Santa Special at Threlkeld Quarry

On a bitterly cold and grey December afternoon, William and Merryn braved the outside carriages on the Santa Special. They very much enjoyed sitting behind Ian the engine driver and his collie dog Jip, who howled with excitement when the tooting engine horn signalled the start of the ride! Mince pies and mulled wine kept the adults happy whilst there was a trip to see Father Christmas in his decorated portacabin grotto (!) for the children.

The Quarry and Museum is normally open seven days a week between Easter and October with plenty on offer for families and adult visitors alike. The location is well within reach of several Keswick cottages in the area.

Set in dramatic scenery on the edge of Keswick the Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum is run by enthusiastic staff and volunteers. The site offers an underground tour, a geology and mining museum and a shop. There is free parking should you be travelling from further afield.

Sir Tom is a jewel in the crown for the Quarry, having undergone a complete restoration after its arrival in 2001. The narrow gauge locomotive hauls passenger trains on a daily basis during the summer months and at Christmas operates the Santa Special! The train ride travels up hill past the engine sheds and vintage machinery, right into the heart of the blasted out fell side. It's a great treat for children.

Another highlight is the guided tour through a reconstructed lead/copper mine, which takes around forty-five minutes and is led by highly knowledgeable guides. Within the extensive site there is also a rather unique collection of vintage quarry machinery.

The Quarry Room is quite absorbing, explaining the geology of the Lake District and displaying samples of rock from important Cumbrian locations. Threlkeld Quarry was opened around 1870 and mined continuously until 1937. Operations carried on from 1949 until 1982 when the quarry closed and was mostly dismantled. It was saved by volunteers and built back up to the interesting resource that it is today.

The museum sits in the disused microgranite quarry in an area of the Lake District where copper, iron, lead, zinc, tungsten, graphite, barites and fluorite were mined. It contains a fascinating array of artefacts, plans and photographic records of explorations of many local mines. Walkers may find particular interest in the photographs featuring well-known fells and their changing faces after years of mining activity.

There are several Lake District cottages in the area making an ideal base from which to explore this dramatic mining landscape.

Keswick – A Few Ideas

Keswick is awash with activities you can do straight from your front door. Come rain or shine there are an abundance of things to keep you occupied whether it be indoor or outdoor. The choice is yours but here are just a few ideas.

George Fishers
Although not the cheapest outdoor shop in Keswick, it certainly prides itself on knowledgeable staff and excellent customer service. It’s an experience just browsing the floors of clothing and equipment. Up in the rafters you will find the lovely Abraham’s Tea Room named after the famous Abraham brothers who originally owned the entire premises as their photographic shop. Around the shop you can see memorabilia and photographs from their era. Fishers offer an expert boot fitting service and you may also hire boots for fell walking.

Keswick Launch
A short walk from the town centre takes you to the lakeshore where you can sit on the newly installed benches and admire the view across the lake. This is also the main landing point for the Keswick Launch, a 50 minute boat trip around the lake. Choose to stay on for the full 50 minutes and admire the beautiful views or hop on and off as many times as you like at any of the 7 landing stages around the lake. There are several Keswick cottages in the area which will only enhance your visit should you choose to stay at one.

Walking!
Keswick Rambles offer a selection of walks to suit different abilities every day during the summer. Outside peak season times of March till October it is best to check their website or ring ahead first. Setting off from the Moot Hall each morning, you are in safe hands with expert leaders who know every inch of the fells.

Fun on the Lake
There are four islands on Derwentwater one of which has a house and private boat landing. Enter into the spirit of Swallows and Amazons and take a boat and picnic out to any of the three smaller islands and make your own adventure. The islands are wooded, with sandy bays, ideal for den building or just admiring the view from a different perspective.

Java
A great spot for coffee. In the summer you can sit outside in the market square and people watch. Or bag the sofas inside to enjoy something from the chocolate fountain!

Ye Olde Friars Sweet Shop
Covering two floors and nearly a thousand different confectionary products, Friars has been in the same family since 1927. There is a floor to ceiling selection of Jelly Beans of offer, Lake District specialty fudge, handcrafted chocolates and various quirky edible gifts and sets.

Fitz Park Play Area
The play area opened in 2010 designed and cleverly divided up for a variety of ages. There are picnic benches inside and out of the perimeter fence and the play area is gated for peace of mind.

Keswick Leisure Pool
The swimming pool is well set up for family fun with its giant slide and plunge pool. There is a wide shallow end ideal for smaller ones and non swimmers, tapering into a deep but not too deep end complete with wave machine.


Bike Hire
Mountain biking in the Lake District has grown as an adventure sport
The leisure pool is one of several places in Keswick where you can hire a bike and the ride along the old railway line is ideal for beginners and families. For the more adventurous try Keswick Mountain Bikes or the Cyclewise centre in Whinlatter Forest. KMB offer a multi day hire service and can recommend route and provide laminated route cards. Cyclewise is an award-winning centre for all things mountain biking situated almost on the start of the Red and Blue graded trails.

Climbing Wall
A rainy day need not prevent you from getting out on the fells to walk or climb.
The newly situated climbing wall has climbs for all abilities, offers lessons to master the basics and a large bouldering area with crash pads. The climbing wall is only a few minutes from Castlerigg Stone Circle and the two can easily be combined. The climbing centre has over 40 top rope climbs. Popular lessons start from £10 including tuition for parents on how to hold ropes whilst children climb.

Castlerigg Stone Circle
The megalithic circle at Castlerigg is thought to be one of the earliest examples in Europe. As a popular tourist attraction, you could visit any day of the summer holidays and share it with countless others. But my recommendation is to come back later and catch the last rays of the setting sun. Not only will you take some really spectacular photos but also the circle will be deserted and you can fully appreciate what a magical place it is.

With Keswick being such a hub of activity staying in one of the many Lake District cottages in the area seems like a no brainer. It makes it much easier to get out and about.

Wasdale – The Crucible Of Rock Climbing In The Lake District

The Lake District is one of the most important climbing areas in the UK. Climbers were attracted by the scale and majesty of the Lakeland crags and it was natural that the Valley of Wasdale beneath the greatest of the Lake District Mountains - Scafell Pike, Scafell and Great Gable - was the original hub for Lakeland climbing.

The ascent of Napes Needle on the flanks of Great Gable by William Haskett Smith in 1886 was a landmark in British climbing and is considered to be one of the first proper rock climbs in the country.

Although the summit of Scafell Pike is famed as the highest of the Lakeland Fells and therefore the highest point in England, it is Scafell along side, which has the more craggy features and which has always been the forcing ground for Lakeland Climbing.

It was on these crags that Bottrill made his ground-breaking ascent of the great unclimbed slab on Scafell Crag in 1903. Incredibly, in total extremis and seemingly climbing for his life, he was still able to raise his hat to a passing lady – history records that he was a true gentleman rather than a serial womanizer. In those days these hardened climbers used to ‘bivvy’ on the fells so they could get an early rise at the foot of the crags, how they must have longed for Lake District holiday cottages to come back to in the evenings for a bit warmth and a home cooked meal. If only they had been thought of back then!

There was another enormous step forward in 1914 when Siegfried Herford made the first ascent of the Central Buttress of Scafell Crag – This was by far the hardest climb in the UK at the time and it wasn’t superceded for many years.

Since then, three generations of Birkett’s have left their mark on climbing in the Lake District. Jim Birkett brought the extreme grade to the Lakes with his ascents on Castle Rock and the East Buttress of Scafell.

Don Whillans was at the forefront of Lakes Climbing in the fifties and early sixties and with ascents such as Extol in the Ullswater Valley, there was a short period where Scafell was usurped by the Eastern Crags.

Climbing standards in the Lake District were pushed through the extremes in the seventies and eighties by such brilliant climbers as Pete Bottrell, Pete Whillance and Pete Livesy. Then in the nineties Dave Birkett took up where his grandfather left off, pushing standards through the roof and putting the Lake District back in it’s rightful place at the top of the British Climbing. He set new standards throughout the Lake District - from Borrowdale to Langdale but his greatest contribution was naturally in Wasdale!

Rock Climbing can be great fun for all the family and if you are planning your own trip rock climbing, there are plenty of perfect Lake District cottages which make an ideal base camp!

Dodd Wood – A Different View of the Lake District

Dodd Wood is a hidden gem in the Lake District and well worth a visit. A modest subsidiary peak of the giant Skiddaw range, its height belies the stunning panorama from the summit. The forest itself is part of the Mirehouse Estate featuring many different conifers and character tearoom.

The Old Sawmill tearoom is situated in what was a working sawmill until 1970. The original saw blade is on display along with various forestry tools, old photographs and local history. Enjoy the wood burning stove through the colder months or if it’s warmer sit outside at the picnic tables and enjoy the sounds of the forest in the summer. There are several Lake District holiday cottages in the area which make a great base to explore this beautiful area.

Particular favourites include the Old Sawmill Special – a large Cumberland sausage in a roll, Welsh Rarebit muffins and yummy gingerbread cake. Here you can also purchase Forestry Commission trail maps to guide you around the forest.

Home to the Lake District Osprey Project, there are two viewpoints in Dodd Wood both of which are staffed with knowledgeable volunteers. High powered fixed telescopes and binoculars are provided by the project so you can watch the Ospreys nesting across the lake, fishing, feeding and flying. Since 2001 Ospreys have nested at Bassenthwaite and raised at least one chick successfully each year. You can normally see them between April and September.

As well as Ospreys, Dodd Wood is a natural habitat for roe deer, buzzards and red squirrels. Look out for the different types of spruce, larch, pine and fir as you make your way through the wood. The circular walk from the tearoom to the summit is just over 4 miles following a mixture of paths and forestry tracks. Using the Forestry Commission guide you can chose from four routes ranging from gentle strolls to the rewarding climb to the summit, all of which are way marked with different colour wooden posts.

The walk through the forest to the summit is rewarding as any of the larger fells in the area and involves much less effort. If you have a dog it is great evening or morning walk, there are plenty of Lake District cottages in the area that are pet friendly. A variety of paths and forest tracks weave their way through the woods, eventually clearing the tree line to the summit to give an unrivalled panorama. From left to right, a clear day will give beautiful views of Latrigg and the Helvellyn range beyond, Derwentwater and the Borrowdale Fells, Great Gable, Scafell Pike, Catbells and the Newlands group with the High Stile Group beyond, Coledale Fells, Whinlatter and beyond Bassenthwaite Lake you can see the Solway Firth, Galloway Hills and the Southern Uplands.

Make sure you pay it a visit next time you are in the area.

Greenlands Farm – Fun For All

This is a great place to stop off on your way up to the Lake District if you have a young family. We’ve just come back from a brilliant day at Greenlands Farm. Situated about 5 minutes from Junction 35 on the M6 motorway, just before you reach the Kendal and Windermere turnoff at Junction 36.

The farm itself is small and it was easy to keep an eye on nine children (we were four adults though to be fair). There were pigs, several varieties of sheep (with their lambs), horses, chickens, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice …Bruno was so pleased to be given a bottle to feed the lambs with and Daisy got to hold a chick that was only a few days old. Later on the guinea pigs and rabbits came out to be held and stroked. There is also a big barn that has straw bales to sit on, a playground to play on and plenty of toy tractors to brum on. It reminded me of the good old days growing up on a farm in Eskdale (in the Lake District). We spent a long time here just sitting at the picnic benches and watching the children play, before setting out on a short walk through the fields to the duck pond to feed the ducks. There are also pony and trap rides and while we didn’t manage to fit this in, the kids still loved sitting on the trap without pony in the barn!

There is more to Greenlands Farm Village than just the farm. Wellies café serves good food and I was especially pleased with my pizza cooked in the wood burning pizza oven. We sat upstairs which meant that we didn’t need to worry about annoying other café guests with nine children all talking ten to the dozen (well those that can talk that is – what will we do when they can all speak?).

There is also a farm shop, a dangerous shop selling all sorts of brilliant toys for kids, a wine shop, a plant centre, The Loft (selling a range of products from different local businesses), Macmillan-Clare Designer Goldsmiths jewellery and a pottery shop (with workshops and drop in sessions). Add to that a soft play area and you may find that it takes you a lot longer to get to one of the many Lake District cottages in the area than you originally intended!

Greenlands Farm Village is just outside the Lake District and is about an hour’s drive from Eskdale or Keswick, To get to Wasdale from Greenlands Farm Village it is about an hour and a half. For Satnav users, use Burton Road, Carnforth to find Greenlands Farm.

Whinlatter Forest (near Keswick)

Kids Keswick is a superb guide of 50 things to do with children in and near to Keswick (and the Borrowdale valley). One such extract leads families to Whinlatter Forest, just above the village of Braithwaite (5 mins from Keswick). I took the children there while Grandad and Uncle Simon went on the Go Ape high ropes course – we could follow them around while having a fabulous time playing on the absolutely fantastic (free) playground that they have there. This opened in May 2011 and should be included on any visit to the Northern Lake District. The following text is an extract from the Kids Keswick guide – you can buy the guide in a number of shops in Keswick town, and also from Keswick Tourist Information Centre, priced £3.99. Well worth it if you’re a family coming to stay in one of the Keswick cottages in and around the area.

KIDS KESWICK EXTRACT

Whinlatter Forest is a wonderful multi-activity, multi-age group, all-weather attraction and has a real alpine feel. This, the only mountain forest in England (due to the fact it rises to 790m above sea level), is managed by the Forestry Commission with a visitor centre located four miles out of Keswick. This centre is the main hub of activity and is at the top of the Whinlatter Pass.

There are nature trails, orienteering trails, graded walks suitable for all terrain-buggies and adventurous wheelchair users, wonderful viewpoints, red squirrels, huge birdfeeders outside the café to fascinate children, ample warm toilets and good baby changing facilities.

The inviting café, called Siskins, produces delicious homemade food and has an enticing woodland-themed shop (also selling the trail maps) with a large screen relaying live video of the Bassenthwaite osprey nest from April to August.
To the side of the café is a bike shop offering courses, bikes to buy or hire and some excellent single track trails start from here, graded to cater for all abilities. Up behind the shop is a free adventure playground (0-11 yrs) and above this Go Ape (10yrs+) dominates the trees.

If it’s wet but you don’t want to be indoors, the shelter of the densely planted conifers means Whinlatter is always an option with children! There is plenty of pay and display parking here.

There really is something for everyone at Whinlatter Forest no matter what age you are, after all we’re all kids at heart!

There are several Lake District cottages in the area which make a great base from which to explore this wonderful part of the world.

Getting There: 10 minutes drive from Keswick – A66, west then turn onto the B5292/ Grid Ref: NY209245

A Remembrance Walk up Great Gable

The second Sunday in November. A day of respect and remembrance for those who fought and were killed in the First World War, and a day of respect and remembrance for those who are still fighting and dying. This is the day that many of us here in the Lake District make the 2-3 hour trek up to the top of Great Gable to pay our respects.

We were joined by a few groups of friends who were staying in Lake District cottages across the area. I don’t know how six or seven hundred of us fitted at the top of the mountain but the two minutes’ silence was profound and wreaths were laid at the Fell & Rock Climbing Club memorial to those members who fought in the War.

There are several different ways up Great Gable – you can go from Wasdale Head, Honister Pass (at the very top of Borrowdale), or from Seathwaite (again, top end of Borrowdale, turn left before the road starts steeply up Honister Pass). We chose the Seathwaite route as we had Bruno with us, aged 5, and I think it’s the least steep route (although you still have to get to the top of Gable when all’s said and done).

When you park by the farm at Seathwaite, you then have the choice of climbing steeply up Sour Milk Gill to Green Gable and then across Windy Gap to Great Gable, or meandering further up the valley to Sty Head Tarn. We chose the latter. Just beyond Sty Head Tarn is the Stretcher Box (just in case) and here you need to hang in a right to go up Gable. Then just follow the path to the top. If you turn left at the Stretcher Box you go up Scafell, but that’s another walk for another day.

At the top, the views are amazing. You can see so much – the Scafell range, the Helvellyn range, Pillar & Ennerdale, pretty much everything in fact.

We went down the same way to start with, but after Sty Head Tarn we didn’t turn right over the little wooden bridge that would have taken us down the meandering path to Seathwaite Farm, instead we kept to the left of the stream and went down a really interesting path that was cut out of the hillside. I’ve no idea what it was called (who would have thought that I grew up in the Lake District) but it took us back down to Seathwaite Farm all the same. Be warned, it’s tough on the knees, especially when a small boy is sitting on your shoulders. It was also quite waterlogged and
slippery. But it’s an interesting walk all the same.

I’d like to finish with some well known words from Wilfred Owen:

Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs
And towards our distant rest began to trudge.
Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling,
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time;
But someone still was yelling out and stumbling,
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . .
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight,
He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace
Behind the wagon that we flung him in,
And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin;
If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood
Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs,
Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,
My friend, you would not tell with such high zest
To children ardent for some desperate glory,
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est
Pro patria mori

Wilfred Owen
8th Oct 1917-March 1918

The walk described is handy for anyone staying in one of several Keswick cottages in the area.
After the walk we then decided to pay a visit to one of the local pubs for some refreshment and sustenance. All of this and in front of a roaring fire.

Keswick Business Woman Praised for Contribution to the County

Sally Fielding, winner of this year’s Women’s Business Woman of the Year, has been praised for her contribution to the economy of Cumbria, as well as for being an inspiration to other women in business, by judges of the prestigious award run by the Cumbrian Chamber of Commerce.

Owner of Keswick based Sally’s Cottages and mum of three under five, Sally was honoured for the energy with which she has grown her successful business from an original investment of £1,000 in 2003 to having a turnover of £2 million today.

Sally, who was born in Eskdale, set up Sally’s Cottages eight years ago after a neighbour asked her for help in letting her holiday cottage. Seeing how successfully Sally did this, other people starting asking her to let their cottages too, and the business has grown at a steady rate to include 160 cottages throughout the Lake District today.

The business grew by word of mouth and Sally put a lot of energy into marketing different parts of the Lake District to visitors. The cottages she let needed local people to clean them and others to provide maintenance and her passion for local business ethics is still present in her successful business today. Sally says: “We are in constant contact with people that I went to school with, as well as their parents, all of whom have spotted an opportunity and provide a service to us and to each other. Over the years we have become a growing network of people who work well with each other in a mutually gainful relationship, rather than the unequal but more usual employer-employee relationship.”

Whilst putting a huge amount of energy into growing her business into a thriving success story, Sally has also been bringing up three children at the same time. She said: “I’m so happy to receive this award. The past eight years have been really hard work – I had just two days off when my first child, Bruno, was born, and the same when Daisy was born too (although I had several weeks off when Julia was born). When they were little they would sleep beside my desk in a basket; later on a bit more juggling was required. But it has paid off and we have managed to increase the number of Lake District cottages we let while still managing to deliver on our promise to cottage owners to do our very best to ensure that their cottage lets well.”

Joanne Holborn from Baines Wilson LLP who was on the judging panel for the award said: “We were looking for someone who is inspiring to other women in business and it was clear that Sally stood out as a rising star. To have gone from an initial investment of just £1,000 to a thriving business with a £2,000,000 turnover is fantastic. Add to that the fact that around 100 women have found work cleaning at Sally’s cottages, and that they also have over 150 local handymen, electricians, plumbers, painters and other suppliers to call on for general maintenance at the cottages, we felt that Sally was definitely putting something good back into the County.”

Gill Forrester from Financial Management Bureau who was also on the judging panel added: “It is clear that Sally has grown her business with skill, confidence and great foresight. When I met her at the award ceremony I was impressed by her quiet determination and vigour.”

In January this year Sally’s Cottages opened its first office in Keswick, which now houses eight of the company’s employees.

When asked “What next?” Sally said: “We have recently employed two more people in the office, Deborah and Suzanna, which will allow us to offer a good service to even more cottage owners throughout the Lakes. Despite having grown our turnover substantially, we maintain our original vision for the business: exceptional service, approachable staff and a commitment to the local community and economy. We hope that cottage owners share our passion for the Lake District and preserving its special environment, whilst supporting its economy for the future. It has been an unusual year and we have seen people’s attitudes and requirements change nationwide. So we have adapted what we do and what we offer to take advantage of this and we will not sit still. It will be interesting to see where the next few years take us.”

The award celebrates inspirational success in business, and reflects a significant achievement during these uncertain times. Catherynn Dunstan of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce presented the award, which was sponsored by Baines Wilson LLP and Financial Management Bureau, last Thursday (17 November) at the Women in Business Conference held at Carlisle Racecourse.

The Keswick Beer Festival

Just an update for anyone who has forgotten – the weekend of the 4th of June is the Keswick Beer Festival and there are still a few tickets left for the Friday night. What a fine excuse for booking a short break for that weekend in the Lake District to come and enjoy the sun (hopefully) and some of the finest ales ever to have been brewed on this Fair Isle.

This is the 14th Keswick Beer Festival and it gets bigger and better every year. It is being held on Davidson Park home of the Keswick Lions and the Keswick Rugby club. All of the pubs in the area will have various guest ales on for the week and random forms of entertainment for all to enjoy.

This is one of the biggest events in the Keswick calendar, with over 100 real ales to sample! This year Thwaites’ Brewery is the headline sponsor and the Famous Thwaites’ Shire Horses will be there for the grand opening to kick the whole thing off.

The Saturday night is already sold out, but there are still some tickets left for the Friday night. As well as over 100 beers to sample, as well as several ciders and lagers there will also be plenty of entertainment – as always, the musical entertainment will be courtesy of a cheesy rock tribute band and on the Friday night there is Earthwindforhire to look forward to.

All of the beers this year have a different sponsor Sally’s Cottages are in the process of ironing out the finer details of this– They haven’t signed on the dotted line yet, but the thought of getting his hands on a couple of elusive corporate tickets for the Saturday night will probably be more than Philip (my brother) can resist.

If you are a beer lover and are staying at one of the many Keswick Cottages in the area, then you need to have Open All Hours on your radar - it’s easy to find on St John’s Street in Keswick. Open All Hours is the main place in Keswick for buying speciality Beers. They have a great Range of Local bottled real Ales (they actually have every single Cumbrian Ale!!), as well as an awesome selection of interesting and unusual Belgium Beers and Ciders. Now that’s my idea of heaven!

Staying in Lake District cottages has to be the best way to enjoy this weekend, if you can get one in Keswick all the better for that short stumble home.

Celebrating the Royal Wedding in the Lake District

There are lots of celebrations being held throughout the Lake District to celebrate the Royal Wedding, so if you are staying at one of the many self catering cottages in the Lake District you don’t need to worry that you’ll risk missing the action on the big day.

For visitors staying in Keswick cottages, there will be a big screen in Keswick Market Square, showing the entire wedding. The whole town, including lots of visitors to the area will be there to watch and enjoy themselves. You will be able to sample some local produce and the town square will be decorated for the occasion. It should be a lovely day – we’re all praying for sunshine!

Muncaster Castle in Eskdale is putting on a Royal Wedding flower festival across the whole of the Royal Wedding Weekend – The bluebell woods at the castle are likely to be at their best, so it really is the perfect time for a visit.

If you are coming from Eskdale, then you can take the Ravenglass and Eskdale miniature steam railway (aka The la’al Ratty) out to the coast and enjoy their take on the Royal Wedding Cake into the bargain.

For visitors staying in Ullswater Cottages, The Ullswater steamers are marking the Royal Wedding with an evening cruise. Put on your glad rags and enjoy the sunset (hopefully!) with a glass of champagne and then a couple of hours of dancing.

Lord and Lady Cavendish won’t be there to meet you, as they will be at the Wedding itself (Lady Cav is an old school chum of Camilla of course) but at Holker Hall in the Southern Lake District there is a day of celebrations. Holker Hall is a great day out and with entertainment for all of the family and the wedding itself shown on a big screen, it should be brilliant.

Lots of hotels in the Lake District are putting on Champagne Teas and The Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick and the Borrowdale Hotel and the Lodore Falls Hotel in Borrowdale will have wedding cake too.

The Royal Oak in Braithwaite will be showing the wedding on large screens from 11am. There will be a Royal Wedding themed Champagne tea in the afternoon and then a buffet, live Jazz and Fireworks in the evening.

The Wheatsheaf in Lorton is within easy reach of cottages in the Loweswater area and also just 15 minutes drive from Keswick and Cockermouth. There are drinks in the morning and then the wedding will be shown during the afternoon. (For those that aren’t so keen on the wedding itself, there will be football on the pub field between 3 and 4pm!) There will be kids sports and activities during the rest of the afternoon and a Tatie Pot will be served at 6pm. With all of these celebrations happening all over the area staying in Lake District cottages is surely the only way forward. Rumour has it Kate and Will’s will be honeymooning in one!

Fingers crossed for sunshine and a great day of celebration. If the wedding isn't your thing, then you've no cause for complaint as the fells will probably be deserted (although I do know of several people who are going to be having a celebratory picnic on the top of Scafell and you can probably watch the whole wedding from the summit on your iphone!).

The Rannerdale Bluebells Are Out!

I was planning to take advantage of the Sunshine this morning and give the lawn the first mow of the season. Mr Harper, our neighbouring farmer doesn’t like to see good grass going to waste and when I was greeted by the sight of several ewes and lambs feasting on poor lawn – it was perfect timing!

2010 was generally remarked upon as being the latest arrival of Spring on record, but this year feels like the first proper Spring that we have had in years and everything is at least a week earlier than normal. The Rannerdale Bluebells wouldn’t usually be out until the start of May, but I took a walk up there yesterday from Crummock Water and they are already starting to come out. As well as the bluebells, the Gorse bushes are in full bright yellow flower, the Hawthorn blossom is out and the trees are coming into bud.

Bluebell woodlands are always absolutely beautiful but the Rannerdale Bluebells are quite a rarity in the Lake District, in that they are on open fellside, rather than amongst trees. It’s an amazing location sheltered below Rannerdale Knotts, with stunning views looking out over Crummock Water to Mellbreaks and beyond – Rannerdale at its best is a spectacular sight, that shouldn’t be missed.

There are plenty of cottages in the Lake District within easy reach of Crummock Water and if you are staying at one of these, then you really must get up to Rannerdale and enjoy the Bluebells.

The areas surrounding Crummock Water are absolutely idyllic, it’s a remote part of the Lake District, far from the there are very few buildings in the Valley and the mountains rise up from the water’s edge, gently at first and then more steeply up to Grasmoor to the north and Red Pike and High Stile to the south.

You can easily combine a trip to Crummock Water with high tea at The Barn in Lorton – My favourite is the amazing Victorian Tea with Scones and Jam and a range of fruit and chocolate cakes.

In the opposite direction, Buttermere is of course the next lake along from Crummock Water towards Keswick, and if you are going this way then you can call in at either The Bridge Hotel or the Fish Hotel for a pint or at Syke Farm for a locally made Ayrshire ice cream.

As far as predicting the summer weather, there is an old adage that says

“Oak before the Ash and we’re in for a splash, but
Ash before the Oak and we’re in for a soak”.

The Oak is already in bud, so hopefully this is a good omen, although Mr Harper says that it’s the same every year and the Oak always comes into bud before the Ash, so no guarantees.

At least if you’re staying in one of the many Lake District cottages Cumbria has to offer then you don’t have to worry about putting your tent up in a biblical downpour!

Muncaster Castle – A Trip Down Memory Lane.

Today I took a trip down memory lane and had a day out at Muncaster Castle by Ravenglass (near Eskdale). Boldly passing all the people having ice-creams and cake at the café I knocked on the private entrance door at the castle of Iona and Peter Pennington who run Muncaster, and whose family have lived there for over 800 years. Bruno (my 4 year old) was very excited because he thought we were going to meet the Queen.

Iona and Peter more than made up for the lack of Queen and we had a small tour around part of the Castle as they were preparing for a wedding that was to take place there in the afternoon. I remembered the guided tours I used to give and all the stories I used to tell about the place. One of my favourites was the three-quarter length portrait of Lord Nelson. It used to be one of only two full length portraits in existence … until one of the Penningtons decided that it would look better in a different frame and cut his legs off!

Another memory I have is of Phyllida Gordon-Duff-Pennington (the current owner) asking me to help her carry a load of teapots from one end of the castle to another. As I struggled through the castle with an armful of teapots (mainly in the dark as it’s good to conserve energy and save money) I asked her what she was doing with them all. She told me that they’d just come back from being valued. I asked her how much they were worth and then almost dropped them in surprise when she gave me the figure!

It’s 11 years since I worked at Muncaster and it has moved on quite a lot since I left there in 2000. Back then I was working in a portacabin; now it has lovely new offices, new shop, new café, a meadowvole maze for children and more paths through the woods. It still has the fantastic views over the Eskdale valley and the Georgian Terrace walk is just beautiful, especially at this time of year when the rhododendrons are at their best.

We had lunch in what Bruno decided was a little pixie house against the backdrop of the Eskdale fells. This is where I used to have a picnic lunch most days when I was working here. My friend remarked that it was the perfect place to contemplate life and the universe, and indeed, at the time I was reading quite a lot of Richard Dawkins. The kids, however, were more interested in running wild round and round the pixie house. I don’t know where they get their energy from as they had already run wild around the playground and also around part of the woods where we made a rhododendron necklace from the fallen rhododendron petals.

Within the woods, there is a Sino-Himalayan trail bursting with Himalayan plants along the way. The soil and climate around Ravenglass and Eskdale is apparently very similar to that which you find in the Himalayas. One of the gardeners at Muncaster was renowned for his intrepid plant-hunting in China and Tibet. Before I worked at Muncaster I had no idea that there was such a job as ‘plant hunter’. It’s probably more prestigious than the hunter who killed and brought back the skull of a man-eating tiger that Bruno was quite taken with in the Castle.

I don’t know where the time went – we were there all day but still didn’t manage to see the Owl and Bird of Prey display, explore the woods fully or even visit the café. We just about had time to visit the Meadowvole Maze with its oversized animals waiting to kill you. The kids loved it and they answered the whole question sheet correctly. The only way we could get them to leave was to promise a trip to the shop to collect their (free) prizes. Things really have changed since I started my own business running a Lake District cottages agency.

Back in the car with an ice-cream for the scenic route home – down Birkby lane, into Eskdale, over Hardknott Pass, then Wrynose Pass, through Ambleside, past Grasmere and back to Keswick. Just beautiful.

Easter in the Lake District

What’s going on in the Lake District this Easter? Well the answer is that it’s not all bluebells, daffodils and gambolling lambs – There’s chocolate too!

The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway has commissioned a giant Easter Egg and over the Easter holidays they are running a guess the weight competition with free entry to all travellers and a giant Easter Egg for the winner.

The world of Beatrix Potter is running its annual Easter Egg hunt again this year; One hundred special Easter Eggs are being hidden around the Lake District and on Thursday 21st April, clues will be released as to their whereabouts for you to unravel, with
one hundred great prizes up for grabs for the winners.

The Keswick Pencil Museum is a good wet weather option and they are putting on several activities for the children – There’s an Easter Trail and creative family fun days over the whole of the Easter period. There are several Keswick cottages in the area too which is an added bonus.

Muncaster Castle is doubling up over Easter and the Royal Wedding weekend and putting on a flower festival, with displays based on Easter themes. John Crouch is also going to be putting on some cookery demonstrations, linking in to the Easter and flower themes. John did the catering at our wedding and it was absolutely awesome, so make sure that you snap up any top tips that are on offer. While you are at Muncaster Castle it would be well worth taking a stroll through the gardens and the grounds, the bluebells are quite a spectacular site and the gardens are some of the finest that you will see in the Lake District.

There is also an Easter Quiz, with clues hidden around the gardens and Easter Eggs to be won at Mirehouse, near Keswick. Lets face whether you're big or small we all love a treasure hunt, especially if there is chocolate at the end of it!
Sammy the Squirrel is going to be providing the family fun on the Ullswater Steamers and he's organising an Easter Egg hunt in Glenridding too.

And last but by no means least, The National Trust in conjunction with Cadbury are running Easter Egg Trails in Borrowdale and Ennerdale. I’m afraid that we don’t have any other details, but it’s got to be good!

There are plenty of Lake District cottages which would make an ideal base to explore and join in these fun filled chocolate based activities. You’d be crazy to miss it.

Three Fun Free things to do in the Lake District

The activities below have been chosen with children in mind. However, I have had a fabulous time just with my mates doing these things, and we ought to know better as we’re all in our 30s!

Stepping into a fairy circle – a village walk in Rosthwaite

Wainwright said that “A fellwalker based in Rosthwaite is like a king with many thrones”. Rosthwaite is the starting point for many wonderful short (and long) walks; north to Grange, east to Watendlath or just along the river to the pretty villages of Stonethwaite or Seatoller.

If you don’t get past the starting point don’t worry, children love crossing the stepping stones and playing by the river that runs near the village. Just 10 minutes walk upstream YHA Longthwaite has secret steps down to a ‘fairy circle’ complete with stunning carved wooden throne (below car park lamp). Make a crown out of moss and sticks for your own fairy king or queen. Good for any weather; much of the walk is tree covered. There are several cottages in the Lake District that would make an ideal starting point for exploring Rosthwaite and the surrounding areas.

Make a den (and hug a tree)

Step back to your childhood (or your imagined childhood if you grew up in a town), and go up into the fells to make a den. Eskdale is a brilliant place to do this as there is plenty of woodland or if you prefer fells, they’re easily reachable, even with kids in tow. Park at the free car park just beyond the village shop and walk up Giggle Alley (this is at the end of the car park, going away from the shop) and then onto the fellside (5-10 mins walk). Or if you prefer, you can just go into the Japanese Gardens which are wooded with Beech trees and rhododendrons. There are plenty of opportunities to make brilliant dens.

I tend to favour a combination of small branches laid against a rocky outcrop with dead bracken stuffed between them. Be careful though and use a knife for the dead bracken, or bring plasters with you. And while you’re there, hug a tree – it’s amazing how brilliant it makes you feel.

Swimming in a lake

How early do you dare to go swimming in a Lake? If you have small children, then I love going to Ullswater as you can park by the road which is just by the lake (through a few trees). I tend to stick to paddling but with a bit of encouragement you can usually get somebody who’s feeling brave to go under the water and give everyone else a laugh. If you head to Derwent Water in deepest winter the lake tends to freeze and you can go skating on it.

Children don’t seem to feel the cold either. And it’s brilliant fun to make a good camp fire to warm up by afterwards. Bread toasted on the fire always seems to taste better than toast from the toaster. You can spend hours making channels and dams at the water’s edge. The other great place to swim is the river Esk and at Forge bridge just near the King George IV pub, a great place to warm your cockles afterwards. There are plenty of self catering Lake District cottages in the area so why not make a holiday out of it.

The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick - Summer Events

I’ve just received details of the Summer Season at the Theatre by the Lake in Keswick and it looks like they have some real crackers lined up.

The Theatre by the Lake is in quite a spectacular setting and as the name suggests is literally a stones throw from Derwent Water. There is an abundance of restaurants and bars in Keswick itself which are ideal for a pre-show tipple or meal. You could even walk that meal off with a gentle stroll around the lake before one of these fantastic shows actually starts. What better way to spend an evening out in Keswick.

The focus in the main house is on comedy - ‘Noises Off’ is one of the funniest plays that you will ever see; it’s perfect for the Theatre by the Lake and I can’t believe that it’s over ten years since I last saw this in Keswick. It was a massive hit last time round and it’s likely to be hugely popular this time as well, so you’ll need to book early to avoid missing out.

They also have ‘Hay Fever’ by Noel Coward and the first ever performance of ‘Keep
Smiling Through’ by Lisa Evans.

There’s lots of visiting Drama and Dance too. ‘Wicked Women’ starring Caroline and Lilian from The Archers sounds like it might be a highlight; they take an amusing look at wicked women (no surprises there!) from throughout history.

If you are staying in one of the many Keswick Cottages in the area this Spring, then there is a also a chance to see ‘A View from the Bridge’ by Arthur Miller – It’s an all time classic and I can’t wait.

If you haven't already got a break away planned, then it would be worth staying at one of the many self catering cottages in the Lake District between the 18th and the 22nd May, so that you don't miss out on the Keswick Mountain Festival.

The Theatre by the Lake will be the venue for the lectures and they have several great speakers coming – Sir Chris Bonnington, Ray Mears and radical extreme sportsman Tim Emmett are headlining (You might have seen Tim racing Jeremy Clarkson in the Verdon Gorge on Top Gear or doing stunts in Hollywood movies). I’ve seen him speak before and you can’t help but be inspired by his energy and enthusiasm, as he describes his bonkers exploits and adventures.

Wherever your tastes lie, come and stay in one of the Lake District Cottages and dip into some of what the Theatre by the Lake has on offer – you won’t be disappointed.

Eskdale & Wasdale – Things to do

The trouble is, there are so many things to do in life, you can’t do them all. You have to compromise. Nobody likes compromise. Rob would like to live his life to the following rules: keep an open mind and keep on climbing. His life is littered with tick lists of things to climb. On holiday we had a list of things to do and just seven days to do them in. It was going to be impossible to do them all so we then had other lists of ‘must do’s’, ‘would like to do’s’ and ‘will definitely do’s if the weather improves’. I lost count of the number of lists we had. Are we alone in this or is this what everyone does on holiday?

If you are planning to stay in any of the Lake District Cottages in Eskdale or Wasdale, this is what my suggested tick list would be for you to do (in no particular order):

Stanley Ghyll waterfall
This is my favourite walk which takes you over little bridges and along a small river up to a lovely waterfall. The walk has a feel of the rainforest about it and is beautiful in all weathers. Start at the war memorial in Eskdale, or at St Catherine’s Church which makes it a little longer (especially if the stepping stones are under water).

A few pints in the King George IV pub in Eskdale
Under new ownership, this pub has really turned itself around in recent months. The staff and owners are friendly and it has a wide range of ales. Pets are welcome here too. There are even a few self catering Lake District cottages attached to the pub so if you stayed in one you wouldn’t have far to walk back!

A trip on the Ravenglass & Eskdale ratty
I used to spend all my summers on the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway and never tired of the fantastic scenery on the seven mile trip, or the ice-creams at the other end! You can even buy a ticket for your dog to enjoy the trip.

A walk up to Blea tarn in Eskdale
There are a variety of starting points for this walk, but a good one is at Beckfoot Station on the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway. The path leads up the fellside and brings you out at Blea Tarn. Go for a skinny dip if you dare!

Muncaster Castle (especially in April or May) near Ravenglass
I had my first ‘proper’ job at Muncaster Castle and just loved it. One of my favourite jobs was putting out the signs for the bluebell walk in May. It’s great at any time of year but the rhododendrons, and then the bluebells are at their best in April and May. The Georgian Terrace walk has fantastic views towards Eskdale while the rest of the grounds are less formalised with little woodland paths beckoning you to follow them. Dogs are welcome on a lead here.

A walk by the river from Forge Bridge to St Catherine’s Church
Just down from the George IV pub in Eskdale is Forge Bridge (incidentally, a good place for swimming). You can walk along the river here to St Catherine’s Church in Boot at the other end of the Eskdale valley. The walk takes you through woodland and is another of my favourites.

Scafell Pike & Scafell from Upper Eskdale or Wasdale
A trip to Eskdale or Wasdale is not complete without a walk up Scafell Pike, the finest mountain in the Lake District, and of course, England’s highest peak. If you’re a local, you’ll pronounce it with the ‘w’ that was originally in the spelling: Scawfell.

A fleeting visit to St Olaf’s church in Wasdale
This is the smallest church in England and has a graveyard filled with the tragedy of the earliest attempts to establish rock climbs on the highest mountains in the Lake District. An interesting place to be and a perfect place for a spot of quiet reflection.

Great Gable from Wasdale
This is a good walk at any time of year but Remembrance Day is an amazing time to go up as hoards of people gather from all over the Lake District for an informal
get-together at 11am.

A few more pints at the Wasdale Head Inn
Always good after a day on the fells. The Wasdale Head Inn was around when the first ascent of Napes Needle was done at the turn of the 18th Century. The birthplace of British climbing.

“Nobbut a Fleeing Thing”
Dave Birkett’s fantastic route on Wasdale Screes graded at E8 it is one of the most spectacular climbs in the Lake District.

A trip over Hardknott Pass – the steepest road in the Lake District
3:1 gradients take you from Eskdale over to Ambleside and then Windermere. It is best to go over this road when the Lake District is quieter, although it tends to be shut in Winter due to icy conditions.

Swimming in the dubs & rivers of Upper Eskdale
From Brotherilkeld Farm (the last place in the Eskdale Valley) you can follow the path going towards Scafell Pike and find some fantastic pools to splash about in on the way. It is more of a journey to get to these than the river in Forge Bridge so there is a chance you will have them to yourself.

A walk over Muncaster fell to the coast
This is another walk with many starting points – a good one is to walk past Foresthow Guest house which is at the Miterdale end of Eskdale (past Irton Road Station). The walk takes you over Muncaster Fell to Ravenglass. Come back on the Ravenglass & Eskdale railway if you have tired legs!

A picnic anywhere
I’m a big fan of eating in the fresh air. Take a good book with you too and make a day of it.

A walk in the woods of Miterdale
The little valley of Miterdale often gets forgotten about in favour of its parent valley Eskdale. As a result there are fewer people there but it is just as beautiful. Rob likes all the forgotten boulders around and about for some excellent climbing. He won’t say where they are though as they’re a secret for him alone to do!

Wastwater lake on a clear night
One of my favourite things to do is visit Wastwater Lake in Wasdale on a clear starlit night. Magical.

There are plenty of cottages in the Lake District, especially in Eskdale and Wasdale that make a great base for exploring these stunning valleys.

The Eskdale Corn Mill

The Eskdale Mill in the hamlet of Boot takes its water from the beautiful Whillan Beck, which runs down from Burnmoor Tarn, high on the fell below the imposing Scafell. There are plenty of self catering lake district cottages in the area which would make a great base from which to explore the valley further.

A mill at this location dates from the 1200s (although this is just the first written record) and so could date back much further as the mill is built to a Roman design used in the mills on Hadrian’s Wall and with our own Eskdale Fort on Hardknott Pass it is feasible that this could have been a mill to supply the garrison based there.

The current Eskdale mill dates from the 1700’s and the wooden machinery which turns the millstones which grind the grain. The mill operated at a profit supplying flour and animal feed to the valley until the early 1900’s when the Lar’l Ratty (the steam train) started to bring in goods into the Eskdale Valley and the mill couldn’t compete.

The mill had its final days of glory during the First World War when the valley relied on the mill once again to provide the valley and surrounding areas with flour and animal feed once again.

Today, Dave King, the miller, gives tours of the milling process and the 2 waterwheels do still work. The mill is usually open 11.30 to 5.30 from April to September (they may be closed on Mondays and Saturdays so give Dave a ring to check if you are
planning a visit).

In 2006 the Eskdale Mill and Heratige Trust (a registered charity) bought the Eskdale Mill and which will hopefully secure the mills future as a historic monument of an industry which has been carried out on this location for at least 1000 years and probably more like 2000!

This wonderful piece of working history can be combined with a trip on the Lar’l Ratty, if you take the train from Ravenglass to Eskdale from the final station at Dalegarth it is a short 10 minute walk into Boot where you can visit the mill then either have a ice cream from the post office (or station) if the weather is nice or a refreshing drink in one of the 2 pubs in Boot, The Boot Inn and the Brook House, both serving great food and a fine selection of ales.

Alternatively you can rent one of many Lake District cottages, there are several within walking distance of the mill.

Castlerigg Stone Circle at Keswick, the Lake District

Here’s a brilliant thing to do in the Lake District if you have small children and don’t want to put too much effort in.

Take them to Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick and forget about the history of it, forget the mystery within it, forget even the beauty surrounding it (although it is worth taking a moment to enjoy that ‘wow’ factor), just spend a happy hour there playing hide and seek. We went there yesterday, just me and the three littlies aged 4, 2 and 1.

It took us a while to leave the puddles in the parking area, as long as you bring your wellies you’ll have just as much fun as we did(you might want to bring a change of clothes for afterwards though! We then struck out towards the stone circle and two minutes later we were there. It was so easy. Bruno and Daisy then did a spot of bouldering and climbing, while Julia was as happy as a bumble bee on my back. By the way, if you are planning a holiday in one of our Lake District cottages and have a small child, do invest in a backpack. We have a Vango one which came highly recommended and it’s much better than any other I’ve seen!

After the bouldering came the brilliant idea of a game of hide and seek which progressed into a high tech game of hide and seek where the hiders moved from stone to stone while the seekers got perplexed. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. If you are really savvy you can see if you can get one of the many sheep in the field to give you a bit of help!

The setting is truly awesome with the Lake District fells surrounding you in a 360 degree circle. The day was overcast and the puddles big but it was no less beautiful for all that. One of the oldest stone circles in Britain, it is thought that Castlerigg Stone Circle at Keswick is over 5000 years old. No-one knows for sure who built it or why but this perhaps gives it its air of mystery.

Well worth a visit if you are staying in one of our Keswick cottages, or in nearby Braithwaite, Portinscale, Borrowdale or Bassenthwaite. There are quite a lot of stone circles dotted all over the Lake District. Another favourite of mine is the one on Cold Fell which I used to pass daily when travelling to work from Eskdale.

Half Term Family Activities in the Lake District - Keswick, Eskdale & Wasdale

There is plenty going on in the Lake District over half term this week. If you’re staying in Lake District cottages in Keswick you might like to try one of the following that I’ve picked out that seem of particular interest.

The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick are pulling out all the stops and have something for everyone for most of the week. I was particularly taken by “How the Koala Learnt to Hug”. It looks as though there are some great characters telling great stories, sing-along songs, superb games and lots of hugging. The Reggae Beavers sound particularly interesting!

Keswick is also hosting a Lantern Parade (free). Starting at the Market Square in Keswick the parade takes you to the lakeshore for a celebration of fire and music.
Following on the light theme, Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake is organising an evening procession with a touch of magic. Five ethereal figures will beckon Keswick’s residents to follow them through the streets in search of light. This event starts at the Market Square in Keswick.

If it rains during half term, Rheged (between Keswick and Penrith) is always a good option being an entirely indoor venue. Mokykidz is back and is aimed at children from 3-12. An energetic dance fitness program, it will be sure to rid any excess energy the kids may have. And then on there are two Mad Science Shows during the week, the kids will love it (and the adults).

If you are staying in one of several Keswick cottages in the area you might also be interested in creating the Chinese New Year with watercolour pencils at The Pencil Museum (by the Bond Museum in Keswick). You can make your own Chinese Dragon Mask under the inspiration of Steve Abbot, the resident Family Artist. Demonstrations are free.

My final Keswick offering is a day at Trotters World of Animals which is about 15 mins from Keswick, near Bassenthwaite. During the Feb half term they are organising Leaping Lemur activity week in aid of Lemur Conservation in Madagascar. The keepers will be giving daily talks and there are quizzes, colouring, crafts and a leaping lemur competition – can you leap further than their lemurs. This is in addition to all the other things that you can do every day at Trotters – it’s one of my favourite places to visit in the Lake District.

If you’re not staying in Keswick, there are still plenty of things happening throughout the rest of the Lake District. For those of you staying in Eskdale, Wasdale or Haile, the Rosehill Theatre in Whitehaven is showing Oliver from 22 to 26 February. This is a 35 minute drive from Eskdale and Wasdale.

Or you might be interested in a guided walk up Coniston Old Man and/or Dow Crag. Arrampica Vertical Adventures can meet you in Coniston on selected days to guide you up there. Only 30 mins from Eskdale.

I was also quite interested in “Help with Hawfinches” at Sizergh Castle near Kendal. Although it is an hour from Eskdale, Hawfinches are very shy birds and so any opportunity to see them is a real treat. Sizergh Castle has a nationally important breeding site so is well worth a visit.

If you and the family are interested in nature then Grizedale Forest are following a nesting theme over half term. You can make your own mini bird’s nest, learn about nesting boxes and follow a nest trail. Entry is free although there is a small charge for some activities. Grizedale is about equi-distance from Keswick and Eskdale, being about 45 minutes from both.
Staying in Lake District cottages is the best way to make the most of your break and get out to visit these great activities.

Following the seasons in the Lake District

Everyone knows that the Lake District is beautiful. Each season has its own character, so no two visits would ever be the same. There is an abundance of self catering Lake District cottages to help enhance your visit. Here are some of our seasonal favourites...

Spring

Magical walks through bluebell-carpeted woods, spotting wood sorrel as its flowers rotate to follow the sun throughout the day; golden celandines; wild garlic with its starry white flowers; jolly primroses and frothy dog's mercury. Try Wallabarrow Woods in the Duddon Valley, Dodd Wood near Keswick, Johnny's Wood in Borrowdale or the Brandlehow Wood at Derwentwater.

Head to Ullswater to catch Wordsworth's famous Daffodills: 'I wandered lonely as a Cloud/That floats on high o'er Vales and Hills/When all at once I saw a crowd/ A host of dancing Daffodills'. They were inspired by a walk taken by Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy, in April 1802.

While you're in the Ullswater area, take a frosty walk up Aira Force. When the waterfall still has it's post-winter volume, but before the tree canopy has closed overhead in spring, it's a really magical sight.

Words by the Water is a quality literary festival held at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake each March. Last year's crop of speakers included the popular novelist Penelope Lively; Man-Booker shortlisted local girl, Sarah Hall; historian Ian Mortimer and comic broadcaster Stuart Maconie. 2011's headliners include Joanna Trollope, Claire Tomalin, Gervase Phinn and Justine Picardie.

Cumbria's stately homes and castles re-open in the Spring. Try Muncaster Castle on the west coast; Mirehouse, at Bassenthwaite; Brantwood, overlooking Coniston Water; Hutton-in-the-Forest, north of Penrith and Holker Hall, at Cark-in-Cartmel.
Spring is lambing season, from tiny white Rough Fell lambs in February to black-as-pitch Herdwicks in May. The first one is a sight to report, but within a month the fields are heaving with little bleaters.

There is always a good selection of Easter events including the Great Peter Rabbit Egg Hunt, a large-scale event covering the entire Lake Distrct. A hundred eggs, with vouchers for prizes, are hidden in tourist hot-spots. The event is over when all the eggs are found!

The Keswick Mountain Festival takes place in May, with a combination of guided activities, competitions and talks. It was particularly good last year, so we have high hopes for 2011. There are plenty of Keswick cottages in the area as an added bonus.

Summer

Summer is walking season. Anywhere. Everywhere. There are so many lovely places to walk, from mountains, to river valleys, to conifer forests , indigenous deciduous woods, the Cumbria Coastal Path and the Coast-to-Coast walk. Have a crack at the Woolpack Round, a sixteen-mile circular walk from the Woolpack Inn in Eskdale which includes Scafell Pike, the highest point in England. We love to amble along the Derwent in Borrowdale or the Esk in Eskdale.

Experienced climbers will head for Great Gable and Napes Needle the birth of British rock climbing at Wasdale, for a challenging climb unencumbered by hoards of visitors. Beginner? Take a few lessons with Tim Mosedale.

A bright Lake District day is perfect for a picnic. Pick a spot by Devoke Water or Blea Tarn; Derwentwater is always lovely, and easy to get to with pushchairs and wheelchairs; Ennerdale is blissfully quiet; by the medieval bridge over the Derwent at Grange, whilst the kids have a paddle, or there's my favourite: under the shadow of the Bowder Stone in Borrowdale.

With all these calm lakes about, why not try your hand at sailing, rowing, or canoeing? Hire craft and take lessons at Derwent marina.
You can swim in the lakes, or, if you're at our lovely quiet west coast, a dip in the sea at the MCS-approved waters at Seascale and St. Bees Head. Whilst you're in the area, take a bracing cliff-top walk at St. Bees and spot thousands of rare black guillemots, and masses of kittiwakes, razorbills, fulmars, linnets and rock pipits.

Don't miss the ospreys in Dodd Wood, above Bassenthwaite. Every year, between April and August, there is a special viewing point where you can see the new chicks being fed, and the adult birds soaring over the lake, fish in beak. There is even a webcam in season.

There are lots of festivals throughout the summer, including the Keswick Beer Festival and Boot Beer Festival in Eskdale. I have it on good advice that there's excellent beer to go with the music at the annual Cockermouth Rock Festival, affectionately known as 'Cock Rock'. Last year's headline acts were Dodgy and 80's favourite, Sham 69.

The agricultural show season kicks off too at Cockermouth, Coniston, Penrith, Ambleside, Cartmel, Hawkshead and Grasmere.

Autumn

Autumn in the Lake District is often gorgeous. There are a lot of native deciduous trees here, which rust gently from September to November into lovely shades of gold, red, russet and brown. My favourite place to take in the show is a bench on the eastern shore of Derwentwater, with Brandelhow Wood on the opposite shore, reflected in the lake. Take a camera and a flask!

This is foraging season, too. Pick some blackberries (always called brambles hereabouts!) for a pie (always known as a 'plate cake' hereabouts!) from any wooded area or hedgerow. In October, look out for sloes - fat, purple berries – and add them to gin, to make a rich, purple sloe gin liqueur that will be ready for Christmas. Collect pine cones to use as fragrant firelighters when winter arrives. And don't forget conkers!

There's a very good chance of spotting our native red squirrel in Cumbria in autumn. They're smaller than the grey, with pointed faces, tufted ears and delicate 'hands'. You're most likely to spot them at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, at Whinlatter Forest Park and along the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path, but you may see them in any wooded area, especially if there are a lot of conifers.

A lot of agricultural shows take place in autumn; traditionally, these were the fun-and-games when the harvest had been safely gathered in. There are many of these, in every valley and many a village across the county. One of the most famous is the Egremont Crab Fair – 'crabs' are crab apples not seafood! – which also hosts the annual World Gurning Championship. In this competition, people compete to pull the strangest face in the world. Apparently, a lack of teeth helps!

Egremont Crab Fair is one of many autumn agricultural shows to feature Cumberland & Westmorland Wresting. This is a traditional sport where the idea is to start standing up, and end up with your opponent on the ground. It used to be famous for the floral trunks worn by competitors, but these have gone by the wayside in recent years as it was judged that they were putting off youngsters. I, for one, miss them!
Our vote for Britain's Wackiest Festival goes to the Biggest Liar Competition, which takes place each November at the Santon Bridge Inn at Wasdale Head. The competition is open to all comers except lawyers and politicians, who are judged to be too well-practiced in the art. Past winners include locals, staff and the comedienne, Sue Perkins.

Winter

Roaring log fires with pine-cone firelighters; extra-thick woolly walking socks and toasted toes. This is a great time to try out some of our cosy vernacular pubs for a pint of real ale and some traditional Cumbrian cooking – we like the Black Cock at Broughton-in-Furness, the Dog and Gun in Keswick, the Sun Inn at Bassenthwaite, the Brook House Inn at Boot in Eskdale, and the Shepherd's Inn in Ennerdale Bridge.

Set out from your holiday cottage in many a Lake District valley, and yours might be the only footprints for miles. One of the loveliest sights in a Lakes winter is hoar frost on holly: lovely, glossy green leaves covered with diamond-like glittering ice crystals. You know all those Christmas cards with robins on frosted holly, eating fat red berries? Well, they really do that.

One of my favourite things to do on a cold day in January is fish 'n' chips at the Old Keswickian in Keswick, followed by a tootle down to see the frozen lake (look but don't touch, please!)

Keswick's annual Film Festival is held in February. 2011 will focus on Film 4, Agnes Varda and 'Odd War Films'.

Blow the cobwebs away at Whinlatter Forest Park with a walk through pine forests. There are waymarked trails suitable for all levels of experience, including children, plus there are mountain bike trails, and, weather-permitting, the Go Ape! high wire course. Open daily for most of the year, but just at weekends in January.
Steam from the coastal village of Ravenglass to the village of Boot in Eskdale with the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. It operates a reduced schedule over winter but is usually running at weekends. It's a fabulous time of year to catch the views along seven miles of the Eskdale valley, with views to the Scafell range beyond.

Several stately homes dress the house for a sumptuous, Victorian-style Christmas. Holker Hall, at Cark-in-Cartmel in the south-west Lakes, is a great place to visit in December, with magnificent decorations, hog roasts and seasonal entertainment for children. Muncaster Hall is a wonderful place to visit on dark December days, as they have a sound-and-light show in the garden after dark, and wonderful traditional decorations. You can even take a candlelit tour. What a lovely way to the end the year!

Staying in Lake District cottages is the ideal way to get the most out of your visit. You’d be crazy not to!