Homes and Gardens

May 9, 2013 – 11:02 am
Holker Hall

Holker Hall

 

The Lake District isn’t all about high energy activities and mountains, here in Cumbria we have some of the finest Country houses and gardens which are open to the public and can be enjoyed year round. Whilst staying in our cottages you are within an easy drive of several properties that are truly worth a day out. There are also numerous private houses that open their gardens to the public on selected days throughout the year. These can be found through the National Garden Scheme website (NGS). Listed below are some of the more prominent houses and grounds that are available to visit.

 

Holker Hall - Open between 24th March until 3rd November (Closed Saturdays) Holker Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish who welcome visitors of all ages to one of the best-loved stately homes in Britain. Magnificently situated only a short distance from Grange-over-Sands and the expanse of Morecambe Bay. Holker Hall is set in exceptionally beautiful countryside with gardens that merge into Parkland framed by the Lakeland Hills.

This year will see the 21st Holker Garden Festival (31st May – 2nd June) held in the grounds of the estate with a three day summer spectacle, showcasing only the very best of gardening, countryside, food and crafts making it one of the most popular events in the gardening calendar.  In true Festival style, Holker brings together magnificent show gardens, glorious horticulture, delicious artisan produce and fine craftsmanship, to entertain and delight visitors of all ages.

 

Levens Hall

Levens Hall

 

Levens Hall – Open between 31st March to 10th October the Topiary Gardens at Levens Hall are world famous. Designed in 1694 by Monsieur Guillaume Beaumont, the garden amazingly still retains many of its original features. Its very special atmosphere is partly felt through a great sense of continuity. Those three centuries of garden making here have made it a magical place. Each new generation brings a reworking within the historic framework to create fresh and beautiful contemporary plantings. A sense of excitement and joy is felt throughout in this continuing evolution of colour and design. Each area of the 10 acre garden offers something different to the visitor, set against the backdrop of the magnificent house which has been in continuous occupation since about 1350 (the house is also open to visitors. On Friday 26th July Levens Hall is hosting a Family Picnic and cinema evening, allowing families to enjoy food in the gardens before watching a special screening of ‘Finding Nemo’.

 

Holehird Gardens - As the home of the Lakeland Horticultural society, Holehird Gardens offer a unique look into how the Lake District climate and landscape can be used in conjunction with the skills of the volunteers  to create a beautiful landscape enhanced by the views of the surrounding fells and the magnificence of Lake Windermere. The society aims to promote both the art, science and practice of horticulture whilst also promoting and maintaining three national plant collections. Apart from developing and maintaining the gardens and running educational lectures and courses, members run a specialist library, maintain an extensive photographic and documentary archive, publish a full-colour garden guide, journals and newsletters, operate a Met. Office approved weather station and provide a wardening service to assist visitors to the gardens (on some days you may turn up to be served tea by my Mum who is a Holehird volunteer)

 

Brockhole Visitors centre – In recent years Brockhole has transformed from country house and gardens to provide a great many activities for a complete family day out. The main house holds exhibitions whilst the grounds are the home of the newly built  ’Tree Top Trek‘ activity and a large children’s outdoor adventure playground. there are walks around the gardens and along the shores of Windermere.

 

Holehird Gardens

Holehird Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 


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The Grasmere Gallop

April 18, 2013 – 11:17 am

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For those of you of an active persuasion, this years Grasmere Gallop (Sat 8th June) promises to have something for everyone.

 

Although a fairly new event on the Lake District calendar  The Grasmere Gallop has quickly become a favourite amongst both locals and holiday-makers. The past 3 years of events have been organised by the National Trust who have managed to expand the format & promote it to a wide audience whilst using the funds raised to support essential conservation work in the Grasmere and Rydal area. The event can be as competitive as you like from those who want to put forward their best time to those who simply want to take part and enjoy the day.

This years event will for the first time include a 17km race which will take in some of the most stunning scenery on offer anywhere in Britain. From the start line the race crosses Loughrigg Terrace, Fell and Tarn before returning to Grasmere village via Rydal Water and Grasmere itself.

The traditional 10km race is still run through the Vale of Grasmere and Rydal, the place that inspired the foundation of The National Trust. Leaving Grasmere along the same route as the 17km race, through Deer Bolts wood & along Loughrigg Terrace before passing the stunning Rydal Cave before returning to the village along the shores of Grasmere & Rydal Water. There is even an optional ‘water dash’ for the brave souls who wish to try it.

For younger runners or those who don’t feel up to the longer runs there is a lower level 5.7km run which turns before the slope up to Loughrigg Terrace and descends to the Grasmere shoreline returning to Grasmere sports field for a ‘grandstand finish’. This route has proved popular with families who can run or walk the course.

 

Gallop

 

 

Also returning for it’s second year is the 10km ‘Nordic Walk’. After receiving such strong support last year the NT would love to welcome as many walkers as possible to make this one of the premier ‘Nordic Walking’ events in the UK.

In keeping with the National Trust commitment to encourage all ages to enjoy our national parks,there will also be a ‘Teddy Dash‘ for the under 5′s to take part in on the Sports field itself. Supported by Grasmere school and Nursery. Can your child and his/her teddy gallop a circuit of Grasmere sports field negotiating obstacles along the way?

 

Sporting events have long been at the heart of Lake District life with the Grasmere Gallop quickly establishing itself amongst the great Lake District days out alongside such traditional events as Ambleside Sports, Grasmere Sports, Rydal Sheepdog Trials and the new wave of events including The Great North Swim, Total Warrior,  The Eden Valley Cycle Sportive & The Great Langdale Road races. Seeing the Lake District from the car or a tour bus is one thing but becoming part of your surroundings by joining in these events can be a fantastic experience.

 

Gallop 2

 

 

For more information about any of the events simply click on the blue highlighted links to be taken straight to the page you’re interested in. I won’t be on the course this year (can’t do Saturdays) but if anyone fancies joining me for the 10 mile Sunday route at Total Warrior in August I’m always open to running partners :-)

 

 

 


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Lake District Guided walks

April 4, 2013 – 1:11 pm
Meri leading the way up Stickle Ghyll

Meri leading the way up Stickle Ghyll

 

On Monday 1st April, Heather & I joined a walk organised by the National Trust. We’d been looking for something to do with our kids Keira (9) Meri (5) and our dog Elsa rather than waste a bank holiday Monday simply lazing about. The previous Saturday had been spent searching the internet for walking routes that would be manageable for our group when I came across a ‘ReTweet’ from @NTCentralFells.

It simply said ‘Free guided walk on Monday with NT Rangers and Mountain Leader. Starts 1000 at Sticklebarn, Langdale. All ages & dogs – just be there’

Well as a true northerner the word ‘Free’ stuck out like a sore thumb + it gave us the chance to get out and meet a few people while taking in some fantastic scenery. Monday morning arrived and we got ourselves ready to go, complete with packed lunch and hot chocolate to cope with the expected freezing conditions at the head of Langdale. With our late season snow still clinging to the fells (and even some still in the valley bottom) blue skies and clear air  it promised to be great day for walking.

 

Stickle Tarn and the magnificent Pavey Ark

Stickle Tarn and the magnificent Pavey Ark

 

 

We met up with our guides and the rest of the group at about 9.45am in the bar at The Sticklebarn (the first National Trust owned pub in the Lake District) There were 8 of us & 2 dogs plus our mountain guide Malcolm Wade and National Trust wardens Neil Winder & James Archer. Our route was to take us up the fell-side path to Stickle Tarn then across to our decent on the old path around Tarn Crag before rejoining our original upward route for the final decent back to the pub. Conditions were fantastic with long clear views which took in the full length of  Great Langdale valley, Lingmoor, Side Pike, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags. Rising about us throughout our walk was the magnificent Harrison Stickle, Pavey Ark and Sergeant Man, and once we had achieved enough height we could also take in the Tilberthwaite fells in the distance beyond Little Langdale.

Periodically throughout our walk we paused for some input from our guide and wardens about our surroundings and the ongoing work that the NT is involved in to keep our fells and heritage intact. These pauses seemed perfectly timed to give Meri (our youngest group member) time to get some energy back in her little legs. For much of the walk Meri & Keira managed to be at the front of the group and both of them really enjoyed the scramble up the narrowest/steepest part of the path nr Stickle Tarn. Elsa our  Boxer dog was very nimble when it came to the more challenging sections of the path but simply refused to cross the stepping stones over Stickle Ghyll resulting in a rather embarrassing moment as I had to pick her up and carry her over (Tilly the Retriever had no such problem). Arriving at the still frozen Stickle Tarn gave us the chance for a bit of amateur photography and to stop and refuel with sandwiches & hot chocolate before starting our decent to the side of Tarn Crag. Having a group leader takes any pressure off you having to find your own route and enables them to make sure you are putting safety first (Malcolm our group leader checked the strength of some ice over a stream which did hold for a few seconds before giving his right leg a frozen dunking). The walk down from Tarn Crag was mostly clear of snow being on the southern side of the crag, but as any fell-walker knows down is always more difficult than up (especially when attached to a dog who doesn’t realise that her footing is far more assured than your own). We returned to The Sticklebarn just after 1pm in time for lunch in the bar. All in all a very enjoyable 1/2 day with both the guides and other members of the group, and after a morning of exertion we didn’t feel so bad sitting eating our easter eggs in the afternoon.

 

Keira & Meri feeling on top of the world

Keira & Meri feeling on top of the world

 

 

For information about future guided walks/activities taking place at The Stckle Barn follow this link www.nationaltrust.org.uk/great-langdale/ or contact Malcolm Wade at www.lakelandmountainexperience.com

If you are Twitter users Malcolm can be followed at @lme14 and the National Trust Rangers can be followed @NTCentralFells

 

Still snowy on the north facing slopes

Still snowy on the north facing slopes


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Miles without Stiles

March 21, 2013 – 10:28 am

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Picture a walk in The Lake District in your head and it’s more than likely you’ll be thinking of walking the high fells. Whilst the fells are a great (and quite strenuous) day out, there is so much on offer for the more leisurely walker which can often be overlooked. . These walks still take in breathtaking scenery, mountains, lakes, historic buildings, great pubs & tea-rooms. The National Trust list 42 routes across the National Park suitable for people with limited mobility. Wheelchair users, families with pushchairs, dogwalkers with less active dogs and the visually impaired. More walks are being added all the time, mostly due to the hard work of our local rangers & volunteers.

Below is a sample walk, for the full list and maps visit the Lake District National Park website by following this link –  LDNP

 

Miles Without Stiles 10: Grasmere Riverside

Details

Route type: For all. A delightful path takes you along the River Rothay and away from the busy streets of this popular village – OS Explorer Map OL7

Distance: 1.75 km or 1.1 mile circuit, or 2.25 km or 1.4 miles from A591 lay-by

Start and end points: Lake District National Park car parks – grid ref. NY 338077 or NY 339073

Facilities: Disabled parking spaces, toilets and refreshments in Grasmere

Getting there: Bus: 555 and 599 services operate regularly to Grasmere from Ambleside and Keswick. Car: take the A591 from either Ambleside or Keswick

 

Route

 

Starting from Broadgate car park, head over the footbridge and past a board giving information about the route. Bird life abounds in the river – look out for ducks, dippers, wagtails and the blue flash of a kingfisher.

Cross another bridge and continue along the Rothay’s left bank. You will soon reach the Millennium Bridge. Go straight on, but if you do cross the bridge and turn right you reach Stock Lane car park, where there are toilets. You can also turn left along a hedged path to the A591 and a lay-by on the other side of the road, an alternative start if the village car parks are full.

Go beyond the bridge and follow the path to the road. Turn left, past the gingerbread shop – if you can resist the famed delicacy – and through the churchyard’s lych-gate. St. Oswald’s is the parish church of Grasmere, Rydal and Langdale. Each ‘township’ has its own separate gate into the churchyard. William Wordsworth is buried here – he died in 1850 and there is a memorial inside the church, as well as his gravestone outside.

Retrace your steps out of the churchyard. You can go back along the riverside or walk through bustling Grasmere.

 

mws10map


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Red Nose Day in the Lakes

March 15, 2013 – 10:37 am

comic relief

 

 

Happy Red Nose Day to you!

 

We’ve sent the kids off dressed fully in red, with platefuls of Red Nose Day biscuits to share out. If you’re passing the office, why not call in and grab a delicious Red Nose Day biscuit, if you can spare a few pennies for Comic Relief then all the better :-)

 

 


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