Vintage Train to Carlisle

Vintage Train Journey to Carlisle

At the end of May, I travelled to Carlisle on a vintage train, travelling along the Settle to Carlisle line. We boarded at Darlington and headed towards the Yorkshire Dales, passing through some beautiful countryside.

We were brought pastries and tea to enjoy as we travelled, while the countryside passed by outside the windows. I tried to take a few photographs from the train, although that proved more difficult than I'd expected. Everything was moving so quickly that most of them ended up a little blurry.

The journey took us through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, with tunnels and viaducts along the way. One of the highlights was travelling over Ribblehead Viaduct.

Treasurer's House | York

A Rainy Visit to the Treasurer's House

After visiting Goddard's, we headed into York to explore the Treasurer's House. Unfortunately, it was still pouring with rain, so I didn't even manage to get a photograph of the entrance!

Inside, though, there was plenty to discover. The house sits right in the heart of York, close to the Minster, and has a fascinating history stretching back centuries. Parts of the building even sit directly over the remains of Roman York.

What really caught my attention, though, was the house's reputation for being haunted. Apparently, Roman soldiers have been seen in the cellar, where the remains of a Roman column can also be found, but I didn't see any ghosts during our visit, thankfully.

Goddard's House and Gardens | York

A Rainy Day at Goddard's

It was pouring with rain when we visited Goddard's in York, but the gardens were deserted, and for a while we had the whole place to ourselves. The rain had brought out all the greens and there was water glistening on the plants and paths.

My favourite part was the rock garden, which gave me plenty to photograph despite the weather. Beyond the gardens, there were glimpses of York Racecourse through the trees. We probably didn't pick the best day for exploring a garden, but I loved having the place so quiet. The rain may have kept everyone else away, but it gave us a much more peaceful visit.

Cragside

A Day at Cragside

Cragside has to be one of my favourite places I've visited.

Set among the hills of Northumberland, this Victorian estate feels like somewhere you could spend an entire day exploring and still find something you hadn't noticed before.

The house was built in the nineteenth century and became the first house in the world to be lit using hydroelectric power, generated from the surrounding water. Inside, the library has beautiful views towards the bridge and formal gardens, while the dining room, drawing room and billiard room each reveal another glimpse into life at Cragside during the Victorian era. The large marble fireplace in the dining room is particularly impressive.

But for me, it was the gardens and surrounding landscape that provided some of the best opportunities for photography. There are woodland paths, open views and peaceful walks around the lake. When we visited, the rhododendrons were only just beginning to bloom. There were splashes of colour appearing here and there, hinting at the spectacular display that was still to come. I'd love to return later in the year when the flowers are fully out and the gardens have been transformed.

I think Cragside will be one of those places I'll keep coming back to with my camera.

Bamburgh Castle

Bamburgh Castle

I'd travelled to the Northumberland coast hoping to see puffins, but stormy weather meant that the trip from Seahouses was cancelled. Rather than let the change of plans spoil the day, I decided to visit Bamburgh Castle instead.

Sitting high above the coastline, Bamburgh Castle is an impressive sight as you approach it, rising dramatically above the village and the surrounding landscape. After the steep walk uphill, the views from the castle were worth the effort.

Inside, I loved the grand rooms, high ceilings and intricate decorations. There was plenty to discover about the castle's history, and I particularly enjoyed the views from the windows, looking out across the sea on one side and towards Bamburgh on the other.

Part of the castle walls can also be explored, offering views across the North Sea. The Farne Islands can be seen in the distance from here, which was a reminder of the puffins I'd originally hoped to see.

As I looked out across the water, a rainbow appeared over the sea, adding a splash of colour to the stormy sea. The puffins might have to wait for another visit, but the stormy weather led me to somewhere I might otherwise have missed on this trip.

A Day on Holy Island

A Day on Holy Island

Lying just off the Northumberland coast, Holy Island can only be reached across the causeway when the tide allows. We had to keep an eye on the time during our visit, knowing that the sea would eventually return and cover the road once again.

The village is small and peaceful, with narrow streets, little shops and plenty of character. From here, the island opens out towards the coastline, where sandy beaches provide beautiful views across the surrounding sea.

One of the most impressive sights is Lindisfarne Priory. Founded in the seventh century, the priory has a long history, although much of what remains today dates from much later. The ruins stand prominently against the landscape, making them particularly atmospheric when viewed from the surrounding coastline.

Nearby, St Mary's Church looks out towards the beach, adding another layer of history to this little island. Bamburgh Castle can also be seen in the distance.

We also saw Lindisfarne Castle, although restoration work was taking place during our visit, so it looked rather different from the photographs I'd seen before arriving. Sitting high on Beblowe Hill, the castle has wonderful views across the island and surrounding coastline.