I came across this viaduct on my way to Hawes from Sedburgh. You often see pictures of these…read morelandmarks of a bygone age, fortunately this one is still in use & is part of the Settle Railway. There is a small lay-by on a very narrow road from where the picture was taken, but take care as it's a main road to Hawes & gets busy with motorcycles at weekends in the bike season.

This romantic garden is absolutely GORGEOUS! It rests bordered by the River Rothay and St…read more Oswald's Church. The stone tile pathway meandering throughout the garden bears inscriptions of fellow Wordsworth admirers (some on behalf of departed loved ones). The garden fittingly lies near Wordsworth's gravesite. This location is simply a MUST-SEE attraction!

Welcoming, spacious and airy. Good stock of reading material. Lovely children's library. Shame it's…read moreon the first floor, but there is a lift, and there are toilets (always a plus if you've got kids in tow!)

Edinburgh is a great city when one wants to escape the hustle and bustle. You have various parks…read moreand the brilliant Arthur's Seat to escape to. However, sometimes, you just want to escape from the city and take yourself away. So where can you go? Well, one suggestion that I would provide is to go and try your luck at the Fife Coastal Path. The path stretches from the Kincardine all the way up to around the Tay Road Bridge. It takes in all the coast, including Fife's many beautiful and interesting Fishing villages, through the mining towns of Leven and Methill and even takes you through the home of golf, St. Andrews. The walk can be done within a week and offers splendid views of Edinburgh. The walk is not that strenuous at many points, however one can attempt the chain walk at Elie if one wishes to challenge themselves. A great walk and one that is under appreciated.

Seclusion is needed by the soul more than you think folks. Peace and quiet for a few hours to…read morecollate your thoughts is priceless. Hence forth I present to you a place where Wordsworth 'wondered lonely as a cloud' The best things in life are indeed free(ok,ok, not entirely free: you do have to pay and display in the car park) On a leisurely drive with some friends through the lakes one fine Sunday afternoon we discovered(completely by fluke incidentally) this little gem of a place. Aira Force is a water fall which drops an impressive 65 feet and is surrounded by woodland. The drill here is simple, and simplicity at times can be bliss. You park your car you grab something from the cafe or stock up your picnic rucksack of goodies and off you go. A hike up through the woods will take you back to your childhood state of mind. Either you'll be climbing the steep paths through the woodland wrestling with the firs, pines, spruces and cedars like Indiana Jones(moi), or gingerly moving along with a camcorder wide eyed as if you were filming a prequel to Blair Witch project. (fainthearted friend) None the less the fruits of your labour will eventually emerge in the shape of Aira Force waterfall. Now I am and always will be a massive fan of waterfalls. There is something extremely therapeutic about the sound of the water, it floats me, freshens me up. This particular waterfall is one of the most famous in the Lake district. When we visited there was hardly anyone there. The water was so fresh and clean, I could easily have just bathe under it and would have done had it not been for a slight chill in the air and two rather strange German tourists. By strange, I mean scary horror film strange, tailing us all the way upto the falls! Perhaps it was just the fear mongering camcorder blair witch friend... Once you've taken plenty of post card worthy pictures and enjoyed the scenery, on the way back there are plenty of amazing and potentially romantic picnic spots. Plenty of daffodils around also if it's the right time of year. I loved them and I loved my visit and so will you. Who knows they might even inspire you into poetic action as it did Mr. Wordsworth. For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

A beautiful National Trust site with walking paths through the woods and alongside a fast flowing…read moreriver. Main parking at the bottom of the hill close to the lake. There's toilets, a cafe and a small shop plus lots of picnic space. Beyond the two viewpoint bridges are beautiful rock pools perfect for paddling.

Legend has it that the Abbey on Inchcolm Island in the Forth, began when King Alexander I was…read moreshipwrecked in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit's hovel. After the hermit saved his life, the King decided to build a priory on the Island. In any case it was definitely a priory by the mid 13th century when in 1235 it became an Abbey and grew from there. Inchcolm Abbey is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval monastic building complexes. It really is impressive. To get here you need to get one of two ferry services from Queensferry (make you sure you choose the option to get off at the Island and don't just pay for the cruise) which takes about thirty minutes. Once there you are free to explore the Abbey (and the rest of the island). It really is a great trip, if you're anything like me and generally like ruined piles of stone. But in all seriousness so much of it is still intact, that you really get a feel for the place. Actually it can become a bit maze like with all its stairs and many floors. One particular nerve racking part involves a steep climb up some very small winding stairs. These monks really were midgets! In fact I'm quite surprised Historic Scotland still lets visitors climb these precarious heights, but I'm glad they do. From the top of the tower you get a fantastic view of the Island and across the Forth. It also makes a great family day out, especially with the cruise to boot. Kids love to run around the Island and if its a nice day it makes a perfect picnic venue.

Just because we live in Edinburgh doesn't mean we can't enjoy the city. The folks who run the city…read morecentre (Waverley Bridge) bus tours also run a boat to Inchcolm Abbey. Go for it - an absolutely brilliant and fascinating day out. Couple of tips, buy coffee on board, if you get off at Inchcolm (do, it's amazing) either take a picnic or have a meal before or after the cruise. They only have very expensive bottled drinks and biscuits and chocolate on the island. Take your camera, wear flat shoes and comfy clothes and go for a paddle if its warm. Look out for the seals, so cute. Fantastic day out for all ages.

Gibbon's Cave is a waterfall you can stand behind. Well worth a visit if you going to High Force &…read morerealise it's a bit pricey to park and see the waterfall. This is free to view & park. Public toilets that are reasonable are also free. So all in all it's a free day. Bowlees visitor centre is a short walk from the car park, also free. This an ideal place to visit with young kids but would suggest they are supervised.

Was a fantastic, friendly place but unfortunately has closed due to cutbacks has have so many of…read moreour smaller "post offices" throughout the area.