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10/11/2013

Winter Market at Holker Hall

After the seemingly endless days of grey skies and rain we've had lately, it was lovely to have an afternoon out in bright sunshine today. We headed for Holker Hall where there was a Winter Market taking place.
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Looks like a lot of people had the same idea!
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The Food Tent was particularly popular.

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Lots of tasty local produce was on offer, with free tasters galore...
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Some musical entertainment for the crowds...
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As the day wore on and the temperature started to drop, a glass of hot mulled wine enjoyed near the fire was a popular option.
After a leisurely wander amongst the fifty plus stalls selling crafts and local produce, it was time for a short stroll in the grounds before heading home.

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 Holker Hall (pronounced Hooker Hall), is a privately owned country house which dates from the sixteenth century. The land on which the house stands was originally owned by nearby Cartmel Priory, until the Dissolution of the Monasteries when it was bought by the Preston family.
The house has never been sold since then, having passed down through inheritance first to the Lowther family, then to the Cavendish family. The Hall and Estate has remained the property of the Cavendish family since 1756.

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Part of the house is open to the public, as are the beautiful gardens. There are events and activities throughout the year, the most popular and well known of which is probably the Holker Garden Festival, which takes place in late May.
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As we headed home we were treated to a very clear view of the Coniston fells. Lucky us!




As always, thanks for visiting, I hope you've enjoyed the photos.


Click here... for more information about Holker Hall.


07/11/2013

Kicking my heels in Kendal

Unexpectedly finding myself with a few hours to kill in Kendal recently, I took the opportunity to wander along the banks of the River Kent which winds through  the town.  
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Natland Mill Beck Farm is part of a working Lake District family dairy farm, milking 120 Holstein Friesian dairy cows, twice daily. This is then used to make their 65 different flavours of ice cream, which are sold in the Ice Cream Parlour and Tea Rooms, just minutes from Kendal Town Centre. 
Somehow the frequent heavy hail showers made ice cream a little unappealing on this particular day!






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The peace and quiet of Natland Mill Beck Lane was a striking contrast to the noisy traffic of the main road I'd left behind just moments earlier. 
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I could certainly appreciate why the residents of this lovely quiet lane would not want a housing development on their doorstep... unless the houses were like this funky tree house perhaps?P1210298P1210291 
P1210305There was still plenty of Autumn colour around as I walked towards Natland Road.
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River Kent
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Jackdaws keeping their beady eyes on things...
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... such as these goose-stepping ducks
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Underpasses are such depressing places normally; this one has been made more cheerful thanks to the addition of some mosaic tiles by local school pupils.
More info here... 

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P1210358Kendal town centre hugs the banks of the River Kent









Brrrr! Looks cold doesn't it?


The artist George Romney lived for a time in Kendal where he married a local woman, Mary Abbot. He soon separated from his wife and moved to London but returned to Kendal many years later where his wife nursed him until his death in 1802. 
More about George Romney here... 
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Kendal is full of interesting architecture....







... including the stunning Holy Trinity Church. P1210402

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Alms Houses
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Abbot Hall Art Gallery, home to many of Romney's paintings
All in all, not a bad place to find yourself at a loose end!
 Thanks for visiting, hope you enjoyed the photos.



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