Hawkshead Christmas Fair, Lake District

Ow do!

Well, after a few technical issues with the blog (aka user error) we can now finally update with a couple of Christmas trips.  So what if it’s almost a month after Christmas, it was certainly a ‘Jolly’ one in our motor ho-ho-home 🙂

Jolly in festive spirit

Merry Christmas!

Motor Ho-ho-home!

At the beginning of December, we returned to Hawkshead, one of our favourite lakeland villages, to visit their Christmas Fair.  It’s held on the first weekend of December each year, although there had been some uncertainty about this year’s event taking place following the previous year’s devastating floods.  However, it did take place and was most definitely worth the visit.

http://hawksheadchristmasfair.com/

Jolly was in festive mood and especially accommodating on this trip, as he also transported Suzie’s parents, who had booked 2 nights bed and breakfast accommodation at the cosy 17th Century Queen’s Head Inn right in the heart of the village.  We had to book this several months in advance, as all accommodation books up quickly for Christmas.

http://queensheadhawkshead.co.uk/

ONWARD!>>>>

Mum & Dad enjoying a mulled wine & gingerbread Santa

After dropping the folks off at their accommodation, we pitched Jolly up at the Croft Campsite just across the main road from the village centre.  We’ve been here before (see previous posts), as Hawkshead is a place we often return to.  The site is relaxed with a friendly feel, clean with good facilities, and the pitches are a generous size.  The site was more or less full by Saturday, with other campers ready to kick off the festivities.

http://www.hawkshead-croft.co.uk/camping/

We woke to a crisp winter morning

Perfect winter’s morning

Perfect winter’s morning

-9 degrees but still toasty on Jolly

We all had a great time over the weekend involving mulled wine/cider, local ales & seasonal food, street entertainers, live festive music, stalls with all you can think of, lantern procession, and carol singing.  However, rather than witter on for this post, we’ll let the following photos tell the story of our weekend.  We highly recommend you put this one in your diary for a future Christmas visit.  You won’t be disappointed.  Hawkshead is captivating at any time of the year but extra magical at Christmas …

 

Good day to you!

Village centre lights

Village centre lights

The Red Lion

A delicious meal at The Queen’s Head

View of the fair and snow covered hills in the distance

Village lantern procession

Open fire at the Queen’s Head

A wise old bird … and an owl

Carol songlist

It was bouncing in the Kings Arms – Bri and Mum joining in with the live band

The sun shone for our journey home

A scenic trip home

ONWARD!>>>>

Suzie & Bri

Hawkshead, Lake District, Cumbria

The windswept look as we crossed Windermere on Hawkshead ferry

Suzie’s first ukulele!

We always feel so at home here …

The Croft campsite in the distance from the top of the churchyard

Chestnuts and shot starter. Bri wasn’t impressed!

We’ve visited Hawkshead many times, but his was only our second camping trip.  Our first trip several years ago involved a two man dome tent that you couldn’t stand up in, torrential rain, and a night sleeping in our car at that time (a mini!) because it was raining into the tent.  Fortunately for me, Bri got the driver’s side with the steering wheel.  He was walking like John Wayne the next morning, but it wore off and we look back now with fond memories of that adventure!!  This time was a considerable upgrade with Jolly and even though we again had torrential rain one night, we were cosy and dry.  Happy days!

We went for a two-nighter, taking Jolly over on the Hawkshead ferry and stayed, like last time, at the private Croft Campsite

Home

It’s situated just across the road from the centre of Hawkshead.  It’s changed a lot since last time, having expanded and now boasting camping, caravans and holiday lodges.  Nice site and perfect location.

We spent much of this stay meandering around Hawkshead and on site relaxing.

There are 4 very good pubs in Hawkshead – The Sun Inn, The Red Lion, The Kings Arms and The Queens Head.  The first night we ate at the Sun Inn and the second night we booked a table at The Kings Arms.  Delicious food, although Bri wasn’t impressed with the chestnuts and a drink shot for starters.  “Boring, doesn’t taste of anything!”.

We had lunch at a cafe Poppi Red in the square.  It was nice, but busy and later as we walked around we noticed a quieter cosy cafe down a side street (forgotten the name) which would’ve been ideal.  So have a wander around.  We had a lovely walk around St Michaels and All Angels Church, Hawkshead, one afternoon.  The grounds sprawl on forever, and as you climb you get a good view of Hawkshead and beyond.  Later as I wandered around the shops, I walked into one looking for some jewellery and walked out with a ukulele!  I’m now learning to play which shouldn’t be too difficult as I already play the guitar.  I also have an open invite to bring it along to any future jamming sessions in the local pubs that the shop owner’s husband plays in!  Watch this space …

All in all a very fun and relaxing stay.

Next stop Boroughbridge.

ONWARDS!>>>

Suzie & Bri