If you wish to indulge yourself with the most sumptuous Afternoon Tea, I recommend pre booking the stunning Imperial Suite at Betty’s Tea Room in Harrogate.
One of the great reasons for booking an Afternoon Tea at Betty’s is missing that long queue outside. Walk- ins are happily permitted in the busy ground floor restaurant, but it is lovely to woosh straight past the waiting crowds as you are ushered upstairs into the elegant dining room above.
The Imperial Suite is named after the former Cafe Imperial , a buisness that Betty’s bought in the 1960s after relocating from Cambridge Cresent to Parliament Street. With views over Harrogate’s attractive town centre , the suite is light, airy and exudes sophistication. A pianist serenading the diners adds to the ambience.
The occasion for our visit was a friend’s birthday and what a lovely venue to start off the celebrations. After being seated by a friendly member of staff , the menu was shown and explained to us. Our refreshment choices soon followed , served in gleaming silver teapots.
Betty’s Afternoon Tea arrived displayed on an elegant three tiered cake stand and consisted of a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, two miniature scones accompanied by clotted cream and strawberry preserve and three dainty cakes/desserts. A vegetarian option was chosen by the Birthday Girl and any sandwich fillings not to our preference, were obligingly swapped for an alternative. We were also offered additional sandwiches free of charge.
Dining in the Imperial Suite had been a very leisurely and civilised affair and we all agreed that the food had been delicious too. In fact we couldn’t resist purchasing Fat Rascals and other tasty treats to take home from Betty’s Tea shop afterwards. 🙂
We also visited a couple of eclectic independent shops in Harrogate including vintage store Bo Grove Oxford Street , that sent us back in time to and face to face with our 1970s childhoods. 😍
Have you experienced Afternoon Tea at Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate?
Next year to save money, we have decided to use our lovely static caravan for all our UK holidays. Whether we do remains to be seen of course! All too often it seems, we are tempted by new destinations and quite often, quirky accomodations! Here I have listed 10 of our more unusual stays, happily all of them seem to be still going strong. 🙂
A Showmans Wagon In Cornwall.
Located in Cornwall’s beautiful Tamar Valley, Spring Park is a captivating collection of vintage vans and cute cabins, set in their own private wildflower meadows. We stopped in The Duke, a 1940s Showmans Wagon back in 2016. I absolutely loved how cosy The Duke is , with its french enamel wood burning stove and colourful decor. A large modern bathroom is situated in a separate timber building and just outside there’s a Wood Fired Hot Tub. Your deep in the Cornish countryside here, so truly a place to relax and recharge.
A Crofters Cottage In The Outer Hebrides.
White sands, turquoise sea and stunning machair are just some of the attractions of a stay on North Uist in The Outer Hebrides. In 2017 we rented Monty’s Cottage , a thatched one story Crofters cottage on the island . The restored black house had been home to conservationist Monty Halls ( and his rescue dog Roobs) for the BBC series ‘ Monty Halls Great Escapes’. The show had really sparked our interest in visiting the Uists, fast forward a few years and we finally got there, stopping in that very same cottage. Possibly my favourite quirky stay, though I think the gorgeous location was key.
An Art Deco Hotel In The Lake District.
Did you know that there is a beautiful Art Deco hotel in a remote corner of the Lake District. The Haweswater looks out across the reservoir/lake of the same name. Built in 1937 by The Manchester Waterworks, the guesthouse has 17 bedrooms, and two restaurants. The stunning interiors feature parquet flooring and 1930s antiques. We’ve been lucky enough to stay here on two separate occasions and have seen how lovingly the building has been restored over the years.
A Tree Dome In Shropshire.
In 2019 we glamped in style under a canopy of trees in Shropshire. Woodland Escapes near Ludlow comprises of five different properties in a shady woodland setting. Tree Dome with its elevated position and wrap around decking has an alfresco oven for cooking and hot tub for relaxing . It’s a short hop, skip and a jump to the outdoor shower room, but the super kingsize bed and glowing wood burner kept us cosy once back inside the dome.
A Shepherds Hut In The Lakes.
My first glamping experience was back in 2015. Wil, Hugo and I snuggled inside a bijou Shepherds Hut near Coniston Water. I remember we played Scrabble, barbecued and stayed toasty by the wood burning stove. Herdwick Huts have had a change of location since ( the beauty of sheds on wheels!) ,they now reside in the grounds of Rydal Hall. So still that idyllic Lakeland scenery, right on your doorstep.
A Gothic Guesthouse In Whitby.
Seemingly I described La Rosa as a haven for teacups and taxidermy, when we stayed here in 2012. Happily the period townhouse with its coveted views of Whitbys famous abbey has retained it’s eccentricity and kitch decor. The 8 themed bedrooms include a Lewis Carroll inspired boudoir ( the guesthouse was a favourite seaside retreat of his) and a Bram Stoker room. Breakfast is a hamper delivered to your door. A Victorian Tearoom and Cocktail Library add to La Rosa’s unique charm.
A Fairytale Woodland Cottage In Staffordshire.
Hansel & Gretel Cottage is a much loved Victorian Folly , built by a former Earl of Bradford on his Staffordshire Estate. The charming lakeside cottage with its own pier is set in 200 acres of private woodland. Off-grid ( powered by a generator) yet luxurious, guests here are encouraged to toast marshmallows on the fire, read by candlelight and borrow a vintage bicycle to ride around the estate. A romantic retreat and fairytale treat.
A Lighthouse In Wester Ross.
Of everywhere we have been fortunate enough to stop Rua Reidh Lighthouse must be the most remote. Perched high on the cliffs at the end of a long and fairly hair raising 3 mile track, this Stephenson Lighthouse looks out over Loch Ewe and the vast ocean beyond. Guest accommodation comprises of two tastefully renovated former keepers cottage apartments and the bijou sea facing Hide. Rua Reidh is for those who seek solace, bracing cliff top walks and occasional wonderful wildlife spots.
A Cool Castle In Ayrshire.
Last year my sister booked an actual Scottish Castle for a family break by the coast in North Ayrshire. Six adults, two teenagers and a dog made ourselves at home in the quirky and cool Knock Old Castle near Largs. Dating back to the 14th Century, this unique residence is brimmed full of unusual touches. Fresco painted ceilings, fairytale turrets, higgledy piggeldy floors & steps and stained glass windows. There’s also a glass lookout tower, a sauna in another tower, hot tub and a lawned garden perfect for playing croquet.
A Cosy Cabin In Kilmartin Glen.
If there’s an alfresco bath tub in the garden, you know your holiday accommodation is going to be a little bit different. Some years ago we enjoyed a few days away in A Peaceful 1930s Cabin near Kilmartin Glen, Argyle, Scotland. Located in the owners orchard, the cabin features a Scandinavian wood burning stove that really keeps things cosy. I remember making a fruit crumble using apples and plums from the orchard, and eyeing up that bath with some trepidation. 🤔Luckily there’s also a shower room indoors!
Are you tempted by any of the places above?
What is the most quirky accomodation you have stopped in?
* Everything above welcomes dogs. Some don’t have WiFi or television.
Once upon a time, in a land not that far away, an enchanting cottage in a magical forest became our home for a few lazy peaceful days.
The Hansel and Gretel Cottage on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border is a charming woodland folly , with more than a hint of the Grimm’s Fairytale about it. The former Victorian fishing and shooting lodge ,handcrafted in 1856, was used by the Earls of Bradford for entertaining. Guests included Queen Mary, who may or may not have indulged in estate shoots and ice skating on The White Sitch.
Tucked away in the Woods. Frontage with boardwalk to a fishing lake called The White Sitch. Welcome Hamper & Wine. Candles galore. Pooches 😁 Welcome. Robes. Bicycles. Unfortunately too big for a shortie like me.
The quirky cottage is definitely for those who want to get away from it all. The woodland is private and the only souls we saw were fishermen. There is barely any phone signal. And no TV of course. So you really do feel like you have stepped back in time.
I almost expected to bump into Hansel & Gretel. Or even a wizened old witch! Loved the porch. By the lake. As well as a few fishermen settled around the lake, did spot a Swan 🦢 couple and other water birds. Truly an instagrammers dream.
A walk called ‘ Charlotte’s Walk’ traverses the water and was a sure hit with our labrador Hugo. So nice to have the forest mostly to ourselves and for him to have lots of off-lead wanders.
Charlotte’s Walk’. A selection of the fantastic fungi to be found near the Hansel & Gretel Cottage. Cosy with candles and a roaring fire.
Staying in The Hansel & Gretel Cottage really was like stepping into a fairytale. 🍄🍁
As time goes by Vintage By The Sea, Morecambe’s annual celebration of all things vintage & retro, is going from strength to strength. I last visited the festival way back in 2015, so feeling a bit vintage myself now. 😆
The town is looking bright & breezy, this homage to nostalgia ( we Brits love our nostalgia! ) is really in keeping with Morecambe’s beautiful seafront, much of the action taking place in and around the elegant & curvaceous Art Deco Midland Hotel on the promenade.
I visited with friends today ( the first Saturday in September) , this free family friendly festival continues tommorrow. And I’m assured it’s going to be another gorgeous Summers day in Lancashire….
We ended our visit with a quiet drink in nearby Heysham and a wander up to the Rock Cut Graves by St Patrick’s Chapel, that featured on the cover of a Black Sabbath album.
I was in desperate need of some new walking boots. Instead of paying over the odds at Cotswold Outdoors , I remembered the existence of Winfields Of Haslingden ( a discount walking&camping store) , and persuaded my Other Half that a trip to Rossendale in Lancashire would be a good idea. We packed a certain Black Labrador and headed for the land of Holland’s Pies & Shoe Trails.
Holland’s Pies
Made with Flies
Concrete Bottoms
And Wooden Sides.
Wil suddenly started quoting the above rhyme whilst driving through Baxenden, where the Hollands Pies factory is. I must admit, I have never heard it before. 😅
My Walking boots purchase was a success. After noticing my previous boots on sale for half the price I’d paid for them at an outdoors shop in Glenridding, ( grrrrr),I settled for a pair of Karrimors.
We parked in Haslingden and decided to have a wander up to Halo , one of the East Lancashire Panopticons.
View from Halo. Halo is an 18 metre diameter Steel Structure that stands on tripod legs. At night it is lit up an otherworldly shade of blue. 🛸 Hmm, what on earth does it resemble??
Next we had a quick look around Rawtenstall, this is a lovely rejuvenated old Lancashire town, with lots of independent businesses. I especially love visiting Mr Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar . 😊
The Town Square Rawtenstall.Mr Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar. Inside Mr Fitzpatricks.Scrumptious !
Mr Fitzpatricks is the last surviving Temperance Bar from it’s era. Established in the 1890s by The Temperance Movement as an alternative to Public Houses, Fitzpatricks sold teetotal tonics such as Dandelion & Burdock, Sarsaparilla sodas & Blood Tonic Cordial. Temperance Bars were probably always going to lose out to Pubs though weren’t they. As others floundered Fitzpatricks marched on and today those vintage tonics are still there, along with Lancashire Hotpots, marvelous milkshake creations & home baked cakes.
Fauna Graphic Street Art above a Rawtenstall bar. East Lancs Heritage 🚂 Railway Station. East Lancs Heritage Railway Station.
After a coffee at Buffer Stops ( East Lancs Heritage Railway) we headed to Deanclough Reservoir near Great Hardwood, to try out my new boots. We parked on the roadside near woodland at the top of the reservoir and found our way down to the water. There are several hiking routes here. It’s a beautiful place for a wander.
Woodland near Dean Clough. Spot the Great Crested Grebe. Heading back to the car.
My new boots hurt on the walk but happily I’ve settled into them now.
Another Wainwright Fell was ticked off the list recently. Ling Fell near Bassenthwaite Lake is a small steep dome shaped hill strewn with bracken, then heather, the further you ascend. There’s a stone pillar trig point at the top and lake and fell views. On a clear day you can make out the Scottish hills of Dumfries & Galloway.
I always, always wonder why I put myself through walking up hills, until I reach the top of course. Then I forget how much it’s hurt and how I have to stop so often , and only feel triumphant elation! Ling Fell is mine and Hugos 13th Wainwright Fell. Wil has done at least one more, and perhaps more when he was younger. 201 more to go!
After a Wainwright walk, I happen to think a treat is well deserved. I had booked us in for lunch at a real Lake District Gem , Bassenthwaite Lake Station opposite Dubwath Silver Meadows Nature Reserve. The former station of this long disused Railway is now a lovely eaterie. What’s more, a replica steam train from a film set , serves as the main part of the cafe. I have blogged about Bassenthwaite Lake Station previously here.
It’s always great to find somewhere beautiful & quirky, that serves delicious food and is dog friendly too. Bassenthwaite Lake Station even has its own resident Black Labrador called Poppy, who can be seen charming the clientele. Hugo was more interested in charming the waiting on staff.
Lunch was fresh and tasty. Wil enjoyed his Platelayer Salad and I loved my Crispy gnocchi with salad vegetables and mozzarella cheese. We both plumped for delicious desserts too. Key Lime Pie and Lemon Meringue Cheesecake.
Bassenthwaite Lake Station is the ideal place to treat yourself after a hike in the fells or refuel before a lakeside walk. And enjoyed even more so with a four legged friend. 🐾
The Lancashire town of Clitheroe has had its all too brief mentions ( not always complimentary ! ) in TV Shows such as Car Share, Inside Number 9 and Lost. Now it has become the star of a new film about five school friends who share a love of Take That.
As a local resident, I did find it all quite bizarre ( and exciting ) when film crews took over the town in 2022. Shop fronts were transformed and made to look like we were living back in the Nineties and frequent bursts of a certain boy bands hit songs greeted you from round every corner.
The new film is called Greatest Days and is a feel- good musical comedy, based on Take That’s stage musical ‘ The Band ‘, it’s a sing-along joy ,packed full of nostalgia, laughter and heart -wrenching moments too. Apart from a cameo role in the movie, the original group are replaced by an age- appropriate boyband to swoon over. Not that I wouldn’t still swoon over Mr Barlow etc right now. 😍 Stars of the film include Aisling Bea ( This Way Up), Alice Lowe ( Sightseers) , Marc Wootton ( Nativity) and Jayde Adams ( Alma’s Not Normal) .
A friend of mine managed to obtain a part as an extra in the film ( 😊 yay!) and excitedly booked tickets for the multi screened World Premiere on Thursday night. Clitheroe’s Everyman Cinema was just one of sixty movie theatre’s that linked up with the Red Carpet event in London’s Leicester Square, where Take That performed and the movies stars posed for fans.
It was alot of fun attending my first Film Premiere! As you can probably tell below, it was the Clitheroe one. 🤩 The town is one of the main film locations in Greatest Days , with the stories five main characters all growing up and attending school here.
World Premiere of Greatest Days. Photo credit ~ Stephen Thomson. Publicity Still from Greatest Days.
Fans of the movie who find themselves visiting Clitheroe may want to download a Selfie Trail that takes you round the locations in the town where filming took place. Now I did try to take some selfies, but I’m absolutely rubbish at them! Luckily folk here are very friendly and are only too happy to snap a photo or two. Special shout- out to the lovely ladies in Colborne House Cafe , this traditional diner is a popular fixture in town , famous for its yummy cakes, ‘Pie, peas & gravy’ and affable atmosphere. 🍰❤️
Film Locations on the Greatest Days Selfie Trail in Clitheroe.
Greatest Days is out now in Cinemas and coming to Amazon Prime in the next few months.
It wasn’t planned to be out and about in Manchester on the day of the Kings Coronation. That’s how it happened though and actually the city was the quietest I had ever seen it.
We arrived early and Manchester was slow at waking up. A red, white and blue balloon arch had been placed outside the building below.
We headed for the Northern Quarter for wake me up Coffee and Croissants , found at a cute bakery called Just Between Friends on Tib Street. The almond croissants were delicious and the window thrown open to the city outside.
Just Between Friends.
The Northern Quarter is full of little independent shops, cafes and bars, it’s a great alternative to city centre shopping. You’ll spot various street art like the one below , box fresh and promoting a Mediterranean Lager.
After browsing a few shops we headed along Deansgate to the Castlefield area for a light lunch at Prets ( sorry, can’t resist a chain eating establishment sometimes!) , and drinks at a couple of bars.
Atlas Bar. Peveril of the Peak Pub.
We loved The Peveril of the Peak on Bridgewater Street , one of Manchester’s most interesting looking old pubs. The green tiled exterior and the old fashioned interior with its snug rooms and bar bells ( sadly no longer in use) really add to this characterful venue. The prices were a bit of a shock though. £9.30 for a pint of ale and half a cider. Crikey!
A free of charge venture in Manchester can be found in Castlefield. The Castlefield Viaduct has long been an unused space, but recently this Victorian Viaduct has been transformed into an urban sky garden. I love what has been done here, all the separate garden areas are beautiful. An oasis of calm and serenity in the city. There are bookable tours of the viaduct in the mornings, you can now just turn up and explore yourself in the afternoons.
Before we boarded the train back home we frequented the Gas Lamp , a favourite sub terranian Manchester drinking den of ours.
I haven’t been blogging much recently, though life has been good in November, my Birthday Month!
Reading ~ it’s always fab when someone gives you books for your birthday. I am currently reading I Belong Here by Anita Sethi ,which was a present and on my wishlist of books to read. Having experienced a racial hate crime on a train, Anita bravely decides to reclaim the countryside of Northern England, on an inspirational solo hiking journey across the Pennines. I am looking forward to how things go. Will the natural world be more welcoming than the people she meets along the way ? I hope she finds goodness in both.
Bowling ~ For my Birthday some friends and I tried out the Duck Pin Bowling at Holmes Mill in Clitheroe. This is a bowling alley in miniature and was certainly alot of fun. Happy Days!
Fabulous Fungi ~ It’s been a great month for finding Fungi , especially colourful waxcaps it seems. These above were spotted on local walks here in Lancs and up at the caravan in Cumbria. My faves as always are the pale pink ones which look like opened flowers, I think they are called Ballerina Waxcaps.
Listening to ~ Records! Birthday money went towards a cute portable record player from Argos. I’ve wanted one for ages, despite having no vinyl to my name. I charity shopped them all years ago! Not that I had an impressive collection. Think Wham, Bucks Fizz and Aha. 😀 Back to the charity shops again for me..
Weekending ~ in the Southern Lakes Peninsula, or should I say Grange Over Sands. I am hoping to write a post about my time there. Until then here’s a photo of myself and Wil on the promenade ,which looks out over Salt Marsh and Sea.
The English.
Watching ~ I really watch too too much telly. Having a spare few hours in the daytime , because I work split shifts , does mean I binge watch new seasons and find a fair few films. Some good, some not so good. My faves from November are…
The Wonder ~ Film. An English nurse is sent to observe an apparent miracle in 19th century Ireland, a girl who hasn’t eaten in months, surviving on the Virgin Mary’s love. Beautifully filmed and told. Netflix. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Last Kingdom ~ Series. A Saxon boy is raised by Marauding Danes who killed his Earl father. Later when his Viking family are slaughtered , Uhtred pursues the kingdom that is rightfully his to inherit, taking him on a dangerous journey. Netflix. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mrs Harris Goes To Paris ~ Film. Off to the pictures for this charming 1950s set movie about a cleaning lady who falls in love with a Dior dress and pursues her dream of owning one , to Paris. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The English ~ Series. Gorgeously filmed Western that brings together a Native American looking for home and a refined English Woman looking for revenge. BBC I Player. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wednesday ~ Series. Wednesday Adams gets her own show that follows her student years at Nevermore Academy, where she navigates solving spooky mysteries and school life, in her own dead pan way. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
There’s an Autumnal nip in the air as I write this post. Summer is slipping away. Though actually, I am more than ready for cosy throws and candles. 🙂
Although September has had its sadness , with the loss of our monarch, there is much to celebrate about our Queens long life and reign. And it will be interesting to see what changes will unfold in this new non Elizabethan era.
The Bloody Chamber and other stories by Angela Carter.
Reading. A sensual and sometimes disturbing gothic retelling of fairytales and legends, often with a feisty female heroine at the heart of the stories. Angela Carter twists the tales around , recreating a carnival of familiar characters. One for the nights drawing in.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo.
Watching. My favourite BBC comedy series is back for Autumn. And by golly, I’ve binge watched it already. Ghosts sees the return of Alison & Mike ( the only living residents of stately mansion ‘ Button House ‘. ) hoping to transform an estate cottage into an Airbnb. Help ( or hindrance) is on hand from a motley collection of ghosts, of which only Alison can see. I love that the ghosts are all from differing time periods, and each has their own particular life ( and death! ) story. Apparently there’s now a US version of this show. Surely can’t be better than ours. 😀
I am also loving Korean Comedy Drama Extraordinary Attorney Woo on Netflix. In fact merely writing this blog post is keeping me from watching it right now, I’m becoming addicted ! And that’s no mean feat ,with subtitles and hour long episodes involved. Attorney Woo is an attorney with autism, navigating life at a high ranking law firm. There’s the intricacies of Korean law to contend with ( she’s good at that) and the intricacies of everyday life ( not always so good), an endearing obsession with whales & dolphins and a sweet burgeoning romance with a work colleague. I am adoring this show.
Eating. Gingerbread! Traditional Gingerbread from Grasmere no less. Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread has been made in the village since the 1850s, Sarah herself created the secret recipe and first sold it from a tree stump outside her front door. Eventually moving her business into a tiny old school house , that is still used today. The gorgeous gingerbread smell wafts around Grasmere attracting locals and tourists alike. I got in that queue. Always delicious 😋.
Weekend wandering. Speeking of Grasmere, we ended up here by mistake. Our plan had actually been to walk up Raven Crag from Thirlmere, adding another Wainwright to our short list. However we somehow failed to find the carpark, drove right past the lake and ended up at Grasmere. No complaints though, it was a lovely late Summers day, perfect for a stroll around the village and the water.
Pastille coloured rowing boats on the lakeside at Faeryland Tea Garden. Hot drinks and a Gypsy Wagon. Traveller Hugo. Doggy paddling.
Another day we headed over Alston Moor to Garrigill for a hike taking in Ashgill Force. I love the beckside walk , which is usually peaceful, sometimes the quiet is interupted by the odd group of Gill Scramblers! Not sure I would want to try that myself though. We found a lovely cafe for lunch in a converted chapel in nearby Nenthead.
Highland Cattle on Alston Moor. Ashgill Force. Distant Gill Scramblers. The Hive at Nenthead. There’s still an Organ inside.
Wildlife. The amount of times I see Kingfishers is ridiculous ( I realise I’m very lucky) , though getting a photo of one doesn’t happen very often. I was gobsmacked when one of these beautiful birds posed for me, only a few metres away. ❤️
Kingfisher.
Hanging out with. Star Wars Characters! And other supernatural beings at Blackburn Comic Convention. As I have still never actually watched the Star Wars films ( I know, what! ) this might appear a little strange. Blame my friends A and M who love all this kind of stuff. And it was actually fun.
sunshine and celandines 