Quarry Bank Mill has fascinated me for a while. It’s the most beautiful setting, but sadly it has a very dark past. It’s story was recently told across two series of a Channel 4 drama called ‘The Mill’ – and it didn’t always make for pleasant viewing. Filming of the drama took place at the mill itself – making it all the more realistic.
On a Summer’s day it’s hard to imagine how tough life must have been for the occupants. The grounds have been transformed by the National Trust into stunning gardens which were a riot of colour during our visit. The nearby woodland and village of Styal are equally charming. Cali and I spent many happy hours exploring it all…
Yesterday, Cali and I ventured to Harewood House to sample the delights of their food festival.
Cali had such a great time and we’ve both decided we’d like to move in – she has expensive taste! (Having Cali is somewhat like I imagine having a child would be – she’s into everything and very sociable. I’ve started walking her on a harness so I don’t lose her!)
I’m not going to waffle on with this post because Cali and I are heading out for our next big adventure today and we can’t wait to make the most of the bank holiday sunshine!
Details of the food festival here. It runs today and tomorrow. Entry is £10 (seems a little steep but you do get access to the gardens and grounds included in that.)
Dress: Tallgirls.co.uk (bought from their pop-up shop and seemingly not available online) Shoes: Primark Sunglasses: F&F
Waddesdon Manor is a former Rothschild home located in Buckinghamshire. I’ve visited a lot of National Trust properties this year, but this has to be the most opulent of them all.
It’s so large I couldn’t fit the entire building in one photograph, and it takes 15 minutes to walk from the car park to the property (they run a shuttle service for those less inclined to hike across the fields).
It was designed by a French architect in the style of a french chateau and used as a weekend home. The family are still involved in the upkeep of the property and the charitable works associated with the estate (including the aviary which has a role in the conservation of endangered tropical birds).
Inside the house is filled with all kinds of curiosities – including the Elephant Automatron I’ve included in this post. (It’s also currently playing host to several art exhibitions/installations – my favourite of which were the paintings by Francesco Guardi, an artist who captured Venice so beautifully.)
Monday is a national holiday in the UK so I am currently in the midst of a lovely and relaxing long weekend. Today I ventured out to Cannon Hall Farm to see what was on offer at their food festival.
There were tents as far as the eye could see selling all kinds of food, lots of it local to Yorkshire. I did a lap before settling for a Caribbean lunch and some homemade ice cream for pudding (and I’ll be dining on all the yummy extras I bought tonight!)
It runs until tomorrow evening so if you are in the area I would recommend a visit. There are also cookery classes and workshops on offer – and live music in the evening.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden has to be one of the more breathtakingly beautiful places I’ve ever visited. It is a little of the beaten track (just outside of Ripon) but it was well worth the trek. The Abbey itself was built almost 900 years ago, and having survived Henry VIII’s closure of the monasteries is one of the most complete abbey remains in the country. A truly historic place.
The water garden that surrounds it was created in the early 18th century and is an equally tranquil place of beauty. They gardens themselves are peppered with a number of building’s known as follys (each of which is currently filled with a unique piece of artwork).
I took far too many pictures so here are just a few of my favourites to give you a taste…
Last weekend when the rain was pouring down and my stomach was rumbling, I headed into Manchester in search of something to eat. I’ve wanted to visit Castlefield Market for ages but it’s only held on the first weekend of the month and for one reason or another I’ve never been able to make it before. And I have been missing out!
The indoor market is full of handmade crafts and homemade produce. With plenty of street food stalls providing sustenance along the way. I loved the relaxed vibe – a DJ was playing music in the corner and everyone ate along big communal dining tables while making new friends.Â
It was a hard decision, choosing where to buy lunch from, but in the end I went for a jerk chicken sandwich with the most amazing mango salsa from The Blackbird Pantry. Followed by what has to be the best brownie I’ve ever eaten. The stall holders were all enthusiastic and happy to chat about their products. There were lots of ‘tasters’ on offer too – an added bonus!
Outfit: Blazer – Zara | Top – Warehouse | Jeggings – M&S (exact ones here) Shoes – Primark | Clutch – Dorothy Perkins (Note to self – take a bigger bag next time!)
As promised here is a peek at some of the glorious outfits I got to witness at last week’s Great Yorkshire Show. The Fashion Show took place in the Fashion Pavilion and featured a mixture of graduate designers, high-street brands and couturiers.
With so many beautiful dresses on show I was hard pushed to say which was my favourite (though I think James Steward’s gowns may have just swung it!) Which do you like best?
I have been dreaming of the perfect day out at Great Yorkshire Show for a while – and this week I got my wish. After missing out in recent years, I finally managed to get time off work to visit this annual celebration of all things rural and Yorkshire.
I grew up in a rural community and love spending time in the great outdoors. I’m also very aware of where my food comes from – I always ensure my food is free-range and do my best to shop local. Events like this are pretty much paradise for a foodie like me, but they also support other local businesses and help to maintain/promote countryside traditions which might otherwise be lost.
After a short journey I arrived at the show ground. The sun was beating down, there were ice cream vans everywhere, and white tents as far as the eye could see. I grabbed a quick mid-morning snack and settled down to watch the sheep shearing competition. It’s safe to say I have no idea what the rules were – or even who the winner was – but it was a terrific atmosphere all the same.
Afterwards I made my way to the fashion tent for the Fashion Show (more on that later this week!) before roaming the show ground and soaking it all in. In the afternoon I settled in by the main show ring for the ‘mane’ event (get it?) – the much anticipated Shetland Pony Grand National – and stayed to watch the show-stopping draught horses compete against each other.
If you happen to be in the area next July, I would definitely recommend you spend a day here.
Cocktails in the City is a new pop-up event which brings together the best cocktail makers in your area. A few weeks ago I went along to their Manchester night at the AMC Warehouse. The organisers mix spectacular drinks with amazing street food vendors and a fab DJ – basically it has all the ingredients for a brilliant night out!
Their next event is in London on 18th and 19th of July (they also have one in Edinburgh toward the end of October) and you can book tickets here. If you are in the city you need to go.Â
Additional info: My ticket cost £10 which included entry and 1 drink token. You can buy additional tokens once inside for £6 each.
There are many, many delicious cakes on offer in Vienna. However, I was most looking forward to trying Sacher Torte – which was invented in the city.
Sacher Torte is a chocolate cake made to a secret recipe and sandwiched using apricot jam. As a girl who has eaten a LOT of chocolate cake over the years, I’d say this is definitely worth the hype.
After exploring Stephansdom (and a nearby bavarian market) we headed to The Hotel Sacher to try out Austria’s most famous cake in the place where it was first conceived.
Girl In The Pretty Dress 