Between the recent storms last week we spent a couple of days up North in The Eden Valley of Cumbria. If you ever fancy a short dog friendly/ pram friendly walk there, I can recommend a nice one between the village of Dacre and the neighboring Dalemain Estate. Situated 2 miles from Ullswater this walk follows a quiet track and mostly avoids mud. Hurrah!
We parked opposite The Horse & Farrier Pub in Dacre and had a quick nosy in St Andrews churchyard to see the Dacre Bears. Four crudely carved stone creatures can be found amongst the gravestones. You can read more about them here.
The Public Footpath took us past Dacre Castle, a 14th Century Pele Tower, now used as a private residence. And then on into the grounds of Dalemain Mansion. We have walked here before from the lakeside village of Pooley Bridge. The route is part of The Ullswater Way known as The Marmalade March, due to The World Famous Marmalade Awards that are held at Dalemain every year.
We soon came across some beautiful snowdrops and other signs of Spring, Winter Aconites and pretty in pink Lungwort. In the fields just above the Mansion , Wil spied someone watching us….
Lunch time beckoned so we headed for the Tea Room inside the Old Barn. Even though it was during the Half Term Holidays the place was deserted. Perhaps the imminence of Storm Eunice had scuppered people’s plans. Dogs are now welcome inside the Tea Room , so no need for us to sit outside in the blustery courtyard. 😁
We enjoyed Ham, Cheese & Chutney rolls and a slice of delicious Marmalade Gingerbread. I then left Wil and Hugo in the Old Barn and went for a quick explore of the gardens. A door led out into a beautiful Snowdrop and Winter Aconite display. Stunning!
There are landscaped formal gardens of course, but what I wanted to see was ‘ the sleeping dragon 🐲 ‘ who lives in the Lower Garden. I made sure to tiptoe around him.
The Lower Garden was definitely one of my favourite outside spaces at Dalemain and not just because of the residing snoozy giant. A rustling in the fallen leaves alerted me to a wispy creature foraging for its own lunch possibilities….
The Red Squirrel was definitely a highlight for me. After showing the friendly staff in the cafe my photos , they gave us a bag of apples to tempt the Fallow Deer Herd down to the carpark wall. I was so excited when lots of them literally came galloping over. They love Apples. Who knew! Another highlight. 😊
For us visiting Dalemain from Dacre was the perfect thing to do on a calmer day between Storm Dudley and Storm Eunice. The Stately Pile is opening its doors for house tours once again from the Spring. No doubt we will return .
🦌 🥾☕🐿️
sunshine and celandines 
That was some visit. Snowdrops, Red Squirrels and Deer. I’ve just downloaded the Ulswater Way route for a few days away this spring. Thanks for your Iinput.
Your welcome! Looking forward to your posts. 🙂
I really want a topiary dragon in my garden! Excellent photos of the red squirrels, I’ve never managed to get decent photos of them because they’re usually so shy and skittish. X
The dragon is awesome. 🙂
I couldn’t believe it when I saw the Squirrel. I was actually trying to get a photo of some Great Tits who were also on the ground, then I saw the Squirrel, I was so happy. 🙂
I love everything about this, it looks like you had a really lovely day. Wonderful to be able to tempt the deer with apples the squirrel is really cute, and I love the name Tadpole for a little dog 🙂
Thanks Eunice, it was certainly a very enjoyable visit. 😊
Oh wow, up close and personal with the deer! That must have been lovely.
It really was. 🙂
I’ve pencilled this little walk in for our visit in April. Pub at one end, castle, nice house, cafe plus some nature and not too far. Ideal outing I reckon
Yay, hope you enjoy it.
I could imagine myself living in somewhere like Dacre Castle. Never going to happen but I have a good imagination!
Haha, yeh, it looks a good place to live.
Visiting Dalamian is on my list. The garden looks gorgeous. I like the dragon. I definitely need to motivate Matt to go.
I hope you get to go. 🙂
What a lovely place to visit. It’s now on my list, as Lily always says she wants to live here every time we drive past 🙂
Haha, yes it does look rather grand. The gardens are very pretty and apparently they have lots of blue poppies in early Summer.
The snowdrops and aconites are beautiful. I have a vague memory of visiting Dalemain when there were lots of daffodils and I suppose it won’t be long now until they’re all out.
I can imagine it looks gorgeous then too. I did love those snowdrops too.
When I saw the title of this post the first thing I thought was ‘The Dacre Bears’. We have never visited the area when Dalemain had been open but we got married in Glenridding so love the area. I think we are overdue a return visit. I even have a cottage saved for our visit 😀
Very organized 😃
What a fabulous outing. Don’t know if I am more jealous of the wildlife, the floral display, the churchyard or the marmalade gingerbread.
It was fab, you would love it. 🙂
The Hasell-McCoshes were my landlord in the first house we rented when we moved to Cumbria. I had to go to that tea room to return the key when we moved out, it looks a little different to how I remember it. I have not been back since. I had never heard of the Dacre Bears either, I am definitely going to go and look at those! Lovely photos of the squirrel and deer, how wonderful to get that close.
I think the tea room used to be in the mansion but now it’s moved to the barn, I’m not totally sure. Reading about those Dacre Bears, it seems they are possibly meant to be lions. The wildlife was amazing.
I enjoyed the garden and flower pics, especially the aconites & snowdrops. And as for the apple-mad deer – my gosh! that was different. A great post. Thanks for taking us along with you.
Thanks Very much Alison! It was a lovely day. X
I’ve driven past quite a few times (including last Sunday) and never though to stop. I’ll have to try out this route some time. (saw a red squirrel myself on Sunday but couldn’t get a decent photo 😢)
It’s always wonderful seeing a Red Squirrel. I was just at the right place at the right time for the photo. 🙂
A treat to see one. There’s loads of greys round our way – there’s even one that comes into our garden. I have mixed feelings about the little grey yankee vermin! Much prefer our endangered native reds.
I love the Greys near me but I don’t like to see them in Red territory.
oh the Pet Cemetery all scattered with snow drops… very pretty. Love that the tea room was dog friendly, I’m noticing quite a few places are opening their doors to our four legged friends now.
Yes it’s lovely that so many places are dog friendly now. 🙂
What a gorgeous red squirrel and the deer family, fantastic photo! The pet cemetery was emotive. Looks a great place for a walk x
It’s a beautiful place to visit if your ever in the area. 🙂 X