The Lake District

Derwent Water: The lake right by Keswick

On our first trip to England 2 years ago we meant to visit the Lake District.  However due to our lack of knowledge on how long it really takes to get around in the U.K. we opted to save ourselves an 8 hour drive from there to London and skip it.  We said "ah, we'll hit it next time" not realizing that we would actually have an opportunity to have a 'next time.'  So when Ali told me they were going to come visit it was a given that we had to go to the mythical Lake District to see what all the fuss was about......it did not disappoint.

Our fist stop was Lowther Castle.  It had been abandoned for years, so it's a just a shell, but seriously, what an beautiful ruin!  When we looked in, there was a backhoe doing work inside.  All the funds they make from entrance fees are going toward a massive restoration.  The grounds are huge and full of gardens and hidden little coves that they are still uncovering.

 Naturally we had to stop for a little photo shoot action. 

Next on our list was Aira Force, a gorgeous waterfall Ali and I had both pinned.  When we plan trips we make little boards on Pintrest to help us organize our thoughts and give us ideas of what to do.  It's a really fun way to plan a trip.  Aira Force was just as beautiful as we were hoping.  It was a super easy hike up to the falls and then down to the vantage point at the bottom.  If you look about midway down the falls there is a rainbow!

This is a little Slo-Mo video I did of the falls with the good ole iPhone.

We were very excited to visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, it'a neolithic site that is over 4,500 years old!  It's just up on a hill, anyone can visit.  The view from up there is spectacular.  It's also pretty cool to think that you are walking where people walked thousands of years ago and you are touching the same rocks that they lugged up a mountain.  I kept hoping that the circle was magical would transport me back to Medieval times so that I could meet King Arthur.  Then I would show the court my cell phone and they would think I was a wizard!  Which would mean they would probably burn me at the stake so maybe it's best that the stone circle didn't transport me back in time.

The only downside to our trip was that Porter and I both came down with a nasty bug.  He had a fever with violent shakes two of the nights we were there.  We had to take it easy.  Luckily, on the morning that Porter felt the worst, it was pouring outside.  So we stayed inside and played Lords of Waterdeep.

After a few cups of hot tea later, Porter was feeling a lot better, so we ventured out.  We stopped at the World of Beatrix Potter.  It was ADORABLE!  The little kid in me was doing backflips.  We read all her stories as kids.  The center is very similar to Disneyland.  You walk through all the stories with the characters greeting you around every corner.  It's done so well, and was fantastic.  If you visit Windermere, you must promise me that you will visit The World of Beatrix Potter, you will love it.

Jemima Puddleduck was one of my favorites!

Peter Rabbit Garden

Just up the road from Windermere is Grasmere.  Our friend Jon was in a play called "Grasmere" in college and we all saw it and loved it.  The famous, romantic poet, William Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy lived in Dove Cottage right by Lake Grasmere.  So we popped in to the museum and then took a tour of Dove cottage (where the play, "Grasmere," is set).

Dove Cottage

Learning to do Calligraphy with a quill and ink.  It was hard!  I wrote a letter to my Grandma.

Inside the sitting room where the Wordsworths would have composed their poetry.

Out in the back garden behind Dove Cottage.

We were told that Grasmere, the town, has the best gingerbread on the planet.  Of course we had to go hunt it down!  

There is a little tiny shop next to the church yard, and it's the only place where they make and sell this delicious biscuit, it's not a cookie, but more of a chewy ginger bar.  We bought a ton of it and pretty much stuffed ourselves for the rest of the trip with it.  Because it's baked fresh, it doesn't last long (at least that's what we told ourselves).   Grasmere Gingerbread is amazing! And I think there is a chance if you follow the link, you might be able to order some online if you want to try it without a road trip.

We headed over to Wray Castle, an 1890's vanity castle, which means that it is a much newer build but was built to look like an old castle.  It was beautiful to look at.  Jon and Ali took a tour inside and we headed down to the lake to check it out.

This is the other side of Lake Windermere.  We really wished that we had a sail boat, the conditions were perfect for day out on the water.

I loved driving and walking around this area.  You literally could not take a bad photograph, it was that beautiful!

This was the B&B we stayed at.  It was fantastic!  Our host, Heather, was lovely, and she made the best breakfasts.  Plus, this view!  I wanted to take her cherry tree home with me.  Bonus points if you can find Porter in this picture :)  Here is the link for the booking site, if you want to stay there.

Little Benny did great on the trip.  He is such a good baby.  And that little mustache, how can you not fall in love with him.  He made so many friends.  He smiled at everyone.  Our host at the B&B said that she though he a had a sweet way of making you feel really special.  Which he does.  He looks right at you and gives you big grin.  This was at a pub while we waited for dinner.  I think all that friend making had tucked him out.

One of William Wordsworth's most famous poems is titled "Daffodils."  His sister Dorothy inspired him when she was describing the beautiful spring flowers to him one day.  There were a ton of Daffodils when we were there.

Daffofils

By: William Wordsworth

I wander'd lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils,

Beside the lake, beneath the trees

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the milky way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: -

A poet could not but be gay

In such a jocund company!

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought.

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills

And dances with the daffodils.

The Lake District is a pretty magical place to visit.  I am actually really glad that we didn't make it there on our original trip as we had only set aside one day for it, and it really needs a good three days to experience it.  I hope I make it back there, I need more gingerbread!