Last September on the blog, regular readers may remember that I visited the Windermere Jetty construction site on a guided tour for the Heritage Open Days weekend. Windermere Jetty is currently being built by Lakeland Arts on the site of the original Windermere Steamboat Museum, and when finished, will house a collection of historic boats…
The world’s oldest topiary garden: Levens Hall, near Kendal
Although the gardens at Levens Hall, near Kendal, are world-famous for their historic topiary, in my experience it’s a less well known fact just how important the gardens really are. Levens Hall holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s oldest topiary garden, and with over 100 pieces to look after, the gardeners have their…
We won! The Lake District becomes a World Heritage Site
Wow. Today was full of anticipation in the Lakes, as we waited for the result of the latest World Heritage bid. After keeping an eye on the UNESCO Twitter feed on and off all day, this afternoon I headed to the compost heap, and when I returned the Lake District had become a UNESCO World…
Will the Lake District become a World Heritage Site?
For some time now, organisations from around the Lake District have been working together on a bid to make the Lake District a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There have been previous bids to achieve World Heritage status over the years, but suddenly the decision on the latest attempt is just around the corner, with the…
Full steam ahead at The Millerbeck Light Railway
The Millerbeck Light Railway is a perfect example of the hidden gems I set out to discover when I set up my blog, and most definitely qualifies as a Lake District gem! A non-commercial railway in the private grounds of a house, it opens to visitors for special event days, which are listed on its…
10 ideas for Father’s Day in the Lake District
With Father’s Day just around the corner, you might well be looking for places to enjoy a leisurely day out in Lake District, so in this post I thought I would put together a few ideas especially for dads! I’ve thrown in a couple of events, as well as recommendations for local attractions. Fingers crossed…
Where the National Trust began: Allan Bank, Grasmere
I always love hearing which are your favourite Lake District Gems, and it was thanks to the recommendations of two blog readers that I recently visited somewhere new to me: Allan Bank in Grasmere. Allan Bank is a relatively recent addition to the National Trust’s visitor offerings in the Lake District, and was opened to…
A visit to Derwent Island House
Always on the lookout for something a bit different to visit in the Lake District, I was intrigued to come across Derwent Island House on the National Trust’s website. This historic house, which dates in part back to the 1700s, opens to the public for just five days each year. There’s just one catch though:…
The bluebells of Loughrigg Terrace
One of the things I like most about spring is that it’s a season of many layers, with each spring flower and plant taking its own star turn – daffodils, camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas and tulips… and now it’s the turn of the delightful bluebell. Famous places to see great displays of bluebells in the Lake…
Book review: The Lake District Quiz Book
When I was asked if I would like to review a new book, The Lake District Quiz Book by local publisher Inspired by Lakeland, there was only one possible answer. A book? Involving quizzing and the Lake District? That’s three of my favourite things rolled into one! And if you’re a fan of curious Lake…
A viewpoint not to be missed: Friar’s Crag, Keswick
No visit to Keswick would be complete without taking in the views across and along Derwentwater. But while many visitors know that the lakeshore can be reached beyond the Theatre by the Lake, just outside Keswick itself, fewer people know about the short walk to nearby Friar’s Crag – and to miss the views here…
What exactly is the Baddeley Clock in Windermere?
If you’ve ever taken the drive along New Road and Lake Road between the village of Windermere and neighbouring Bowness-on-Windermere, you may have noticed a small but intriguing clock tower halfway between the two. You may even have walked past, but not stopped to take a proper look at the inscription on the front. It’s…
25 things to do in the Lake District with dogs
Although I’m not a dog owner myself, I do rather like the idea of recruiting a four-legged gem-hunting companion – I think we’d make a good team, so maybe one day soon! In the meantime though, I know that many of you like to bring your own dogs on holiday with you to the Lake…
A scenic road trip along the eastern shore of Derwentwater (and a few tips learned!)
Of all the stretches of water in the Lake District I’ve visited so far, Derwentwater has to have one of the nicest atmospheres I’ve experienced. It holds great memories for me because, as a child at primary school, I used to canoe on the lake. Although I can’t remember which area of the lake we…
Three must-see spring gardens in the Lake District
All the signs of spring are fast appearing: spring bulbs are forming carpets of colour by the roadsides, the daffodils are fast appearing, and BBC2’s Gardeners’ World starts its new series tonight – and there’s no more reliable sign than that! I find springtime one of the most exciting times of the year, not only…
A brief visit to Ambleside Roman Fort
Recently I wrote about historic Ambleside, and how you could get to know this charming little market town by following the Ambleside Heritage Trail. As I mentioned though, the history of Ambleside dates back much further than the buildings you will see in town, and begins with the Romans at a site you can still…
Record-breaking Lake District: 17 intriguing facts
Every now and again I’ll hear an interesting fact about the Lake District and think, ‘Another record belonging to the Lake District – I should collect them for a post!’ Well, having gathered a few facts now, the time has finally come, and although I’m sure I’ll have missed many more along the way, here…
Exploring historic Ambleside: a trail of hidden heritage
If stopping off in Ambleside for only a short space of time, it could be easy to dismiss the town as a rather large collection of outdoor shops, with little else to offer. According to one local shopkeeper I spoke to on a recent wander around town, this is the impression that some visitors to…
Book review: Photographing the Lake District by Stuart Holmes
Book reviews have been on my list of things to feature on the blog for some time now, and as I know many of you are planning breaks in the Lake District this year, I thought it would be a good time to review the first of many Lake District guides which are available –…
The amazing miniature world of moss
A few years ago I did a photography course over the winter, only to realise that it was the worst time of year I could have chosen. I was rapidly developing an interest in the photography of gardens (sorry about the pun – it was that or ‘growing an interest in garden photography!) and, except…