Holker Hall is the home of Lord and Lady Cavendish and it's open to visitors of all ages: the home has proved very popular as a destination for a day out in the Southern Lake District over the years, for it offers many different activities and attractions - there is something for everyone at Holker, not to mention its proximity to the fantastic scenery and attractions of the English Lake District.
Holker's popularity might also have something to do with the fact that the Hall is located only a short distance from Grange-over-Sands and the beautiful expanse of Morecambe Bay. Indeed, this area of the Lakes is made up of exceptionally beautiful countryside, and the gardens of the Hall merge into parkland framed by the Lakeland Hills.
Holker is a Norse word, meaning a hilly area in marshy land. This quality must have made the site a popular choice for habitation for centuries: and indeed, the records show there was a house here by the start of the 16th century. From then, the Estate has never been sold; it has passed, by inheritance, through the family line right up till the present day.
Holker is on a grand scale. But it is a family home, and the comfort of the Hall is obvious the moment you step inside. Superficially, it now could be described as a neo-Elizabethan mansion, with extensive landscaped gardens. These gardens offer a relaxed counterpoint to the rugged fells in the Lakeland countryside to the north.
There is much to see in the house. To take one example, the long gallery (very much a feature of great Elizabethan houses) was adapted by the Victorian architects and craftsmen who worked on the house in this period. Amongst the furniture in the gallery you'll find some high quality pieces: a Regency mahogany and satinwood desk; an octagonal Derbyshire inlaid black polished table made of limestone; a display table containing a purse belonging to Georgiana, wife of the 5th Duke of Devonshire (whose life was recently the subject of a feature film); and a nineteenth-century English table with an Italian top made up from over 100 different squares of marble; and a walnut cabinet with marquetry from early in the nineteenth century.
This area is also a haven for wildlife. The parkland offers homes for red squirrels, endangered in much of England, and the bird life will provide even the most avid bird-watcher with an exciting day's spotting.
Nearby you can find the attractions of the Holker Festival, Cartmel Racecourse, and some of the most beautiful walking in the Southern Lakes. In addition, you're only a stone's throw away from the attractions based at Lakeside on Windermere: the old "steamers", elegant motor yachts in which you can cruise the Lake, the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway, on which you can enjoy a trip by steam train, and the Aquarium of the Lakes, featuring marine life from around the world.
So, whether you want to visit historic Holker Hall, its famous and fascinating gardens, or you fancy a flutter at Cartmel races, or you'd like to try some other entertainment a little further afield, this area of the Lakes offers many opportunities for an entertainment-packed day out which will amuse all the family.
Many see scrambling as a mountain adventure like rock climbing - and, yes, it is exciting, but if done properly it provides loads of excitement with none of the risk. The Lake District offers many fine scrambles, including the most famous of all - Jack's Rake. If you're of average fitness, and with a stout heart, this is scramble well worth attempting.
But let's start by answering the fundamental question of all would-be scramblers. How do you define scrambling? It's a pastime somewhere between steep walking and rock climbing. It's not really climbing, but it certainly isn't hill-walking (known as fell walking in this part of the world). You'll always need your hands to hold on - together with your feet and any other spare part of your anatomy!
If you want something more exciting than fell-walking, scrambling is an exciting step upwards which will add huge interest to a day out. And for rock climbers, a day spent scrambling is a great rest-day alternative.
But what may appeal to you most is the chance to get off the beaten track. Scrambling usually takes place off conventional trails and footpaths, so even on the busiest days you have the chance of solitude.
The Lake District has many varied scrambles, ranging from steep ridges and buttresses to water-filled ghylls and ravines. There are many guide books available which take you through the classic and more challenging routes. They are graded from 1 to 4 - if you're a beginner, you'll want to start with Grade 1, the easiest.
Although the easiest scrambles are well within a fit walker's capacity, unroped scrambling in exposed situations can present some risks. If you want to try it, make sure that you are well-briefed, and ensure the weather is suitable - wet rock in particular can be very dangerous.
To learn more about scrambling contact the British Mountaineering Council on 0870 010 4878 or visit www.thebmc.co.uk
And so - you've decided you want to try it: where to go first? Jack's Rake in the Langdale Pikes is a classic scramble, well known to generations of walkers.
You start in Langdale from the Stickle Ghyll car park, and ascend up to Stickle Tarn in one not-so-difficult ascent. This gives you the chance to survey the Rake, a diagonal traverse of the face of the crag opposite you. The cut of Jack's Rake makes its way from the bottom right to top left of Pavey Ark - and it's easy to see. Now's the time to rethink your plan for the day if your nerve gives way!
The exposed areas can be seen clearly. If you decide to go ahead, walk around the tarn to the foot of Jack's Rake and look up the crevice in the rock. The first feature point is a sole Rowan tree about a hundred yards ahead - beyond that, it's easier to go on rather than turn around.
For most of the ascent you climb inside a rock groove. which makes this feel very safe for beginners. Although there are tight spots the rock channel offers comforting protection from exposure to the drop down to the tarn. However, bear in mind that there are some very exposed sections later on!
After you've passed the Rowan tree, there's a small flat piece of ground with no edge protection - perfect for viewing the scenery! The path is wide, but step off and you're going to be falling off the cliff and down to the tarn. Be very careful where you tread!
The next stage of the climb has a few scary moments - mostly involving smooth rock which is slippery when wet, or tight crevasses which you cannot squeeze through, and so must traverse on the edge of the rock face. And near the final ascent comes the most exposed bit of Jack's Rake: a sharp turn to the right to gain the summit, with a sheer drop below you to the left. Like so many frightening situations, it's better if you don't stop to think, grasp your handholds firmly, and haul yourself up.
Finishing the scramble is a moment of triumph, and if you're a novice Lake District Scrambler it will give you fantastic memories for years to come!
Rod Booth has sinced written about articles on various topics from Lake District, Travel and Leisure and Family Travel. The Lake District Guide contains hundreds of pages of information on Lakes hotels and other accommodation, as well as restaurants, walks, places to go and things to do. In fact, we have all the information you'll need for a great holiday in the Lakes. Fin. Rod Booth's top article generates over 14800 views. to your Favourites.