The history of Broughton-in-Furness dates back to the 11th Century, with the oldest building thought to be St Mary’s Church, first built in Saxon times. The focus of the town is the Georgian market square with its obelisk, erected to mark the jubilee of King George III in 1810. In Elizabethan times a charter was granted to hold fairs, and it is in the Square that the annual reading of the Charter takes place on 1st August.
Broughton was once an important market town, particularly for the woollen and cattle trades. Surviving from these days are the stocks for misbehavers, and the fish slabs nearby used to sell fish caught in the River Duddon.
Many of the houses around the Market Square are Georgian in date
In the corner of the square is a delightful cafe and on a nearby road is an excellent butcher , who makes their own bacon and sausage!
It is a mixture of woodland with good paths. The hill is easily seen from the A590 with its steep limestone cliffs.
The summit of Whitbarrow Scar is known as Lord’s Seat, and an anticlockwise walk to here from Witherslack, returning along the valley to the west, forms a chapter in The Outlying Fells of Lakeland by Alfred Wainwright. He describes it as “the most beautiful [walk] in this book; beautiful it is every step of the way. … All is fair to the eye on Whitbarrow.”[6]
The walk:
The small hamlet of Mill Side is the easiest place to start this walk. There is an informal layby just across the cattle grid from the A590 – signed Beck Head and Mill Side – where half-a-dozen cars may park.
I have to share with you a fabulous eatery in Kendal, so that the next time you visit Fell view or Woodside you can go.
I discovered the 2 Sisters Cafe in Kendal and have since found they have two cafes, so I will have to go and try that one out. I am confident it will be as good as the one in Kendal. One of the 2 sisters cafe is in Kendal town centre right on the High Street, next to Westmorland Shopping Centre, and other one is by Plumgarths Farm Shop, just at the bottom of the A591 bypass outside Kendal, as you head towards Windermere.
If you enjoy local produce in a warm and relaxing environment, in a lovely, modern space with tables and sofas to sit on and want somewhere to escape from the shopping , then this is perfect. It’s owned and managed by 2 Sisters! Monika and Magda , who love cooking and produce scrumptious cakes! ( I can attest to that!)
They are also right next to Plumgarth’s Farm Shop where you can pick up some of Plumgarth’s fabulous local produce – with a proper butchery counter, serving meat; sausages, cheeses, pickles and jams, or bakery selections.
They serve an All day Breakfast (9am-midday)
Plumgarth’s bacon, sausages, tomato, mushroom, baked beans and fried egg served with toast or breakfast artisan roll, packed with Plumgarth’s bacon, sausages and/or egg.
Simply Lunches, Soups and Snacks Served from 12am-4.30pm
A wide selection of artisan rolls with simply scrumptious fillings, hot paninis, quiche with tasty salad, special savoury pancakes, smooth chicken liver, contreau & orange paté, 2 sisters 2 beans chicken chilli
Simply Delightful Afternoon Tea (2.30pm-5pm)
tea: £12.50 per person and includes:
– Tea or your choice of coffee
– Selection of Sandwiches
– Fruit scone with clotted cream and jam
– Your choice of cake
You can just turn up but it does get busy in school holidays and peak times. You can book if you don’t want to take the risk. You can book a table by phoning 01539 720 589
Enjoy
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My favourite Christmas Market of the season is Yew Tree Barn’s Market at High Newton
30th November, 1st & 2nd December 2018 10am – 4.30pm
Their annual Christmas Market, is a must visit festive event in the South Lakes All the usual YTB offerings, PLUS over 40 quality stalls join us throughout the barn and in their heated marquee selling crafts, art, food and drink. Each day they have live music with Andy Webb on the piano, and in the afternoons their regular 5 piece Jazz Band, with a guest appearance on Sunday of the Kendal Revellers!
Whilst you browse the market stalls you can also enjoy their ornamental reclamation yard too!
Hawskhead Christmas Fair & Beer Festival – Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd December 2017, 10am-5pm
This is a traditional family event with something for everybody. Jugglers, street theatre, lantern parade, live music and carol singing will entertain kids and parents will be happy with the Winter Beer Festival hosted by the local pubs. Over 50 stalls means you will actually be able to pick up some gifts too, as well as take in the wonderful festive atmosphere.
This events is inside Arts & Crafts House, Blackwell, a visit to this event makes it difficult not to get into the craft spirit this Christmas.
You’ll find various local materials and skills on show at Blackwell’s 2018 Christmas Craft Fair; ceramics, textiles, scarves and blankets and wooden decorations, to mention a few.
Holker Hall Celebrates Christmas – Fri 30th Nov – Sun 2nd Dec, Thurs 6th – Sun 9th & Thurs 13th – Sun 16th December
Holker Hall and Gardens is, an event for all. The hall is beautifully decorated for the festive season! A great variety of stalls will be at the event as well as their excellent food hall and restaurant.
Santa Express, Lakeside Railway – Dec 1 – Dec 16
This is one of the most popular Christmas events in the Lake District for families and booking is essential. And best of all it is a few minutes walk from Woodside! The Santa Express offers 1 and 1/2 hours of fun-filled festive entertainment and so we can see why it is so popular. When you join the Santa Express, it’s as though you’re part of a festive panto, with elves dishing out festive drinks to parents and carol singing before you hear, with much anticipation, the man in the red suit arrive in the carriage next door. Before the steam train journey from Lakeside to Haverthwaite is complete children choose a gift from Father Christmas in what is truly a fun and interactive Christmas even not to be missed this year.
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Haverthwaite to Lakeside steam railway
Windermere – Christmas Celebration – Saturday 8th December 2018, 11am to 6pm & Sunday 9th December 2018, 10am to 4pm
The Windermere Christmas Celebration which promises snow cannons, Santa’s Grotto, live music and a record-number of local and national stallholders. You don’t need to be staying in Windermere to enjoy a hassle-free visit to this festive event because there is a shuttle bus provided for the event running from Windermere Lake Cruises Pier 1 in Bowness. You’ll find food, drink and craft with a festive theme across over 50 stalls.
Films are announced for Picnic Cinema’s return to Muncaster for the weekend in August 2018; two classic films on the big screen on the Castle front lawn and the best summer party you’ll attend!
Friday 10th, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (15)
Get ready to shake your groove thing to 70s & 80s disco classics and karaoke favourites. Keep the Picnic Cinema fancy dress tradition! Drag is the thing – flip flops, feathers and crazy hair adornments.
Saturday 11th, The Big Lebowski (18)
Musically this will be an eclectic mix of American folk and blues with some Latin American twists. For clothing, we’re looking for relaxed and cardigan heavy, with (we’re told) bonus points for anyone all in purple, or in their dressing gowns.
The evening’s entertainment begins from around 7pm with the films screening from around 9.30pm (as it needs to be dark). The event goes ahead regardless of the weather, so if it rains, we will get wet! Do come prepared for the conditions and you will also need your own seating.
Although you can take a picnic, there will be food and drink available to buy plus the Castle cafe will be open from 8am for campers’ breakfasts in the morning.
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Not far from Newby Bridge is the Motor Museum at Backbarrow (which you can walk to through the lanes from Woodside,) It’ s a great afternoon out. When I went I didn’t think I would find it that interesting, however I was so wrong!!!
There are so many fantastic cars to see, even if you’re not a car enthusiast. You just can’t help but enjoy this museum.
And when you fancy a cuppa or lunch, you can just go next door to Cafe Ambio for some great food. Their coronation chicken sandwiches are my favourite.
And yes! dogs are welcome in the museum and on the terrace at the cafe.
https://www.lakelandmotormuseum.co.uk/
Travel Tip created by Brian and Alison Smith in association with Vacation Soup
Monet Masterpiece in the Abbot Hall Art Gallery Kendal. An event not to be missed
See a masterpiece by one of the world’s most famous painters in Kendal. Claude Monet’s Haystacks: Snow Effect, will be displayed at Abbot Hall Art Gallery from Friday 12 January until 28 April.
The painting, dated 1891, is from a series of work widely regarded as among Monet’s best and is loaned from the National Galleries of Scotland, Edinburgh. It is believed to be the very first time that a Monet has been on display in Cumbria and cements Abbot Hall’s commitment to show work by iconic international artists.
Monet, a founder of French impressionist painting, produced over 30 haystacks paintings. He worked at different times of day and season to capture the effect changing light had on their form.
The haystacks in this painting stood in a field to the west of Monet’s house in Giverney, France, where his famous water lily gardens were situated. In autumn and the relatively mild winter of 1890, Monet persuaded the local farmer to leave the stacks in his field so he could make a series of paintings. In Haystacks: Snow Effect the haystacks are almost reduced to shadow in the glowing winter light.
There are 25 paintings from Monet’s Haystacks series held at galleries around the globe including Tokyo, Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris and now Kendal. This is your chance to see a Monet masterpiece in Cumbria.
