The Marmalade March.
I thought the talk of Marmalade was all a gimmick, but as you will see, it has a serious side.
The 9am bus drops me off in Pooley Bridge as usual. I cross the new bridge and follow the River Eamont downstream. I’m on what is called The Dalemain Loop of the main Ullswater Way. I have driven past Dalemain House many times but never stopped to visit. As part of my walk today, I hope to put that right. Dalemain Historic Mansion & Gardens
The house opens at 10.30. I make good progress through the fields stopping only to chat to The Lakes National Park worker who is mending a gate fastener. Apparently, it is called a hunting latch. They have been used throughout this week’s walk on traditional wooden gates and are a delight to use. I don’t recall a single ‘modern’ galvanised one.
At the house I manage to book one of the limited places on the first house tour of the day. Our lady guide is knowledgeable and entertaining. Photography is not allowed in the house. She tells us of the history of the house and the families who have owned it, It has been the family home to the Hasells since 1679. bringing us up to date with the present Hasell family, Robert and Jane Hasell-McCosh. Each room is full of portraits, collectables, and personal paraphernalia, with a story behind each one. Fascinating.
From their website.
Time for a coffee and cake back in the tearoom. My ginger cake is glazed with Marmalade and the room full of jars containing exotic varieties of the preserve. ‘The World’s Original Marmalade Awards & Festival’ is held here annually in March. The story goes back 20 years, just after a serious outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease, which seriously affected this region. Jane the lady of the house decided on a local Marmalade competition, only a few dozen entered. Now, this has grown to thousands with money raised going to a local charity hospice, and the winner has their recipe marketed by Fortnum and Masons. I don’t think a jar of Marmalade would last long in my rucksack.
I spend some time looking around the extensive gardens, a bit late in the season to see it at its best, but there is still so much to admire. Terraces, knot garden, wild areas, massive Silver Fir, Sleeping Giant, Dragon Yew, beck side. All surrounded by the beautiful Cumbrian scenery. 
Wow! that is some garden. Back outside I march on through their estate towards the village of Dacre. The rebuilt peel tower, ahead of me up the hill, belongs to the estate but is now a private dwelling.. The surrounding moat could just be made out. 
There are a few cottages scattered around the village green, where the original stocks still stand. Up the lane is a welcoming looking Inn, The Horse and Farrier.
I want to visit the church that has close connections with Dalemain House and its occupants. All the Hasell family being buried here. I fail to find their graves in the extensive burial grounds. But I do find three of the four stone ‘bears’ thought to be warding off evil spirits. I’m not sure of their antiquity or purpose.
The church is open, so I’m able to see the superb William Whitelaw stained glass. A piece of a Saxon cross is propped up in the chancel.
Lanes go over a brow with the familiar views of Dunmalland and the hills at the head of Ullswater. Soon, I’m traversing a path within Dunmalland’s forest, I still haven’t seen a red squirrel on this trip.
Back in Pooley Bridge, I make my pilgrimage to Verey’s for a browse at their books and an excellent coffee whilst waiting for the bus.
Before you know it, I’m relaxing in Witherspoon’s with a pint of Ennerdale Darkest, looking back over a long loop but another successful day.
