“It’s a sunny day and there’ll be cake,” I say cheerily as my boys pile into the car and we head for Parcevall Hall Gardens. Pretty flowers, walking and teenage boys aren’t perhaps a natural combination, but they soon find themselves charmed by the winding paths, bridges and waterfalls.

Designed in the 1920s by Sir William Milner, the gardens nestle peacefully in some of the most stunning scenery in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. We chat and wander happily through the woodland, blanketed with bluebells, the dappled sun filtering through the trees and across the brooks.

Onwards and upwards to the more formal terraced gardens and a little sit down to admire the huge skies and views of Simon’s Seat. Down to the rock garden and pool, and then up through the silver wood to the cliff walk and the majestic view of Troller’s Gill.

“Cake anyone?” I casually suggest. Their eyes light up and in a second they are racing off down through the apple orchard to secure our table at the tearooms. I pause a while and breath in the tranquility of one of my favourite spots.

“We ordered you a pot of Yorkshire Tea and slice of orange and almond cake – it sounded healthy,” they say proudly as I arrive at the table. “But you took so long we ate ours, we had chocolate cake. Sorry, hope you don’t mind.”

I smile – two happy boys, cake, a woodland walk in the sun – how could I possibly mind?

Images courtesy of Hobbies of Today on Flickr