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In May 2018 we were fortunate enough to have a wildlife photographer stay with us here are Melbecks. Not only did he take some great photographs from his cottage window but also managed to get some photographs of badgers as they emerged from there sett in the nearby woods.

Squirrels In Action

The Red Squirrels are a great attraction at Melbecks and we have an active population. They tend to come looking for food in the early morning or late afternoon, and seem to know when a fresh supply of nuts has been placed outside for them.

Crows

Crows are ever present at Melbecks. Although they don’t roost with us, they are often seem around the chicken pen on the lookout for tit-bits and spilt food.

Lollipop Bird or Long Tailed Tit

The Long-Tailed Tit or Lollipop Bird is a frequent visitor to the garden. Here a young bird in its distinctive bottled shaped nest hidden in a gorse bush is being fed.

Badgers

These nocturnal creatures are very shy and not usually out in the day time. Here we see a youngster tentatively emerging from its sett

At Melbecks Holiday Cottages, Bassenthwaite we like to provide eggs to our holiday guests from our own free-ranging hens. Up until now, we have had two varieties of hens, White Star Leghorns and Warrens. The White Star Leghorns are prolific layers of large white eggs. However, they tend to be a little bit flighty compared to the Warrens.

The Warrens, on the other hand, are a friendly, tame chicken that happily eats from your hand and lay a small brown egg. Unfortunately, a couple of the Warrens have gone off lay and so we looked around for some replacement chickens. That’s when we found the TuftiBEL ® chicken at a nearby farm.

The TuftiBEL is a hybrid chicken bred by the friendly people at Poultry Matters. The name is derived from the tufty feathers on the crown and the blue/blue-green eggs that they lay – Blue Egg Layers (BEL).

To supplement our existing flock of chickens, we bought four point-of-lay TuftiBEL’s, which were about 16 weeks old and were expected to begin laying at 18 weeks.

The TuftiBEL chicken has a game-bird like appearance, with a speckled feather pattern. Each of the four chickens is quite differently marked – useless when identifying them. The chickens are quite timid and we will have to spend time with them as they settle in and become familiar with their surroundings. We eagerly await our first blue egg!

You may not have noticed this activity in the Lake District. Despite its popularity, it is a low key event that is not widely advertised. However, this sport in which hounds race along a pre-planned route is great for spectators and dog lovers alike.

Hound Trailing has its origins in the 18th Century but it wasn’t until 1906 that the Hound Trailing Association was formed to govern the sport. Hound Trailing is essentially a race between hounds over moorland, fells and fields. The hounds follow a pre-laid trail of aniseed.

Often the hounds will have to cross a barbed wire fence where a wooden rail has been placed to prevent any injury. The first hound to cross the finish line is declared the winner. During the race the owners will be shouting and blowing whistles to encourage their hound.

Hound Trailing is a seasonal sport, extending from April 1st to October 31st. Throughout the season there are five main events:

• May Day
• Dog Produce
• Bitch Produce
• August Premier
• October Meet

In addition Hound Trails take place about 12 times a week throughout Cumbria. As well as being a great spectator sport, Hound Trailing is an event where you can have a bet on your choice of winner. You may also see Hound Trailing at one of the many agricultural shows held throughout the summer in the Lake District. If you want to keep up with the latest Hound Trailing news, the Keswick Reminder reports of the latest results.

Pubs Near Keswick That Welcome Dogs

Keswick is well known for its acceptance of dogs in many of its retail outlets, holiday cottages and pubs. In fact, it is so welcoming of dogs that it won an award. In 2012, Keswick was named the top dog friendly town by the Kennel Club’s “Open For Dogs” campaign.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Keswick

The Dog & Gun, Keswick

Most likely the best known pub in Keswick, The aptly named “The Dog & Gun” serves a selection of guest ales and beers from Keswick’s own brewery – The Keswick Brewing Company . A characterful pub with low beamed ceilings, walking & climbing memorabilia and real coal fire in winter. Doggy treats available from the bar. Bar food for humans is also available, including the infamous Goulash. Located on Lake Road in the town centre, tel. 017687 73463.

The Bank Tavern, Keswick

This is a Jennings pub serving the full range of Jennings Ales  including the infamous “Snecklifter”. Two or three guests ales are also available. A taster tray of three drinks is available for those that want to ‘try before you buy’. The Bank Tavern is popular with tourists and locals alike. Food served daily and promptly. There is a covered outdoor seating area. The Bank Tavern is located in the town centre on Main Street – tel. 017687 72663.

The George Hotel, Keswick

Affectionately known simply as “The George”, this 330 year old former coaching inn has rooms to let. The panelled and welcoming public bar offers the full range of Jennings and two guest ales. There is also a restaurant offering fine dining. Located in the town centre on Main Street ñ tel. 017687 72076, www.georgehotelkeswick.co.uk.

The Square Orange, Keswick

The Square Orange is the nearest thing to experiencing the European cafe culture in Cumbria. There is a speciality coffee menu, a variety of loose leaf teas, as well as a full stocked bar menu. Fantastic stone-baked pizzas, Tapas and Paninis are served throughout the day. Live acoustic music on Wednesday is a regular feature of this popular cafe-bar. The Square Orange www.thesquareorange.co.uk is in the centre of Keswick on St. John’s Street – tel. 017687 73888.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Braithwaite

The Coledale Inn, Braithwaite

A country inn and hotel situated on the outskirts of Braithwaite village. The Coledale Inn makes an excellent terminus for those walking in the Newlands valley and amongst the local fells. The inn has two bars ‘the Georgian’ and ‘the Victorian’. Theakstones, Black Sheep, Yates and Jennings ales are served. Excellent bar menu.

The Royal Oak, Braithwaite

The Royal Oak is a popular and busy pub in this Lakeland village at the foot of the Newlands valley. A full range of Jennings ales are served along with a guest ale. There is an extensive bar menu and a restaurant for more formal dining. Breakfast is served to both residents and non-residents – just the ticket to set you up for a walk on the surrounding fells.

This is a characterful pub, with real fire in winter that provides a warm welcome to the cold & wet fell walker. The pub is a good starting & finishing point for fell walkers aiming to conquer Grisedale, Causey Pike and Barrow. It is also just around the corner from Go-Ape in Whinlatter. Located in the centre of the village – tel. 017687 78533, www.royaloak-braithwaite.co.uk

Dog Friendly Pubs in Threlkeld

The Salutation or The Sally, Threlkeld

This popular village pub has had a makeover and is now known as ‘The Sally’. This is now a happening place with live bands and barbeques throughout the summer. Excellent food is served, the majority of which is made with local ingredients. Jennings beer served, open coal fires and free WiFi. In the centre of Threlkeld, tel. 017687 79614, www.thesalutation.co.uk

The Horse & Farrier Inn, Threlkeld

Sister inn to The Sally above, this is another village pub serving Jennings. The Horse and Farrier is a traditional, white washed village inn dating from 1688. There is an open fire and free WiFi. A traditional Cumbrian inn where a traditional, warm Cumbrian welcome awaits you.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Bassenthwaite

The Sun Inn, Bassenthwaite

This popular village pub has an open fire in winter and has extensive outdoor seating. Jennings ales are sold. An extensive range of pub food is served which includes an all day breakfast and gluten-free options. The Sun Inn is located in the centre of the village – tel. 017687 76439

The Castle Inn, Bassenthwaite

A Best Western pub & hotel is on the A591 Keswick to Carlisle road. The lakerís Bar is open daily from 11.30am. Cumbrian ales are sold along with teas & coffee, and an extensive menu of bar food. The Castle Inn was an old coaching inn, though it has now been modernised and only the photographs remain as a reminder of a more characterful past. www.castleinncumbria.co.uk, tel. 017687 76401.

Dog Friendly Pubs in Newlands

The Swinside Inn, Newlands

In the beautiful Newlands Valley, the Swinside Inn is well placed for a break on a walk amongst the surrounding fells. The inn has two bars with one, ‘The Refuge’ being specifically for the outdoor types. The bar, which has a welcoming log burner, is furnished with a pool table, dart board and other bar games. Located at Stair in the Newlands Valley – tel. 017687 78253.

Author: David Burton

Updated: 26 September 2014

Easter is a great time to visit the Lake District. It’s a time for daffodils and new born lambs. It’s a time to shrug off the winter blues and look forward to the spring with all its new growth. Take some time out this Easter and book yourself in to one of our pet friendly cottages here in the Lake District.

If you are visiting the Lake District this Easter, you may be lucky enough to see the high fells covered in snow. The view of the white capped mountains against a clear blue sky is uplifting and certainly makes you feel alive.

It has been sometime since we had new born lambs at Melbecks. But there are lambs already out in the neighbouring fields. From their first stumbling steps to their energetic pogo’ing, they immediately find affection in all that see them. We do have plans to re-establish a flock of sheep at Melbecks, so watch this space.

When you are visiting the Lake District this Easter, look out for all the activities and attractions that are available. One of our favourites is Muncaster Castle near Ravenglass which usually organises special events. Mirehouse, Bassenthwaite is popular with our nephews and nieces – the adults can enjoy the gardens against the dramatic back drop of Skiddaw, whilst the children explore the adventure play ground and woodland trails.

If you aren’t able to stay in one of our pet friendly cottages this Easter, then why not plan a visit to the Lake District later in the year. Details of our cottages can be found at https://melbecks.com. All of our cottages are now let on a Friday to Friday basis. Subject to availability, we offer short breaks if your holiday start date is within the next three weeks. Our minimum short break is 3-nights, but you can choose any three nights of the week.