You don’t have to go far to see a different way of life. We’ve been reminded of this during our latest photoshoot which took us to the Lake District – just a two-hour drive away from Manchester. But the landscape and the way of life could not be any more different to the city. It is a corner of the country with a much slower pace. Not only when you’re stuck behind a tractor. Nature seems to be ruling. A beauty untouched. Friends are called Marras and cockerels crows serve as alarm clocks.
The route is the destination
For the first time in Nordic Muse history, the whole team set off on a trip filled with creating images, stories, and campaigns for the months ahead. With a car packed to the brim we started the journey from Tib Street. First stop: the farm shop at Tebay services. In the unlikely case that you haven’t come across this place yet – go! It’s a service station like no other and we found some special produce in there such as Northern-made pasta, beautiful beef heart tomatoes, and English tinned fish. Another stop we want to share with you was the Kirkstile Inn – a gastro-pub in Loweswater with hearty food, friendly staff, and awe-inspiring views over the fells. No matter how many times you’ve been to the Lakes – it is just so impressive how the water curves around the mountains. Rich green meadows speckled with sheep and jolting lambs in between. Daffodils lined the roads. Spring does not get any better.
Cosy Cottage Comforts
As you know from previous trips: We always chose our accommodation very carefully. It needs to have character, it must accommodate our photo requirements, but it also must be practical for us all to stay at. Ramble & Fell in Blindcrake near Cockermouth ticked all these boxes. Think of cosy cottage comforts with enough space for a family. Lovingly decorated with rustic elements and a love for the surrounding area this place was just what we were after. Its log burner kept us cosy when it was pouring with rain and the garden to the back of the house was ideal for our first al-fresco dinner this year. A perfect setting to showcase our new season products spanning from tableware and kitchen accessories to textiles and bathroom essentials to the camera. Even more than ever before we enjoyed the perks of our home for these few days which meant mornings filled with long breakfasts and evenings spent eating home cooked dinners and chatting about what the day had to offer.
Discovering Cockermouth
Less than a 10-minute drive away from our stay was the Georgian market town of Cockermouth. Delis, pretty shop fronts, and cafes: Less touristic as Keswick this part of the Lakes has got so much to offer to weekend moochers like us. We especially loved seeing the flower decorations in the shop windows for the run up to Daffodil Day. On our stroll through the streets, we stumbled upon many beautiful independent businesses and makers. One that is located a bit further out of Cockermouth is the basketmaker Phil Bradley who grows, harvests, and crafts with willow. We got to see how he stored the material outside his shed, softening in the Spring sun, ready to be woven soon. Very inspiring to see someone working with nature in this ancient way.
‘A trip to the Lake District would not be complete without – you’ve guessed it – a trip to a lake.’
Crummock Water
A trip to the Lake District would not be complete without – you’ve guessed it – a trip to a lake. We’ve decided to pay Crummock Water a visit. It’s located right next to Buttermere – in fact, the two lakes used to be one large body of water but are now separated by material brought down by the mountain streams over thousands of years. This vastness and stunning beauty of nature left us humbled and in awe of how incredible this part of the country is. We cannot wait to go back to Marra-land!
