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Flaming June – inspirational visits and events
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Share your love of heritage in Cumbria and forward this newsletter to a friend.
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Parasols or brollies?
We hope the sun continues to shine throughout June – and we’ll enjoy afternoon tea on terraces, shady walks through forests and gardens at their bloomin’ best. But should it rain we can head indoors and enjoy hidden treasures, discover more about the people who have shaped our beautiful landscapes, and sit and enjoy the views form our splendid heritage homes.
Get inspired and start planning your next day out in Cumbria.
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Long hot days ahead?
The longer days and warmth have encouraged all our gardens and forests to put on an exuberant burst of growth and our gardeners and volunteers are kept busy. At Levens Hall, over 20,000 home-grown seasonal flowers have been planted to create clouds of colour beneath the sculpted shapes of their famous topiary.
Our gardeners love it when you stop and ask them questions about their work. You can meet the Hutton-in-the-Forest gardener on 7 June at 11.30am, join Lowther’s Head Gardener on the 14 June for a Behind-the-scenes look at the new Rose Garden, or Holker Hall’s Head Gardener for a plant heritage tour on 20 June to see early summer flowering trees and shrubs.
Holehird members and volunteers are always on hand to help, and they have a special event, a botany workshop, on 14 June to help you recognise your plants. June 21 is the longest day of the year, it’s also Rose Day at Dalemain. Join them to celebrate The Tale of 100 Dalemain Rose’s, with talks, an exhibition, a tour of the award-winning historic gardens and rose-inspired treats to taste.
Bees know a good garden when they smell one! They are made at home at many of our gardens. Mirehouse, near Keswick, is a wonderful place to start, their tranquil walled Bee Garden is a haven for honeybees and visitors alike, being always a few degrees warmer than other parts of the garden and with an abundance of plants its treat for winged workers and human visitors alike.
You can read a full story about our bees and just how far we go to make them welcome. Read more.
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Contemporary art in a cultural landscape
The iconic ‘Weeping Window’ sculpture will be installed for all to see at Carlisle Castle. Having been the headquarters of the Border Regiment throughout the First World War, the castle makes a fitting location to host this now must-see artwork as part of the final year of 14-18 NOW's UK-wide tour. The ‘poppies’ are on display until 8 July. You can learn more about the regiments story at Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life, housed in the castle.
‘Time Mirror’ graces the lawns at Blackwell - a large tessellated funnel-shaped structure made of polished, mirror-like steel that reflects the stunning Lake District surroundings and allows visitors to experience and capture the landscape in an experimental and abstract way. Time Mirror is part of the Lakes Ignite Festival and is on display until July.
Grizedale Forest, UK’s first forest for sculpture, is home to the largest collection of site-specific art in the UK. The Forestry Commission has teamed up with the Royal Society of Sculptors to create a new exhibition as part of Grizedale Forest’s 50th Anniversary of Arts and Culture in the forest and they invite you to be ‘Inspired by Nature’, an exhibition which includes work from nine artists using media from pine needles to marble, bronze and wood. The exhibition is on display until 23 September.
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Walk in their footsteps
Beatrix Potter left us an amazing legacy, you can follow in her footsteps and make your own discoveries and better understand her love for the Lakes by visiting some of the places that inspired her. The National Trust have produced a trail that will guide you through her beloved Lake District. Be sure to call in at the Armitt Museum, in Ambleside and see the Image & Reality exhibition, an exquisite collection of her botanical drawings and watercolours. Stop by Hill Top, which today appears as if Beatrix had just stepped out for a walk, so you can imagine what life in the Lakes would have been like for Miss Potter when this was her home. For a special encounter - every Friday, between 1-3pm at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, you can learn more about conservation and see objects form the collection not normally on display.
Walk in the footsteps of William Wordsworth and get to know him and his family on walks through some of the most spectacular scenery in the National Park. Start your adventure at Dove Cottage, in the beautiful hamlet of Townend in Grasmere and wonder in the footsteps of some of our greatest writers. Download your trails.
Share the views that greeted John Ruskin every morning from his home at Brantwood, Coniston. This splendid Lake District house is a cultural delight – full of art, objects and stories, while outside you can discover the range of trails threading through the scenic 250-acre estate – a trail guide is available from Brantwood.
While you’re in the area visit Ruskin Museum – a veritable cabinet of curiosities: a voyage of discovery from the first Stone Age fell-walkers to the speed ace Donald Campbell and the iconic Bluebird K7.
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Take the road less travelled
With secluded beaches, tranquil lakes and rugged mountains, the Western Lake District is overflowing with natural beauty. The area has a rich story to tell. The historic Georgian harbour town of Whitehaven, with its rich maritime heritage, is home to The Rum Story with tales of smuggling, spices and rum!
Head south along the coast to Ravenglass, an estuary rich in wildlife and a natural harbour. A little inland stands Muncaster Castle, ancient family seat of the Pennington family with colourful spring gardens and a renowned owl centre.
Once you have discovered the beautiful west coast, you’ll want to see more, so continue south to Furness Abbey, the impressive remains of an abbey founded by Stephen, later King of England. While excavating the grave of a prosperous medieval abbot, a hoard of medieval treasures was discovered. The famous Furness Crozier and monk's ring are on display.
Head back via Ulverston to Swarthmoor Hall, known as the cradle of Quakerism, this 16th century country house is set in beautiful gardens and grounds, in 130 acres of farmland. Visitors comment on its sense of place, its tranquillity and beauty, where you will always find a warm welcome.
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Afternoon Teas
You’ll find delicious afternoon tea menus at most of our venues, where you can take in a view with your selected brew.
Lakeland Motor Museum’s Café Ambio is situated adjacent to the museum and offers stunning views across the River Leven with indoor and outdoor terrace seating where dogs are welcome.
Take a stroll through Askham Hall’s beautiful gardens with views of the River Lowther before enjoying a delicious Kitchen Garden Café afternoon tea. They grow and rear much of our own produce, so you are guaranteed a fresh selection. Enter our competition to win dinner bed and breakfast at Askham Hall.
Afternoon tea is served up against woodland birdsong at SiskinsCafé in Whinlatter mountain forest. On warm days you can sit on the balcony enjoy views through the Douglas fir and larch trees to the mountains beyond and enjoy the mountain fresh air and occasional red squirrel.
Slow Food Cumbria connects local food lovers with the best local food producers to encourage sustainable, responsible and, above all, enjoyable, eating and drinking. Slow Food has its HQ at Kirklinton Hall so you can relax here and enjoy your afternoon tea at a gentle pace.
The Gaddum Restaurant at Brockhole is our most recent addition to a Cumbria Living Heritage afternoon tea experience. Think attentively created locally inspired dishes, the finest teas and handmade pâtisserie, to be enjoyed throughout the Lounge, the Garden Room and the Orangery - where you can enjoy lake views beyond the beautiful magnolia, now in full bloom in the garden.
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This is just a small selection of ideas – visit the website, or download our brochure for a comprehensive guide to the best of Lakeland heritage.
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