a few days in Cartmel

—

by

Kate Davies Designs
in

sticky
cartmel
watersidecottage

A pretty Cumbrian village . . .

windows2
windows1

. . . festive windows . . .

doors1
doors2

. . . and doors.

ben1
ben2

Ben, the friendly cat . . .

market1
market3
market2

A fine local food market . . .

lenclume

And a wonderful birthday meal.

In case you are wondering, the food at L’Enclume was just as amazing as you might imagine. We didn’t look at the menu, and really enjoyed the delicious surprises that all (ahem) seventeen courses of the tasting menu afforded. This was incredible food, impeccably presented, but I never felt that its theatre was pointless. In fact, in general L’Enclume struck us as being refreshingly grounded — from its use of local ingredients and suppliers, to the warmth and complete lack of stuffiness of its staff. As our holidays and meals are usually done on the cheap, camper-van style, the whole experience was a real treat for us and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

bauble

Happy 40th birthday, Tom!

Discover more from Kate Davies

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

50 responses to “a few days in Cartmel”

  1. Val Avatar
    Val

    Hi Kate, Gorgeous pictures of Cartmel, it’s a lovely little place and one we live quite near. The Lakes is fantastic at this time of year and people make such an effort at Christmas. I have to say though that your camera work is so much better than mine and your pics always make places look so ‘alive’.
    We do have some lovely wool shops in the area too. Glad you enjoyed your stay.

    Reply
  2. knitabulous Avatar
    knitabulous

    your incredible photography of your travels is so inspiring! the images evoke a wistfulness for a slower and simpler life where it seems much purer than the brash australian heat and bright colour of the australian coast where i am. honestly, they make me almost envy the weather! happy new year and thank you for all your great contributions to knitting design in 2012. Can’t wait to see what 2013 has in store for you.

    Reply
  3. Gretchen Avatar
    Gretchen

    Lovely pictures – you’ve added to my travel wish-list yet again.

    Reply
    1. Katarina Avatar
      Katarina

      Same here!

      Reply
  4. clairelouisepark Avatar
    clairelouisepark

    Ahh..Cartmel. I come from a town/city not far from Cartmel and it is beautiful. Next time I’m up I’d love to go to L’Enclume – heard great things about it. Hope you had a Happy Birthday and a great Christmas. 40 is looming for me next year too..ssshhhh

    Reply
  5. bessie Avatar
    bessie

    Happy birthday tom,have a merry christmas and a great new year

    Reply
  6. donna Avatar
    donna

    my book arrived

    my book arrived!

    Dec @24 just on time of Christmas

    oh Kate it is beautiful!!!

    Merry Christmas to you, Tom, Bruce and the kitty!

    Reply
  7. Candice in Georgetown, ON, Canada Avatar
    Candice in Georgetown, ON, Canada

    Great way to spend a birthday. What a charming village. I love to know of good places to visit while D and I are there.

    Reply
  8. martiedv Avatar
    martiedv

    Thank you for a lovely visit via pictures. I really enjoyed the simple Christmas decorations. Received your book for my recent birthday — it’s wonderful!

    Reply
  9. llrose Avatar
    llrose

    Happy Birthday Tom and thanks for the beautiful photos!

    Reply
  10. Joan Avatar
    Joan

    What a charming place, and with a handsome orange cat, too!

    Reply
  11. Jen Avatar
    Jen

    Great photographs, but I’m certain an even better time spent !

    Reply
  12. Shandy Avatar
    Shandy

    Lovely pictures! We spent a week in Cartmel last September, staying in Causeway Cottage, by the Pig and Whistle. The Rogan Brasserie served interesting food too.

    Reply
  13. virginia Avatar
    virginia

    Sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate turning 40! I am taking notes as I will be doing the same in 2013. I am glad Tom is paving the way and setting a good example. Happiest Birthday, Tom, may it be a fantastic year for you! Cheers to you both!

    Reply
  14. Cheryl Avatar
    Cheryl

    Thank you for the trip. The photos are beautiful. I’m afraid if my feet landed here, I’d never want to go home! ‘Tis the season of celebrating many birthdays, enjoy yours Tom!

    Reply
  15. lakelanddawn Avatar
    lakelanddawn

    Hiow lovely to hear such a good report of a trip to my neck of the woods – most people only mention the lakes and mountains in Cumbria, but we have some wonderful hidden gems like Cartmel all around us. Living here in Eskdale is like being in an ever-changing holiday brochure and I count my lucky stars every day! Happy birthday Tom and best wishes to all.

    Reply
  16. Fine Lightness Avatar
    Fine Lightness

    A lovely way to celebrate. Congratulations, Tom.

    Reply
  17. HangingbyaThread Avatar
    HangingbyaThread

    The meal sounds delicious, and a well deserved treat for you both. Happy Birthday, Tom!

    Reply
  18. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Happy birthday to Tom! Love the photos, especially Ben. He looks so much like one of our kitties.

    Reply
  19. Elaine Avatar
    Elaine

    What an elegant birthday dinner. Was Bruce staying in the hotel alone?
    My book has arrived and I’m quite happy!!

    Reply
  20. baamekniits Avatar
    baamekniits

    Happy Birthday Tom it looks like it was a lovely break. I think I need to show that sign to my guinea fowl next time they jump up and down on my roof telling me its dinner time :-)

    Reply
  21. Christie Avatar
    Christie

    How wonderful! I think I love that town.

    Reply
  22. whawhawhatsis Avatar
    whawhawhatsis

    What a pretty village! And as an ignorant American, can someone tell me what the lovely vine is that climbs up between the door and the window where Ben the cat is sitting and then hangs down over the door and windows? Is that by any chance wisteria, or something else? Even dormant for winter, I can catch a glimpse of how beautiful whatever it is must be!

    And a very happy 40th birthday to Tom!

    Reply
  23. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    What a lovely cozy winter birthday celebration this looks to have been! I’m glad that it was delicious, too!

    Reply
  24. hawthorn Avatar
    hawthorn

    We often camp up near Cartmel, it is a lovely little village with some lovely walks – looks like you had a wonderful time.

    Reply
  25. Marie-Josée Avatar
    Marie-Josée

    What a beautiful and perfect little village to enjoy! Your pictures are very nice too! I think I’ll go and see on a map where Cartmel is exactly…

    Reply
  26. stacyaber Avatar
    stacyaber

    Your pictures are lovely. And I do like that sporting plaid coat(I suppose that is Tom?). Still waiting for my book-I ordered it right as you opened online. Will cross my fingers it comes next week.

    Reply
  27. Voie de Vie Avatar
    Voie de Vie

    What a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday … and to end a milestone year in both your lives! It’s been a fun, full, wild ride – happy holidays to both of you, and I hope more good things ensue in 2013.

    And Ben is the best!

    Reply
  28. gabrielaknits Avatar
    gabrielaknits

    !!!

    Reply
  29. gabrielaknits Avatar
    gabrielaknits

    Happy Birthday, Tom

    Reply
  30. Elizabeth Avatar
    Elizabeth

    Seventeen courses! Sounds like the perfect birthday. You’re both mere babes. Hope you and Tom have many more delicious ones together.

    Reply
  31. Deborah Robson Avatar
    Deborah Robson

    Elegance without stuffiness–the perfect combination.

    Reply
  32. poisonkitty Avatar
    poisonkitty

    Cartmel’s lovely but I’ve never seen it in the day time! My partner plays at the Ship Inn from time to time so everything’s normally closed by the time we get there!

    Reply
  33. Hazel Smith Avatar
    Hazel Smith

    After that description, I feel an urgent need to plan a trip to visit L’Enclume” to sample the 17 courses-and that’s from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. I’ve never had more than 10 courses at a sitting. All those different “tastes” must have been amazing and a wonderful way to celebrate a 40th birthday.

    Cheers and red wine, Hazel.
    P.S. My Colours of Shetland finally arrived on the 18th. Ignore my email query. Love the book and the patterns and the photography and the writing and…

    Reply
  34. frayedattheedge Avatar
    frayedattheedge

    I’ve just had a look at the website ……. I think heavy hints are going to be dropped about a trip – perhaps to celebate our 30th anniversary of being together next month??!!
    The food market looks wonderful too …… it’s just as well Malcolm is cooking dinner as I type this, as I am now hungry!
    Glad you had such a lovely time celebrating Tom’s birthday!

    Reply
  35. Ginene Avatar
    Ginene

    I like the subtle and beautifully simple Christmas decorations in this village. LED Christmas lights are gaining popularity in the U.S.A. now and they hurt one’s eyes because they are so bright. These photographs are just lovely.

    Reply
  36. adrienneknits Avatar
    adrienneknits

    Happy Birthday Tom, I’ve only ever heard good things about L’ Enclume. what a lovely treat.
    Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you both. ps, Kendal is only around the corner from Cartmel ;-)

    Reply
  37. JenA-C Avatar
    JenA-C

    I’m so glad that you had a good time! My mouth is watering with the memory of the food from when we were there in June… I’m sure Nic is having the same experience! Jim and I are plotting to see if we might manage a sneaky trip there in February at half-term. Fingers crossed!

    Reply
  38. thecircleofit Avatar
    thecircleofit

    what a beautiful village!

    Reply
  39. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Love the photos! What a beautiful place. All the best to you and yours.

    Reply
  40. Andy Avatar
    Andy

    I wish I was there. Happy Birthday Tom. !!
    Merry Christmas Kate to you and your family.
    I can’t wait for my book to come in the mail.

    Reply
  41. Pam Avatar
    Pam

    Thanks, Kate and Tom, for sharing such a beautiful village! I read your blog as much for the scenery as the knitting! Belated birthday wishes to Tom and a Merry Christmas to you both, and all the best in 2013. Pam

    Reply
  42. kristieinbc Avatar
    kristieinbc

    Happy Birthday to Tom, and Merry Christmas to you both! Your pictures are so, so pretty. Thank you for sharing them. Also, I want to say thank you for the gift of your blog, your patterns, and now your book about Shetland. You are an incredibly talented woman!

    Reply
  43. Anne, Milton, ON, Canada Avatar
    Anne, Milton, ON, Canada

    A significant birthday is a great occasion to splash out a bit – enjoy!

    Reply
  44. Cheryl from Creemore Avatar
    Cheryl from Creemore

    So glad you have had a wonderful “getaway”!!!

    It struck me as I was enjoying your post so much …that your holiday post and the photos you shared have been a really lovely gift to us! A very big thank you!!

    Happy Birthday to Tom and Merry Christmas to you both!

    Reply
  45. woolfarmgal Avatar
    woolfarmgal

    I love the pictures, beautifully done. Almost like being their. Would love to venture off the farm and head across the pond one day.

    Reply
  46. Nisse Avatar
    Nisse

    Happy Birthday Tom!!! Wishing you and Kate all the best for the next year!!

    Reply
  47. knitlass Avatar
    knitlass

    Happy birthday indeed. I enjoyed 40 immensely – and I hope Tom does too :) with good wishes for a hale & hearty year ahead.

    Reply
  48. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    What a lovely place to celebrate………and NO snow :) we haven’t heard much re Jesus, the cat, lately, is he OK?

    Reply
  49. bizzilizzikelso Avatar
    bizzilizzikelso

    How lovely. I have had the Cartmel Sticky toffee pudding and it is fab! Glad the birthday was a success. Happy Birthday, Tom.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Fine Lightness Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *