It’s looking like the mountains of the English Lake District will be getting their first snow of the winter in the next few days. A time to reflect on the fifth year of sustainable tours of popular and less well known attractions in the National Park delivered by Hidden Lakeland.
During 2025, I have organised a number of experiences for visitors, most of whom have travelled to and in the Lakes by train and bus. Occasionally, to get to some of the more off the beaten track locations, we’ve had to call on private transport, but for the most part, the bus gets us where we need to go: whether that’s tiny Troutbeck, with the fabulous Townend and Jesus Church, or magical Dalemain House and Gardens, a short and scenic walk from Pooley Bridge – both accessible by Stagecoach Bus #508 from Windermere.
Organised experiences have included a half day’s tutoring about how to build a dry stone wall at the Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre; a visit to Blackwell Arts and Crafts House overlooking Windermere; a walk around the historic cultural landscape of Great Langdale and day visits to Haweswater, Levens Hall and Kendal. It was a joy to help a mum and grandmother help a young girl’s dream come true by organising the family’s visit to Hill Top (former home of Beatrix Potter) as part of a day trip to the English Lake District from London.
Particularly enjoyable was the preparation and execution of a six day research tour for food writer and blogger, The Ginger Mam, as part of her research for a forthcoming book publication about the European gingerbread tradition. Each day included unique experiences, including going behind the scenes at Townend Farmhouse with their 17th Century recipe book; listening to the stories of four generations of Grasmere rushbearers over two days volunteering for the Grasmere Rushbearing Festival; an unforgettable day at Dalemain House, meeting with the owner Mrs Jane Hasell McCosh and learning about the healing powers of herbs and other plants and a visit to the home of eminent food historian Ivan Day including viewing of some of his historic gingerbread molds and other artefacts. The visit culminated with a practical day learning how to bake traditional cakes such as parkin on an 80-year-old Aga with Anna Dutson in her home, Rosgill Farm, one of the locations used in the filming of the 2023 movie Cottontail.
I’m looking forward to welcoming you to the English Lake District in 2026!
