Christmas in the Lake District

CHRISTMAS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Brockstone Grasmere Cottage is available for Christmas in the Lake District 2019 *** Oh No It Isn't! Sorry, we've now filled this week, but will leave the post up for future reference.

Are you planning for Christmas? Well, Brockstone Grasmere Cottage is available to rent for the week 21-28 December 2019. The rate is £850 for up to 4 guests. You may also bring a dog at no extra charge.

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Sorry, since I wrote this piece we have now let the Christmas week. We still have some weeks available in November and December, and also in January 2020.

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View From Brockstone Grasmere Cottage on a winter's day

 Christmas really not that far ahead. Those of us who sing in choirs have already been learning the music for our Christmas concerts for several weeks. Here's one I'll be singing in with Ambleside Choral Society on Saturday 14 December 2019, and another one singing with Grasmere Glee at National Trust Allan Bank on Sunday 15 December 2019.

Grasmere Glee singing at Allan Bank

Why stay In Brockstone Grasmere Cottage at Christmas?

Why would you stay in Brockstone Grasmere Cottage at Christmas? Why would you want to visit the Lake District in winter?

Here is an article I've written about Winter in the Lake District. Stunning views, great walks from the door, a cosy cottage with lovely warm heating plus a log burning stove. There's a modern kitchen if you want to cook, but lots of places to eat out if you prefer. Below are some photos of the kitchen diner at Brockstone Grasmere Cottage

Here are some more photos of the cosy lounge at Brockstone Grasmere Cottage 

There are lots more beautiful photos of the area around Brockstone Grasmere Cottage on our website- please click here to read all about the cottage and the wonderful surroundings in the Lake District World Heritage Site.

More Winter Breaks at Brockstone Grasmere Cottage

At the time of writing (25 September 2019) we still have several winter weeks available at the rate of £545.

These are the weeks beginning on the following Saturdays;

9 November, 23 November, 30 November, 14 December 2019

4 January, 18 January. 25 January 2020.

We may be able to offer short breaks during these weeks. Minimum stay 3 nights., midweek from £275, weekends from £325. Please contact us directly with your preferred dates for a quote.

Autumn in the Lake District

Autumn in the Lake District. A beautiful time to visit a beautiful place.

We've finished Wimbledon, and we've packed away the World Cup. There are now just 7 weeks to go until September.

Are you thinking about an autumn visit to the Lake District? When the heat is over and the leaves start to turn there is no better place to go.

Brockstone Grasmere Cottage, our 2 bedroomed cottage with stunning views,  has been fully booked from March, right through the spring and summer. However, we do have some weeks available in September and October. Take a look at our website and our Facebook page  and see if this might just be the perfect spot for your autumn break in the Lakes

Here's the view on a winter's day.

and here are some photos taken on walks around Brockstone Grasmere Cottage in autumn last year.

For information about available dates and rates, please take a look at this page on or website.

The Lake District is now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Come a see what the Lake Dsitrict has to offer. Brockstone Grasmere Cottage could be your perfect base. Please get in touch if you have any questions. We'd love to hear from you.

Culture in the Lake District

Culture in the Lake District. 

Culture in the Lake District?  I'm guessing that if you asked most people about "Culture in the Lake District" they'd mention Wordsworth and "Daffodils" and then maybe look a bit blank.

Wordsworth's Daffodils at Rydal where he lived at Rydal Mount 

There is a terrific website called "Lakes Culture" which showcases a huge variety of music, arts, history, happenings, theatre and lots more going on in the Lakes throughout the year.

On the Lakes Culture website is a list of "Must See" on your Lake District visit.  Many of these are close to our holiday cottage , Brockstone Grasmere Cottage , some of them within walking distance.

I've started another blog article about Music in the Lake District. which I'll try to update during the year. Come to the Lakes and as well as the superb scenery and outdoor activities, immerse yourself in Culture!

Things to do and see in the Lakes right now- the first week of May 2018.

It's blossom time in the Lakes. Look and marvel! Here's an article I wrote about Blossom Time in the Lakes.  One of my favourite places to visit at this time of year is NT Sizergh Castle just outside Kendal. Here is a photo from earlier years of the wonderful blossom at Sizergh in spring.

Blossom in May at Sizergh

There are festivals throughout the year in the Lakes. This weekend sees PrintFest 2018 in Ulverston. Well worth a visit. Ulverston is on the edge of the Lakes, not usually as busy as Central Lakes. It's a lovely town with lots of interesting privately run shops , cafes and pubs. I'm always amazed by the number of pubs in Ulverston! 

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Blue Sky at last

The weather has picked up over the last few days. Looking out of my office window right now I can see blue sky over Nab Scar. The BBC website tells me it is raining right now. Don't always believe the BBC- it's not. In 5 minutes I'll have my boots on for a quick walk, all part of the New Year's resolution to go for a walk every day whatever the weather. January 10th - so far so good!

If you can get a cheap deal to visit the Lakes this weekend you'll find that it's a really good time to visit. It's quiet, but the walking is great . Make sure your boots are waterproof though. Maybe this would be a good time to buy a new pair in Grasmere or Ambleside? There are some excellent sales on.

Here's a photo I took yesterday showing a sprinkling of snow on Seat Sandal.

Seat Sandal Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace- taken on a short walk from White Moss yesterday.

This photo is taken from Loughrigg Terrace, an easy circular walk from White Moss . We are taking a break from B & B at White Moss House in 2014, but you can still stay in the wonderful Lake District Holiday Cottage, Brockstone , which has fabulous views over Loughrigg towards Wetherlam and the Coniston Fells, with views over Rydal Water as well.

It's fully booked until the end of February, and for many weeks in the year, but if you want to book now for March, we are offering special rates. You can check our Grasmere Holiday Cottage offer here.

That's all for today folks- the outdoors is calling...

Spring at last in the Lake District

It's finally warmed up, and we have some much needed rain top help the buds open. That's the good news.

More good news if you're planning to visit the Lakes is that it's very quiet here. We're offering exceptionally good rates for bed and breakfast in the next two weeks. Follow the link here for more information.
We are also offering 3 night breaks at our lovely cottage for just £290 (£590 for a week) Here's the link to find out more about the cottage.

I always like to add a photo,so I've used one I took last year, of a herdwick lamb hiding behind a bluebell. Our local lambs haven't been born yet- the farmer aims for St George's Day, 23 April. The sheep and lambs love our back garden on the fell side.

Herdwick lamb White Moss House garden.

This is a wonderful time to visit the Lakes

April and early May 2013 is a great time to visit the Lakes.

Why?

Here are some of the reasons;

• The children are all back in school, so the area is quiet.
• People are feeling the economic pich so the area is quiet
• Most overseas visitors don't come until the summer, so the area is quiet
• It's Quiet- that's great for those of you who make it here!

Also-

• The daffodils are still out because it's been so cold
• The cherry blossom is coming along and will soon look great
• The azaleas and rhododendrons are just waiting to burst into life

Click down the blog to this post which shows Sizergh Castle Gardens on 5 May 2010 . to get an idea of what you could see in the next few weeks.

Then there are

• Great walks from the door
• Wordsworth's homes nearby to visit, along with Beatrix Potter's (Hill Top) and  John Ruskin's (Brantwood) homes
• Many cultural events- festivals, theatre, music- there's always something going on
• And of course the Lakes themselves- boat, sail, row or just admire.

View of Rydal Water from White Moss viewpoint, April

I could go on- I often do......but let's just say- try to fit in a visit to the Lakes. Ideally, visit White Moss House ( owned by Wordsworth) for B & B or Brockstone Holiday Cottage perched above Rydal Water for self catering. We're offering special rates at both places- did I mention that's it's quiet here- that means you can grab a bargain!

Wonderful Autumn Colours in the Lake District

It was a glorious day today- maybe the last chance this year to see the wonderful autumn colours in the sunshine, as the forecast is for cloudier weather.
Here is a selction taken this afternoon on my favourite White Moss walk, described here as walk 2

Penny Rock Woods and Grasmere Lake from Loughrigg Terrace

Brockstone Grasmere Holiday Cottage from Loughrigg Terrace

Peter playing in the leaves in Deer Bolt Wood

Tree by the River Rothay, White Moss

River Rothay, last of the autumn leaves, White Moss

 

I've taken lots of pictures of the new path-coming soon- bookmark this blog!

Looking forward to September in the Lake District

We're hoping for a beautiful autumn in the Lake District this year. The trees are so lush after all the rain this summer that we think the leaves are going to look great.

As a very early autumn treat, we're offering very special rates for a three night stay at the beginning of September. The children will be back at school and it's usually (!) pretty good weather.

This offer runs from Sunday 2 September to Thursday 6 September inclusive.

Rooms 1, 3 and 5, usually £354 for three nights, bed and breakfast , will be just £275

Rooms 2 and 4, usually £294 for three nights, bed and breakfast, will be just £225.

This is for two guests, including afternnon tea and home made cakes on arrival, our award winning breakfasts, and all the other White Moss extras (see our website). If it's cool, the log fire will be burning. You're welcome to paly our baby grand piano too......

This offer is subject to availabilty, and only for bookings made directly with us by phone or email.

If you can only manage 2 nights during these dates, please email me for our best offer.

This beautiful picture of Rydal Water is by David Willis for Cumbria Tourism . All rights are reserved and it must not be used without permission.

Contact us; sue@whitemoss.com    015394 35295.

Pottering about in the herb garden

It's been a lovely day in the Lake District. Peter went up Easedale and Tarn Crags with a friend from Grasmere, and I pottered in the herb garden. The lovage is just coming up. For a pretty picture of the lovage taken today please look at my Notes from a Lake District Garden..
If you want to know more about lovage I've written an article about how to grow and use lovage. which might interest you.

Looking forward to the clocks going forward this weekend, and to welcoming lots of lovely guests to White Moss House for B & B in a historic house owned by Wordsworth.

Which is your favourite lake in the Lake District?

I've written a web page called The Top 10 Lakes in the Lake District, and I've got a poll on there for you to vote on your favourites.
It's just my view, but Rydal Water is number 1, and Grasmere is number two. I admit it, I'm biased. With Rydal Water just steps away from our door, and Grasmere a beautiful 10 minute walk away, I visit both of these lakes several times a week. Every day is different- the weather, the light, the trees, the birds.
Yesterday we saw the red squirrel in the White Moss garden again, we saw the heron on White Moss tarn, and a buzzard landed in a tress at close quarters.
This morning the news wasn't so good. I woke up to find the garden full of sheep eating the daffodils. These are our local Herdwick sheep. They think my garden is part of their "hefted" land, and it's hard to keep them out once they've got the taste of our lovely fresh grass. I've also written an article about Herdwick sheep too if you'd like to take a look.

White Moss House re opens on 29 March, and we have just one room left for that weekend. We do still have a room for the Easter weekend.

Grasmere and Helm Crag taken 10 minute's walk from White Moss House, January 2011

In April and May we are offering short breaks at our Grasmere holiday cottage with amazing views. Please email sue@whitemoss.com to find out more about availability and rates. We'd love to welcome you to the Lakes this spring. You can "wander lonely as cloud........" as Wordsworth and Julie Walters said!

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.