A blog exploring the Lake District's hidden gems and best-kept secrets
My first visit to Brougham Castle was on a coach trip while I was at secondary school. Digital cameras were not mainstream then, but I proudly took photos of the castle’s many wonderful features with my point-and-click film camera, and thought it strange that when I’d taken 26… 27… 28… […]
The newly rebranded Laura Ashley The Belsfield Hotel, was first built as a private house for the Baroness von Sternberg in the 19th century. The Belsfield is now operated by Corus Hotels, and is only the second Laura Ashley-branded hotel, the other being The Manor in Elstree. I’ve been meaning […]
Today the rain had gone away and at times the sun was shining, so this afternoon I made my way to Country Fest, which is an annual show organised by the Westmorland County Agricultural Society (organisers of the Westmorland County Show) and held at the County Showfield, Crooklands. Happily tired […]
Thankfully the weather was dry for the 2015 Troutbeck Garden Trail, and the sunshine even made an appearance in the afternoon. Instead of writing about the trail, I thought I’d pick 15 of my favourite photos to share with you. They were quick snaps taken using my camera phone, and […]
The beautiful walk to High Dam, above Finsthwaite, on the western shore of Windermere, is a route that surprisingly few people seem to have heard of, so I’ve broken my own rules of blogging (i.e. no walking on this blog), to tell you a little more about it… I recently […]
There is a densely wooded and highly atmospheric area of landscape to the south and west of Windermere which, to me, is quite distinct from other parts of the Lake District. I include in this description places such as Newby Bridge, Backbarrow, Lakeside and Finsthwaite, and I always enjoy spending […]
It seems a shame to write about events only after they’ve taken place, so this time I thought I’d let you know about an upcoming date for the diary in advance. If you’re wondering how to spend the last Bank Holiday Monday in May, I have one favourite suggestion that […]
Townend, a National Trust property in Troutbeck, is one of those places that I’ve known about for years, but had never actually visited. Since starting my blog, however, I’ve been on the lookout for fun and unusual things to see, and my interest was piqued when I noticed an appeal […]
Although the term can be overused, Holehird Gardens, just outside Windermere, are what I would truly describe as a ‘hidden gem’. Whenever I visit, I feel like I’ve been transported to another world of complete peace and tranquility. On a warm day, it is heavenly to relax on one of […]
Yesterday morning was one of those fresh breezy April starts to the day, but still lovely and sunny after the recent good weather we’ve been having. What better way to spend the day then, than to go to the annual Damson Day celebrations in the beautiful Lyth Valley?
The Wild Boar, situated on the picturesque Crook Road between Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, has become increasingly well-known for its smokehouse and microbrewery, the products of which are visible across its extensive restaurant menu. What better opportunity to find out more about it all, than to visit the hotel’s second Festival […]
The Rheged Centre, which can be found just off the A66 outside Penrith, is an impressive and unusual building, designed to blend in with the grass landscape that surrounds it. The main entrance is vast and surrounded by stone – appearing to be set in a hillside, I would describe […]