Happy New Year from the Lake District

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year from the home of the Wordsworths, White Moss House.
If you're already thinking ahead to spring and summer holidays, early bookers for 2012 can stay 4 nights and have a fifth night free, any time, any days, except Bank Holiday weekends.
Please contact see our website for details, or email sue@whitemoss.com.

White Moss Snowdrops

Not long now until the snowdrops, daffodils, the azaleas, the bluebells ........

Christmas in the Lake District. Last Minute special offer

Our historic Lake District Cottage Brockstone Grasmere holiday cottage is available for 5, 6 or 7 nights over Christmas, at special last minute rates.
Arrive any day from Tuesday 20 December, with the latest check out day  Thursday 29 December.
7 nights £695, 6 nights £645, 5 nights £595. This is for up to 4 guests.
Great for walkers. Great for rest and relaxation. Away from the crowds in your own special cottage.

Read all about the cottage through this link.

Please ring Sue or Peter, 015394 35295 for more information, or email sue@whitemoss.com.

Special offer short breaks at Christmas and New Year

Our lovely Lake District cottage, Brockstone cottage overlooking Rydal Water  is available over the Christmas and New Year periods.
For one week stays, arriving on the Wednesday or Thursday, the rate is £695.( usually £820)
For a shorter stay, the rate is £165 per night, for a minimum stay of 3 nights.
Please ring me, 015394 35295, or email sue@whitemoss.com if you are interested in this great offer.

Special offer for Christmas and New Year in the Lake District

Our holiday cottage Brockstone cottage overlooking Rydal Water, is usually booked by the same guests every Christmas and New Year, but they can't make it this year, so our lovely self catering cottage is available for a very special last minute rate.
The usual rate for main holiday weeks is £820, but we have reduced the Christmas and New Year weeks to just £695. This is for a maximum of four guests, and is superb value.
For more information , take a look at Brockstone Cottage website, where you will find lots of information and photos.

Christmas Day is a Sunday this year, and New Year's Eve is a Saturday, so we've made the changeover days Wednesday 21 December and Wednesday 28 December (usually the changeover day is a Saturday )so that you can enjoy a full weekend for Christmas and and New Year. Even if you can only stay part of the week, this is still great value.

A cosy cottage, perfect for walkers, with a spa bath, four poster bed, lovely Smeg fridge, digital TV etc etc, and did I mention the views?

Lunch on Brockstone Terrace looking towards the Langdales, January 2011

For more views and news please look down this blog, or click through to our lake district holiday cottage website

The Olympic Torch goes right past White Moss House on 21 June 2012

Yes, it's official , the Olympic Torch will go right past White Moss House. There will be great views from our garden.

I've marked this as a red letter day on our 2012 booking chart. It's a Thursday. Book now to get a front row view of this once in a lifetime event.

Last room for this weekend at great rates!

We've just one room left, the lovely Room 5 , for this weekend, at the very special rate of £175 for two guests, for two nights, including breakfast. I know! It's a bargain!
We can't guarantee that this wonderful weather will last all week, but the trees are still looking fab-u-lous ( I'm a Strictly fan, sorry ), and the log fire will be burning.
Email  me, sue@whitemoss.com, or ring and speak to me, Karin or Peter on 015394 35295.

For one week only- save £100 on your 3 night Lake District break!

We're offering great rates until 6 November. You can save £100 on our usual 3 night rates.
For details , see the special offer page on our website.
The clocks will have gone back, but so will the children! Half term is over, and a blissful calm decsends upon the Lake District.

It's your last chance to stay with us at White Moss this year, as we close for our winter break on 7 November, though you can still stay at Brockstone self-catering cottage during the winter months. We actually have a 4 night special from Wednesday 16 November, for only £390.

For more information about Brockstone Cottage, you can read all about our Grasmere holiday cottage here.We still have the Christmas and New Year weeks available.



Brockstone holiday cottage from White Moss Viewpoint January 2011


Here's a winter's view of Brockstone Cotage taken in January- it gets all the sun going, as it's perched up on a south facing hillside. The views over Rydal water, Loughrigg and the Lakeland fells towards Wetherlam are amazing.

The most comfortable beds and the best lounge of any bed and breakfast.

"Please can we stay an extra night? Those are the most comfortable beds of any B & B we have stayed in, and the Wordsworth lounge is so comfortable and cosy with the log fire and squidgy sofas.... please can we stay an extra night?".......
Such lovely guests! We just happened to have their room free for an extra night. Happiness all round!

White Moss House Wordsworth lounge lig fire

Guests have been playing the grand piano too. Feel free to enjoy the space of our large lounge. We know it's a treat for bed and breakfast guests to have such a great lounge, especially nice for families or groups of friends, who can get together to chat in comfort.
Next weekend we have 2 rooms still available, and are offering special two night rates, so please check our webiste for details.

There must be sunshine after rain.........

When it rains in the Lakes ( which we all know it does, often) I sometimes hum the old Dire Straits song, "why worry now?....."There must must sunshine after rain, these things have always been the same, so why worry now? "
Yesterday stretched this optimism to the full- we had gales, rain, hailstones, thunder and lightening , but guess what? - it really is a beautiful sunny day here now.
The Australian guests who arrived yesterday went straight out to buy waterproof trousers in  Ambleside. They are very happy not to be using them today!
If you're looking for a last minute break in the Grasmere area, then please take a look at the special offer page on our website for  White Moss House.
Don't forget your camera. The trees are looking great.

It's been an international week at White Moss House, Grasmere

We were full all last week, with lots of guests from around the world. Usually at this time of year the overseas guests have gone, but in the last 7 days we've welcomed visitors from Australia, the USA, the Netherlands, Estonia, Ireland and Singapore.

After that really busy week, we find that we have rooms available this week, so we're offering some great last minute rates. Whether you want to come for just one day, or a two or three night weekend break, you can see our special last minute bed and breakfast rates here.

The piano has been in use lately. Please feel free to play to your heart's content! The log fire is very popular too. Scrabble by the fire anyone? Please email sue@whitemoss.com or ring 015394 35295 to make your reservation.

This beautiful tree is on the walk round Rydal water from White Moss House

Bring your camera. You'll want to photograph the autumn leaves, which are looking lovely right now. This tree is only 10 minutes from our front door, on one of the famous White Moss Walks. I've written a Guide to the 6 best White Moss Walks- please feel free to download and print this, or any of my articles. You'll find lots of useful information if you're planning to visit Rydal Water or Grasmere.

2012 bookings rolling in- from Australia

This year we've had lots of Australian guests, and 2012 looks like being the same. The Aussie dollar is very strong right now, and it seems that lots of Aussies are taking the chance to visit the UK whilst the pound is at bargain basement rates.

The flights must be on sale now at attractive rates, as we are now getting lots of bookings for May 2012 from down under.I don't think there will be many of us heading in the opposite direction right now ! Amazing how things turn around. It doesn't seem that long ago that Australian holidays were great value for us in the UK.

Closer to home and more immediate- we have offers on our website from now until we take our winter break in November. See our special Grasmere bed and breakfast offers here.

We are fully booked this week, but we do have rooms still for the half term weeks- children very welcome. Please email sue@whitemoss.com for our best quotes if you want to bring the family. This really is a great time of year to visit Grasmere and the Lake District. Everything looks even more beautiful than ever.

Rydal Water from White Moss Viewpoint

Red Squirrels and the heron

Walking past White Moss Tarn yesterday, we saw our old friend the White Moss Heron, standing and posing in the tarn. He's often there, on his own, looking totally fed up. That must be just how herons look.
We were just waving goodbye to him, when something rushed past us on the road.
It was a red squirrel- joy and excitment all round- apart from the heron of course.

We've seen red squirrels a lot recently, but it's still a thrill.

Autumn's back next weekend- special log fire offers.

It looks like our heatwave will be over by next weekend, but the good news is that you can curl up on the sofa by the log fire in the Wordsworth lounge and read, play the piano, play cards, chess or Scrabble , and just relax after a day in the fresh Grasmere air.

We've got a special weekend bed and breakfast offer for two nights, Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday, 7, 8, and 9 October. We're fully booked the following weekend, so if you can get here in the next few days you can take advantage of our special bed and breakfast offers. The leaves are already turning, and the lakes are looking beautiful ( as always).

White Moss House log fire in the Wordsworth Lounge

Here's a photo of the log fire-( taken in Spring when  the daffodils  were out). Don't wait until spring to visit us though - treat yourselves to a great value October weekend and walk round Rydal Water, Grasmere, and enjoy the Lake District this autumn.

Grasmere's too hot for guests from Tel Aviv!

We have lovely guests staying here from Tel Aviv, and they're too hot! They're not complaining at all about our wonderful autumn heatwave, but they've brought the wrong clothes- all warm wintery jumpers and wool trousers. They wish they had shorts!
They loved their sail on Windermere yesterday, and today they're going up to Keswick and round Borrowdale, Buttermere and Crummock Water. I've given them a route for a great Lake District day out.

First stop though, will be Grasmere Pharmacy ( a brilliant, proper local shop), to buy some Pure Lakes Geranium Aloe Vera shampoo.. Having used the wonderful Pure Lakes shampoo , shower gels and soap that we provide for our guests, they are very keen to buy a supply to take hope with them.
I'm a big fan of all the Pure Lakes products. My two absolute top favorites are Rosehip and neroli night oil ( for "mature skin"- that's me!) and Lemon and chamomile lip balm. You can buy all the Pure Lakes range online .
No, I'm not on commission!

Just look at this amazing Virginia Creeper



Viriginia Creeper at White Moss House, Grasmere

 I've just taken this photograph of our Virginia Creeper, basking in the sunshine. It's wonderfully warm out there.
If you have some free time coming up in the next few days, you could come and visit us . We are offering special last minute bargain breaks for your Grasmere bed and breakfast stay this weekend and in the next few days.
Here's one more photo I just snapped of the fuschias and the terrace. Afternoon tea and home made cakes on the terrace with our compliments. Wish you were here?



White Moss House bed and breakfast Grasmere on a sunny September morning



Summer's here at last!

Slightly odd timing, as we've officially just gone into autumn, but the warm sunshine is so welcome, and the leaves are already turning. Time to get the camera out - new photos needed for the blog!
I'm being inundated with offers from hotels and B & Bs, lots of them in the Lakes, who want me to go and stay with them at special rates. It seems like everyone is very worried about being quiet, and it's true that we have rooms free at the weekend for the first time in months.
We are offering special rates, which you can see on the special offer page of our website. In fact, you might like to boomark that page, as we update our offers every day. These are the best rates available, and can only be booked directly by phone or email ( not via the online booking chart)

Christmas and New Year in the Lake District.

Our Grasmere self-catering cottage Brockstone , is now available to book for the Christmas and New Year weeks 2011.
Changeover days will be Wednesday 21 December and Wednesday 28 December.
Great views, log fire, spa bath, Smeg fridge freezer, DVD, digital TV etc etc.... the perfect Christmas or New Year Lake District Cottage.

With it's south facing terrace, perched high up on the hillside, Brockstone Grasmere self catering cottage gets all the winter sun going.

Our Grasmere cottage terrace in January

Here's a picutre of a lunch on the terrace taken in January 2011. To find out more, please visit our Grasmere self- catering cottage website, where you'll find links to our Holiday Rentals or Holiday Lettings booking sites and Trip Advisor reviews.

Planning ahead for 2012

I've had so many requests for bed and breakfast rooms at White Moss House, and self-catering stays at Brockstone for 2012, that I've now set up a proper booking chart instead of filling in notes in my diary.

We don't usually take bookings for the year ahead until we reach the end of November-don't know why- it's a tradition! However, with everyone predicting doom and gloom, and the stock market plummeting today ( no point cashing in the pensions right now), we decided to get the 2012 calender out so those of you who want a certain room on a certain day in July are now very welcome to make the reservation. Make that 2 days actually- we don't take usually 1 night bookings.

2012 looks interesting, with the old May Whit week behing ditched for a long weekend at the beginning of June for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Then there's the excitement of the Olympic torch passing right past Whte Moss House on 21 June ( I think that's right, but don't quote me)- followed of course by the Olympics, but as we weren't lucky with the tickets, it looks like we'll be here for all of you who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of London from 27 July to 12 August.

Anyway- book now for 2012- at 2011 rates!

Here's a photo of the front of the house with the creeper on, which you can see in all it's ruby red glory if you visit in the next few weeks.

Creeper on the front of White Moss House, Grasmere bed and breakfast.

Check the special offer page on our White Moss House website and email me sue@whitemoss.com, for the best rates.

Autumn leaves, log fires, healthy walks....

October is a great time to visit Grasmere and the Lake District.Now is the time to book your October break.

Here at White Moss House we are very lucky to be able to offer all our guests the use of our lovely Wordsworth Lounge, with a log fire, lots of books, games, and a grand piano which you are welcome to play ( no chopsticks though thanks!)
We still have rooms for some weekends, and for half term, often at great rates.
email me, sue@whitemoss.com, for the best Grasmere bed and breakfast offers.

White Moss House: Red squirrels seen every day for three days.

White Moss House: Red squirrels seen every day for three days.

Red squirrels seen every day for three days.

Here is the Lake District we love our red squirrels. We've seen red squirrels every day for the last three days on our daily walks from White Moss House. They've been frolicking about in the trees. I saw one rolling over and  jumping around on a branch, seemingly just having fun.

There are lots of hazelnuts now, so maybe they are storing their food supplies for winter. If you've only ever seen grey squirrels, ( big ugly things to my mind) you might be surpiresed by how small, pretty and dainty the reds are. Beatrix Potter loved Squirrel Nutkin, and as you probably know, she lived just 8 miles away from us here at White Moss House.

I'm delighted to hear from our guests that they've been reading all my Guides to the Lake District, and have printed out my guide to White Moss Walks. Today they are doing "walk 5" the walk round Rydal Water.The sun's come out at last after all the wind and rain, and it's just lovely here. We're pretty busy right now, but we do have a room for a one night stay this Saturday, 17 September, so if you can get away, take a look at our website for our best offers.

"The six weeks following the first of September may be recomended"

It has to be admitted, the weather is not good right now. In fact, it's pretty bad for September. Usually we have bright, sunny days, and William Wordsworth in his Guide to the Lakes,  discusses the best time of the year to visit the Lakes , concluding" the six weeks following the first of September may be recommended.........."
Here's a reminder of how the Lakes looks on a good autumn day.

Rydal Water frim White Moss Viewpoint

This photo was taken by me last September, just 5 minute's walk from White Moss House.

We're full tonight and Tuesday, but we do have a few rooms still available this week , and if you can manage a last minute break, why not take advantage of our last minute grasmere bed and breakfast offers. This bed and breakfast offers page is updated daily, so you might like to bookmark it for future reference.

Has anybody read Wordsworth's Guide to the Lakes?

The highly intelligent and thoughtful group of well read people at the Grasmere reading group have just read Guide to the Lakes by William Wordsworth. (I'm one of them by the way!).

I think "mixed" would be a fair reflection of our views on the Guide. Wordsworth had very strong opinions on everything. For example, Lakes should not be too much like rivers. Long thin lakes are not to his taste. Having said that, even the most narrow lakes in the Lake District are much better than those in the Alps and America, which are too big apparently. As for Scotland "whoever travelled along the banks of Loch Lomond....without feeling that a speedier termination of the long vista of blank water would be acceptable...?"

Not many of us actually enjoyed the book, but it's certainly interesting to dip into.

Just to let you know about a new feature I've added to our website. Every day I'm putting special last minute offers on the website for the week ahead. These are the very best rates , so if you're planning a last minute trip to the Lake Distirct take a look at White Moss House last minute special offers.

Leopards came into the village and killed 60 sheep.

Not in Grasmere, obviously!
We've just had a lovely American couple staying, They live in Kenya where they are teachers and missionaries. They were surprised that the sheep roamed freely all over the place, and asked if they had any natural predators. I'd never really thought about this before, but apart from foxes taking lambs, and the odd sheep being chased by rouge dogs, nothing much harms our wonderful Herdwick sheep..

In their village the other week, leopards had come and killed 60 sheep, a disaster for the village, which is home to the Masai people.

This might sound corny, but it really is a pleasure to meet the huge variety of people who come to stay at White Moss House.

I've just started a "last minute specials" spot on our website. This will be updated daily, so if you're planning a visit to the Grasmere area soon, why not bookmark our Grasmere last minute offers ? See you soon for a complimentary cup of tea with home made cakes by the log fire in the Wordsworth Lounge?

3 days of sun at August Bank Holiday weekend in the Lakes!

Here we are, the last Bank Holiday till Christmas, a sure sign for the rain to start pouring down, but guess what? It's sunny in the Lakes! I can't go as far as to say "hot and sunny" ,as hot it's not- only about 15 or 16 degrees, but it's great walking weather.I couldn't believe it yesterday when I got a message from someone in London, cancelling their booking for this weekend because of "heavy rain in London" What sort of an excuse is that?! (I've since relet the room, thanks to all who RTd my Tweet about this)

Rydal Water from White Moss viewpoint

Absolutely perfect for doing the White Moss Walks. If you're at home this weekend, but dreaming of autumn in the Lakes, check out our special offer below. To remind you of why you really should be staying at White Moss this autumn, here's a picture I took last year, just five minutes' walk  from White Moss House

Great rates for 3 night stays this Autumn

Stay 3 nights midweek ( any night except Friday or Saturday) at great rates!

Larger rooms usually £342 now £270, and our smaller rooms ,usually £282 are now £210.
This is for two guests, for three nights, and includes our award winning breakfasts.

For more details please visit our website, or email me, sue@whitemoss.com

We are also offering special rates for three night stays that include Friday and Saturday.

You can check availability and book online here.

Brockstone now fully booked until 22 October

Thanks to everyone who tweeted and blogged and facebooked ( is there such a word?) about our August offer at  Brockstone self catering cottage. We've now filled those nights.
We do still have the week of the October half term free, and there are great bargains to be had over the winter months.
email sue@whitemoss.co or check Brockstone Cottage for more information

Sunshine all the way today- maybe a nice weekend?

Last night the moon was so bright that you could walk outside at midnight. Which we did- for a few yards! It was cold though, with a strong hint of autumn.
Today is beautiful.
Just a reminder- we still have rooms left for this weekend at a very special rate. Only our larger rooms are left, and we can offer you a room with king bed, at the very low rate of £99 per person ( £198 for the two of you), for the nights of Friday and Saturday, 19 and 20 August.
Please email me, sue@whitemoss.com, or ring 015394 35295 to make your reservation.

5 Star Scores on the Doors

Excellent! It's always a shock when the bells rings, and there's this man with an ID card telling you he's an EHO ( Environmental Health Officer) come to check your kitchen.
We're always slightly nervous ( who wouldn't be ) but once again we've come out with flying colours.
Just to remind you, we have two special  offers right now.
There's a reduction of at least 10% for two nights B & B on 19 and 20 August at White Moss House and we have a 4 night midweek amazing offer at Brockstone Cottage. Details are on the posts below.

4 nights in Brockstone in August only £300

Can you take advantage of this excellent offer? We have a 4 night gap at  Brockstone Cottage for arrival on Tuesday 30 August, leaving Saturday 3 September, and we are offering this at the exceptional rate of £300 for the 4 night self catering stay.

Click on this link to find out more about Brockstone. There are lots of articles that I've written which you can access from this link, including 10 things to do in Grasmere and Wordsworth's Lake District.

Please ring, 015394 35295, or email me, sue@whitemoss.com, to make this reservation.

Special offers for the weekend of 19 and 20 August.

Can you get away to the Lakes for a last minute break? If so, we can offer you a special offer for next weekend, Friday and Saturday, 19 and 20 August- at least 10% off a two night stay this weekend.


Smaller rooms are just £82 per person for two nights ( usually £94), and larger rooms are only £102 for two nights ( usually £114) This is per person, sharing a room, and includes our award winning breakfasts.
Please email sue@whitemoss.com, or ring 015394 35295 to make your reservation quoting this offer.
( This offer is subject to availability)

Whilst you're here you'll be able to follow the Walk round Rydal Water and all the other White Moss Walks from the door. Leave your car on our car park all day Friday , Saturday and Sunday if you wish- no charge!

To remind you of the great views on these walks, here's one of my photos.

Grasmere Lake and Village from Loughrigg Terrace, 10 minutes walk away from White Moss House

The weather's not as bad as expected for Rydal Show.

Yesterday was terrible- torrential rain all day. The day before, we had a fantastic day's walk in the sunshine. Today was forecast to be wet, which was a shame for all of our sheepdog loving guests who are at the Rydal sheepdog and hound show, just down the road.
BUT, it's actually nearly dry, with a little hint of sun, and really quite warm. We do have 1 room left tonight if anyone needs to rest after the show before they go home!

Here's a photo taken on Tuesday, of  Peter, on the top of Wetherlam, with the Scafells in the background, looking over to Brockstone Cottage. The Scafells are in the background.You can see Wetherlam from Brockstone- it's the big hill on the horizon, so obviously you can see Brockstone from Wetherlam. It's just a little spot among the trees, and you have to know where to look. Sadly, my camera a little Canon digital, won't show it, though it does very well for such an inexpensive camera.

We do still have a free week at Brockstone from 27 August. We'll offer a short break rate if you can't manage the whole week. Just email me for quotes sue@whitemoss.com

Looking towards Brockstone Cottage from Wetherlam

Special rates this Friday, 12 August

Are you looking for a 1 night stay this Friday, 12 August, in the Grasmere area? If so, we can offer you  rooms are a very special rate.

Smaller rooms only £79 for two people sharing, including our award winning breakfast.

Larger rooms just £99 for two guests. This is a great saving, 1 night only!

I've just seen a red squirrel running up the garden path and climbing one of the apple trees! Great news! You might be lucky and see one of these special creatures if you are here at any time.

Email me please for this special offer, or to find out about special midweek autumn rates. sue@whitemoss.com

Rydal sheepdog trails next week.

I love the Rydal sheepdog and hound show. If you've never been, you can still stay at White Moss House for the night of the show- Thursday 11 August, though we only have one room left.
We do have rooms on Wednesday 10th if you want to stay the night before and drive home after.
The show features sheepdogs herding reluctant sheep through gates ( as in the old "one man and his dog" TV programme). There are also hound trails, and traditional events such as judging the best shepherd's crook.
Wonderful!

If you're visiting Rydal show, you might be interested in reading A walk round Rydal water.. Why not take a look, and maybe leave a comment?

Time to book for autumn!

It's looking like being a very busy summer here at White Moss House.  The weak pound is helping, as we've had loads of European visitors plus a healthy dose of Australians who've never had it so good as far as the Aussie Dollar goes. We'll be putting off our trip down under for a while though!
If you're planning an autumn visit, to enjoy the lakes at their best , once the children are back at school, then now is the time to book. September is already pretty busy, and everyone loves to come in October, so don't leave it too long.

July already!

Here we are in July already. The lavender is looking amazing at the front of the house. We have the annual decision- do we leave it for guests to enjoy, or cut it and dry it so that we can all have the memory of it in pot pourri throughout the year.

Half and half is probably best. Last year I left it too long, and all the lavender got soaked one night and became useless for drying. There are photos and information about White Moss Lavender here.

I know, in the scale of world events , worrying about whether to cut the lavender or not is not a major decision along the lines of  "will Greece leave the Euro and send our economy crashing". It's a nice little problem.Just thought I'd share it.

By the way, if you want to book for September and October, now's the time, as bookings are coming in thick and fast. You can email me, sue@whitemoss.com.

White Moss Walks

The powers that be have put nice brown Tourist Information signs either side of White Moss House, pointing to "White Moss Walks". It shows car parking, toilets, picnic area and disabled access. Very nice!
When you get into the car parks, the Lowther Estate (who own the area , and have now taken back management of it from the National trust), have put up maps and suggested walks.

So now it's official White Moss Walks are a top tourist attraction. Stay at White Moss House, and follow the Walk round Rydal Water, and all the other White Moss walks to your heart's content- with no parking charges!

I wonder if there is a money making opportunity here we should be thinking about? Yesterday I got a phone call from a lady who has just passed on a bus, seen the White Moss Walks sign, and wanted to know when the next walk started, and how much would it be or was it free! mmmmmmm I wonder- Peter loves walking and telling everyone about the area- maybe I'll suggest it to him!

Someone is actually reading my blogs!

I write away in the hope that someone out there is reading my blogs, and from time to time people tell me that they have, indeed, read them and enjoyed them
Today a guest has just told me that she loves my blogs, all my articles published on Squidoo, and she produced the print out of my White Moss Walks page. Yes! Fame at last!

If you want to use this guide to walks from White Moss, you're very welcome, whether or not you're staying with us at White Moss House ( the only house ever owned by Wordsworth btw) . It would be really nice if you could leave a message in the guest book for the page.

For a more detailed look at the Rydal Round I've written a walk round Rydal Water, which has lots of pictures and information . Take a look, even if you're not visiting right now. Messages are very welcome , here or on the web pages .

Fantastic foxgloves! Rooms free this weekend.

The foxgloves on the fells and in the fields around White Moss House are looking amazing right now.Great purple heads are pushing up through the bracken all over Loughrigg Terrace, round Grasmere and Rydal Water.
Now that we have an official brown tourist sign for "White Moss Walks" I  wonder if even more people will realise what a great area for walkers this is!

Here is my personal guide to White Moss Walks, complete with my own photos too. I'm off for a walk right now, in the sun ( it's raining at Wimbledon, and the only match on is Venus- I'll give her a miss). I'll be taking some foxglove photos for the next post.

We still have rooms this coming weekend, and the forecast is quite good. Please ring 015394 35295 or email me, sue@whitemoss.com for our best quote.

See you soon!

Still special offers available this coming Midsummer weekend

Glastonbury will be packed, but here it looks like it might be a quieter weekend. We've been full all week, and the Ambleside area has been gridlocked this weekend thanks to the Great North Swim, but we've got a few quiet days coming up, and we just wanted to alert all you blog followers to our special offers.

Thanks to the power of the internet, we have filled Brockstone for most of the nights mentioned in our offer below. We can still offer you bargain rates for a long weekend though, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 23, 24 and 25 June.

If you want to stay self catering go to Brockstone Grasmere holiday cottage, for details, or email sue@whitemoss.com, or phone me on 015394 35295

For bed and breakfast at White Moss House, you can check our rates on  our online booking chart. Please ring or email us to make your booking at the numbers above.

The lakes are just looking lovely, and it stays light until after 10pm. Treat yourselves to a break- you're worth it!

Last minute offer for Brockstone Holiday Cottage.

Brockstone Cottage, perched high up on the "coffin route" from Dove Cottage , Grasmere, to Rydal Village, is free for 9 nights from Thursday 23 June to the morning of Saturday 2 July.

We are offering 3 night breaks at £100 off the normal rates. If you can stay longer, we'll quote you our best rates if you emal sue@whitemoss.com.

For more details and lots of photos, look at Brockstone Cottage Grasmere. Fantastic views, great walks, and long light evenings. A great opportunity for a bargain stay.

Brockstone Cottage overlooking Rydal Water

The Wordsworth Rose is out now

We have an ancient rose that winds around the porch. Our gardener says it's old enough to have been planted by Wordsworth, when he owned White Moss House.
This might be a bit fanciful, but we go with the idea and call it the "Wordsworth Rose"



The Wordsworth Rose at White Moss House, Grasmere

The Wordsworth Rose has a wonderful scent , and the lavender is just coming out. The garden looks and smells wonderful!

We're fully booked until Thursday, but we have Room 3 free Thursday , Friday and Saturday if you can get away.



See you?

No, you don't have to order your breakfast the night before!

A guest we had staying the other days asked Peter in the evening "when are you going to ask me what I want for breakfast?"
"When you sit down at a table in the dining room tomorrow morning" he said.
It seems as if most bed and breakfast places ask you to order your breakfast by about 8pm the evening before. Also, you often have to pick a time slot.
Not at White Moss House you don't! Our 30 years experience of serving highly rated Good Food Guide dinners has meant that serving a freshly cooked to order breakfast, juice, cereals, choice of teas and coffees, all served to you at a table of your choice at a time of your choice, is something we can do really well ( no point in false modesty here!).
We have an award from the AA for outstanding breakfasts. If you've never visited us- take a look at our website and see if you're able to sample the Wordsworth lounge, the lovely terrace, the White Moss walks...............etc, etc! Here's the link to White Moss House website

Enjoying the baby grand piano in the Wordsworth Lounge

The Wordsworth Lounge at White Moss House now is proud to feature a baby grand piano. Guests are very welcome to play  it, and this morning we've all enjoyed hearing a very talented young man from Germany seranading us!

We seem to be welcoming lots of overseas guests right now. Current guests are from Germnay, Australia and Spain. In fact, we seem to be seeing a lot of Australian guests right now. The Aussie dollar is stronger than it's been for years, which is great news, as they are always great guests. We Love Aussies!

Last minute availabilty this weekend

Fancy a last minute break? We have some last minute rooms this weekend at special rates if you can stay two nights.Check here for special rates this weekend.

We do also have a room for just 1 night on Saturday- a rare thing! Please email sue@whitemoss.com to make a booking.

Have you seen the new Rydal Village website?. Take a look- it's got lots of useful info and lots of pictures.

Are your free for 5 nights from Sunday 15 May?

If you have a window in your diary for 5 nights from Sunday 15 May, you could stay at Brockstone Cottage for just £450. This would be for up to four guests, self catering in this Grasmere Cottage, which may just have the best views of any Lake District cottage.

If you can only stay 3 or 4 nights, please email me ( sue@whitemoss.com) for our best offer.
The azaleas and rhodies are looking amazing right now, and the Lakes are pretty quiet- a great chance for a special luxury break at a very special rate.

It's a beautiful time to visit the Lakes right now.

We've been very busy over the Easter and Royal Wedding weekends, and the Lake District has been full of happy visitors enjoying the dry weather and sunshine.
If you can visit the Lakes in May, you'll see the very best of the azaleas and many beautiful coloured shrubs and blossoms.
We have some special rates for stays midweek during May, so take a look at White Moss online bookings by clicking on the link to see what our best rates are. You don't need to fill in the online from- simply email me  sue@whitemoss.com to make a quick reservation.
If you can only come at weekends, why not also email to see if we can offer you any last minute reduction.

Brockstone Grasmere self catering cottage update.

Brockstone Cottage is now full for Easter. I posted the last minute cancellation all over the blogosphere, facebook and twitter, and it worked!

I'm now a firm believer in the power of the social network and internet for marketing! It took me a full hour to post all the links, but it was time well spent.
I've got a couple of 5 day gaps from 2 May to 7th, and again from 15 May to the 20th. Any offers? Please email me (sue@whitemoss.com) and I'll give you our best possible rates if you can fill one of these slots at Brockstone cottage Grasmere .

Five nights at Brockstone over Easter at very special rates.

Starting on Saturday 23 April, leaving on Thursday 28 April, 5 nights for up to 4 guests at only £590.
Stay at Brockstone Grasmere self catering cottage with its amazing views for a real Easter treat.

This very special offer is due to a cancellation.
If you can only stay 4 nights the rate is £540, or for 3 nights it is £450.
Please email me ( sue@whitemoss.com) to book.

Special last minute offer for Brockstone Cottage.

Due to a cancellation, Brockstone Cottage is available from Saturday 23 April, to Saturday 7 May

The usual rate for these holiday weeks would be £820, but we are offering a special rate of £690 for 1 week bookings starting Saturday 23 April or Saturday 30 April.

This is for two guests self catering. For 3 or 4 guests the rate would be £740 ( usually £870)

If you can't manage a full week we would consider a 4 night minimum stay.

For pictures and info please look at Brockstone Cottage website , or email sue@whitemoss.com

Bargain 5 night stay at Brockstone Cottage

Can you arrive on Sunday 15 May and stay for five nights? If so, Brockstone self catering cottage with the most amazing views is yours for just £450.

For more information and photos please look at Brockstone Cottage Grasmere .

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Special Offers to see the Daffodils at White Moss House

Great special offers to visit White Moss House and see the daffodils.
The weather here is fantastic, and the daffodils are out all over the Lake District, with a great show in our garden at White Moss House.
We have superb offers for you if you can stay 2 or 3 nights between 29 March and 14 April. For details please click Special Offer at White Moss House and go through to our website, where you'll find the details.

Here's a reminder of what our special little wild Wordsworth daffodils look like.

Wordsworth daffodils at White Moss House, Grasmere ( once owned by Wordsworth)

Special Early Spring Offer at White Moss House.

Were back from our holidays and looking forward to welcoming you all in 2011.
We open at White Moss House on Thursday 24 March, and until 2 April we have a great offer, where you save £100 per couple if you stay 3 or more nights.
For details, please see the Special Offer page on our website.
The wild Wordsworth Daffodils are just opening their delicate little heads in White Moss Garden. The photo was taken in our garden in March last year.
Come and stay, an see the Lakes before the crowds arrive for Easter.

Another fabulous Grasmere Day

Here are a couple of photos from today's walk. I set off from White Moss House, through the meadow and down to Grasmere lake where a couple were  having a rather cold picnic- the sun hadn't reached this spot all day.

Then I went through the woods to Grasmere lake and caught a lovely view of Helm Crag reflected in Grasmere Lake.

I then walked up through Bannerigg woods,zig zagged left and through Ladywood, all the while being followed by a couple who seemed to think I was searching out some new route for them. I shook them off at White Moss tarn as I went up to White Moss viewpoint, then back down to Brockstone Cottage and home to White Moss, where I took this picture from the garden looking towards Loughrigg at 5pm- the end of a beautiful Januaryday.

Rydal Water and Wansfell on a late January afternoon

We walked up to Brockstone Cottage from White Moss late this afternoon. It's been a brilliant day in the Lake District. Last night was full moon, and the sky was absolutely clear. This morning we had a thick white frost.
By mid morning the sun had melted the frost in all the south facing fields, but on the north side of Rydal and Grasmere where the sun never shines in winter it stayed icy all day.

This photo was taken from the spot where the Thirlmere Aqueduct goes into Nab Scar, just behind Brockstone Cottage ( our self catering cottage ). There was someone ( probably from Nab Cottage) in a canoe on Rydal Water. You can see how cold it was on the north shore of Rydal, still very frosty at 3pm.

Looking towards Ambleside from the same spot in the photo below you can see sunny Wansfell with one of the Rydal estate houses, Cote Howe,  in the foreground, with no sun all day.

Is there a sunnier rental cottage in Lakeland?

Yesterday the Lakes was blessed with January sunshine. We had jobs to do at our self catering cottage, Brockstone. It's the cottage that you pass as you walk from Dove Cottage to Rydal Mount along the coffin route.

View from Brockstone Cottage over Silver Howe to Wetherlam and Sergeant Man

Here's a picture I took whilst we had our lunch on the terrace. You can see that there is snow on Wetherlam ( left horizon) and Sergeant Man ( the little pimple on the right horizon)
This was taken on 11/1/11 .As the cottage is high on the hillside, it gets all the sun that's going.
If you want to make a booking for 2011 in our Grasmere self catering cottage, do it now!

A wonderful winter's day in the Lakes

You might wonder why I hit you with a post about my Dyson. Well, if you have lots of Blogs, as I have, sometimes you post on the wrong one. That's the explanation! However, as I do love my Dyson so much, and it was topical for Twelfth Night, I decided not to delete it. Hope you found it of passing interest!

Back to today, and the sun is shining out of as clear blue sky. We've got a few jobs to do, but on a day like this you just have to get out, and we'll be Walking round Rydal Water later. Maybe we'll see you in the tearoom at Rydal Hall if you're around!

Thanks to Cumbria Tourism for the picture, which is not for reuse other than by members of Cumbria Tourism ( which we are)

The Dyson DC 25 vacuum cleaner changed my life!

I spent yesterday, Twelfth Night, clearing up from Christmas, and this job ( which I hate) was made much easier by my lovely Dyson ball vacuum cleaner.
This gadget really has made housework a relative pleasure. Not that I'll ever enjoy housework, but efficient tools make an enormous difference.

I decided to write a Review of the Dyson DC 25 to share my enthusiasm. Take a look if you need a new vacuum cleaner. I think the Dyson vacuum cleaner is well worth the high price.

Incidentally, if you are the person who left an unopened selection box behind a chair in the lounge- claim it soon- finders keepers!