Lockdown here in England is slowly easing, and on Monday we were able to have our first proper trip out for many weeks.
We had the National Trust to thank for this, as they’re starting to re-open some of their parks and gardens on a pre-booked tickets only basis. We got tickets for our nearest property, Sizergh Castle, and headed over clutching walking shoes, flasks of tea and coffee and a packed lunch. And it was wonderful.
We started off by heading away from the property itself to walk through the fields and woods of the wider estate. The path led past the old (and Grade II listed) farmstead at Holeslack to Helsington church, a tiny ‘chapel of ease’ in the middle of pretty much nowhere. The church itself was locked but the graveyard was open to stroll round and there are stunning views across the Lyth Valley all the way to the coast.
After that we mooched round Sizergh’s own impressive gardens and sat on a bench overlooking a lake with waterlilies to munch our sandwiches. It was a wonderful change from slumping on our sofa at home and we enjoyed every second of the visit. A big hat-tip to the National Trust for organising it all so skillfully, and for being so welcoming on the day.
The photo above shows the lovely old farmhouse at Holeslack, and here’s one of Helsington church.
FIONA GLASS 