My daughter asked if she could go to the place ‘where Beatrix Potter got her inspiration’, so we booked a lovely little cottage in Keswick, located by Derwentwater, for half term.

I have only been to a couple of places in The Lake District fleetingly, so didn’t know the area at all. I can honestly say I was taken aback by how gorgeous it is. The lakes, the hills, the light moving and changing across the landscape constantly…. it was heaven!

My poor husband became a ‘photographer’s widow’ a few nights, so that I could go ‘chasing light’. One night the evening light was so spectacular that, although I was only supposed to be nipping out for 20 minutes to take a few photos of the river behind the house, I ended up marching all the way down to the lake to take photos of the golden light falling on the water and the launches – I’m glad I did (even though I ended up with goose poo on my camera bag!)

The following evening, I found a super little jetty at Ashness – a popular spot for landscape photographers, and I can see why. What an amazing view across Derwentwater and the hills.

I will definitely be going back – I think I may have fallen a little in love with the place.

You can see some of the images I took in the lakes HERE

Ooh, also… if you are heading that way at all, check out Gallery 26 at 27. Peter Nelson has the most incredible works there, from sculpture to glass, oil paintings to iron work. His work is truly amazing (and excitingly, we bought a piece ourselves ready to take pride of place in our home when it is finished!) and he is a thoroughly nice guy. Do check out his website www.nelsonn.com