Derwent Water, Cumbria
October 15, 2024
The Lake District: characterised by steep, towering mountains, vast lakes and walking gear. We had our family holiday here in August and it is stunning. Do visit.
Rural
Tissington Trail, Peak District
July 2, 2024
For me, the Peak District is characterised by its thousands of miles of dry stone walls which vary in colour depending on whether they’re in an area of brown gritstone (sandstone) or light grey limestone – the limestone is my favourite for walling but the gritstones make wonderful millstones which are still used decoratively around the region.
Mackerel sky
May 10, 2024
A nicely nerdy post! A lovely sky we had recently, known as a mackerel or buttermilk sky due to the resemblance to the mackerels distinctive patterning or curdled milk.
Ben’s Yard, Ely, Cambridgeshire
May 7, 2024
I recently visited Ben’s Yard just outside Ely – a diversification enterprise that the Stuntney Estate opened in 2023. The aim of the project was to provide a high quality retail and hospitality destination in the countryside to draw people to small local businesses and provide easily accessible walks through the estate to stretch legs and reconnect with nature.
Ridge-and-furrow
March 19, 2024
These stripy fields fascinate me and show up best in low, late afternoon sunlight. They’re ridge-and-furrow field systems formed by medieval ploughing methods. The plough (back then only a single blade) would be pulled by oxen and turn the soil over onto itself in one direction creating a long hump – the ridge.
Hares
March 12, 2024
I always assumed that boxing hares were two males fighting for territory or females, but it’s more likely to be a female fighting off a male and this is where the term ‘mad as a March hare’ – for their propensity to box. March is midway through their mating season and the most likely time of year to see them out and about.
Crumplebury, Worcestershire
February 27, 2024
When thinking about what to do with an old building on the farm or estate, starting from scratch may seem easier and more efficient, but carefully looking at what you have and evolving this to its new purpose will create a venue that is new, relevant and interesting with a distinctive aesthetic and appeal to clients.
Hick’s Lodge, Leicestershire
December 12, 2023
This is Hick’s Lodge in Leicestershire, near Ashby-de-la-Zouch. It’s set in the National Forest and run as a cycle centre by Forestry England, providing a café, educational resources, a small cycle shop for repairs, sales and hire, encourages horse riding, and is a bit of a confluence of various local and regional footpaths.
Wildhive, Callow Hall
October 31, 2023
Head to the market town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire; weave your way along the narrow streets lined with Tudor and Georgian buildings along the A515; under the arch for the ‘Green Man and Black’s Head Royal Hotel’; hang a left towards Buxton up the hill; turn left at the ‘George and Dragon’
Considering a glamping diversification
June 20, 2023
If you’re thinking about creating a glamping site, there are a few things to consider before you even start thinking about what the inside will look like and how you’ll market your venture. Get your business