Just before Yarndale when my days were full to the very brim, I confess that a part of me (the exhausted part) longed for it all to be over. I found myself thinking ahead into October and making a mental wishlist of things to look forward to. A shopping trip. A much needed hair cut (still on my to-do list). And a little trip away for my Birthday. I really wanted to head to the East Yorkshire coast (as I did five years ago) but the family point blank refused to deal with a three hour car journey each way. Instead, we decided to head West (which is very much closer) and I booked us a family room at the familiar and much loved Arnside Youth Hostel.
We arrived early afternoon on Saturday and instead of going straight to Arnside, we took a detour to the nearby village of Silverdale. I fancied a picturesque Birthday walk along the coast, and that's exactly what Silverdale delivered. From the centre of the village, we found the footpath that lead us through green fields....
....past a cutesome row of cottages....
....through a wooden gate and down a tree lined pathway....
....to emerge on the grassy cliff tops.
The view out across the sweeping bay was beautiful. I just love the expanse of the coastal landscape here, it seems extra large somehow. So much sand and so much sky!
We followed the path down from the wooded cliff top to the stony beach (Silverdale Cove).
It was magical. Just a few other folks about, but they soon went on their way and we had the whole place to ourselves.
We pottered and pootled, exploring the cave and the beach before taking a rest on a very conveniently placed wooden bench to eat chocolate. It was a lovely way to while away an hour or so before making our way back to the village....
....up the leafy green lane....
....strolling along chatting and laughing together in the late afternoon sunshine. There followed a brief debate over what to do next, and it was decided that we would head into Arnside in search of food.
I've chatted quite a bit about Arnside before, as we were only here a short while ago. This time I wanted to take some different pictures to share so that you can get an idea of just how lovely it is here. This meant that I had to drag my eyes away from the horizon in order to show you the lovely little parade of shops....
....and the picturesque row of rather beautiful old stone villas....
....and the quaint stone pier where we always go to eat naughty sweet things.
As you can see, the weather was doing some worrying things above our heads and we felt sure we would soon be in for a thorough soaking. But luckily....
....the dark clouds moved on and left Arnside bathed in a magical early evening light.
Having eaten a filling meal at the local pub, we just made it to the shops before closing time to buy up some ice cream. We walked out to sit at the end of the pier to eat the beautifully named "thunder & lightening" ice cream, enjoying the ever changing skies and the wide open views.
Did I already mention how BiG the sands are here at low tide?
And how HuGe the sky always feels here?
I've really come to love this little patch of coast. I love that there is grass growing on the beach.
I love the unusual mixture of riverside and coast, and that it's always so, so sleepy and tranquil. It's an extremely relaxing place to unwind, slow down and just enjoy being In The Moment.
Arnside Youth Hostel was as cosy, welcoming and charming as ever, wearing it's colourful Autumn coat and looking glorious.
I was thrilled when we checked in and were given room number 2 this time, as I knew straight away this was a first floor room at the back of the hostel with stunning views out across the estuary. We spent the evening in the cosy little upstairs lounge room, reading, playing games and chatting with other guests.
We woke early on Sunday morning thanks to our 3 year old living alarm clock, but that was ok as we had A Plan and needed an early start. After a hearty breakfast, we packed up and said good bye to this special place, then set off to drive north, up into the Lake District.
Our destination :: The South Lakes Wild Animal Park.
Just by chance I had picked up a leaflet at Little B's nursery the previous week, advertising a family pass to the wildlife park for just £20. We had no idea what it would be like, but after the success of our Blackpool zoo visit last year, we thought it would be worth a go.
We arrived early and were the very first family to enter the park. It felt rather strange as apart from the people busy working there, we literally had the whole place to ourselves. At first we didn't quite realise how this park operates, as I think we were expecting a zoo. And while there is much about this place that is zoo-like, much of it is very different.
For starters, the main animal enclosures are very open and spacious, with fenced walkways running around and through them. It meant that often you could get very, very close to the animals, and felt as if you were literally walking amongst them.
This is the "African Plain", home to a giraffes, baboons and white rhinos.
The raised wooden walkways allowed us to get fantastic views of the animals, we were all absolutely in awe of how close we felt to everything. It was a truly thrilling experience, made even better by the fact that we were the only people there for a good while!
The lion enclosure was completely incredible. There was a mixture of this diamond fencing and large glass viewing panels, so that we were able to stand literally a couple of metres away from the lions themselves (there were electric fences also, keeping the animals at a safe distance). I think we were fortunate to be there at a time when the lions were strutting their stuff very close to the perimeter fence, but even so, I loved the way it was designed.
As well as the very open areas, there were also more traditional animal enclosures and houses. I didn't take that many animal pictures as I was busy enjoying the experience with the Little People, but it was all great.
Much of the park has been designed with these fantastic aerial walkways, allowing great views of the animals below.
But the very, very best thing about this animal park is the abundance of free roaming animals. The official blurb says "get close and interact with free roaming animals in our walk through natural areas", and wow, by golly, that was absolutely spot on right. The "get close" bit was astonishingly accurate, and often came as a bit of a surprise/shock! Take this Emu for example. As tall as me, he came strutting (very closely) past us, causing Little B to squeal with shocked delight.
All sorts of other birds were free to roam and fly around the park, my favourite being some magnificent, huge blue and green macaws which live wild in the trees.
Madagascan Lemurs also roamed completely freely throughout the whole park, which was an incredible experience for the Little People (and Big People!). More than 100 lemurs live at the park, swinging in and out of the trees, leaping around the place and generally providing a great deal of entertainment. Tamarins and cute little Spider Monkeys were also allowed to free-roam in paces, it was remarkable to see these animals given so much freedom.
My absolute favourite thing about the whole park was the restaurant, or more precisely, the outdoor bit of it. There was a huge wooden terrace overlooking the African Plain, which was just at exactly the right height for some close-up giraffe encounters....
The giraffes came so close to us, that we could easily have reached out and stroked them. I absolutely loved seeing their faces up close, they are the most enchanting animals. Oh, those eyelashes! Not too sure about the long, slobbery black tongue, but I can easily overlook that if I focus on the eyes.
All in all, a most extraordinary experience which I'm sure will stay with the Little People for a long time to come. And if you ever happen to be up in the Lake District with a clump of children to entertain, I can highly recommend it.
We came home feeling like we had been away for aaaages and I think weekend holidays are such good things. Still nice to come home though, to light our fire and enjoy some cosy family time within our own four walls.
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
A belated Happy Birthday Lucy! It really did look like the perfect Birthday Weekend. The Animal Park looked A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, what a wonderful experience for your little ones. I turn 40 on Sunday, and whilst all my family are wanting to put on a whole big party, I just want to visit my favourite little town and a nice little pub lunch! That'll do for me.
I hope you feel all rejuvenated after Yarndale. It's no wonder you felt exhausted! It looks fantastic though in all the pictures you have shown. All the hard work and effort by so many certainly paid off in bucket loads!
I hope you have a beautiful week this week
Love Vanessa xxxx
p.s Thank you for your lovely comments.....it's really good to be back!
Posted by: vanessa | October 21, 2013 at 09:24 AM
I'm amazed that they let the emu walk around in the crowd! They are the crotchiest, crabbiest creatures on earth with very sharp beaks ready to take a peck at anyone they don't like. I'm glad none of your little family was nipped at by a cranky emu!
That said, I'm so glad you had a lovely birthday and I'm so glad that Yarndale was such a fabulous success. I wish someone here (Australia) would organise the same thing, but I suspect it would lack the 'Lucy touch'.
Thanks again for such a lovely blog.
Posted by: Suzie | October 19, 2013 at 06:19 AM
Your photos of Arnside are making me yearn to visit again! I love it too for the big skies and feeling of space but, also, for just the opposite - being small and cosy and familiar. I haven't been to the animal park but it's definitely going on my list! xx
Posted by: Julie | October 17, 2013 at 08:50 PM
I live pretty close to you and always mean to go to this bit of the coast - it's such a quick train trip. Thanks for the pictures of South Lakes Zoo, again I've always heard good things about it and haven't been yet.
Sorry if this is a bit of an personal question, but do all your family share a room at the hostel? We usually stay in holiday cottages, but they are a hideous price and we need a cheaper alternative. Do you all end up going to bed around the same time or do you feel safe leaving the kids in the room while you're in the lounge?
Posted by: Liz | October 17, 2013 at 05:16 PM
I love when you share your walks and adventures with us. You live in a beautiful part of the world and take equally beautiful pictures! Thank you ~~T Connecticut, USA
Posted by: Tricia | October 17, 2013 at 03:05 PM
looks like you had a wonderful time that zoo is great we came across it too on holiday over there my kids were young at the time and all 4 of them loved it even my now 18yr old despite getting chased by an emu at one point was very funny.
Posted by: amanda | October 17, 2013 at 01:12 PM
Hello Lucy, Belated Happy Birthday to you.. Thanks for sharing your birthday weekend with us all.. What a very lovely area. Loved seeing the beach and ocean and even those ever changing skies.. Hugs Judy
Posted by: Judy | October 17, 2013 at 12:32 PM
Arnside looks wonderful-likewise the animals.What a lovely weekend.Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kate | October 17, 2013 at 10:33 AM
Ooh look at those views! So happy you had such a wonderful Birthday weekend! :-) xxxx
Posted by: Nanita | October 17, 2013 at 09:27 AM
Happy Birthday Lucy......looks like a fab weekend! :) x
Posted by: Ada Bea | October 17, 2013 at 09:24 AM
A belated Happy Birthday Lucy and the photos were lovely. I did notice an emu and the penguins from my side of the world. Take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | October 17, 2013 at 06:38 AM
Whast a fab thing to do for your birthday.
Posted by: Jacqui Galloway (livingwithethel) | October 17, 2013 at 06:32 AM
Lucy, You should take a look at a blog called "The Deerfold Spinner." It looks like she was a vendor at Yarndale and she says some very lovely things about the event.
Posted by: Jane B | October 17, 2013 at 06:21 AM
Happy birthday, dear Lucy! ((((Hugs!!!))))
Posted by: Rona M | October 17, 2013 at 05:35 AM
Can you tell us what that red vine growing on the hostel is? It is beautiful. Coming to England is on my bucket list and you are giving me many ideas about places to visit when I get there. The Lake District is definitely on my list. And that animal park is amazing. Thank you for sharing your lovely weekend.
Posted by: Kate | October 17, 2013 at 02:17 AM
Happy Birthday! So happy for you that you got to have such a wonderful weekend! I loved all your pictures, esp. the beach ones and the ones of the sky line! The zoo sounded wonderful too, what an experience being able to be so close to the animals! I'm sure the kids will be talking about that for quite awhile!
Posted by: Patti in Pa | October 17, 2013 at 12:27 AM
Hi Lucy, Those sky pictures are stunning and scary at the same time! What an Animal Park, the animals have quite the spot to live!
So happy you had a great birthday and get-away.
xoRobin
Posted by: Robin | October 16, 2013 at 10:35 PM
Sounds like a perfect weekend Lucy, thanks for sharing. :)
Posted by: Linda | October 16, 2013 at 10:02 PM
Happy belated birthday Lucy! We went to South lakes wildlife park in summer with my brother, SIL & nephew when they were staying in Lake District, I didn't realise how far it actually was from here for a day trip.......but well worth the trek there and back. It was sooooo busy when we were there, did you go on the little train??
Nicola xx
Posted by: Nicola | October 16, 2013 at 09:43 PM
A wonderful relaxing getaway after all the hectic-ness! Loved the seaside photos and what a charming village! The zoo may be one of the nicest I've seen for both animals and people!! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | October 16, 2013 at 09:01 PM
Happy birthday, Lucy xx
I think I went to Silverdale on a school trip once and loved the beach. It looks like you all had a wonderful time!
Posted by: Hannah@HomeBaked | October 16, 2013 at 08:16 PM
What a lovely birthday weekend you've had! I do so love seeing your holiday snaps. They make me long for another trip to the UK (which now I have 3 little people may be some time away as WAy too expensive from NZ!). Katherine x
Posted by: Katherine, NZ | October 16, 2013 at 07:58 PM
Happy birthday. What a wonderful way to celebrate. Xo
Posted by: Hannapat | October 16, 2013 at 05:16 PM
Lucy, thank you for sharing your adventures. I'm sure I speak for all of us who absolutely love you that we thoroughly enjoy seeing life through your eyes! I'm so glad you got away for a much needed break after Yarndale. Hoping you have ahead of you just the right balance of excitement and restorative rest.
Posted by: Rita | October 16, 2013 at 04:52 PM
Thanks for sharing these lovely photographs, Lucy! I haven't been to the shore - ANY shore - in over a year, and am yearning for the taste of salt air.
Posted by: Quinn | October 16, 2013 at 04:29 PM