Yorkshire & The Lakes

Refreshed and breakfasted, we’ll drive off to meet Jaki, yarn dyer and knitwear designer at Hot Butter Yarns. Under her good-natured direction, we’ll spend the morning dyeing up a storm on lush British yarns.

The afternoon will find us wending our way north west towards Lake Coniston. Upon arrival at Bank Ground Farm retreat there will be time to unload, settle into our rooms, explore the barn and soak up those views before we gather for dinner.

The Wool Library

We’ll meander down the east side of the Lake today, to meet Maria and Zoe, partners in The Wool Library, at Nibthwaite Grange Farm. Their knowledge of British wool coupled with enthusiasm and humour will make for a fascinating morning. We’ll say hello to a variety of British sheep breeds and stop in at Maria’s on-site store for bespoke tweed, yarn, and soap made entirely in the Lake District.

At lunchtime we’ll be at Brantwood, historic home of Victorian writer/artist/social reformer John Ruskin. There will be an opportunity to visit his house and its impressive gardens and enjoy a gentle half hour stroll back to Bank Ground Farm.

Pannus mihi Pannis

A day of colorful stitches to make the heart sing! We’ll begin by viewing the Quaker Tapestry in the historic wool town of Kendal. The town’s motto is ‘Pannus mihi Pannis’ - wool is my bread. Stitched by 4000 people , the Tapestry has 77 lovingly worked panels. Take your time to enjoy them and then explore the town - look out for wool-related street and building names. Later we’ll take a short drive to meet renowned vintage-inspired designer Susan Crawford. Susan will tell her story as we tour the productive family-run studio, view the hand dyeing of her British yarns and soak up the rich mix of pattern and color in the shop.

A Rare Breed & Nine Ghosts

Sheep are calling and we must go! A scenic drive will bring us to Sheepfold where Alice cares for her beloved rare breed Manx Loaghtans. They are horned descendants of the primitive sheep once widespread in Scotland. Alice has their yarn spun and it features in many of her accessories kits.

From fields to Tarzan’s ancestral home: we’ll visit Greystoke Castle. Built as a timbered tower in 1069, replaced by a stone one, confiscated by the army and currently home to nine known ghosts. After a tour of this curious edifice we’ll partake of afternoon tea in the castle drawing room to recover.

Herdwicks & Happiness

Closer to home today, we’ll split into two groups and swap itineraries at lunchtime.

A fun needle felting workshop using local Herdwick fleece with Hanne at her wonderful barn of temptation - in her own words, ‘Herdwick wool, homemade cake and happiness in Hawkshead’.

And another treat in the form of a visit to Hilltop, the farm that Beatrix Potter bought with the proceeds from The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The Dixons have farmed Hilltop for thirty five years and we’ll meet Amy and some of her flock there and hear first hand of the challenges of modern day sheep farming.

Hills & Dales

Venturing east and into the Yorkshire Dales we’ll spend time at inspiring Farfield Mill. It’s a member-run cooperative which honors and preserves the mill’s heritage while providing a hub for creative enterprises. There are textile exhibitions, open studios to view, makers to meet and more. The mill is just a couple of miles from the 'book town' of Sedbergh, nestling at the foot of the Howgill Hills. To spend time browsing bookshops in the afternoon or to have a hike in the hills? The choice will be yours!

Final Forays

On our last Lakeland morning, we’ll explore Grasmere village. Poet William Wordsworth arrived here in 1799 and settled in Dove Cottage. He considered Grasmere ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. Visit his home, try Victorian cook Sarah Nelson's famous gingerbread and check out Grasmere Gather which offers artisan products which celebrate the traditional heritage industries of the area. It is also a fine place to linger with coffee and knitting if the weather’s unkind.

The afternoon back at Bank Ground Farm is free to savor in any way you choose. A dip in the lake perhaps, a few miles’ hike or a knitting session with that view.

Heading South

After a Bank Ground Farm breakfast, and fond farewells to the crew there, we’ll wend our way southwards, taking in a quintessentially English garden on the way. The late afternoon will find us at our airport hotel and back in the busy world.

Departure Day

Farewell for now, and may your homeward journeys run smoothly. We hope you leave laden with happy Lakeland memories, full of inspiration and perhaps a little British yarn!

Lindsay, aka  “The Border Tart”, is a stitcher, a printer, a maker and a lover of words. Inspired by color and pattern and passionate about Indian artisans and textiles, she values most highly all things made by hand. She’s a proponent of mindful stitching and hand work of all kinds. In her words, “Making with your own hands brings pleasure, calms the heart rate and imbues each piece with love.” Peruse her small edition stitching kits and other essentials here. You’ll also find her images, thoughts and adventures on Instagram at @bordertart. We’re so pleased to collaborate with this wonderful Scottish artisan and teacher.