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….

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

  3. Sheila Landry Designs – Meteghan River, Nova Scotia, Canada – I am an artist and designer of decorative painting patterns, woodworking patterns, needlework and embroidery kits and patterns, and original artwork. My Painting and Wood Surfaces for Decorative Painting is at my "Tole Painting Designs" Website My partner Keith Fenton and I sell our scroll saw patterns at our Scroll Saw Pattern website: "Sheila Landry Designs" My needlework patterns and supplies are available at my Etsy shop: "The Stitching Kitty"

    Sheila Landry Designs

    Hi, Cherryl! I don’t know how I missed this post. I don’t remember getting a notice. What a beautiful place you visited! The gingerbread house looks particularly yummy! Thank you for the much-needed virtual vacation. I love seeing your travels. <3 Take care. I am off to see your latest post. 🙂

    Reply

  4. Pingback: More Souvenirs and Cumbrian Snapshots, The Lake District -

  6. Awakening Wonders – Everyday life is filled with wondrous things and embraceable moments, but only if we allow ourselves to be fully awakened. I invite you to join me as I share passionate life adventures and ramblings that awaken my spirit. I look forward to awakening your senses to the simple, joyous wonders that are all around us. I feel that we are destined to become soulful adventurers!

    Awakening Wonders

    Oh my, thanks for sharing a beautiful countryside . . . and the gingerbread popcorn would be to die for!

    Reply
  8. debscarey – Billingshurst, West Sussex UK – Writer, Reader, Photographer and Random Scribbler. The random scribbling happens at Debs Despatches, I'm a writer for hire at Debs Carey, and I co-host Fiction Can Be Fun, where my fiction and #IWSG reflections can be found. All links below.

    debscarey

    Oh it’s been far too long since I last visited the Lakes. I’ve only ever been in the summer, but I have to say the weather in your photos adds a certain atmosphere, so I shall have to try and persuade Himself we should visit in the autumn. And outside of school holidays!

    Looking forward to pictures from the rest of your visit.

    Reply
  9. Ellie Carpenter – United Kingdom – Writing my memoirs, musings, a little fiction and a lot of poetry as a way of exploring and making the most of my life ... ... Having had a break from writing my blog for more than three years, I decided to return to write my memoirs, some day-to-day observations, views and feelings. My passion is non-fiction poetry. I have a disability and use an electric powerchair called Alfie and let nothing get in the way of living life to the full. I believe that you can never do a kindness too soon and should give credit where credit is due. A smile or a kind word could make the difference between a good or bad day for a person - we never know what's going on for another soul. Those little things, perhaps, practised daily like a mantra, could mean so much to someone else. Thank you for visiting my blog and reading a little more about me. Please, make yourself at home here. You are very welcome. Ellie x 😊

    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 🌷💗🌺

    Reply
  10. jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques – I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

    jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

    I want to go! I so enjoy reading your blog! I visited The Republic of Ireland years ago and it was absolutely stunning. My next trip will definitely be England. . .

    Reply
      1. jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques – I am a published poet and short story writer. I have been published in SNHU's the penmen review. https://penmenreview.com/author/jenny-andrews is the link where you can find my poetry and a short story. Currently, I am writing a collection of short stories, and a collection of poetry. I am trying my hand at writing a novel. Well, not a novel, actually. Make that two novels. My passion is writing. My inspiration is Franz Krafka because he managed to see the absurdity of life. Life is all about perspective and who is telling the story. We all see this life through the lens of our experiences. Literature should inspire us to think, to analyze, and to get lost in unfamiliar worlds in which we learn something new about this human existence. It is my hope that my writing challenges the reader to think, and to see a different perspective, as well as be entertained. My faith in Jesus strengthens me and gives me the courage to survive the twists and turns of this life. My faith influences a lot of my writing in that goodness always triumphs over evil, in that love conquers all. I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

        jennygracespoetryandcreativewritingtechniques

        Thank you! I’m planning for next spring. (Just praying that all is well with the world. . .these past few years have been extremely damaging. . .COVID lockdowns, et cetera . .)

        Reply
  13. Ab

    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.

    Reply

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