One of the many locations to claim a connection to King Arthur and the round table is Eamont Bridge. The site is just to the left of the A6 before it crosses the A66 and not far from junction 40 on the M6.
King Arthur’s Round Table
Lakeland Gardens Ltd
A fabulous new garden centre is opening on the site of the old Windermere Garden Centre which closed years ago. Lakeland Gardens have filled the site with stunning architectural trees and shrubs.
Lakeland Gardens have been helping clients to realise the full potential of their outdoor space with professional garden design, landscaping, and maintenance services since 2004. The garden centre will be opening soon but if you ask nicely they’ll let you have a sneak preview!
Inglefield Nurseries – A tiny gem of a garden centre
Inglefield Nurseries in Staveley is a small family run business. It’s a beautiful little garden centre specialising in architectural plants, containers and garden statuary. You’ll find Staveley just off the main road between Windermere and Kendal.
Round Windermere by E-bike
There’s no secret to this journey (unless you’ve never been to Hawkshead before) but it’s worth talking about. In the summer I borrowed an electric bike from Country Lanes Cycle Hire on Windermere train station. My plan was to attempt to circumnavigate Lake Windermere, something I hadn’t done for at least ten years.
I used to be a keen roadie with a nice titanium racing bike but after many years of scootering I was seriously unfit. The wrong side of 50, several stone overweight and with a cardiac condition I just didn’t get on with my uncomfortable road bike any more. So I was interested in trying out an e-bike.
My first impression was how heavy it was, at least double the weight of my racer. It was also more mountain bike than road bike. The wheels were huge and the tyres wide but they made for a comfortable ride. The range on one charge is around 40 miles but this depends on the riders weight and how many hills you go up. I was a little worried about the battery running out, leaving me to pedal a very heavy bike back to the shop. There were four power settings High, Standard, Eco and Eco+. So I put it in standard and set off. From Windermere station I rolled down to Bowness and headed down the East side of the lake. This is a road I know well, having commuted down it for five years on a bike and then on a scooter.
The e-bike got me up to 15.5mph really quickly and then the minute it hit 16mph the motor cut out leaving me do all the work myself. There were some rolling ups and downs that the bike managed easily while I got used to it. Before I knew it I was at Lakeside (down the bottom of the lake and up the other side a bit). I stopped off by the Aquarium I used to work at. It was really sunny so I decided to whack on some sunscreen and have a drink. The bottle was still full. That was interesting, normally i’d have drunk half of it after 10 miles. After five minutes or so I was feeling good and I set off again. The west side of the lake is much quieter and a bit safer than the east. My plan was to head to Hawkshead but if was feeling tired or the battery was low i would head for the car ferry from Near Sawrey. Or Far Sawrey… one of the Sawreys anyway. So i pedalled along happily in the sun keeping my eye out for Sawrey and the short cut home. Before long I rounded a corner and saw a familiar looking Youth Hostel, I couldn’t quite believe it I had passed the turn off to the ferry and arrived at Hawkshead way before I expected.
So I pottered around the town for a while mulling over the journey so far. I was still blown away by how fast I got to Hawkshead. I checked the battery still around 38% left and I realised I had enough energy in the bike and in my legs to finish the last leg through Ambleside and back to Windermere. I relaxed and thought I’d get some food. I found a pub I could sit outside and ordered fish goujons with chips… and a pint of beer. I have never once in my life had alcohol on a bike ride. I know other people do it but it just never appealed to me. But on this sunny day i sat and enjoyed the fish and the chips and the bit of lemonade I had in the lager. Marvellous!
Before long I was back in the saddle for the last bit. On a narrow road I had my only mishap of the day when I pulled in a bit to let a truck get past I lost my balance and righted myself with my elbow on a dry stone wall. There was some blood but nothing serious. Ambleside passed by in a blur and I was soon within sight of the train station and the end of the ride. I think it took about two and a half hours or so. I had covered 28 miles and I felt great. A little stiff and sore so I knew I’d done some work, it wasn’t all the bike. There was 20% left on the battery, I had tried to preserve it by dropping down to eco on the flat bits and I never even tried the high setting. When I got home I dug out my old cycling log to see the last time I had done 28 miles or more on a ride… thirteen years. There it was in black and white. I knew e-bikes were the future. I realised I could sell my Vespa and commute to work by bike without getting too sweaty and I could go home the long way. Over the hills! Thats what e-bikes really do well, they take the pain out of the hills and in the Lake District that is a godsend.
But don’t take my word for it, try one for yourself you can hire them from Country Lanes in Windermere.
Stunning Art Nouveau Stained Glass in Sedburgh
This is St Gregory’s church in the Vale of Lune. The church is tiny and tucked into a sharp corner on the road. Blink and you’ll miss it. I thought it was time to re-do this post using my own photos of the stained glass. The last three pictures a thought to be from the Morris studio.
Probably the Best Garden Centre in Cumbria (and it’s not Hayes)
Larch Cottage Nurseries in the village of Melkinthorpe near Penrith is as good as it gets. With Itallianate ruins, rare and unusual plants, stunning statues and a gorgeous wooden balcony you can eat your lunch on. CA10 2DR
Who Doesn’t Like a Ride on a Miniature Steam Train?
The Ravenglass and Eskdale railway, or La’al Ratty as it’s known in the local parlance, has been around for over 100 years. La’al Ratty (or Little Ratty to you and me) makes for beautiful day trip and a fun ride for all the family. While waiting for the train I had a sausage roll the size of a sleeper and the Sicilian lemonade was an offer that I could not refuse.
The video shows “Northern Rock” pulling into Dalegarth. The train is faring better than it’s namesake the Northern Rock bank which derailed in 2012.
The one piece of equipment you really need in Cumbria
A few words of advice from my dad…
High Dam, Finsthwaite
High Dam. A lovely little tarn which makes a great background for portrait photos in the late afternoon sun. The dam at the southern end was built to power Stott Park Bobbin Mill a short distance away. The Bobbin Mill is now a museum with Victorian machinery which still works. At just under two miles this is a nice short walk with a steep start (there is also a gentler route) and your dog will love it. There is a pay and display car park which can be found between Finsthwaite and Stott Park Bobbin Mill. Alternatively, you can walk from Lakeside which is accessible by Windermere Lake Cruises from Ambleside or Bowness or even by steam train from Haverthwaite.
Stunning Art Nouveau Stained Glass in Sedburgh
Just outside the National Park but well worth the effort, Saint Gregory’s Church in the Vale of Lune was built in the 1860’s and designated a World Heritage site in 1983. The beautiful stained glass windows were designed by Frederick George Simon and installed in the early 1900’s. They feature natural scenes rather than religious themes. It can be found on the A684 to the west of Sedburgh. The church has not been in use for some time and, if not open, the keys can be obtained from the house next door.
Moss Wood and Mill Beck Stock
This one is a well kept secret known only to some local dog walkers, kids and a very occasional tourist. I only found out about it last year and I’ve lived here for 20 years. It’s a part of Sheriff’s Walk and you will find it just off the main road from Windermere to Bowness. If you are walking up hill you go past the Police Station, cross over to the other side of the road, go past Goodly Dale School, go past the green bus stop and turn left onto the path. If you are walking down Lake Road from Windermere when you get to Queens Road cross over to the green bus stop. It will take about one minute to get to the other end of the path. Through the gate is Moss Wood and a footpath winding through a beautiful wooded area big enough for your kids and dogs to run wild. There is a stream (beck) running through it which you can paddle in but bear in mind that although it’s shallow it can be quite fast flowing after heavy rain. Our dog has been caught out a couple of times jumping in and finding it hard going. There is even a waterfall towards the bottom of the path. Was tempted to keep this one to myself as we take our dog Sonny there most days and I love the fact that’s it’s empty. However this place is exactly what this blog is about so I had to do it!
Bonnie Prince Charlie Slept Here
Charlies Bar
OK so this one is not exactly a secret but not everyone knows about it. It was built in 1690 and in the Stuart rebellion of 1745 it was slept in by Bonnie Prince Charlie as he advanced on London. He also slept here during his retreat and the following night The Duke of Cumberland, who was chasing him, slept in the very same bed. Look, it says so right there on the plaque. If you’re in Kendal, pop in for a pint and imagine what the town looked like 274 years ago!
