Lake District Gifts for Christmas When looking for an extra-special present, whether it’s for Christmas or any other occasion, it’s sometimes difficult to choose. I’m fortunate to live near the Lake District, which is home to a huge number of creative businesses, producers of top quality food and drink, plus...

Barrow-in-Furness from Walney Island When you think of Cumbria, you may well conjure up charming images of the Lake District, sheep grazing on the fells, mighty mountains and quaint villages within this beautiful Lake District World Heritage Site. You may not think of Barrow-in-Furness, an industrial power house with a...

Stepping on to Piel Island is to take a trip back in time in the most unexpected way. This tiny speck off the coast of Barrow-in-Furness in south Cumbria, is a microcosm of all that is special about Morecambe Bay. It’s got ancient history, abundant bird-life, friendly people, great views...

The soft whiffle of horse’s breath ruffles my hair but I don’t open my eyes. I’m too relaxed, too chilled, too blissed-out to do more than vaguely register that a 3/4 ton Clydesdale horse is towering over me, his gentle, protective energy calming and soothing. I’m on a Full Circle...

‘Oh what a beautiful morning …’ came singing into my mind as I gazed out across Windermere, England’s longest lake, towards the stupendous Lakeland Fells. I was standing on the balcony in my suite at the Winander Club, latest addition to luxury accommodation at Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa...

The pepper pot loomed overhead, a shaft of February sunlight lighting up its whitewashed walls. Across the Furness Peninsula, Morecambe Bay glittered enticingly and the quaint little town of Ulverston bustled away below the hill. I sat on a bench letting a sliver of warmth seep in as one man...

“Oh this is great! I’ve not felt so liberated since I was a teenager and used to cycle for miles round here. Just look at that view.” Good friend Liz Mcgillivary, retired PR specialist, and I were standing at the top of Birkrigg Common looking out over a misty Morecambe...