Gingerbread and a Cruise: Cumbria, The Lake District

23Oct
by Cherryl

So yes, not too long ago I was sampling gingerbread in Cumbria and cruising the waters of the Lake District – that probably sounds a lot more glamorous than it was 🙃

Up in the north of England, the Lake District sits to the North Westerly side of the Yorkshire Dales. When I think of the Lake District I think of nature, peace, green mountainous landscapes and rolling hills and valleys – then more recently, it’s legacy for inventing the ‘sticky toffee pudding’ and it’s bespoke gingerbread recipe!

The Lake District: England’s most famous National Park

Prior to this visit I hadn’t been to the lakes since my very early childhood, of which I have no clear memories, only a few of those family photographs from long ago.

I won’t repeat all the stuff in the guide books, but as the name suggests, The Lake District is a district of beautiful lakes in the UK, Cumbria. It’s worth noting that for such a small island, we do seem to have a very generous helping of national parks in the UK, which is great if you can get out and enjoy them.

Deep and Wide: Windermere

Windermere Lake is the largest and deepest lake in the Lake District National Park, it even has a tide, and is much loved for it’s pretty surrounding villages and scenic mountain peaks –  popular with hikers.

Bowness: Unless it’s a hot day, wrap up warm, it gets quite chilly on the water

A beautiful moody sky, Windermere

….and yes, it’s the most touristy of all the lakes.

Toxic Waters ⛔️ 🏊‍♀️

You might have picked up on the burst of damning media headlines and articles over the summer, warning against swimming in many of the UK’s beaches due to sewage being pumped into them. Well it wasn’t just beaches – the waters of Windermere were also included in this, with articles such as ‘The Death of a Great Lake’ and ‘Toxic Algae on Lake Windermere’ though the sewage issue has been ongoing for quite some time, apparently.

Around Windermere Town

It’s quite a busy little town with lots of shops and pretty cafes. Another thing is you’re never far from a ‘Mountain Warehouse/Millets’ type shop when you’re in the Lakes – understandably.

Spotted

Thunder & Lightning – interesting name for an ice cream!!

The Smallest House in Cumbria

Whilst on the move I managed to catch some blurry photos of this quirky house 😝, Cumbria’s smallest house.

Grasmere’s Famous Gingerbread

The gingerbread shop felt like something straight out of a fairytale book, tiny and confined, but pretty and idyllic. The wafting ginger and treacly aroma in the air as you approach, is sure to entice you in. The gingerbread is delicious, it definitely has a kick, there’s real ginger in there to warm your throat. Not overly crunchy like gingernuts – more of a soft crumbly on the outside, slightly chewy on the inside type of thing.

I’d say it’s worth queuing for and I wish I’d bought more of it. By the time I decided to go back for more, the queue had become miles long – so head there first when you’re in Grasmere.

The gingerbread popcorn was delicious too 😋

Not sure if you can make it out, but the second picture above shows one of the staff in the shop in her white bonnett, and she also wore period clothing – the whole experience takes you back in time.

The popular daffodil garden also happens to be right next to the shop.

Beautiful views in Grasmere

More to come….

23 thoughts on “Gingerbread and a Cruise: Cumbria, The Lake District”

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  8. Ellie Thompson

    Thank you for taking me along with you on your journey into this lovely area, Cherryl. I’ve never been to the Lake District despite having lived in the UK all my life. I’ve heard how beautiful it is from other people, too. How awful about the sewage getting into the lakes. It’s appalling it shouldn’t be allowed to happen in this day and age, although I know it’s becoming a problem for so many otherwise lovely areas.

    Your photos were fabulous, as they always are. They really make me feel like I’m there with you. That gingerbread popcorn looks delicious, and I like the sound of that rather strangely-named ice cream. I love the characterful tiny house, too. I wonder who lives in there. Thank you for sharing all these lovely places. I so enjoy coming along. Xx 🌷💗🌺

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  12. Ab

    What a beautiful visit and cruise you had, Cheryl. The mountains and the scenic water views are lovely. I’m also a sucker for old English houses, no matter how small. Too bad about the sewage water. Yuck and sad.

    In 2013, I did a UK bus tour and we did a short afternoon visit to Grasmere. I remember what a lovely town it was. It was nice to revisit it from your perspective.

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