Whenever I’m driving from London to Edinburgh, or back again, the highlight of my journey is, without doubt, a visit to the Westmorland Farm Shop at the Tebay Services. It might seem strange that I’m recommending a rest stop on the M6 but believe me, this is one motorway convenience like no other. The café serves wholesome, British favourites made using ingredients sourced from the adjoining farm. I always grab a seat by the window overlooking the duck pond and Howgill Fells.

Then, once I’m suitably refreshed from the food and the view, I can’t resist a wander around the shop. It’s a celebration of our country’s best artisan produce. Here, I like to fill my basket with delights for the onward journey – Saddleback pork scotch eggs from The Handmade Scotch Egg Company, a wild venison and cranberry pie from The Pie Mill, Cumberland farmhouse cheese from the Thornby Moor Dairy and something sweet from the table laden with homemade cakes from the Kendal Ginger Bakers. Delicious!

Images courtesy of Westmorland Farm Shop

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A haven for weary cyclists, would-be crafty types, and those just having a wander down from nearby Greystoke castle, Annie Swarbrick’s cycle café and tea garden is as wonderfully quirky as its all-encompassing name might suggest.

Stopping off to take up the timely and welcoming offer of fruity flapjacks and filtered water from the self-catering ‘bike barn’, we ventured next door into the garden after becoming intrigued by the plethora of wire bird sculptures in progress. Aside from feeding hungry bikers and animal sculptors, the Tea Garden is also home to a broad range of craft workshops – take your pick from art, textile, cookery or more random options like  ‘Artisan Cheese-making’ or ‘Blacksmith for a Day’.

By opening up her home to craft enthusiasts and passing cyclists, Annie has succeeded in creating a café with a real community feel. Even the bathroom was adorned with thank you cards from previous grateful patrons.

If, like we did, you stumble across it whilst cycling from Whitehaven to Newcastle on the C2C cycle route, then use the exercise as an excuse to account for more calories. I’m sure Annie’s crumbly homemade tiffin was exclusively responsible for getting me up the behemoth that is Hartside Hill.

The Cycle Café Tea Garden opens from Easter through to the end of September to non cyclists at quirky times so be sure to check online before visiting.

Images by Lara Hayward

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Perched above the River Lune, a lush valley between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, is Kirkby Lonsdale. Whether it’s lunch with friends, Thursday’s market, a weekend escape or a family walk along the river, this market town is a joy to discover.

After a good potter in town (special note to Bath House and Parma Violet), one of my favourite things to do is gather together a little picnic with some of the wonderful Churchmouse Cheeses and Lunesdale Bakery rolls.

Then wander through Salt Pie Lane (there is a very enterprising story to discover!) to the ‘brow’ just outside the walls of St Mary’s Church. Awaiting you is the truly spectacular ‘Ruskin’s View’ across the Lune Valley, described by Victorian writer John Ruskin as ‘one of the loveliest views in England’ and immortalised in JMW Turner’s watercolour.

Energy and companions permitting, take a refreshing romp through the woods or along the river and loop back into town.

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