On a drizzly Saturday I took myself off on a little adventure by bus and train.
Saltaire Village was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001. Founded as a model industrial village by Sir Titus Salt in the 19th century, Saltaire was constructed around a gigantic textile mill and designed by architects Lockwood and Mawson. Italianate stone houses, schools, almhouses , bathhouses, churches, park and recreational facilities were provided for the mill workers. Not far from the industrial slums of Bradford, Salts Mill and Saltaire must have felt like a breath of fresh air in comparison.
Today Salts Mill has a second life as an Exhibition Space and Saltaire itself is still a lived in village with a well kept park, riverside , railway and canal. There are several independent shops and cafes to peruse and plenty of notable buildings to admire.
Saltaire vistas from the canal.
One of the first things I did after disembarking at Saltaire Railway Station was head to the canalside for a coffee from Moonbean Coffee Boat , a cute lilac painted narrowboat that sells delicous hot drinks & traybakes. Moonbean travels to different destinations along the waterway so may have now moved on. It was so nice to come across the coffee boat after discovering her on Down By The Dougie in January. 😊
I then hopped on The Saltaite Trip Boat for a 30 minute canalboat ride along The Leeds & Liverpool. The fare is £5 and the bost sets off from below Victoria Rd, a tranquil trip to Shipley and back. Its a peaceful way of viewing the local wildlife……
Local wildlife 😃More wildlife. Moonbean Coffee Boat.
Once back on land I noticed a striking looking store on the corner of Victoria Road. Giddy Arts sells lovely homewares & gifts including prints, art & jewellery. Its also a refill shop and coffee bar.
Giddy Arts. When you cant resist a new cushion. 🤭
After buying a new cushion ( ooops, not again!) I felt a bit peckish. There is a good selection of places to eat in Saltaire, I just fancied something small though and opted for a yummy savoury swirl in Cultures Deli & Drafthouse, also on Victoria Road. Delish!
Ham & Cheese Savoury swirl at Cultures.Saltaire Visitor Map.
Roberts Park is Saltaires main green space. The 14 acre Victorian Park features a bandstand, lawns & gardens, skatepark, cricket ground, riverside & cafe. A rather ornate building near the entrance on Victoria Road is the former Congregational ( now United Reformed) Church, where Titus Salt is buried in the Salt Family Mausoleum.
Saltaire United Reformed Church is a Grade I listed building.
My visit to Saltaire coincided (coincidentally) with their annual Dragonboat Festival. I did wonder why everyone was heading to the park! The races along the River Aire are popular with competitors and spectators alike. The park was soon buzzing with people jostling for position, so I left the crowds to it.
Dragonboat head. Dragonboats. The festival here was established in 2014. Two bronze Alpaca in front of the Half Moon Cafe in Roberts Park.
You may wonder why alpacas make an appearance in Saltaire. Several carvings & other likenesses are dotted around the village, the most impressive being the two bronze cameloids located in Roberts Park. Sir Titus was innovative for his time, the success of Salts Mill was down to his determination to use the wool from Alpaca in his textile business. He was one of the first people to spin it on a grand scale.
One of four stone lions guarding buildings on Victoria Rd.
I also spotted four stone lions in various poses. ‘ War ‘and Peace ‘ are located outside Victoria Hall and ‘ Vigilance & Determination’ guard the former factory School building. Sculpted by Thomas Milnes in 1858, they were originally destined for Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square. They were however rejected for being to small, and Sir Titus took a shine to them instead.
Salts Mill and the River Aire from Roberts Park.
The main attraction of Saltaire is the vast and imposing culture space of Salts Mill which has free parking and is free to wander round too.
The former textile mill is now home to galleries ( Bradford born artist David Hockney is exhibited extensively here), a peace museum, an industrial museum, bookshop, designer furniture shop, antique shop, Salts Diner and more.
Titus Salt, David Hockney and ….a pot plant. Salts Mill by David Hockney. Salts Diner prints that were inspired by Hockneys pet dachshunds. David Hockneys Caribbean Teatime Folding Screen. Industrial machinery. More Hockney paintings.
I spent about four hours in Saltaire and still think I didnt get round it all. One of the things I totally missed experiencing was the Historic Shipley Glen Tramway, a funicular railway that connects Roberts Park to the valley above. Another time perhaps.
Have you ever visited Saltaire? Or another model industrial village?
If you enjoy a bracing swim in a clear cold lake, then you will appreciate feeling warmed by the sun immediately afterwards….or perhaps relaxing in a toasty handbuilt wooden sauna on the shores of Ullswater will do the trick instead…
Intrigued by the assorted mobile sauna huts that have been popping up waterside at various rivers, lakes & seashores, I decided to book myself and two friends an hour session with Fellside Sauna . Situated by a wildflower meadow in the grounds of Another Place Hotel , the saunas build was inspired by Scandinavian designed huts that have become popular in New Zealand ski resorts.
Our time-slot was mid afternoon, so we decided to have lunch at the hotel restaurant first, before using the restroom there to change. You can also change in the Sheep Shed Lakeside Cabin or in Fellside’s cloak room which is quite compact in size.
The sauna hut has decking with seating outside and is split into three compartments. We entered via the small cloak room at one end, the sauna room sits in the middle and the attendant uses a tiny office at the other end. Our attendant was lovely and explained to us how to use the sauna before leaving us to it, though she was of course always on hand if we needed her.
With enough room to seat 8 people , the sauna benefits from a large viewing window looking out toward Ullswater and the fells beyond. If you dont fancy the 1 minute walk to the lake for a refreshing dip ( crocs provided) there is a cold plunge pool just outside on the decking.
We used the plunge pool a couple of times and also headed down to the jetty, though I’m afraid I chickened out of dipping my toes in the lake. Two friends were much braver!
Towards the end of the session the attendant made us some hot herbal tea which was a nice touch and very 🙏 welcome.
We all really enjoyed the experience, my only complaint would be that an hour isn’t quite long enough. To save time I definitely recommend getting changed before hand. And make sure you bring water ( though there is some provided) and two towels per person.
Fellside Sauna Locations.
Another Place Ullswater.
Waterside House Campsite Ullswater.
Lingholm Estate Derwentwater.
Since writing this post our mobile sauna has changed locations and is now residing by the lake on The Patterdale Estate. It will be returning to Another Place in September.
Hi folks, I have been away to NorthTyneside near Newcastle recently with my Other Half and our Labrador Hugo. We stayed in an Airbnb in the seaside town of Tynemouth , where we mostly pottered around the local sights. Plus we also bobbed into nearby North Shields. Here is a mini account of our stay.
TYNEMOUTH.
We arrived in Tynemouth on a very busy ( and surprisingly hot!) Bank Holiday Monday. When I booked a few days away here , I was expecting a chilly coastal breeze and a cooler climate for Hugo. In the event it was scorchio that day. And crowded! Luckily the days after were not quite as busy and a little less warm.
Tynemouth is known for its attractive town houses, its popular blue flag beaches, its independent boutique businesses and its proud maritime history.
King Edwards Bay On A Busy Bank Holiday Monday.
Tynemouth Priory & Castle. 🏰
History abounds on the headland where Tynemouth Priory & Castle look out over the North Sea and the Mouth Of Tyne. The dramatic ruins and their idyllic setting are looked after by English Heritage.
Tynemouth
We headed to the headland for relatively serene surroundings on the busy Bank Holiday Monday. Its certainly atmospheric up there on Pan Ball Crag, ancient mariners graves nestle amongst the ruins of the 7th century priory.
Mariners Gravestones.
As well as the castle and the priory, the cliffs have been home to army barracks and a coastguard station , which was built in 1980 and in use until 2001. The site is testament to both peacetime and wars ~ with cannons and guns , installations from battles past still standing protecting the coastline.
Restored 6-inch Gun.
There are exhibitions, a picnic area, shop & toilet facilities on site. Entry is free for English Heritage members, otherwise £8.50 for adults and £4.25 for children. We got a discount as the chapel was under restoration on our visit. Dogs are allowed on lead.
Tynemouth Metro Station & Market.
If we had visited Tynemouth at the weekend, we would have no doubt checked out the hustle and bustle of the famous Tynemouth Station Market As it was we missed out on an eclectic mix of streetfood and stalls housed inside the Grade ll listed Victorian glass structure. Markets are held on Saturday & Sunday. Dogs are welcome.
A local covers band playing on Platform 2.
The station contains various businesses too including Jimmy’s Coffee & Books and Platform 2 Craft Beer Bar. Tip ~ When we arrived in Tynemouth on a busy bank holiday we struggled finding parking on the main carparks. However the station car park was relatively quiet , inexpensive and a short walk to the priory and Front Street.
Shopping, Bars & Coffee shops.
Front Street is the main area where most of the towns independent shops, cafes and pubs are located. And its certainly a street full of places to relax and people watch , whilst indulging in your favourite beverage. Coffee shops abound on Front Street. We didn’t frequent them all , but I definitely remember enjoying the vibe at Cullercoats Coffee Company and at Dil & the Bear. ☕️
Hugo looking partial to a Bounty Iced Latte at Dil & The Bear on Front Street.
We didn’t actually visit any of the pubs on Front Street, although one did have an intriguing sign… When passing the Turks Head , I almost did a double-take after reading ‘ Real Ale, Live Music, Dead Dog.’
The Turks Head has a famous resident.
The Turks Head has been home to a stuffed collie dog called Wandering Willie for 145 years. Apparently the travelling shepherds dog had been mistakenly left in Tynemouth by his master. A ferryman, thinking he was doing the pining pooch a kindness, attempted to drown the Sheepdog in the Tyne. Luckily Willie managed to swim back ashore and gaining a new vigour for life , was adopted by another ferry master and spent many happy years herding passengers on and off the ferry.
By the time he died Willie had become a beloved figure in the area and it was thought only right that his body should be stuffed and mounted and put on display. Today he resides in a glass case in the Turks Head. The pub is of course dog friendly. 🐾
The cutest 💗 gift & homeware shop Razzberry Bazaar on Front Street.
One of the loveliest shops I found in Tynemouth was Razzberry Bazaar. This cosy Front Street emporium is packed full of vibrantly coloured homewares, clothes and gifts and seems very popular. I ending up buying a few bits and pieces from here. 😀 Other fab independents include Wild At Heart on Percy Park Road and Fine & Sandy on Front Street.
On The Beach. 😎
Our Airbnb was handily situated just across a park and a road from the beach. Longsands is a mile long stretch of golden sands with waves popular with surfers, there is a surf school situated on the beach. A fab seafront discovery was Crusoes coffee shop which is located on the sands.
Deck chairs at Crusoes. View of Longsands.
Longsands also features The Steam & Salt Beachside Sauna Experience which looks like something I would really like to try at some point ~ depending on how far the tide goes out when you fancy a cold dip after…..
There are seasonal dog restrictions on Longsands Beach, except in the Northern part which is dog friendly all year round. Dogs are welcome at Crusoes which opens daily.
Steam & Salt Saunas.
Riley’s Fish Shack.
Another smaller stretch of sand in Tynemouth is the sheltered cove of King Edwards Bay , located close to the Priory & Castle. And here right on the beach residing in two shipping containers pulled together is an amazing seafood spot ~ Rileys Fish Shack .
Riley’s Fish Shack.
Locally caught fish , cooked over charcoal is the speciality of Riley’s. Menus rely on the days catches and the restaurant is rustic in its simplicity. We loved it!
There are three or four tables inside with warming wood fires by them. One of the dishes we tried ~ Chilli fish empenada with caper salad.
Its best to book Riley’s, especially if you want to sit inside on a breezy evening. You can also perch on high stools looking out over the bay or during the day, deckchairs on the beach.
Dogs are welcome in the shack but not on the beach.
Open daily. Except in storms and inclement weather.
Beach views at Riley’s.
Other Places Of InterestIn Tynemouth.
Situated on parkland overlooking the Tyne on Pier Road is a gigantic monument commemorating the life of Admiral Lord Collingwood. Cuthbert Collingwood served with and after Lord Nelson in the 1770s, he was second in command to Nelson at the Battle Of Trafalgar. His impressive statue can also be seen from the Tyne and the sea , with four cannons flanking the steps at its base.
The Collingwood Monument.
Tynemouth Pier was unfortunately closed on our visit, but here it is below , reaching out into a very blue North Sea. The lighthouse at the end is fully operational.
North Pier and Tynemouth Lighthouse.
Tynemouth is also home to an Aquarium on Grand Parade and Tynemouth Park . I love an art deco building and the 1930s built Tynemouth Castle Inn nearby reminded me ( from the outside ) of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe.
Tynemouth Castle Inn.
NORTH SHIELDS.
And now to North Shields which is Tynemouth’s neighbor. The town is named for its ‘ shiels’ fisherman’s huts or shelters, which were built along the river, supplying fresh fish to the folk of North Tyneside.
North Shields became a centre for shipbuilding and industry. Today The Fish Quay is a hub for seafood restaurants , music and public art. It was here that we visited on the Tuesday morning. Walking to North Shields from Tynemouth is easily done along the promenade. But as Hugo couldn’t walk that far, we hopped onto the 333 Bus, that stops at both the Shields Ferry & The Quay.
North Shields Trivia ~ Did you know that comedian Stan Laurel spent 6 years of his childhood in North Shields , where his father was a theatre manager. There is a statue of him in Dockwray Square.
Another famous resident of North Shields is singer & musician Sam Fender who hails from the town and worked behind the bar in The Low Lights Tavern.
Cracking the flags in North Shields.
Shields Ferry.
One thing I really wanted to do in North Shields was take a little trip across the River Tyne on The Shields Ferry. 😀 The Pride Of Tyne and The Spirit Of Tyne ferry passengers regularly in-between South Shields and North Shields. The journey takes 7 minutes and a day ticket costs £4.20. Dogs are free.
Our ferry ~ The Pride Of Tyne.On the ferry.
The ferry was a really cute little adventure , and although we stepped onto the banks of South Shields on the other side of the river ,we didn’t explore further, preferring instead to sit with a coffee at the The Ferry View Cafe for a while, watching the world go by. Then we hopped back on the boat and walked along to The Fish Quay in North Shields.
View of a docked cruise liner. Coffees at Ferry View Cafe at the Ferry Terminal in South Shields. Walking back to the waiting Ferry.
North Shields Fish Quay.
Wil and I both loved the vibrancy of The Fish Quay and it was interesting to notice the numerous statues and murals dotted along the waterfront. Many are inspired by the towns fishing heritage. A new Mural Trail is a great way of exploring North Shields Art Scene. And an Interpretation Board Walk links interesting sites around the Quay.
Herring Girl Sculpture by Ray Lonsdale. Net Worth by Prefab 77.
There are several fisheries and fishmongers situated at the Fish Quay and these supply the various local businesses. After seeing Fred’s ( formely The Ship’s Cat) on Social Media, Wil decided this might be a great place to try lunch.
Fred’s on The Fish Quay
Fred’s has a laid back beachy vibe and some truly delicous ( though very filling ) dining choices. We ordered a yummy Spice Bag each. These hot tin foil bags contain twice cooked chips with fish & curry sauce. They are sooo good ! We should definitely have shared one though, especially as I wanted to try a Japanese Cream Sandwich. Oh yes!
Lunch at Fred’s.
Next it was time for doggy paddles in the sea. There is a small dog friendly stretch of sand at the Quay , known as Low Lights Beach , where we ventured for a cool off before heading back to Tynemouth.
Fish Quay Sands aka Lowlights Beach. A Wooden Dolly of North Shields stands outside the Prince Of Wales pub near the Fish Quay.
So there you have it, my mini guide to Tynemouth and North Shields. Please let me know 🙏 if you have any recommendations for other places to visit in the area.
I have been lucky enough to hike this route in the lovely Yorkshire Dales twice recently, once with a local walking group and once with my sister. In fact I blogged about the beautiful bluebells here last Spring too. Who wouldnt wish to return….
A meandering path traverses the bluebell carpeted hillside above the Dales Village of Austwick , through hazel tree woodland and limestone scenery and on to the tiny hamlet of Feizor, where there is a cafe ( Elaine’s Tea Room) for refreshments. Then a shorter ramble along a bridleway adorned with hedgerow flowers, leads back into Austwick. Here are a few photos from both outings.
An information board about the area of Oxenber & Wharfe Woods. The bluebells on the hillside. Green 💚 veined white. Limestone pavement. Early Purple Orchid. In the past Early purples have been used as an aphrodisiac and as a hangover cure, apparently. Myself and sister. Bluebells and stitchwort. Cowslips. Rocky outcrop.A surprise encounter! This is actually a tame Harris Hawk out with its trainer. Common Rock Rose / Helianthemum is a low growing creeping flower of rocky grasslands. At Elaine’s with some of the walking group.
The 4 to 5 mile walk is quite well way-marked with a few rocky tree rooted paths through woodland & limestone. Very well worth it for the stunning scenery and array of wildflowers.
I recently joined friends as we discovered a new way of exploring an English city!
Have you ever watched Race Accross The World on BBC1 & I Player? Pairs of Contestants race across the planet without flying, using smartphones or spending more than their allocated budget. It certainly is a thrill watching teams explore exotic destinations and immersing themselves in new cultures , all the while in hot competition with their rival participants.
City Days have now brought the experience to the ancient walled city of York. Inspired by the TV Show , teams of 2 -8 people use WhatsApp for instructions as they dash around the metropolis solving clues, riddles & physical puzzles along the way.
The game is split into three separate legs , each with its own checkpoint, where Escape-Room style brainteasers are provided.
According to online information participants typically walk 4-5 km and take 2 to 3 hours to complete the experience. We took just under 4. 😀 I for one am not great with riddles, but luckily clues can be bought with a virtual budget, and your virtual budget can be topped up….by solving another riddle. This game is certainly manna for revellers in riddles!
Anyway the three of us really did have a wonderful time. The Race took us to famous landmarks, cultural hotspots, renowned pubs and some hidden gems. Having not visited York myself for twenty plus years, I had almost forgotten what a beautiful and interesting city it is. 🤍
A few clues in our experience pack. I found a plaque to a saint Margaret Clitherow, which tickled me as I am from a town called Clitheroe. Becky & Gill pose on Stonegate. A beautiful white cat spotted in the window of The Cats Whiskers Cat Cafe on Goodramgate. Solving a puzzle ( and enjoying refreshments) in The Golden Slipper on Goodramgate. Competitors are entitled to a 10% discount on food & drink in the checkpoint establishments. Ancient arches in York Museum Gardens. Various Grass Animals are dotted around the City Centre. Colourful brollys on Coppergate Walk. The iconic York Minster. Peregrine Falcon Mural on Back Swinegate. I have forgotten the name of this pub , where we were given a globe, a torch and a tape measure. Not our favourite puzzle to solve! Gill in the churchyard of Holy Trinity Church, where Anne Lister married her partner Ann Walker in the 1800s, the first lesbian wedding. Hurrah, we did succeed in finishing the race!
The Race Across The World City Experience is available in several other UK cities too. Currently ~ London, Bristol, Manchester. YOrk and Edinburgh.
Home to the Hasell family since 1679, Dalemain Mansion & Historic Garden is situated in Cumbria’s picturesque Eden Valley. Set in beautiful parkland, the Elizabethan Manor House looks out over the Ullswater fells. I have visited Dalemain a few times over the years, and yes It has featured on this blog quite alot. But hey, it is a delightful place for a wander, whatever the season.
Dalemain although Elizabethan, has a Georgian pink brick facade.
One day I will venture inside , but on a gorgeous sunny day, who wants to do that! Here are some photos from the gardens.
The Rose-Walk.Tree 🌳 in blossom in the Top Garden. Lob’s Wood. Go through a little door in the wall and find yourself in a tiny woodland named after a character in J.M. Barrie’s ‘ Dear Brutus’. In the play Lob offers visitors to his magical garden a chance to change their life. Lob’s Wood.
My favourite area of the garden is The Low Garden which is a wild garden, laid out in the 1920s by Gertrude Hassell. Full of wood anenome and daffodils on our visit, this charming space is also home to a sleeping Box-Topiary Dragon!
Let sleeping dragons 🐉 lie. Do not disturb! Pet cemetery for the children’s beloved animals. Amongst the daffodils.
The Box Knot Garden sits alongside The Animal Garden which features plants named after members of the animal Kingdom.
Zebra amongst the Zebra grass. The Terrace in the sunshine.
There’s a tea room in an old barn that serves home made cakes & scones. I am partial to a slice of yummy Ginger & Marmalade cake! In fact Dalemain is famed for its annual Marmalade Awards .
The Tea Room. Paddington Bear is always at home at Dalemain.
Admission prices Mansion: Adults: £17.50 / Teenagers (12-16) £10.50 / Children under 12 FREE
Garden Only: Adults £12.50 / Teenagers (12-16) £10.50 / Children under 12 FREE
Historic Houses Members: FREE (except on special event days).
You can visit Dalemain for free too, if your not bothered about entering the house or gardens. The tea room and courtyard are open to the public and you can walk from the nearby hamlet of Dacre ,passing a peel tower and deer park. This is a great option if you have a dog with you.
Quite by accident one Saturday morning ,we found ourselves in the market town of Todmorden. Tod ( as it is affectionately known ) nestles amongst the Pennine Hills on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border. Many of its proud buildings were founded off the back of the flourishing textile production of the Industrial Revolution!
Today Tod has a bustling market hall, a thriving community of independent shops & businesses, peaceful canalside walks and the surrounding hills offer hikes up to Stoodley Pike, its most notable landmark. Todmorden is a ‘ Walkers Are Welcome Town’ and although some day I would love to return and hike to the pike, on this occasion we settled for cobbled streets & tow paths.
Here are a few photos from our impromptu visit to Tod…
St Mary’s Parish Church has a long history and a picturesque clock tower. We found a cute cafe on Halifax Road called Morning Glory , it has lots of quirky touches and I loved my Pain au Chocolat & Sweet and Sour Apple drink. Todmorden has some busy commuter roads rushing through the town. But there are also quaint cobbled areas and rather magnificent buildings, like the Grade l listed Town Hall. There is a town centre pub called The Polished Knob, though I believe that wasn’t its original name. The Golden Lion looks interesting. Its a community pub and music venue. Incredible Edible Todmorden Mural by the Rochdale Canal. Incredible Edible are an urban gardening & growing initiative in Todmorden. Canal Canal boats on the Rochdale Canal. Canada Geese.Canal boat using Lock 19 with its ‘ guillotine gate’.Cherry blossom under Todmorden Viaduct.I really liked the Victorian Indoor Market Hall with its glass roof, bustling stalls , coffee bar and market tavern. There’s an outdoor market too. And we discovered The Calder Cheese House on Burnley Road, where we bought….Quite a few cheeses! These are on the board at home. The soft round blue one is called Blue Brain. 💙
Has anyone been to Tod? I must admit that in the past we have carried straight on to nearby Hebden Bridge , missing out Todmorden altogether. But now I think it deserves more exploration. Ok, where are my hiking boots!
On a cool dry day last week the other half and I took advantage of a day off work ( and the car being in the garage) and headed into Manchester on the train. We dont usually have much luck with public transport, so it was a nice change to get from Clitheroe to Salford Central without a hitch. So far, so good!
A friend had told me about the Japanese Block Print Exhibition ‘ Beneath The Great Wave’ which is one of many free exhibitions at The Whitworth Gallery on Oxford Road. Deciding that we needed to see a bit of culture I dragged Wil along, with promises of visits to two of the city’s most characterful pubs afterwards. 😊 We opted to walk the 30 minutes or so from the station, there are plenty of bus stops on route too.
The Whitworth was founded in 1889 and in 1958 it became part of The Victoria University of Manchester, its university connection continues to this day. The handsome red brick building is complemented by a modern award winning extension by architects MUMA.
My favourite part of the gallery is actually the park it sits within. Full of wildlife and sculptures, its a lovely space to wander around.
Whitworth Gallery through blossom. Trees reflected in the glass. One ‘ Hippocratic Tree’ is actually a sculpture inspired by the ancient tree under which Hippocrates instructed his students. Edward VII statue. The father of the Edwardian era. Snake Head Fritillary in the wildlife garden. ‘ Bending’ is quite an eerie sculpture to stumble across. It depicts a faceless figure stooping to read the inscription of the podium he has vacated. Being put up on a pedestal is questioned in this thought provoking work of art by Rags Media Collective.Wildlife spotted in the park include rose-ringed parakeets and grey squirrels. The squirrels are tame enough to feed straight from your hand. Grey squirrel with a monkey nut.
It was however the exhibition Beneath The Great Wave : Hokusai and Hiroshige that we came to see. The Japanese artists were famed for their wonderful wood block prints, inspired by people & nature. Hokusai’s ‘ Under The Wave Of Kanagawa ‘ is particularly recognisable. Extraordinarily a block print he painted could once be bought for the same price as a bowl 🥣 of noodles! For more information and photos I will direct you to Down By The Dougie. where Michael will tell you more…
Outside the exhibition.
The Whitworth exhibits 55,000 works of art so if your an art lover this is the place to come. There is also a really nice light & airy cafe with floor to ceiling windows that looks out onto the park. A hit with me!
Cinnamon Swirl. Oh yes!
As promised, we next retraced our steps along Oxford Road and then onto Great Bridgewater Street to find The Peveril Of The Peak , a legendary Manchester Pub. With its green tiled exterior ‘ The Pev’ as it is known to locals certainly stands out. Inside snug rooms with original furniture & fittings hark back to days gone by. This is a proper old fashioned boozer.
The Peveril Of The Peak, possibly named after the novel of the same name by Sir Walter Scott. Drinks inside The Pev, which in World War 2 served as a brothel for GIs.
Another iconic Manchester Pub on Great Bridgewater Street is The Britons Protection which boasts an impressive 300 whiskies on sale. Caramel and blue wall tiles and a mural of the historic Peterloo Massacre adorn the interiors of this olde worldy local.
The Britons Protection. A drink inside The Britons Protection. Original tiles & glass inside The Britons Protection.
After a couple of beers ( cider for me) lunch beckoned , so we headed for the nearby Castlefield area where the Bridgewater Canal basin is a scenic place for a refreshment stop.
Canada Geese on the canal. Seating outside The Wharf Pub. One of many canal bridges.
During lunch at the canal side Wharf Pub , Wil got a call from the garage saying they needed the car picking up that day, not the day after , as they had previously told him. So we had to cut our Manchester day out short and head back on the next train. Ahh well.
Hopefully we wont leave it as long to visit again. 🐝🍺
Its been far too long since I have walked the Ribble Valley Scupture Trail in Brungerley Park. The recent Spring sunshine was just the nudge I needed to head to my towns local riverside. Birds were busy collecting nest material and singing to their hearts content as I wandered through the woodland , catching glimpses of the nearby River Ribble. What a grand day to explore!
There are many Halima Cassel Ceramic Sculptures in the Park, usually depicting plant life. ‘ As The Crow Flies ‘ by David Halford. Now looking a little worse for ware , though still striking.White Butterburs, in their usual place. One of several mosaic waymarkers by Paul Smith. This one depicts a Swan. Otter sculpted from limestone by Fiona Bowley. Otters are quite frequently seen in the river now. Blackthorn in blossom. 🌸‘ The Ribble King ‘ by Matthew Roby looks out toward the river. Looking resplendent there Your Highness! Tawny Owl seat created by Ribble Valley Stonemasonry. Certainly a pew with a view. My own favourite sculptures. Sika 🦌 Deer by Clare Bigger. The pair are made from stainless steel. Sika Deer were introduced from their native Japan to nearby Gisburn Park in the 19th century. Watching a Goosander fishing in the Ribble. Wood Anenome flowers amongst the celandines.
On my way home I decided to stop off for a brew ( and couldn’t resist a Lemon Cupcake!) at Holmes Mill , a former Cotton Mill that houses a Beer Hall, Brewery, Hotel, Food Hall & Cinema. They’ve been making a few changes there recently and the new Cafe/food Hall is where the Duck Pin Bowling used to be. The new bowling alley , along with laser clay pigeons, digital darts , shuffle board etc will be reopening later this month.
Anyway inside the cafe was heaving! I was pleased to get out of there and sit outside with my coffee & cake. 😊
Holmes Mill. New cafe & food Hall space. New Cafe & food Hall space. Sat outside in the sunshine.
I certainly enjoyed the Clitheroe sunshine and blue skies. Infact I believe 🙏 theres more to come!
So February is almost drawing to a close and its been a wonderful month for seeing snowdrops. These delicate white Spring flowers carpet woodland, gardens and parks from January to early March. Often referred to as ‘ Fair Maids Of February ‘ snowdrops hint that Winter will soon be over. Oh yes please 🙏, I am ready for some gentle Spring warmth.
Snowdrops at Browsholme Hall in Lancashire. Browsholme Hall.
Earlier in the month Browsholme Hall in Lancashire had a weekend open day ( a very soggy sunday) that I dragged Wil and Hugo to for a morning walk. It was a bit of a damp squib, though I was delighted to see so many snowdrops in the grounds and gardens.
LITTLE SNOWDROPS. ( Author Unknown.)
Little snowdrops first to show
In huddled bunches here and there,
Peeping through new-fallen snow
To blossom in the frosty air.
Harbingers of coming spring
Winter’s in it’s dying throes,
Time for life to burst anew,
Time for dormant seeds to grow.
The weekend just gone, we went to check on the caravan in Cumbria, for the first time this year. Lots of snowdrops in Melmerby. And even a tiny glimpse of blue sky. Happily despite the recent wind & rain, our van remains standing. Phew!
Snowdrops in Melmerby Cumbria.
We were lucky with the weather actually. Although at night the rain pitter pattered on the caravan roof ( quite a nice sound when your cosy & warm inside) ,we managed to avoid the wet stuff during the daytime. On Saturday we headed over the moors into the Durham Dales and ended up in the tranquil Weardale town of Stanhope.
My last visit to Stanhope was a few years ago at this same time of year. I certainly took a few of the same photos! The Giant Grasshopper looks after the Bug Garden behind the Durham Dales Centre and the High Street features some great little Independent shops.
A Grasshopper guards the Bug Garden. Mad Max is Stanhopes other famous resident. Often to be found sat in the market place waiting for a head scratch from passers by. Look for Mad Max the Stanhope Marketplace cat on Facebook. A valentine 💝 crochet postbox topper. Not that long ago the Durham Dales were deep in snowdrifts. So quite appropriate really…Love the pavement display at this green grocers. Cafe 1909 is a newish introduction to the High Street. I loved their yummy Potato & Double Gloucester soup & cheese toastie. And Wil really enjoyed his blueberry cheesecake for dessert. Think Hugo was hoping……
On Sunday we met family for a walk around NT Acorn Bank which has a lovely woodland , resplendent with snowdrops at the moment. And it was pleasing to see some other Spring flowers in bloom too.
Acorn Bank Watermill. Hugo in snowdrops. Snowdrops galore. Have you ever heard of an Egyptian Walking Onion? Mistletoe growing on an apple tree. ❤️Not sure what these are…..Snowdrop art 🎨 Crocuses. Wild Daffodils.
All in all it was a pleasant weekend 😊 spent at the van and hopefully we shall have a few more happy days out from our Eden Valley base in 2026.
sunshine and celandines 