Heather Glen Country House Blog

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2010-04-20T10:14:00.001-07:00

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Merry Christmas

2009-12-01T07:32:00.000-08:00

As Christmas draws near we wanted to wish all our customers, friends and suppliers a very happy Christmas and a good 2010.

Thankyou for your support and help

Dennis and Judith

Dufton

2009-11-01T07:23:00.000-08:00

The village of Dufton is now mostly associated with Dufton peak, that sharp conical hill which is visible from the A66. However the village is worthy of a stop over. It was once closely associated with the lead mining industry and there is a commenoration fountain on the village green.

From Dufton there are walks through the woods and down the valley towards Milton.

Crosby Ravensworth and the Eden Valley

2009-10-07T07:19:00.000-07:00

Crosby Ravensworth is a little further up river than Ainstable.

This is where the river Eden really starts to enter the Eden Valley proper.

Its a quiet and beautiful part of the country. It doesnt have the moorland type of desolation you get up on the Scottish Borders but it is isolated and if you make the effort to climb the limestone ridges than some of the views to the Howgills over in the West are brilliant.

Christianbury Crags

2009-09-06T07:14:00.000-07:00

This blog is about a wild and remote part of Cumbria. Up on the border with Scotland lies Christianbury Crags. Once this was a popular destination for walkers but the planting of conifer plantations has really made this a seldom visited part of Cumbria. The views over the moorlands into Scotland are desolate and wild. The outcrops have weird angles and when the mist roles down you can believe that ghosts and witches once more walk the earth.

2009-08-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

Here in the Eden Valley we have lots of dog walking country, footpaths along the river, across the fields and of course the woods. Close to the river there isn't usually any stock to worry about, just the ducks to chase and of course sticks to be thrown.

So if you want somewhere to walk your dog in peace and quiet amongst beautiful countryside then the Eden Valley is ideal.

The Eden Valley - long views

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

Most people think of the Eden Valley as small roads, high hedges , forests and the river running through it.

But every so often you get these beautiful long views, often up to Cross fell and the Pennines and when the sun catches the land just right then it can be one of the most beautiful places you have ever been.

This picture is taken on the road past Coombes Wood running down to the Armathwaite/Ainstable cross roads.

Grizedale Forest

2009-05-22T04:24:00.000-07:00

Looking back over old photos , remembering the times we travelled outside the Eden Valley
we came across these pictures from Grizedale forest.It was a lovely day out and the sculptures were just such a pleasure to see.

Exploring the river, fish and wildlife

2009-05-22T04:00:00.001-07:00

We wanted to just say a little about Glyn Freeman and the fly fishing school he runs. Pop along to his website and have a look around.

These are some of the things you will learn about:

For those of you who love creepy crawlies.
For more information on the river, fishing seasons and so on, click here
For those of you twitchers see this page on the Solway.
Lovely pictures including an Otter.

All in all this informative site has rekindled our enthusiasm for the river!

Sculptures on the Eden

2009-03-27T04:01:00.000-07:00

From the headwaters up in Mallerstang down through the Valley to the mouth at the Solway Firth there are beautiful sculptures laid out beside the river.This one is in Coombes woods just past Armathwaite

Caves on the River Eden

2009-03-27T03:57:00.000-07:00

The soft red sandstone of the Eden Valley lends itself to caves.They are everywhere.Lacy's Caves, the old hermit caves by Wetherall and here, in this picture, the caves at lower Gelt Woods

Limestone pavements

2009-03-27T03:54:00.000-07:00

Underneath the trees ,hedgerows and rolling fields which cover the Eden lies the Penrith red sandstone which you see in the houses and along the beds of the rivers when summer comes.
But not far away lies a completely different bed rock.Go down towards Appleby and you soon enter limestone country.This brings with it limestone pavments with their unique ecology.This photo was taken on Asby Scar.

Memories of industries past

2009-03-27T03:51:00.000-07:00

We tend to think of the Eden Valley as just tourism and agriculture.Well Sheep and Dairy cattle to be precise.But behind the lush greenery lies an industrial past which every so often you stumble across.This is a picture of lime kilns up at Tindale Tarn.

Basically although the Eden is now a rural paradise it still has, hidden away in its nooks and crannys the memories of industries past.

Reflections in the water

2009-03-27T03:47:00.000-07:00

Where ever you go in Eden you are never far away from water.Whether its the Eden or one of the smaller streams it is always close by. Sometimes we come to take it for granted but others, well, there are times when the reflections and light on the water are worth just stopping to admire.
This photograph comes from Gelt Woods

Summer on the river.

2009-03-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

When the days lengthen and the warm weather begins then you will see a complete change in the nature of the river eden.Gone will be the rushing waters from autumn and winter.The flow becomes placid and quiet.As the waterlevel drops so the pavements of red penrith sandstone are exposed.They leave little ponds exposed with all kinds of creatures marooned.This is truly a time to spend lazily by the water side.
The picture is taken down by Coombes woods,Armathwaite.

Ainstable down to Armathwaite

2009-03-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

There is a lovely walk from Ainstable church down past fields still showing the signs of cultivation from hundreds of years ago,over the hill top and into Armathwaite.As you descend into the Valley there is a lovely panorama when you can just see across to the Lake District. This picture was taken after particularly heavy rain which left a new pond under bright blue skies.

Autumn in the Eden Valley

2009-03-27T03:31:00.001-07:00

When the tourists leave and the Valley starts to quieten down then there is a special time for those left to see it.As the leaves start to turn to bronze the whole valley changes character and some of the colours are just so good you want to sit back in awe.

Just one of the reasons we love the Eden valley so much.

Welcome To Our New Website

2009-03-21T06:27:00.000-07:00

After a cold spring break we are now reopen!

On March 8th we had a very successful "Special Celebrations"Show. We are now adding a LINKS page to our menu where you will be able to to see who was here and what they have to offer. Daughter Cas and daughter in law Nadia modelled bridal wear for Susan from Country Dreams of Carlisle and their picture is now adde to our wedding information section.

And we are pleased to say amongst the work we have carried out whilst closed is the addition of disabled toilet facilities.