Another visit to Brymor Ice Cream—couldn’t resist! Went for a single scoop tub this time (showing a little self-control… maybe 😄). Still just as delicious as ever. A little treat on a lovely day out!
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Category Archives: England
Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park – What a Beautiful Place to Visit!
What an absolute gem! We spent a wonderful day exploring the Himalayan Gardens and Sculpture Park, and it did not disappoint. From the tranquil, scenic pathways to the stunning collection of sculptures scattered throughout the park, there was beauty at every turn.
The vibrant flowers, peaceful atmosphere, and unique artworks made it a perfect day out. It’s the ideal place to unwind and soak in nature’s beauty. Highly recommend a visit if you’re ever nearby! 🌿🌷 #HimalayanGardens #NatureLovers #SculpturePark
Continue readingBraving the Breeze at Ribblehead Viaduct
After exploring the caves, we headed out for a blustery walk at Ribblehead Viaduct. The wind was strong, but it added to the excitement as we took in the magnificent views of this iconic structure and the surrounding countryside. The viaduct, with its towering arches, was even more impressive in person.
Continue readingWhite Scar Caves – What an Amazing Experience!
Today was nothing short of incredible! We kicked off the day with a tour of the White Scar Caves, and wow, what an experience. The underground world was absolutely stunning, with crystal formations, towering stalagmites, and the eerie stillness of the caverns. It was both thrilling and awe-inspiring to be in such a unique place!
What a Fantastic Day at the Strange and Wonderful Forbidden Corner!
Today’s adventure took us to the Forbidden Corner in Middleham, and wow, what a day! We’ve always talked about visiting but somehow never got around to it, so we’re really glad we finally made the trip. This place is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced – a truly unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, and unexpected surprises!
Every twist and turn had something new to discover – from hidden doors to quirky statues, secret pathways, and even some water features that caught us all by surprise (and yes, everyone got soaked at some point!).
It’s like stepping into a magical world where nothing is quite as it seems.
Continue readingLunch, Walks, and Ice Cream – A Perfect Day at Jervaulx Abbey and Brymor!
Today was one of those perfect days full of history, stunning views, and indulgent treats! We started our adventure at Jervaulx Abbey – a beautiful, peaceful spot where we enjoyed a lovely lunch and a leisurely walk around the ruins. The Abbey itself is such a serene place, and the surrounding countryside just adds to the charm. There’s something magical about wandering through the remnants of such a historic building while soaking in the breath-taking views.
Continue readingA play park, a Costa and a Cathedral: A Day in Carlisle
Today’s trip took us to Carlisle, a city we’ve visited a few times before, but this time we decided to skip the usual visit to the Castle and explore a little more of the town instead.
We kicked off our adventure at Bitts Park, which is just behind the Castle. The boys were absolutely delighted when they saw the park—it’s a fantastic spot for families! The climbing frame with slides, the gym equipment, the flying fox, and even a water park made it a great place to let off some steam. We even had a picnic here, so we were able to fully enjoy the park for quite a while. If you’re ever in the area and looking for somewhere to keep the kids entertained, this park is definitely worth a visit.
After finally prising the boys away from the park, we strolled into the town center, passing a monument of Queen Victoria along the way. The monument is a nice historical touch to the walk, adding a bit of culture before we reached the heart of the town.
Once in the town center, we couldn’t resist a little break and stopped by a quaint square where we treated ourselves to a Costa—because sometimes, nothing beats a warm drink while watching the world go by. The boys also got a chance to spend some of their pennies in The Entertainer, which, as you can imagine, was a big hit.
Our final stop for the day was the Cathedral, a place we’ve always wanted to explore in more detail. It was as stunning as we remembered, and the boys enjoyed a treasure hunt inside, which kept them engaged while we wandered around. One of the most impressive sights was the sheer size of the organ—it was absolutely massive! We all agreed that it would have been amazing to hear it played, but even just admiring it from afar was a treat.
All in all, it was a lovely, relaxed day spent exploring a familiar city in a new way. Whether it’s the fun of Bitts Park, a quiet moment with a Costa, or the awe-inspiring beauty of the Cathedral, Carlisle proved once again to be a perfect spot for a family day out.
A Detour to Caerlaverock Castle
On our way back home from The Lakes, we decided to take a little detour and visit Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries—a place we’ve been wanting to see for ages. It’s a bit of a trek, so we hadn’t made the trip yet, but today felt like the perfect time to do it. And boy, it did not disappoint!
The castle is absolutely stunning—built in a triangular shape with a moat surrounding it, it looked like something straight out of a fairy tale. We all loved exploring the castle, as there are so many nooks, crannies, and hidden staircases to discover. The prison was a highlight for the boys—they were fascinated by the thought of being locked up in such a historic place!
We spent hours wandering around, enjoying the views, and soaking in the history. It’s definitely one of those places that’s worth the extra effort to visit.
We’ll definitely be coming back again, and we’d highly recommend it to anyone in the area looking for a bit of adventure and history. A perfect pitstop on our journey home!
Last Day in the Lakes: A Walk Around Derwentwater
Our last full day in the Lake District was between Keswick and Windermere for our trip, and this time Keswick won. We’ve enjoyed both places before, but today we decided to spend the day exploring around Derwentwater.
As usual, parking near the Theatre on the Lake can be quite expensive, so we did a bit of research and discovered we could park at Keswick Rugby Club for just £4 for the whole day. From there, it’s a lovely walk through the park that brings you straight to the lake. We headed off towards Friars Crag and then followed the lake path, but this time we went a bit further than usual. Along the way, we stumbled upon a massive rock on the beach—split in half, and it had the most fascinating structure inside that looked like a brain!
After the walk, we popped into Keswick town for some well-earned fish and chips. Always a classic when you’re in the area!
With a total of 17,135 steps today, we were all pretty exhausted by the end, but it was the perfect way to wrap up our time in the Lakes. A day full of beautiful scenery, good food, and, of course, plenty of steps to keep us busy!
A Quick Stop in Lancaster
After a no-breakfast hotel experience, we decided the best way to start the day was with a classic McDonald’s breakfast—you can’t go wrong there!
Since Lancaster is about halfway between Blackpool and the Lakes, we thought it’d be a good idea to stop off and explore a bit. Our first stop was Lancaster Castle, but unfortunately, we were a bit disappointed. Entry was only available via guided tours, lasting 60 minutes, and at £20 for a family of four, we decided to give it a miss this time.
Right across from the castle was Lancaster Priory, which was a stunning building. We wandered in to have a look, but it was a bit noisy inside since they were tuning the organ. Despite the noise, it was still beautiful to see.
Afterwards, we took a walk around the town. The market was in full swing, and there were lots of tasty treats to browse. Oliver even picked up a Beano annual from one of the stalls, and mum found a couple of new books at a charity shop—2 for £1, what a bargain!
We wrapped up the day with 10,507 steps on the clock—another day of exploring and making memories!
Road Trip to Blackpool: A Fun-Filled Adventure
We’ve been talking about another trip to Blackpool for a while now, and after four years since our last visit, we finally made it happen! This time we decided to stay overnight to make it easier and save the long drive. Plus, Lewis has been going on about wanting to go for months, so it was time to make it happen.
We arrived and parked across from our hotel, then set off for our first adventure—a walk through the amusements and along the shop fronts. Just as we were getting into it, a sudden downpour hit, so we took shelter and decided to pop into the Central Pier amusements. The boys had their 2p coins from Gran Janice, so they had a blast trying their luck on the machines. After that, we explored the pier rides, grabbed some lunch, and walked back through the shops before checking in at our hotel.
After a bit of a rest, we headed back out for a walk along the promenade. We stopped for some rock (of course!) and the boys had a turn at the funfair rides. Oliver wanted to go on the dodgems, but he wasn’t tall enough to reach the pedal, so mum had to join in. It was a fun experience!
For dinner, we headed to The Chinese Buffet, and the boys tried all sorts of new foods. It was a lovely meal, and they were on their best behavior—bonus! Afterward, we had to hit the amusements again, this time with £1 each in 2p coins. The boys were a bit cheeky, trying to steal mum’s winnings and tokens, but we ended up winning a few dinosaur gliders, a rubber, and, of course, a stick of rock for each of us.
By the time we headed back to the hotel, it was well past bedtime, but we squeezed in a family game of pool on the wonkiest table ever! Naturally, there were some disagreements, and Lewis gave up after a few shots to play games on mum’s phone instead. As for who won? Dad and Oliver managed to snag the victory.
Our hotel room was a family room with 2 doubles and a single, so mum and Lewis took one bed, dad and Oliver took the other, and Alexander had the single. The sleep wasn’t the comfiest, and we’ve agreed it might be the last time we try a family room (lesson learned!).
We were all pretty exhausted by the end of the day, but we racked up 17,157 steps, and it was worth every one of them! What a fun day in Blackpool!
A Visit to Wray Castle and a Bit of a Detour
Today, we had planned to visit Stott Park Bobbin Mill, but when we arrived, we found out it was closed for conservation works and wouldn’t reopen until Wednesday. A bit of a bummer, but no problem—we whipped out the map and decided to head to Wray Castle, just a short drive away.
The road between the two destinations was a bit hairy, with some narrow, winding lanes, and we encountered a few tractors along the way. But the highlight? We met a sheep on the road, just casually strolling along. Welcome to the countryside!
When we finally arrived at Wray Castle, it was lovely. The castle had a Peter Rabbit adventure trail that the kids absolutely loved, along with activities like dress-up and crafts, including origami. There was also a table tennis and snooker table, which kept them entertained for a while. The castle’s dining room doubled as a place to eat your picnic, which was a nice touch.
However, we were a little disappointed by the lack of furniture and information about the castle’s history and what it would have been like when it was fully furnished. That said, the adventure playground across from the car park was amazing and definitely the highlight for the kids.
As National Trust members, we thought it was worth the visit, but with the cost being £25 for a family ticket and an additional £6.50 for parking (on top of entry), we’re not sure we’ll be back. The price felt a bit steep for what it offered.
Later that evening, we headed back to the chalet, where we played a game of Junior Cluedo. It was a tight competition, but David emerged victorious!
We ended the day with 5,788 steps on the clock. Not a bad day despite the detour!
Gilchrist Family Adventures 