There’s a Lonning that runs between the villages of Melmerby and Gamblesby in the Eden Valley. Lonning is a word for Lane in the Cumbrian dialect, I rather like the name.
This Lonning gives off a rosy hue. Wellies at most times of year become caked in a clay coloured mud. The stone walls look almost pink and in Summer resting butterflies bask in their warmth
Here’s a recent outing in early Spring. The sun was shining, though the morning was a cold one. A soundtrack of chirping tree sparrows and chatty yellowhammers filled the air.
Along the Lonning. Still a wintery tree. Distant view of a Lakeland mountain ‘ Blencathra’ aka Saddleback.Blackthorn in blossom. Intriguing sign. ❤️The lane becomes a stream. Yellowhammer singing. Beautiful horses. A camp is set up. Heading back. Daffydowndillies.Waiting for me?
Apparently there are many lonnings criss crossing the Cumbrian countryside. Do you know of any ?
I have wanted to visit Bowland Wild Boar Park with our dog Hugo for quite a while now. This rural attraction in the Forest of Bowland is not that far from home and although I have been before, it was with a friend and her 1 year old son 15 years ago. How time flies!
I started off my time at Bowland Wild Boar Park looking around for Wild Boars. Sadly I didn’t spy any real ones, they may have been off somewhere digging in tree roots or wallowing in mud. I did however admire a rather nice Wild Boar Statue.
Happily there are plenty of other animals to meet around the park. You can buy special food to feed the goats, deer and llamas, many of which are only too happy to indulge your presence for a bit of grub. 😊
Dogs are welcome as long as they are kept on lead. Luckily Hugo is quite a calm gentleman when it comes to meeting farm friends. He wasn’t very sure of the geese but I think he quite liked the goats. There are various walks and trails around the 65 acre site, plus dogs are allowed on some of the farm rides too. Unfortunately there is a No Dogs sign in the cafe, meaning an outside bench for us if we had wanted a snack.
It is families who will get the most out of a visit to Bowland Wild Boar Park. Children will love the petting zoo and reptile house, the play areas, feeding the animals and being taken out on a tractor & trailer ride. It is nice though, that the family dog can join in too.
Admission £12 adults, £12 children 3-15, free children 2 & under, Dogs free, £20 family ticket.
I think Bowland Wild Boar Park is somewhere fun to take the kids and the dog during the Easter Holidays. Enjoy.
Just a short amble in the centre of the British Isles today. Or one of them! 😁
We in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley like to think that the tiny village of Dunsop Bridge is the closest civilization to the geographical centre of the UK. Though interestingly Halt whistle in Northumberland also claims the same.
Dunsop Bridge lies within the beautiful Forest Of Bowland AONB and there are miles of stunning countryside to explore by foot, by bicycle, with your dog, with a pair of binoculars. Such a peaceful gorgeous place.
We parked on the pay and display car park in the village and walked a few yards before turning right just after Puddleducks Cafe. The concrete path takes you up into the Dunsop Valley and you can walk for some miles without getting muddy feet. Its an excellent pram walk and tramper trail too.
As our labrador is still on shorter walks only, we didn’t walk too far into the valley. He definitely enjoyed his dips in the stream though and we spied so much wildlife including pheasants, partridge, dipper, tree creeper and goosander. There are sheep in the fields, so it’s always best to be mindful of livestock when doing this walk.
Last time I visited Dunsop Bridge, the cute cafe was serving take-out only, so it was good to see that Puddleducks is up and running as a proper cafe again. A roaring fire greeted us inside and their breakfast baps went down a treat.
There are lots of great walks to be done from Dunsop Bridge. I’m sure we will return to the centre of the British Isles soon.
sunshine and celandines 