Today I am blogging about our second home, our bolt hole ~ The village of Melmerby in Cumbria’s Eden Valley.
You may be forgiven for thinking that the sleepy Eden Valley village of Melmerby doesn’t have that much to do for the discerning Holiday Maker. But times, they are a changing. 2022 is looking good as established businesses are back on their feet and welcoming visitors once again. I have found ten things you can experience whilst stopping in Melmerby, without starting up your car. So relax and Enjoy. 🥰
Head To The Local. A Village doesn’t feel like a village unless it has a local pub. Luckily Melmerby does have a lovely local , which also serves pretty decent food too. The Shepherds Inn usually has at least three Real Ales on tap and theres a good selection of gins. My favourite spot in the pub is on the sofa by the wood burning stove. Find us there with a tipple, a tapas board and a Labrador by our feet.
Explore The Village Green. My favourite part of Melmerby is it’s huge Village Green. Much of it is kept by the locals as a Wildflower Meadow, which proves popular with a variety of insects and butterflies. In March Daffodils dance in the breeze and in late Summer/ Autumn ,colourful waxcaps appear in the grass. Theres a small pitch for a game of football and a Swing from which to admire the view. Look out for an Andy Goldsworthy Sheepfold sculpture by the beck.
Walk To A Nearby Pub. If you fancy a Pub Walk, then a nice idea ( one that we have yet to try! ) would be to walk to the nearby village of Ousby and enjoy a pint at The Fox 🦊 Inn , which is opposite the Caravan Park there. Hopefully I will get around to doing this in 2022!
Get Up Close and Personal with Adorable Llamas. Happy days for Melmerby visitors! Lakeland Llama Treks have relocated to the village and it is an adorable sight seeing these beautiful pack animals being exercised on the green. I have been on two Llama treks with them in the past and I would love to walk with llamas again. A mini Llama Trek lasts an hour and is £25 per person.
Animal Encounters. Lakeland Llama Treks are also offering Animal Encounters at their new home ‘ Ravenstone Country Manor’ in Melmerby . I am dying to get here for a nosy. 😋 I am not entirely sure which animals are involved but the website does mention rabbits, llamas and Shetland ponies. £15 per person.
Book The Indoor Swimming Pool. Hurrah, Melmerbys own private Indoor Swimming Pool has reopened its doors once again for 2022. The Tower House Pool looks perfect for small groups to hire ( no more than 8) at a charge of £30 for an hour and a further £5 to book the sauna too.
Get Your Walking Boots On. Yes Melmerby literally sits at the foot of Melmerby Fell, one of a range of North Pennine Summits you can bag on a walk from the village. Well worth the hike for views of the better known Lake District Fells and a chance to walk part of The Maiden Way, an old Roman Road. For lower level walks, there is also a pretty bridle way from Melmerby to the hamlet of Unthank.
Breakfast And Retail Therapy. We often pop to The Old Village Bakery for breakfast. It’s lovely inside and has a pleasant outdoor seating area too. Serving breakfast, lunch and a scrumptious selection of home baked cakes, the bakery also has an alcohol liscence, so is a good day time alternative to the Shepherds Inn. Upstairs you will find boutique clothing and accessories, whilst alongside the cafe are homewares, greeting cards and foodie gifts. Happy Shopping.
Relaxing Spa Day. I think I could quite happily relax in the hot tub above with a glass of wine , whilst gazing out at the lovable llamas in the next field. Ravenstone Country Manor in Melmerby offers four hour private spa sessions for small groups that include a treatment and Afternoon Tea in the Orangerie. Ooh La La.
Wanderlust Horse & Cart Day. Melmerby has a long association with the travellers who stop off here ( at the Village Green) every year on route to Appleby’s famous Horse Fair. Along the Bridle Path to nearby Gamblesby and Unthank, it is not uncommon to see one particular Romany Wagon all year round. Wanderlust Gipsy Caravans specialize in horsedrawn holidays , stopping over at peaceful camping spots along the way. They also offer Horse & Cart Days ~ £200 for 4 people, for the day.
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Melmerby Accommodation.
Thanks for dropping by. ❤️
sunshine and celandines 