“Dove Cottage”, home of William Wordsworth, near Grasmere, England by Strobilomyces

Slate

As you wander around Ambleside and Keswick, two of the most popular towns with visitors, you will notice that a large number of the buildings are constructed from slate and many more have slate roofs. Indeed the slate cottage is one of the characteristic Lakeland dwellings, featuring on many postcards and is a sought after place to stay – you will notice many bed and breakfasts and holiday lets housed in slate buildings. It is of no coincidence that these slate houses occur so frequently in Lakeland towns and villages; within the surrounding mountains there are deposits of slate, which were mined extensively in days gone by. While there may not be many slate mines still open in the Lake District, you are able to visit that at Honister Pass where you are able to take a guided underground tour and can purchase various slate mementos from the shop there.

Stone

Another typical style of Lakeland house is that of stone, again quarried locally, which has had its walls white limewashed to prevent damp – it does rain considerably in the Lake District, so be prepared when you visit. A good example of this type of home is Dove Cottage in Grasmere (a short drive from Ambleside), which was home to William Wordsworth, one of England’s finest poets. As with many properties, including those let to buy, you will notice that slate also makes an appearance on the roof and chimney stack of this cottage, as well as on the floor of the downstairs rooms. A guided tour of the cottage, including what was Wordsworth’s study, provides details of features in each room and is well recommended.

Times gone by

Following your trip to Grasmere, you might like to drive on to Near Sawrey, to visit the home of another famous literary person from Lakeland, Beatrix Potter. The 17th century farmhouse of Hill Top was bought by Beatrix with some of the money she made from the sale of her first books. Holidays to the Lake District as a child inspired her work and she went on to write many more tales of animals after purchasing Hill Top Farm. The site is now owned by the National Trust and visitors can see the interior, complete with the same furniture and possessions, as when Beatrix lived there until 1943. It is worth spending some time in the grounds, as the cottage garden is full of flowers, herbs and fruits typical of its time. The house and gardens can be considered to be a time capsule of the era.

In harmony

There are many more towns, villages and properties with historical interest that you might wish to visit while in the Lake District, each with its own character and style; those discussed here are merely a selection to get you started. Wherever you choose to go, your journey through Lakeland will demonstrate how well the buildings here blend into the surrounding countryside and this factor certainly contributes to the beauty of the area. Features such as dry stone walls, hedgerows and narrow lanes help with the continuum between settlements and the natural environment, but tight building regulations within the National Park have helped to preserve the landscape.

Claire Harrow regularly travels throughout England visiting the many beautiful historic towns and villages where local buildings often reflect locally available stone and construction techniques and styles that go back generations giving them a truly unique appeal.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Elizabeth Veitch

There are plenty of tour operators who specialise in horse riding holidays that you can check out online, and they can find places that are close to you, or a little further away. Here are some ideas horse riding holiday places all over the UK that you might want to consider.

Escape from London

If you live in London, it can be a bit difficult to get out and about on horseback. Fortunately, that’s what the home counties are for! The Thames Valley has a wealth of stables and horse riding facilities across counties such as Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Surrey. These places make a great escape for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of the big smoke.

Horseriding in the North

In the same way that Londoners need a break from the city, other places such as Manchester certainly benefit from nearby places to go horse riding. Cheshire is full of rural places where you’ll be able to get away from urban city life and enjoy the great outdoors. Places such as the Coddington Loop at Farndon is well known for its ideal conditions for leisurely outdoor pursuits, and great for horses too.

Stunning Scotland

Scotland is a country that is, without a doubt, visually stunning. When it comes to this part of the world, you’re spoilt for choice for great places to visit and enjoy slipping on your Ariat Bromont boots and riding into the sunset. There is a network of horse and pony trekking routes throughout the glens of Scotland, which were originally used for cattle driving. Many of these routes can take days to traverse, although there are much shorter routes to travel, which allow you to take in the scenery.

Trails in Wales

The mountain range of the Brecon Beacons is one of the most awe-inspiring places in the British Isles. This area has National Park status, protecting it from development and maintaining the areas natural beauty. Here you’ll find a rolling vista to enjoy while on horseback, but you can also enjoy other past-times too, such as rock climbing, hang gliding, sailing and windsurfing. The Brecon Beacons offer a rewarding horse riding experience, where you can really breath in the wide expanses of this magnificent, rugged countryside.

Trot2 has a great collection of riding gear and footwear such as Ariat Bromont boots.

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