The 5 best places to eat in the Lake District

 Where are the 5 best places to eat in the Lakes?

In my opinion and in no particular order, these 5 always deliver a great meal.

Woodside and Fell View Cottages - quality accommodation in the Lakes

 One of the best places to visit in the Lakes is Cartmel.  Not only have you a Medieval village, Priory, fabulous shops, cafes and a race course but you also have 2 top restaurants!
L’Enclume has just been voted THE best restaurant in the UK. It is owned by Simon Rogan.    It’s a10 minute drive from Woodside in the village of Cartmel
Also in the village of Cartmel is Simon Rogan’s Bistro. Slightly simpler fayre than L’Enclume but still  excellent.

Next up is The Swan (our local to Woodside Cottage ) I particularly like the ribs…fantastic. A beautiful setting on the banks of the River Leven and a few minutes drive from Woodside or a leisurely walk through the woods.

The Crown at High Newton is an excellent pub/restaurant. The burgers are great.I always enjoy sitting outside on a Summer's afternoon for a drink.

And finally a pub that never fails to deliver. A family run pub that was runner up in 2015 in “The friendliest pub in GB”competition.    
The Pheasant is in the village of Allithwaite (6 minutes walk away from Fell View and  20 mins away car, from Woodside) is run by Charlotte and her team. I recommend the duck!

A brilliant way to travel on Coniston water

An enjoyable way to travel on lake Coniston

March 22, 2018 by fellside

Coniston Launch – lake cruises and group charters on Coniston Water in the Lake District

Coniston Launch   offers a variety of ways that you can enjoy a beautiful boat cruise on Coniston Water in the Lake District.

Regular scheduled cruises

• regular services covering two different circular routes on Coniston Water – see the timetable and fares
• stay on the boat for the full cruise or stop off at any of the jetties to catch a later boat back
• combine a boat cruise with a walk around the shore of Coniston Water – see lakeshore walks and fell walks

Special cruises

• Swallows and Amazons
• Campbells on Coniston

7 day explorer ticket

• Unlimited travel on Coniston Launch for 1 week

groups and charters

• book one of our launches for a private party or wedding – see groups and charters

visit Brantwood by boat

Visit Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin, with our discounted combination ticket.
Brought to you by Fell View and Woodside Cottages    www.lakesgetaways.co.uk 

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House , just waiting to be explored!

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House

January 13, 2018 by fellside

 

Woodside and Fell View Cottage - Quality accommodation in the Lakes 

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House , just waiting to be explored!

Blackwell Arts and Crafts House is  not far from Newby Bridge and Windermere, and must be one of the most stunning arts and crafts houses in the country, and somewhere that is a must for a visit. The views from the terrace are amazing, looking out onto Lake Windermere. It is one of the most enchanting historic houses in the Lake District. When you visit you are invited to relax and immerse yourself in all the beauty and craftsmanship of Blackwell. You are encourage to sit and soak up the atmosphere in Blackwell’s fireplace inglenooks, which have fine examples of tiles by Arts & Crafts designer William de Morgan. The inviting window seats offer stunning views of the surrounding Lake District scenery. You can appreciate the house as it was originally intended, without roped-off areas.
Blackwell retains many of its original decorative features, including a rare hessian wall-hanging in the Dining Room, leaf-shaped door handles, curious window catches, spectacular plasterwork, stained glass and carved wooden panelling by Simpsons of Kendal. The rooms contain furniture and objects by many of the leading Arts & Crafts designers and studios – metalwork by WAS Benson, ceramics by Pilkingtons and Ruskin Pottery and furniture by Morris & Co., Stanley Webb Davies, Ernest Gimson and Baillie Scott himself.
Recent acquisitions of furniture by Baillie Scott are on display, including an oak and ebony inlaid barrel chair with slatted sides, sideboard and a set of dining chairs. Blackwell offers more than most historic houses with several rooms displaying historical exhibitions that explore different aspects of the Arts & Crafts Movement.

 

The original gardens were laid out by Arts & Crafts garden designer, Thomas Mawson, in a series of terraces to achieve the very best views from the house over the lake towards the Coniston fells. Today, Blackwell is bordered by beautiful flower beds set against a terrace of York stone paving, providing shelter for garden chairs and tables, surrounded by fragrant flowers and herbs. On the lower terrace there is a long sweep of lawn where visitors can stroll and take in the intoxicating beauty of the Lake District whatever the season.
Opening Times
Every day, 10.30am – 5pm
Tea Room open from 10am
Winter closing time: 4pm (Nov – Feb)
Closed 25 & 26 Dec 2016 and 2 – 12 Jan 2018
Admission 2017
Adult £8.80 (without donation £8)
Kids and full-time students FREE

Beatrix Potter's favourite lake, Esthwaite Water

I Found The Best Foodie Village in the Lakes

Woodside and Fell View Cottages- Quality accommodation in the Lakes

January 20, 2018 by fellside

 I went to Cartmel Village. A few minutes from Woodside and on Fell View’s door step!
Cartmel is unique! It’s a medieval village with an ancient Priory and the smallest race course in England!  This "foodie" village has a great array of eating places and food shops as well as a monthly food market

The popular country market Market is held every third Friday of the month and features the finest food from around the area including Farmers, Growers, Artisan Producers and Speciality Food Merchants. Stallholders include:

• Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding
• Mrs Kirkhams Lancashire cheese
• Sillfield Farm (pork, wild boar & local meats)
• Furness Fish & Game
• Kell’s Veg
• Kitridding Farm Shop (home reared beef & lamb)
• David Knipe (poultry)
• Cartmel Cheeses
• The Pudding Room
• Hotwines at The Red Pepper
• Country Fare (cakes and baked goods)
• Chilli Pepper Company (chilli plants, chutneys & other foods)
• Hazelmere Bakery

Further details Tel. David Unsworth 015395 36025;  mob: 07966 681706
Cartmel Village
It’s a lovely place to wander around at any time of year . Not only has it an artisan bakery but there are many other interesting places to visit in this medieval village. Wine bars, bistros, cafe bars, coffee shops, pubs and top class restaurants! You can see why it has a reputation of being the best “foodie” village in the Lakes.
And when you have finished eating and drinking there are gift shops, vintage clothing and antique shops, chocolate shops and of course ice cream shops!

Morecambe Bay Cycle Ride

Woodside and Fell View Cottages- Quality accommodation in the lakes

January 13, 2018 by fellside

Morecambe Bay’s fantasic cycle way. Have your own big adventure on two wheels! 

From Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness to Glass Dock, Lancashire, the award-winning Bay Cycle Way (NCN 700) is 130km of relatively flat cycle routes around the Bay.

It is a family-friendly, long distance route, suitable for entry-level touring cyclists. And importantly it is designed so that you’ll never be far from a loo, a view or a brew!
if your staying at Fell view this section of the route is ideal for a short ride.

Cartmel Peninsula
The route carries on towards the little village of Greenodd before crossing the Leven Estuary and on through Roudsea Woods in preparation for the climb up aptly named Bigland Hill. Catch your breath at the top before coasting downhill towards foody capital Cartmel (of sticky-toffee-pudding fame), and through to Flookburgh where the famous Morecambe Bay shrimps are available, in season – look out for signs at fishermen’s homes.
Moving back towards the coastline, the route passes through the genteel Edwardian town of Grange-over-Sands before heading back inland along the quiet old road adjacent to the A590 towards Witherslack and Levens villages and the historic house and stunning topiary gardens of Levens Hall.
Arnside and Silverdale area
Meander along the marsh road through the diverse natural habitat of the country’s smallest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Arnside and Silverdale and visit the largest reed bed in Northwest England at Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve – home to otters, red deer and breeding birds such as bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.

An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) not to be missed.

Woodside and Fell View Cottages-Quality accommodation in the Lakes 

January 20, 2018 by fellside

Today I thought I would share with you an area that is often overlooked as it’s just outside the Lake District National Park. It’s Arnside & Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s across the Morecambe Bay and opposite Grange over Sands. http://www.arnsidesilverdaleaonb.org.uk/
This extraordinary place is famous for its amazing wildlife, stunning scenery, and superb walks. From the simple beauty of the lady’s-slipper orchid to the shining sands of Morecambe Bay, the area is simply awe-inspiring.
A great way to visit the area is by train, if you fancy a day off from driving, as there’s a station at both Arnside and Silverdale.

There are 5 major villages to enjoy: Arnside, Silverdale, Beetham, The Yealands and Wharton all worth an explore! From a Victorian seaside resort to a village with connections to the first president of the United States, the villages of the AONB will take you back in time and reveal an interesting history.

Other attractions include :
 Heron Corn Mill is an 18th century Grade II* listed water mill and important local heritage site and visitor attraction within the AONB.   http://www.heronmill.org
Lakeland Wildlife Oasis is an all-weather attraction. Where you can meet the Meerkats,  and  stroke a snake (if you want to!)   http://wildlifeoasis.co.uk/

RSPB Leighton Moss    http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/leightonmoss/ 
Leighton Hall and Hawk Garden
Leighton Hall is the historic home of the world-renowned Gillow furniture making family, a stunning location for a day out     :http://www.leightonhall.co.uk/ 

A great place to visit in the area is the Heritage Centre and Refreshment Room at Carnforth station which offers you the chance to take a step back in time! Opened in 2003 following an extensive renovation project, the centre attracts visitors from all over the world who come to experience the 1940s’ atmosphere of David Lean’s film ‘Brief Encounter’ which was filmed here.  http://www.carnforthstation.co.uk/