Tag Archive for: Stately Homes

What’s your favourite time of year?

/in

January & February

Dufton Pike in the snow

Snowy winter peaks

There is no better time of year for enjoying quality ‘me’ time than the early months of the year.  Often there can be snow on the hills, making the views from the feature window of Shepherds View spectacular, with crystal clear mornings and dark nights for star gazing.

You don’t need to make any excuses to cosy up in front of the log fire in one of our complimentary dressing gowns, enjoy the underfloor heating, or luxuriate in the jacuzzi bath.  With Netflix on the TV for binge episodes of your favourite show ‘staying in’ can really be the new ‘going out’!  And should you venture out, then in early February Dufton Ghyll has wonderful embankments of snowdrops on display.

March & April

As the clocks march forward enjoy more of the above, but with the added fun of the Spring lambs arriving in the field below you.  It’s the reason we called the barn Shepherds View, and many a guest has whiled away the hours watching them skip and play.

Dalemain Mansion, near Ullswater, hosts the world famous marmalade festival on 22nd celebrating all things marmalade, and on 23rd the Cumbria Classic motor show.

May

Bluebells in Dufton Ghyll

With Summer around the corner the bluebells appear in the Ghyll, or you can take our guided walk to the spectacular display at Flakebridge Woods – one of our favourite walks to do.  If you are lucky you can see the native Red Squirrels at play, sometimes a woodpecker, or even a deer.

On 12th & 14th Brougham Hall, near Penrith, is running its 1940s wartime weekend event.  Free to enter, you can park in Penrith and travel on a Cumbria Classic Coach to the venue and enjoy military vehicles, wartime displays, period fashions and food and dancing.

June

On 4th June Hutton in the Forest holds one of its Classic Cars events.  A great place to visit anyway at this time of year, enjoy the historic house, walled gardens and woodland walks – this is the perfect venue.

25th June is the Ullswater Country Fair.  Held in Patterdale, in the shadow of the Helvellyn range, this is a traditional country show that showcases the rich heritage of the Lake District, including traditional sports and crafts.

July

Pot Fest at Hutton in the Forest

From the 4th and then weekly on every Tuesday throughout July & August – take a Fish & Chips supper cruise with Ullswater Steamers – a perfect combination of the stunning scenery of the Ullswater Valley and a quintessential British supper!  Perfection!

The 15th marks the first of the fantastic local Agricultural Shows to visit – Penrith Show.  These shows always provide tremendous entertainment with ringside attractions, livestock competitions, and rural crafts on display.

On 22nd and 23rd Dufton Village Hall becomes the centre for artistic talent with Art in the Hills – now a popular annual art exhibition this is a showcase for some of the talented professional and amateur local artists from the Eden – our guests in 2022 couldn’t resist buying some of the art so beware – this is a great show!

Back to Hutton in the Forest for Potfest on 28th to 30th.  This flagship event showcases the best work from over 90 selected artists and is a must for all ceramic fans – don’t forget your credit card!

August

3 great Agricultural shows to visit

The Fellside Royal

The Fellside Royal

on 10th Appleby, 26th right here in Dufton for the Fellside Royal (including the Dufton Fell Race), and finally on 31stCrosby Ravensworth.

On 20th Dalemain once again hosts the Cumbria Classic motor show.

September

This is the month for the famous Dufton Beer Festival at the Stag Inn.  Dates to be confirmed but normally the second Fri/Sat/Sun of September.  Cracking beer, cider and live music, and a short stagger home!

October

With the nights starting to draw in then the log burner comes into its own again in the barn.

As the clocks change Penrith holds its now iconic Winter Droving, a unique celebration steeped in tradition.  Over the weekend of 28th the town has a celebration of light, fire and rural life, with masked street processions and street stalls with food, drink and giftware.  Not to be missed!

November & December

The year ends the same way it started with lazy days and time to relax.

Romantic breaks

Romantic breaks

 

 

 

When will you choose to visit?

Magnificent Stately Homes & Gardens of the Eden Valley

/in

Venturing out west of Dufton to Penrith and the surrounding area there are a remarkable number of visitor attractions well worth the trip.  The Eden Valley has some lovely stately homes and gardens and many of these can be found in this area, and are also host to some popular annual events.

Brougham

English Heritage operate Brougham Castle, which is just off the A66 prior to reaching the Kemplay Island at Penrith. The castle was founded in the early 13th century and enjoys a picturesque setting beside the River Eamont.  A short drive from here is the small village of Brougham and at its centre is Brougham Hall, which is a large complex of fortified buildings that now houses a number of craft workshops, and an interesting place to visit.  It is free to enter and wander around and boasts an excellent coffee shop, Café 4 Eden.

Lowther Castle

In its pomp Lowther Castle originally boasted a room for every day of the year and its gardens were the envy of the north.  However, after the 60 year tenure of the Yellow Earl, who squandered a vast family fortune, the castle was abandoned in 1936, and then part demolished in 1957 and left to ruin.  Since 2008 the 20 year landscape masterplan of restoring the gardens has begun and there are now plenty of reasons to visit across the gardens’ 130 acres.  Not only can you enjoy exploring the gardens along formal and informal walks, but you can also hire bicycles (including electric) to enjoy a number of Estate cycle trails.  When you have finished there is also a café to visit, either at the main building or alternatively the intimate Walled Garden Coffee Shop at the bird of prey centre.

 

Dalemain House

Probably one of the most beautiful and impressive stately homes in the North West with a superb Georgian facade, and also home to the world famous Marmalade awards.  The house is well worth exploring, as are the gardens which are home to the famous Himalyan Blue Poppy, which is particular to Dalemain.  You can also take tea in the Mediaeval Hall Tearoom, and enjoy scones made to a secret recipe.

Not to be missed – May to July for the Blue Poppies, Cumbria Classic Car show in August, and not forgetting the Marmalade awards during National Marmalade Week in March.

 

Hutton in the Forest

Dating back to 1350 Hutton-in-the-Forest boasts a house, gardens and woodland that can be explored.  It is one of many such defensive structures built in Cumberland by wealthy families aware of the threat from the North.  The original Pele Tower was added onto by successive generations and today the house boasts six distinct architectural periods spanning 600 years.  It is a superb illustration of how country houses developed in the North of England.  The house and tearooms are open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, with the gardens every day except Saturday.  Hutton hosts many events during the year including a Plant & Food fair and a Classic Car show (check the web-site for details) but the most established is Potfest in the Park, which is a 3 day festival of all things ceramic.

Not to be missed – end of July for Postfest, May to July for the gardens.