Eden Valley Preparations For St George's Day

The sun was streaming through the bedroom window by 6.30am, so took the opportunity to go and put up reminder posters for next Sundays Great Salkeld Village Walk, an annual event, to Celebrate St, Georges Day with differing routes – these generally organised by Simon Yates of “Touching the Void” fame.

Breakfast out in the garden, then off to give a pint of blood, well worth doing as I always feel on a high afterwards – perhaps it’s the tea and chocolate biscuits? Home and a quick water of the flower beds, things very very dry, then off to Brougham Hall for a walk through Lowther Park to have lunch in Askham. First stop an enjoyable cup of coffee in Fusion the cafe within Brougham Hall (not Brougham Castle) then a mooch round the other enterprises established within the grounds.

The Hall itself has an interesting history and much of it is very accessible to those who have an interest in history and architecture. It is believed there was probably a fortified home there in 1307, since then the site was developed in grand style as the victorians called it the “Windsor of the North” partly due to its location and part to its regular Royal Visitors. Its recent history is not as grand as some of it is now ruins. As well as Fusion Café the Court Yard at Brougham Hall is now home to a number of small industrial units: “Once Upon a Time” produce photographs on canvas, “Enchanted Wood” hand craft wine storage units, whilst “All Fused Glass” make an interesting but unusual array of rings, brooches etc. There is also a Smokehouse, ornamental blacksmith, soft furnishing workshop as well as some offices.

Plans are afoot for the conservation of Lowther Castle and Gardens and the park itself is the venue for the Lowther Horse driving Trials, though sadly there will be no trials this year due to last year's being cancelled. The walk is available in more detail under but basically heads for Clifton the site of the last battle in England.

Passing Clifton Hall (NT) the route heads for Lowther Park and Castle before dropping down through the wood for lunch in one of the pubs in Askham. Lowther Castle was once the home of the Earl of Lonsdale a very colourful and sporting family. He was known as the yellow earl, was the first president of the AA and because of this the AA use yellow on their livery. He was also involved in Boxing and the World title holder receives the Lonsdale Belt.

Returning we took the path along the River Lowther which leads up through the woods to the Lowther Gate House at Eamont Bridge and back to base. The day had turned very warm so I suggested we visit the Abbots Lodge Ice Cream Farm, the laughter of children enjoying the outdoor swings and slides made sitting in the sun eating our chosen flavours very enjoyable. We reminisced about the ice cream van which occasionally came to the village of our youth, I seem to remember they used a mix of goat and cows milk to make their ice cream. My grandmother I thought was very clever and made her own but you can try other ice cream recipes.

The installation of the new bathroom and shower room in Garth Cottage has gone well and now having two showers, this should be a big boost to larger parties wanting to come and enjoy self catering in Cumbria.