DESTINATION:
The Lake District
The Lake District, today a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an area of outstanding natural beauty, and tucked away in its lakeside shores and rolling valleys are a wonderful array of cultural treasures which reflect its artistic history and enduring appeal.
Recommended duration – 4 nights/5 days
KEY VISITS (Recommended)
- BLACKWELL, THE ARTS AND CRAFTS HOUSE – one of the most important surviving Arts & Crafts houses in England, designed by M. H. Baille Scott between 1897-1901 as a rural retreat for a Manchester brewery owner, Sir Edward Holt and his family. The house retains many original features incorporating a variety of arts and crafts including fireplace tiles, carved stone, stained glass and wrought iron and lead work. These beautiful features are woven into the fabric of the house rather than simply used as decoration and provide the perfect backdrop for the Arts & Crafts furniture and ceramics on display.
- BRANTWOOD – home of John Ruskin, one of the greatest figures of the Victorian age – poet, artist, critic, social revolutionary and conservationist. Brantwood is filled with Ruskin’s drawings and watercolours, together with much of his original furniture, books and personal items. Sitting majestically above the stunning landscape of Coniston Water the house retains the character of when it was Ruskin’s beloved home, filled with many of his personal treasures, fine paintings and beautiful furniture.
- STEAM YACHT GONDOLA – first launched in 1859 and completely renovated by the National Trust, this is an excellent way to enjoy some of Britain’s most dramatic scenery.
- DOVE COTTAGE – the home of William Wordsworth between 1799 and 1809, the period during which he wrote many of his most renowned works.
- WORDSWORTH MUSEUM and ART GALLERY – offering a changing programme of exhibitions and poetry readings with furniture and family possessions on view.
- RYDAL MOUNT and GARDENS – the historic home of William Wordsworth from 1813 until his death in 1850, displayed as it was during the family’s occupation, with many of the family’s effects on view. The house contains family portraits and personal possessions as well as first editions of the poet’s work. Wordsworth was a keen landscape gardener and the five-acre garden of fell-side terraces and rock pools remains very much as he designed it.
- LEVENS HALL – converted from a simple 13th century pele tower around 1580 into a gentleman’s residence by Sir James Bellingham, the hall is intimate rather than grand, reflecting the comforts of the Elizabethan age and alive with family history, full of old pictures, documents, costumes, needlework and miniatures.
ALTERNATIVE VISITS
- HOLKER HALL – since its construction in the early 16th century, Holker Hall has passed by inheritance through three family lines who have left their mark on the property using only the best architects and craftsmen whose outstanding workmanship can still be admired today.
- ABBOT HALL ART GALLERY (Kendal) – is an elegant, Grade-1 listed Georgian building set in beautiful parkland on the banks of the River Kent. One of Britain’s most admired small art galleries, it hosts a permanent collection of fine 18th century paintings displayed in a period setting.
- BEATRIX POTTER HOUSE AND GALLERY – Hill Top House is a small 17th century farmhouse with a traditional cottage garden where Beatrix Potter wrote many of her stories. Every room in the house contains a reference to a picture in her much-loved children’s tales, and much of the inspiration for the illustrations in her books came from the delightful garden, a mix of flowers, herbs, fruit and vegetables. A visit to the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead can also be included. The Gallery is located in the former offices of Beatrix Potter’s husband William Heelis, who was a solicitor by profession. Here we can see some of Beatrix Potter’s original watercolour paintings and sketches and learn more about her life, including her love of the countryside and passion for conservation.
- MUNCASTER CASTLE – home of the Pennington family for over 800 years; records suggest that the family have roots there as far back as 1026. In 1862 the architect, Anthony Salvin, rebuilt the interior, replicating the original Great Hall, decorating it with paintings, woodcarvings and heraldic windows. The sumptuous State Rooms exhibit beautiful furniture and artworks that span the centuries of Pennington family occupation and pride of place goes to the Library that rises majestically to a high Gothic vault.
- HUTTON-IN-THE-FOREST – the owners, Lord and Lady Inglewood, are descended from the Fletcher Vane family who have owned the house since 1605. The original house at Hutton consisted of a pele (small fortified keep specific to the English/Scottish border) and Great Hall, and was bought in 1605 by a Jacobean knight, Sir Richard Fletcher, whose son built the Renaissance Hall and cloisters.
- CARTMEL PRIORY – dating from the 12th century, Cartmel Priory is a working church with a chequered history. Sheltered by a wooded valley, it was an important destination for monastic visitors, pilgrims and other travellers.
- SIZERGH CASTLE (National Trust) – built to withstand Scottish attack, the castle is essentially defensive, and at its core is the battlemented pele tower which was once moated and rises almost 18 metres. The castle houses a good collection of period oak furniture and some notable Stuart portraits. It is set in handsome gardens including an imposing limestone rock garden and a park with specimen trees and woodland walks.