Our Favourites

A purely subjective list, but we thought we would include what we love most of all. See the other tabs for more activities and click on the links pages for information on the Settle-Carlisle Railway, the Coast-to-Coast route, golf clubs, swimming pools, pony trekking and horse riding, paragliding, fishing, museums and the countless other attractions that this wonderful area has to offer...

Smardale Gill Nature Reserve and Smardale Fell

This is our favourite walk, and we get twitchy if we haven’t done it for a while. It isn’t too strenuous, whatever your age or walking ability (the picture below is just one of the stunning views on this walk)..



The first part is reasonably accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs (depending on the weather – make sure you don’t get caught in a mudbath).

We have walked this as a family (though it is fair to say there has been the odd grumble from younger members at various times, especially during a particularly violent hailstorm in February). Many of the pictures on this site were taken on this walk.

Starting off from Smardale, the walk follows the old Stainmore railway line. The sights include rare flowers, tunnels of green trees, lime kilns, the remains of ancient settlements, lots of sheep and magnificent viaducts. In summer, colourful butterflies flutter around the wild flowers and the long grass. If you descend to the bottom of the valley towards Scandal Beck, the landscape is even more timeless, with mossy stones, shallow, clear water and whispering trees. You might even glimpse a red squirrel.

Smardale Bridge is the best place to unpack cakes and thermos flasks, before climbing up the fell, back towards Smardale. At the top, looking behind you, there are the most sensational views, whatever the weather.

This walk has everything, in all seasons. One Christmas Day, we had a wild time being blown around the fell and chasing rainbows. In summer and spring, the scenery is achingly bucolic; autumn brings golden hues to the fells in the distance, and the snow is magical.

Please be aware, this description is in no way intended to be a guide – you will find a full description and map of this walk in the property.

Yorkshire Dales drive

Head across the desolate, yet stunningly beautiful dales, towards Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, wending through small hamlets, spectacular scenery and enchanting countryside. Hawes itself is a picture perfect market town where you can explore the shops and cobbled streets (and maybe make an obligatory stop for tea and cake). The Wensleydale Creamery is also in Hawes. Mmm, a visitor centre involving cheese, what more could a person want?

Bowes Museum

A bit bonkers, which makes it all the more fun. Bowes Museum holds a truly eclectic collection of pieces, ranging from room panels, furniture, china and toys, to ancient artefacts and a stunning fashion collection. Most endearingly, there are some objects that are simply labelled as ‘unknown’, with a request for anyone who might be clearer as to their function and purpose to inform the museum. The centrepiece is the 230-year-old mechanised silver swan. Keep an eye out for the special exhibitions – they are as diverse as the main collections, but are always inspiring. The on-site restaurant is pretty good, too..

Hill Top House

Read some of Beatrix Potter’s books or watch Miss Potter on DVD the evening before, then visit her house and garden in Sawrey, near Hawkshead. Children love the garden, and the whole experience is definitely worthwhile, though it can get busy in the summer and school holidays. Afterwards, drive into Grasmere and have lunch or tea and cakes. A particular favourite is Baldry’s Tea Room, where the hot chocolate with all the works will leave your kids full for days... or at least until teatime.

Blackwell, the Arts & Crafts House

This Grade I listed building is one of the UK's finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture. It has workshops, exhibitions and is a lovely day out. 

Kirkby Lonsdale

This is a lovely day out. A picturesque drive takes you through the Yorkshire Dales National Park to Sedbergh, then onto Kirkby Lonsdale, an ancient town which has had a Charter Market since 1227. The Market Square is framed by traditional buildings with a great selection of shops. Our current favourite is Botanica – try it for the tapas.

But it isn’t all about eating (well, not always). There are some great walks in this area, though usually we’ve done them in the pouring rain. Devil’s Bridge is worth a visit, especially on a nice day.

Rheged

Here you will find an art gallery, a delicatessen selling local produce, a café and a cinema to name just a few of the attractions at this grass-covered visitor centre. The art shop and the beautifully curated exhibitions are a particular draw for us, but there’s much more to explore.