• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

DAY ONE

Begin your short stay by dropping your bags off at the 5 Star Gold award winning boutique hotel – The Ashton. This hotel offers serious style and comfort. You will not be disappointed!

A few minutes’ walk from the hotel you cannot miss the Ashton Memorial based in Williamsons Park. Visible for miles around, the Ashton Memorial has been referred to as the Taj Mahal of the North. From the viewing gallery you can see spectacular views across Lancaster and surrounding areas.

From the park take a 5 minute walk down to see St Peter’s Cathedral. This stunning building is an active city centre parish, attracting worshipers from all around the North West. The Cathedral is home to many concerts and cultural events throughout the year.

Time for lunch? Head to the Borough, situated in Dalton Square in the heart of the city. They serve great local beers and a superb food menu, including, deli bards to share with friends.

After lunch take a wander through the town centre, bursting with shops, cafes, galleries and pubs. You could easily lose a few hours here.

The heart of Lancaster has to be the Castle, dating back to the 11th Century it is owned by the Queen and still operates as a working prison and crown court. You can take a tour of the Castle and uncover the gruesome past.

Top the day off with a meal at the award winning Foodworks. Based in Lancaster House Hotel, this restaurant serves up traditional Lancashire dishes, including, the famous Lancashire Hot Pot.

DAY TWO

Start day two with a walk down the River Lune, stopping at the Maritime Museum on St. Georges Quay. This museum is housed in a fabulous Georgian building and showcases Lancaster’s rich maritime and natural history. What was once bustling with ship building activity is now a peaceful stretch of river, where the banks beauty can be admired.

From the river banks to the Sea front, why not visit Lancaster’s neighbour – Morecambe. This is a 20 minute drive from Lancaster. Stroll down the seafront and take in the sea air and views across the bay. You can see the Lake District and surrounding districts on a clear day. One thing that you may not expect to see on the seafront is a larger than life figure of Eric Morecambe!

A sight to behold is the large white building curving along the North West coast. The Midland Hotel has been lovingly re stored, becoming a stylish hotel, bar and restaurant. The Art Decor interior brings chic back to the seaside. You can pop in and have some lunch in the restaurant whilst admiring the sea view.

After all that sea air why not head to the Dukes in Lancaster. It is one of the Northwest’s leading venues screening independent film and also home to contemporary arts and theatre. They have a vast range of screenings and activities on to suit all.

Lancaster has its fair share of traditional pubs, the Ye Olde John O’ Gaunt is a must visit. With a warm atmosphere, cask ales, a range of whiskies, hearty homemade food and live music on 6 nights a week!

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

DAY ONE

Synonymous with Liverpool and music are the names John, Paul, George and Ringo! So why not
check into the Hard Days Night Hotel.

A five minute taxi ride away is the famous Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall in all its Art Deco splendour. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic is one of the oldest concert orchestras in the world.

Stroll to the 60 Hope Street Bistro for lunch. Why not try their famous deep fried jam sandwich with carnation milk ice cream?

The Magical Mystery Tour is a great way to spend your afternoon. Head to the Albert Dock and catch the tour bus; it is a perfect way to see the city, including Penny Lane, uncovering more about the four lads who shook the world.

For an extra special dining experience book a table at the Panoramic. This stylish restaurant is located on the 34th floor of Beethams West Tower, Brook Street. It offers unspoilt views across the city and beyond.

Top the day off by visiting one of the most famous clubs in the world…The Cavern Club. It has around 40 live bands per week. Also try out a few of the other bars and pubs on Mathew Street.

After a long day, The Hard Days Night Hotel is just a moment away.

DAY TWO

Grab a croissant and fresh coffee from the award winning Delifonseca on Stanley Street. With its location next to recording studios it is not unlikely that you may spot The Zutons or The Coral.

Back to the Albert Dock you will find ‘The Beatles Story’, offering a narration of the life and times of the Beatles. You can even get a glimpse of George’s first ever guitar! The Albert Dock’s other attractions include, Tate Liverpool, Merseyside Maritime Museum not to mention numerous restaurants, cafes and bars.

Next head to the city’s hub of fashion, food and fun – Liverpool One, for an afternoon of shopping. This 1.65 million sq ft shopping and leisure complex is bursting with top label fashion as well as independent boutiques, restaurants, cinemas and a park! This is the ultimate shopping experience!

Hungry? Drop into award winning Chaophraya for a unique Thai dining experience. Overlooking Chavasse Park in Liverpool One, it offers exceptional service, a perfect counterpoint to a day exploring the city.

If you have any energy left, Liverpool offers a vibrant and varied nightlife. Try Korova, with live music 7 nights a week, showcasing the up and coming talent emerging from Liverpool.

Day one

Begin your short break in Liverpool by checking into 62 Castle Street. Situated in the heart of Liverpool, you can drop your bags and the city is at your feet.

Take a 10 minute stroll to the Albert Dock. The Dock is bursting with history and heritage as well as being home to the National collection of Modern Art at Tate Liverpool. Grab a bite to eat in one of the many restaurants, cafes or bars in this area.

From the Dock, walk to the Pier Head and take a round trip on the Mersey Ferry. Take in the views of one of the best looking waterfronts in the world.

Next head to the hub of fashion, food and fun – Liverpool One. This 1.65 million sq ft shopping and leisure complex is bursting with shops and restaurants, cinemas and even a park! Reward yourself with a fabulous cocktail at the luxurious Palm Sugar Lounge.

A 10 minute walk away is Alma de Cuba, a restaurant and bar situated in the former St Peter’s Catholic Church, offering an eclectic and vibrant mix of Cuban and Hispanic influences.

If you fancy a change of scenery, stop for a drink in the Liverpool Philharmonic, or the ‘Phil’ as it is known locally. As one of John Lennon’s favourites this is a must see.

After an action packed day in the city, head back to the hotel and get a good night’s sleep ready to do it all again tomorrow.

Day two

Start day two with 62 Castle Street’s continental breakfast.

A short walk from Castle Street is the Open Eye Gallery, exhibiting shows by established photographers and talented up and coming photographers in the region.

To continue the arts theme just a short step away is FACT – Foundation for Art and Creative Technology.

Jump on the Mersey Rail at James Street station and fifteen minutes down the line you’ll find Port Sunlight and the Lady Lever Art Gallery, offering a more traditional gallery experience.

Head back into town to the Everyman Bistro, it’s below the Everyman Theatre. You can get a delicious 3 course meal for about £15.

To end a perfect trip, why not head to Crosby beach. Through the early evening dusk you will see hundreds of cast iron life size figures by ‘Angel of the North’ sculptor Antony Gormley, titled ‘Another Place’. The figures capture the emotions of emigration and hope of a new future.

Day One

Begin your short stay by checking into the City Inn, situated right next to Piccadilly station. This is a stylish, welcoming hotel mirroring the vibrancy of the city, only a 5 minute walk from the Northern Quarter!

Stop off for breakfast at Cup, owned by the popular DJ, producer, cartoonist and tea drinker; Mr. Scruff. Cup offers a perfect fusion of great food, music and art. Why not try their magnificent porridge with raisins, sultanas and syrup with a good cup of tea.

Spend the morning in the heart and soul of the Northern Quarter – Affleck’s. Established in 1982, Affleck’s is still an emporium of eclecticism, full of interesting nooks and crannies brimming with vintage clothes, jewellery, furniture, food, hairdressers and tattooists. This is a must visit for retro lovers.

The streets of the Northern Quarter are quirky and round every corner you will discover art, sculptures and design. Tib and Oldham Street (2 minutes walk from Affleck’s) are both bursting with little quirks, not to mention the range of boutique shops, cafes, bars and vinyl shops.

Dine in The Market Restaurant on High Street, which serves delicious award winning modern British food in a cosy and cottagey style environment.

Once fed and watered, the area around High Street offers the perfect place for a good night out. From a tiki bar serving the finest rum cocktails, to TV 21 – a sci fi themed bar with live music, there is a bar for everyone…even a Walrus!

Day Two

Head to Trof (Thomas Street) for the ultimate all day breakfast complete with all the trimmings!

Across the road you will discover an oriental oasis in the Chinese Art Centre, which stages exhibitions, tours and festivals and serves exotic and wonderful teas.

Just around the corner is the Buddhist Centre, open to anyone interested in Buddhist principles. They offer meditation halls, a book shop and a vegetarian cafe that serves delicious veggie sausage rolls!

Behind High Street, you will find the Manchester Craft and Design Centre. The centre is home to 19 studio boutiques, where talented artists, sculptors and designers hand make, exhibit and sell their work.

If you enjoy people watching then stop off at the Northern Quarter Restaurant. Built on the corner of what was the Victorian Smithfield market, it still has as much hustle and bustle today. Great food, great location.

To top off your Northern Quarter experience you must taste the vast music scene with a trip to Matt & Phreds. While Jazz is its first love, there is a range of live music on every night of the week.

• Coming soon

Day One

Check into St John Street, a boutique hotel, located in a prime position to explore all it has to offer.

Start your Manchester experience at The Quays (a 5minute tram ride) – Manchester’s unique waterfront destination offering a wealth of cultural, sporting and leisure attractions.

You can’t miss The Imperial War Museum North not only a dramatic piece of modern architecture, here you can step back through time with this interesting and thought provoking insight into wartime experiences.

Next head across the water to the The Lowry with an ever changing range of exhibitions and events. For some retail therapy there are plenty of designer bargains to be had at the Lowry Outlet Mall. For lunch, you’ll find a wide selection of bars and restaurant.

After lunch jump on the tram back into Manchester city centre. A 15 minute walk or 5 minute bus journey from the centre will take you to Manchester Museum. First opened in in 1888, the Museum has been at the heart of the University of Manchester for over a century, and is packed with historical artefacts and specimens from all over the world.

To end your day in style San Carlo is the place to be, serving exquisite Italian cuisine in a beautiful surroundings with excellent service and fabulous seafood menu, with the freshest produce that changes daily.

Day Two

There’s plenty more culture to absorb in this dynamic city so start the day with quick breakfast at you hotel.

Head over to Urbis, another one of Manchesters many architectural gems, and spend the morning exploring the floors of exhibitions centred around urban city life. This includes art, design, music, fashion and popular culture from all over the world.

By the time you get to the top floor it’ll be time for lunch. Handy as award-winning The Modern restaurant is situated just here, and serves an excellent menu of seasonal and locally sourced produce.

Stroll off lunch with a 15minute walk back down Deansgate and you’ll find the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), sited on the worlds oldest surviving passenger railway. The MOSI gives an interesting and indepth portrayal of manchester’s scientific and industrial past and future.

For the most spectacular views of manchester, and indeed a large portion of Lancashire itself head to Cloud 23, the top floor of the Hilton Hotel in the Beetham tower, for pre dinner cocktails.

For a truly unique experience try ITHACA, a chic restaurant and bar serving innovative and modern pan-Asian cuisine. The décor alone is enough to make this one of the coolest restaurants in Europe.

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

DAY ONE

Check in to the award winning Sharrow Bay Hotel, offering tranquil views over Ullswater, with a luxurious interior, this is a perfect haven for hanging up your walking boots.

Make your way to the tip of Ullswater at Glenridding and spend your morning taking the ‘Lady of the Lake’ boat trip. Soak up the spectacular views that inspired Wordsworth’s poem ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’.

Once back on dry land journey south (approx. 20 mins by car) to the Jumble Room, for some homemade hearty food. It started life as Grasmere’s first shop around the 1700’s. Sit back on cushions made by the next door neighbour and enjoy the homely atmosphere.

Walk off your lunch with a 10 minute stroll, mingling with the literary pilgrims at the Wordsworth Museum/Dove Cottage.

Next stop (approx. 30mins drive / 1hr on the 570 bus), taking in the beautiful scenery en route, is Kendal; home of the mint cake.

Full of tempting little shops, cafes, and restaurants. The Brewery Arts Centre is a great attraction, with a mix of theatre, arts, music and films.

Much later, head back to the Sharrow Bay hotel and dine in pure style in their Michelin Star restaurant which overlooks Ullswater. Absolute perfection!

DAY TWO

Get up early and head for Bowness, Windermere, boasting the largest natural lake in England (over 10 miles long). You can sit and have breakfast in one of the many quaint cafes with views of the Lake.

The views of the fells across the lake are stunning. From Bowness, the Lake Cruiser is great way to experience the breathtaking scenery along the way to Ambleside.

Ambleside offers a range of lovely restaurants and bars, The Drunken Duck is a must visit (about an hour’s walk or £10 in a cab). Famous for it’s quality food and on site brewery, producing some excellent beers. The food menu offers a variety of fresh, delicious local dishes.

Walk off lunch and ramble 4.4 miles down to the most visited literary shire in the Lake District – Beatrix Potter’s home. The home of Peter Rabbit and Mrs Tiggywinkle. This 17th century cottage was the inspiration for Beatrix Potter’s books and she sketched the cottage and the animals here. The cottage is exactly as Miss Potter left it with the original furniture and even her own china.

Next door you will find the Tower Bank Arms, which may be seen in ‘The Tale of Jemima Puddleduck’. This serves evening meals and a range of drinks to end your day.

Head back via the 525 stagecoach cross ferry service to Bowness Pier 3.

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

• The Red House
• Ye Old Boot Inn Bar Lounge
• Green Bough Hotel

DAY ONE

The Green Bough Hotel is a privately owned Victorian town house hotel just a short walk from the historic city. Classic and elegant this hotel offers the perfect base for your adventures in Chester.

Once checked in start your journey with a walk around the most complete city walls in the country. The walls encircle the whole of the city centre, with metal plaques every so often revealing stories of that part of the land. Along the 2.2 mile walk, you will get great views of the Eastgate clock, the Rows and the amphitheatre.

When you have completed your stroll around the walls, why not head to Oddfellows. As the name suggests it is less than ordinary. With ultra modern and unusual decor (there is even a chair and table suspended from the ceiling!) they serve delicious lunches, great with a chilled glass of champagne.

Once suitably refreshed, why not visit the shops. Chester offers a spectacular shopping experience. From Medieval two tiered Rows to the traditional black and white timber fronted shops. There is a great variation of independent and high street stores. Something to suit everyone!

After an enjoyable afternoon shopping why not head for some dinner at the award winning French restaurant in the Grosvenor hotel – La Brasserie. This city centre restaurant boasts a spectacular French menu and provides top class service.

DAY TWO

Start the day two with a bus tour of the city. In typical Chester style this is no ordinary tour as you will ride in a vintage 1920’s style heritage open top bus. This hop on and off service is a great way to fully explore the city.

Hop off at Chester Cathedral and witness the extraordinary architecture and rich and intriguing heritage. The Cathedral is a living community of worship for Chester and surrounding areas, they also have dedicated tours and events throughout the year.

Hungry? Barlounge serves up a fabulous lunch time menu. You can relax on the sofa with a hot coffee or maybe sample one of their scrumptious cocktails!

Walk down the road to the town hall where you can take First Group Service 1, to the well renowned Chester Zoo. Here you can spend the afternoon getting to know over 400 different species. There are plenty of opportunities for lunch while you’re here, I recommend the eco Café Tsavo, where you can eat al fresco whilst enjoying the company of some of the residents. Not to be missed is ‘The Spirit of the Jaguar’ said to be the worlds largest jaguar enclosure, where you can see these amazing creatures going about their daily routine.

For dinner with a wow factor head back to Chester to the Red House, a stylish and contemporary bar and restaurant. It has spectacular views over the River Dee and Chester, with a great food and wine menu.

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The sandals of centurions, the tread of Tudors, the silent feet of ghosts. Oh, and shopping.

I’m patrolling the ancient walls of Deva, a far-flung outpost of Imperial Rome. Not in a toga, but in my holiday togs. Because to use its present day name this is Chester, just across the border from Wales. And, apparently, an ancient law makes it illegal for Welshmen to enter the city after nightfall… though it’s worth risking it because this is a fascinating place at any time of day. Up on the ramparts, I was very impressed by the most complete Roman defensive ring of stone in England. The walls completely encircle the city centre, and have metal panels at various points that tell captivating stories about that particular part of the route. Just in case you’re wondering, they’re not in Latin. They were put up by the council, not the proconsul. And as I stroll along I realise the walls are a handy way of learning more about this intriguing city and getting around without being knocked down by chariot – sorry, bicycle.

“It was a bright midmorning as I took this walk into the past, but I’m told it’s even more atmospheric after dark. Provided you don’t bump into one of the many ghosts that have garrisoned themselves in these parts. Chester is said to be one of the most haunted cities in the country, and I could easily imagine being confronted by a spectral centurion keeping an eternally loyal vigil on the battlements. So it’s probably a good thing that there are many points where you can come down off the wall and into the busy streets. And what wonderful streets they are, with an eclectic mix of architecture from the middle ages to the modern, and pretty much everything in between.”

Like the grandly imposing Georgian manor house known, quaintly, as Oddfellows Hall.  But take my word for it, once inside this is about as up-to-date as it gets, because Oddfellows is Chester’s most happening new ‘open house’ club. A place dedicated to the fine arts of eating, drinking and all round enjoying. The décor is completely mad, blending original features with quirky styling touches. Nothing matches, but all the same it seems to work. In their brasserie, I discovered there’s a lot more to Cheshire than cheese as I put away a delicious lunch and relaxed with a glass of chilled champagne. Bit decadent, I know, but I was in the mood. I could understand why Caesar’s cronies wanted to keep the barbarians at bay with their walls, but it hasn’t stopped visitors from coming to experience this enchanting city and surrounding lush countryside over the past two millennia.

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Sherlock Holmes, a helpful Dalmatian, 116 bottles of bubbly and a fat lazy blonde

Growing up in Lancashire, Tatton Park has always been synonymous with days out; with ice creams and picnics, sunbathing and frisbee throwing. I suppose what I didn’t know then was that the park and the imposing pile of the Hall were one of Britain’s most impressive pieces of Tudor heritage. Standing at the gateway to the vast grounds of Tatton Hall I gazed ahead as the road stretched out in front of me. For a moment I pictured a horse-drawn carriage thundering along, hooves kicking up gravel as the occupants in their slightly mud-spattered finery were carried to an audience with Lord and Lady Egerton of the hall. What a sight that must have been.

Meandering away from the road I headed in the direction of a pack of deer. Deer are a living, breathing ‘part of the furniture’ at Tatton, so to speak. In fact, Tatton Park has been home to red and fallow deer since the 13th century and with a vast 2000 acres to roam in, you can understand why they thrive here. They are a much loved part of the Tatton family; shy, but not too shy.

After happily roaming about like an old stag myself for a while, I eventually arrived at my first port of call: The Neo-Classical Mansion House and its immaculate gardens. Imagine waking up to 50 acres of stunning scenery every morning. It certainly beats the sight of my blue wheelie bins left out for the morning collection.

During my journey to Cheshire, I’d buried my nose in the history of the Mansion House and discovered that rather a lot of ‘home improvements’ had been undertaken by the Egerton family who purchased Tatton Park in 1598. Head of the household was John Egerton but it was his son Samuel Egerton who obviously fancied himself as a bit of a Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen – but less dandyish of course – and started to make changes to the house and grounds. Intrigued to see how Samuel’s visions had been brought to life, I made my way to what was once an exuberant Rococo drawing room, but is now a dining room simply dripping in 18th century French style. The room is certainly spectacular and more than a little refined.

“Even the sight of just the plasterwork took my breath away. But when your dinner party guests include their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, you need a pretty special room to entertain in. The Royals ‘partied’ here on 2nd and 3rd May 1887 with a total of 116 bottles of champagne, claret and whisky being polished off. I imagine there were a few guests suffering from monumental hangovers on the 4th. And think of the recycling! I bet it took two trips.”

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A celebrity gardener, a wood called Maggoty, screaming cats and gigantic horses

Gingerly wheeling my brand spanking new mountain bike from the train carriage and onto Prestbury station platform, just outside Macclesfield, I’m 8-years-old again and, stabilisers discarded, taking my very first ‘proper bike’ out for its first spin. But far from being a trip up and down the road outside my parents’ house, I was planning on putting my new gleaming machine through its paces with an entire weekend spent exploring rural Cheshire. And with 3000 kilometres of public rights of way combined with quiet lanes, I was rather looking forward to getting out and about with the assistance of a little bit of pedal power.

Setting off from the station, I was soon zipping along only for my journey to be instantly halted. The hotel I’d booked to stay in for the weekend was just minutes from the station. Very handy I know, but I was just getting into the swing of things. The White House Manor is a beautifully restored Georgian home and a Northwest Tourism Award Winner 2008. Transformed into a luxurious private sanctuary, it was quite the perfect place to rest my weary legs after a long day in the saddle. Eager to get out and about, I hurriedly checked in and deposited my belongings in my sumptuously furnished bedroom before stowing my bike in a safe place. My first weekend taste of the Cheshire countryside was to be a hike along the Sandstone Trail. The Trail is the preserve of pedestrians so my trusty steed would have to wait a while before I put it to the test.

Arriving at Frodsham, I chose to take a slight detour and pay a visit to Bluebell Cottage Garden in Dutton. Owner Sue Beesley has become something of a celebrity having won Gardener of the Year in 2006 and more recently was runner-up in Gardener of the Decade. If you’re a fan of Gardeners’ World you’ll doubtless have seen her on the TV. As well as a fabulous RHS partner nursery and stunning cottage gardens which are open to the public, the grounds also include a wildflower meadow and bluebell wood where I spent a deeply tranquil hour wandering along the path which meandered through a carpet of deep blue drooping flowers. Dropping the price of my cup of tea into the honesty box in the little wooden café – a nice touch – I set off in search of the Sandstone Trail.

A ridge of sandstone that rises dramatically from the Cheshire plain, the original Sandstone Trail opened in 1974 and has now been extended to link the towns of Frodsham and Whitchurch. This not only makes it more accessible by public transport, but it also means you can enjoy some excellent facilities available in each town.

“I chose to start from Beacon Hill car park, Frodsham, and after a strenuous start and a steepish pull I was rewarded amply with a panoramic view unfolding before me revealing two contrasting faces of the county. Ahead of me lay the sandstone crag of Helsby Hill and to the south, rich wooded countryside, but to the north alongside the Mersey, the domes and cylinders of the petro-chemical complex at Stanlow pierced the sky.”

Descending the trail over the rock face to Dunsdale Hollow – a secretive sort of place with honeycombed rock outcrops and small caves – I then climbed out of the hollow by way of ‘Abraham’s Leap’ with the path opening out onto the cliff edge and a last opportunity to enjoy the estuary view. During my walk along the northern section of the trail I passed the remains of an Iron Age hill fort, skirted Cliff Farm – the first black and white half-timbered house to be found along the trail – and happened upon sandstone pillars standing rather curiously in a front garden. Choose to venture along the entire length of the trail and you’ll be treated to an ever-varying, elevated walk with amazing panoramic views across the Cheshire Plain and Dee Valley to the Welsh Mountains, the Pennines and the Irish Sea not to mention open woodland, green lanes, sunken lanes, undulating farmland and canal towpaths. It’s absolutely wonderful, and with plenty of accommodation either along the way or within easy walking distance, you can happily negotiate the trail in its entirety over a number of days.

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Romantic poets, alcoholic sheep dip, paralytic poultry and talking animals.

‘The fleeting hour of life of those who love the hills is quickly spent, but the hills are eternal.’ So wrote Alfred Wainwright, who first came to the Lake District in 1930 and was immediately smitten. Although for some he is the quintessential grumpy old fell walker, Wainwright spent 13 years of evenings and weekends crafting a beautiful seven volume love letter to Lakeland – his mountain guides with their hand-drawn maps and beautiful copperplate handwriting. As essential a piece of fell walking kit as a Thermos and Kendal Mint Cake, I was clutching one that morning as I stumbled up the popular route over the Old Man of Coniston. As a Lancastrian, there’s a certain pride in knowing that this was once the highest peak in Lancashire. I paused for a moment to get my breath back. Only to have it taken away again by the view.  You would call it a picture postcard panorama, that is if you had ever seen a postcard so lovely and enticing; looking across slender Coniston Water (which has its very own Gormley statue, where the Swallows and Amazons sailed in Arthur Ransome’s classic tale and over to John Ruskin’s old house at Brantwood, possibly the most perfectly sited house in England. Was this also the lake that Wordsworth wandered alongside in that poem?  No, that was Ullswater, another gem – especially if you like your sailing – up in the North-Eastern corner. Generally, the further North you go in the Lakes the quieter it gets.

“But no matter how many people crowd into this enchanted area, you can still escape to blissful solitude in sublime scenery if you know where you’re going. Or you ask someone who knows.”

Or, like I did, you can revel in the company of others and mingle with the literary pilgrims in Grasmere, described by Wordsworth as “The loveliest spot that man hath ever found”. Returning the compliment, the town’s memorial to him is the Wordsworth Trust, which I discovered to be a fascinating museum with one of the greatest collections of manuscripts, books and paintings relating to British Romanticism.

Feeling just a little touristy and frankly enjoying it, I headed for Dove Cottage, where the poet and his sister once lived and had eight years of ‘plain living, but high thinking’. Chum Samuel Taylor Coleridge thought nothing of walking the twelve miles over Dunmail Raise from his house to here, but then this was a chap who made the first recorded ascent of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain, in frock coat and with a writing desk and quill pen no doubt. I was surprised to learn that Dove Cottage had once been a pub, though no pint had been pulled there for at least a couple of centuries, so the prospect of a visit to a brewery proved to be irresistible. I’d struck up a conversation with a small group who had their minibus parked nearby and that was where they were heading. Accepting their invitation, I climbed in for the drive to Kendal.

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Spine-chilling tales of Blackbeard, footsteps in the dark, fish owls and the Muncaster Boggle

I first came to the Lakes as a teenager lured by eel fishing, hills and the beer and girls of Hawskhead. I’m still just as much in love but I hope my appreciation is something a bit deeper than the sixteen-year-old me would have felt; the Lakes are balm, solace, thrills and inspiration. I’ve spent many a wonderful hour atop lonely fells absorbing Lakeland’s charms, with each visit revealing yet another hidden secret. So it was with the usual tingle of anticipation that I boarded my train – a lovingly restored steam locomotive that goes by the name of the Cumbrian Coast Fellsman – at Carnforth, scene of that famously romantic Brief Encounter between Trevor Howard and Celia Johnston.

With the Lakeland mountains rising sharply from the coastal plain on our right and the wide coastal vistas and sea views to our left, we clickety-clacked over two spectacular shining silver estuary viaducts, the first over the River Kent at Arnside and the second being the Leven viaduct over the River Leven just before Ulverston. Turning inland across the Barrow peninsular, the mountains, valleys and sea views unfolded as Ravenglass became ever closer. No wonder then that this particular journey is hailed as the most stunningly scenic coastal railway line in the country.

All too soon this fabulous experience was over and after alighting the Fellsman (the sweet smell of hot coals permeating the air) I headed off to the Pennington Hotel, which is handily within touching distance of the station. Completely modernised and refurbished, it promised to offer me a very comfortable stay indeed. What’s more, it provides a great base to explore and it wasn’t long before I was negotiating the meandering driveway that leads to the magnificent Muncaster Castle.

“But this isn’t just any old castle; this is one of the most haunted residences in Britain. Stay in the Tapestry Room and you must steel yourself for footsteps in the dark, the door handle turning, a child crying and a large lady singing not to mention the room temperature plummeting. How you’re meant to get a good night’s sleep through all that I’ll never know, and I certainly wasn’t hanging around to find out.”

Keener to meet the fabulous birds of prey on display than I was bumping into the ‘Muncaster Boggle’ or ‘White Lady’ who haunts the gardens and roadways around the castle (you’re free to book a ‘Ghost Sit’ if you happen to be preoccupied by the paranormal) I followed my beak to the World Owl Centre boasting one of the largest collections of owls in existence. From bizarre fish owls to diminutive pygmy owls not much bigger than a sparrow, the centre is home to a diverse range, and should you wish to view these magnificent creatures at close quarters, ‘Meet the Birds’ gives you the opportunity to record your visit by having your photograph taken with a bird resting on the glove. Naturally, I awaited my turn, not least for the bragging opportunity it would afford me in my ‘local’ when I returned home.