Pack Your Bags: The Lakes District (England)

I've blogged about the Lakes District before

(and the previous post may even have more information),

but I always feel the need to add the new places

that I discover upon my return to familiar sites.

So here a few extra glorious stops 

for you to make

if (and when!) you find yourself

in the glorious Lakes District in England.

... and some selfies of myself + Viola.

(I'm sorry and you're welcome.)

*  *  *

The World of Beatrix Potter

After skipping this stop 

over the previous years,

I finally decided to give this stop a chance.

Woah baby,

this was way cuter than I imagined.

If you have a kids

-or fond childhood memories involving Peter Rabbit-

make this stop

when you go to Windermere.

(And, if you're in the lakes, you should go to Windermere.)

There are gorgeous "It's a Small World" like scenes

for each of the stories by Beatrix Potter,

sans the boat ride, unfortunately.

Complete with a stop by Mr. MacGregor's garden,

tea + cakes at the cafe downstairs,

and a knit hat complete with bunny ears from the children's shop-

this was a fun way to spend the afternoon.

{Editor's Note: You don't need to pay to enter the cafe or gift shops.}

Admission for adults: £7

*  *  *

When you're in Windermere,

eat lunch at The Hole in The Wall Pub.

It's completely cozy

and ticks all the boxes 

your mind will have 

for the stereotypical British pub.

*  *  *

Sarah Nelson Grasmere Gingerbread

The birthplace of gingerbread

is a tiny shop near the church in Grasmere...

and the women working in the closet-sized shop

wear old-fashioned aprons & bonnets.

You may be a bit surprised at the biscuit-like

(read: "cookie-like" if in America)

consistency of this forerunner

to Starbucks gingerbread loaf.

Oh, and get some homemade fudge while you're there.

I mean, you might as well.

Then take the spoils of your visit

and wander lonely like a cloud

through the church cemetery

and pay your respects to the Wordsworth family.

*  *  *

I always stay at the Ambleside Central Hotel in, well, Ambleside...

but last year, we detoured and stayed at the Red Lion in Grasmere.

Also a good option! Less to choose from at night for dinner

since the town is much smaller,

but the hotel was super cute & cozy.

*  *  *

For more of my favorite stops in the Lakes District,

hop back to my earlier post 

for fun places like Beatrix Potter's home, Hilltop Farm,

my favorite place for breakfast, The Apple Pie Bakery,

and Wordsworth's home, Dove Cottage

and more here.

*images original to Aspiring Kennedy