonsdale is situated in the south-eastern corner of…
Explore historic Troutbeck on a self-guided walk
The peaceful and historic South Lakeland village of Troutbeck is a hidden gem bursting with character, traditional Lakeland buildings, and magnificent views – and one way to explore Troutbeck for yourself is with the help of the village’s very own ‘Discover Troutbeck Self-Guided Walk Map’. Situated along the side of Wansfell overlooking the Troutbeck valley,…
A ‘gem hunter’s’ guide to the village of Grasmere
If you enjoy exploring villages, you’re sure to want to visit Grasmere during your time in the Lake District. Completely surrounded by colourful and atmospheric fellsides, it’s a great base from which to begin one of several walks, or the ideal place to explore as part of a slightly less energetic day out – and…
10 places to enjoy autumn in the Central and Southern Lake District
In previous years I’ve visited various parts of the Lakes in search of the best autumn sights, so here is a selection of just some of my favourite places at this time of year.
Transporting you to the past: the Lakeland Motor Museum
Situated at Backbarrow, at the southern tip of Windermere lake, the Lakeland Motor Museum is a must-see for car enthusiasts, and is equally as enjoyable for everyone else too.
A walk to Hampsfell Hospice, Grange-over-Sands
I’ve often been intrigued by photographs of Hampsfell Hospice, an imposing square stone shelter on the top of Hampsfell, above the seaside town of Grange-over-Sands, and had added it to my mental checklist of places to visit if I ever got the chance. As luck would have it, I recently spotted a guided walk to…
Things to do for free in the Lake District with National Trust membership
If you’re a National Trust member, there are a number of places in and around the Lake District you might consider visiting during your stay in the area. Most are included in the cost of annual membership, which could make membership worthwhile if you don’t have it already, and all are really worth seeing (note:…
10 curiosities in the Lake District’s gardens
Gardens are one of my favourite things to spend time photographing, so I’ve visited quite a few around the Lake District over the years. I find myself particularly drawn to anything a bit unusual, and so for this post I thought I’d put together a list of some of the most interesting garden curiosities I’ve…
A gem-hunter’s guide to Cartmel
The pretty village of Cartmel lies just south of the Lake District and around two miles north-west of the coastal town of Grange-over-Sands, near to the Furness Peninsula. If you love quaint old buildings then you’ll adore the centre of the village, and there are a number of things you might like to see and…
A historic gem in the North Lakes: Castlerigg Stone Circle
A Lake District gem I’ve been meaning to visit for ages is the Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick – and recently I finally ticked it off my list (albeit on a thoroughly miserable day when the sky became increasingly grey and eventually I got very wet – a complete contrast to the incredible weather we’ve…
10 things you’ll want to know about the Lake District pound
You may have heard in the news recently that a new currency was launched earlier this month in the Lake District, the Lake District Pound. It’s one of a few local currencies to be launched in the UK, with existing ones including the Bristol Pound, Totnes Pound and Brixton Pound. So if you haven’t visited…
A picturesque gem in Little Langdale: Blea Tarn
If you’re a regular reader of the blog, you may have noticed that I’ve been a little quieter than usual so far in 2018. Is that because I’m starting to run out of hidden gems to discover in the Lake District? Absolutely not! Work and other things have rather taken over recently, but last week…