The Best Western plus Castle Inn (Bassenthwaite/Cumbria)
Last week, we travelled up to our favourite hotel in the Lake District, the Best Western / Keswick. Although the weather was not as good as it has been, on other occasions, there were breaks in the weather at times, allowing some good photo opportunists…
After settling in to our hotel room… upon our arrival, we ended up in the bar… for a quick shandy or two, and a relax after the drive up from our home in Liverpool, and before our evening meal at the hotel…
Next Day
When we got up next morning… the weather wasn’t so good, so we had a leisurely breakfast before setting off to Keswick to do some shopping for bits and pieces… we grabbed a lunch deal from the Supermarket (Booths) in Keswick, and ate it in the park down on the lakeside (Dewent Water)… The weather brightened up, so we headed back to our hotel, to drop things off…
Cottage at Derwent Water Lakeside
On the way back to the hotel… we were due to pass the stately pile of Mirehouse. This country house, looks out over Bassenthwaite Lake on the east side… and has a large array of gardens. The house is open on a Wednesday, and at weekends, but the gardens are open all week. there are some great walks to be had, but it is also another route, to the ancient church of St. Bega’s… A favourite of ours at all times of the year… and I knew at this time of day… the sun would be in just the right place, for the images I wanted…
Woodland walk-way
On the way down to St. Bega’s church we called at the ‘bee garden’ part of the overall gardens of the house. the bee garden is the old walled garden of the house, and has been planted to attract bees for pollination. In one corner of the garden, and fenced off, from visitors the bee hives are housed, and you can see (with binoculars lol) all the bees going in and out…
A seating area in the walled garden
The walled garden under Ullock Pike
After leaving the walled garden, we made our way down the woodland tracks, to come out on the grazing and pasture land which lead down to the church on the lakeside…
St. Bega’s church
Ann and I really love going down to St. Bega’s, when we visit the area, its so relaxing, and there’s always something new to see, and of course when the light is favourable the imagery is superb… I would really recommend all photographers to visit, and put their own style of photography to the place… here are some more taken during this visit…
The Ancient Church and its walled graveyard
Through the trees
View from the east lakeside
The view from the lakeside, looking to the West
Once again, another great visit to the church, but this time in the late afternoon… I have been wanting to get here for quite some time now, knowing the path of the sun, and getting the right conditions and cloud structure… well on this visit…. it really did, all come together !!!