Visitor Attractions

‘Three Shining Lights of the North’
Fountains, Rievaulx, Byland; Cistercian Abbeys

January 27, 2016

For centuries Yorkshire was divided into “Ridings”. Then in 1974 a modernising generation of politicians and bureaucrats decided that history had to be replaced by administrative convenience. New counties were created, among them North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire. Historic names and boundaries may have gone, but fear not. History refuses to be sidelined. There is […]

Some Places to Visit in the Lake District

October 28, 2011

[Updated from a 2008 post]In addition to the lakes themselves there is a wide variety of things to do in the Lake District. There are places to visit ranging from the literary connections of Dove Cottage at Grasmere (home of the poet William Wordsworth) to the practicalities (although also with artistic potential) of the pencil […]

Herb Garden at Acorn Bank, Cumbria

June 29, 2011

This lunchtime my wife and I decided to make a detour on our way home from Penrith, and to visit Acorn Bank, the National Trust property in the Eden Valley near Temple Sowerby and Culgaith. After a delicious soup and sandwich we strolled around the gardens and walked through the woods to the beautifully restored […]

Appleby Horse Fair – More Photos

June 8, 2011

Today I’m adding a few more of my Appleby Horse Fair photos from last weekend (see horse washing in the River Eden). It was a very successful event this year. Notic above that the young foals are not tied. They simply follow the adults. Sometimes, though, it looks as though one is asking “Where do […]

Traditional Horse Washing at Appleby Fair

June 7, 2011

In my post earlier today I showed a general view of the River Eden at Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. The past few days have seen the annual gypsy horse fair, with crowds watching the traditional horse washing, racing and other events. Here now are some more detailed photos taken on Friday and Saturday. (Even more Appleby Horse […]

The Around-England Blog Is Back

June 7, 2011

On moving from Nottinghamshire to the Eden Valley in Cumbria back in March we had great difficulty in getting a broadband connection. I’ll not waste time here moaning about the incompetence of internet service suppliers, or the almost unbelievable official neglect of rural areas with regard to digital access, but will now get on with […]

Lowther Castle – Restoration on a Massive Scale

January 26, 2011

When, many years ago, I first saw Lowther Castle I was quite taken aback. Driving near Askham, south of Penrith, on the Eastern side of the English Lake District, suddenly this amazing building appeared on the horizon. Decades after its substantial destruction and exposure to the elements the massive skeleton stands impressive still. Over the […]

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Bowness

December 23, 2009

In several earlier posts I have referred to Beatrix Potter, her association with the Lake District and her home at Hill Top Farm which is now in the care of the National Trust. In an earlier post about the day last year on which my wife and I found both of the National Trust’s Beatrix […]

Lake District Walking in Winter

December 12, 2009

Winter visits to the Lake District are the subject of a 12-page beautifully illustrated feature article in the January issue of Country Walking magazine. The idea that Cumbria is a northern county to be visited only in the summer is well and truly demolished by its photographs. The Lake District is beautiful throughout all seasons […]

Visiting Coniston in Winter

November 25, 2009

As I started to write this item for our blog the newspapers, radio and TV, both local and national, were full of Lake District and wider Cumbrian stories. More than a foot (>300 mm) of rain in little more than twentyfour hours had swollen rivers, formed lakes where previously there were none, and generally made […]

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