THINGS TO DO IN CUMBRIA AND YORKSHIRE DALES
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What is it like to go on a retreat?
These days, retreats are all over social media and I'm guessing a lot of you who like the idea are wondering what is it like to go on a retreat? Well we see a lot of them here and we have been on day retreats and workshops, but for the first time, last December,...
A Mountain Leader to Inspire You
Now you might not put a mountain leader in the same subject as art, but firstly I say why not, and secondly, that is exactly how I met Louisa. We both answered a request from local artist Jessica Emsley to meet up and chat about our feeling and thoughts on the...
Everybody is Simply Human
I write today's blog as a business owner who is also simply human and for a change wanted to share some thoughts with all of you that follow our journey, because you either know us, have stayed here, or simply have a business interest in the property and what it has...
Pamper Your Guests with Grace
It is always so lovely to see Grace pull in to the drive here at St Marks Stays. Always cheerful, always smiling and all we ever hear from guests who have had treatments with her, is how lovely it was. So let us introduce Grace to you in our latest Meet the Local...
Walking With India
I have to say, going walking with a guide, is so much more relaxing and easier, so today we are introducing you to another wonderful lady, India, who is a qualified mountain leader who you can book to take you out in the hills when you stay here. India Bird is a fully...
The Cumbrian Chef
In this blog we bring another glimpse in to a private chef that has catered here at St Marks Stays before and is available for you to book to make your celebrations and stays special. Julian is The Cumbrian Chef who says the biggest buzz he gets from creating food and...
How to create demand
Now if we ran our own retreats and had a fully booked diary we could tell you how to create demand. Full disclosure - we don't! What we do know however, is that we constantly watch how groups do book their holidays, how music artists sell out their tours in minutes...
Meet Howgill Holistics
If you are looking for a beauty and holistic therapist to treat yourself on your stay here, or to compliment your retreat, we have at least four on our lists we send out when you have booked in. Today let me introduce you to Jessica Moser of Howgill Holistics....
Private Dining in Sedbergh
We are lucky to have a private dining chef here in Sedbergh, so let me introduce you to Laura Marschall. Laura is an international private chef who has worked in Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, India, Israel, Germany, Canada and the UK. So it is no...
Where art meets the mountains
I first met artist and mountain leader, Jessica Emsley, when a request went out for her to chat to people about their experiences of outdoor landscapes in Cumbria, as part of a creative project she was working on. I loved what she was exploring as part of her PhD and...
Sedbergh Yoga Instructors
We are very lucky to have two fabulous yoga instructors based in Sedbergh, so if you ever need a local tutor, do get in touch with Carol, or Karen. Carol and Karen used to run a weekly yoga session here at St Marks Stays, but then bookings got busier and we no longer...
Where the real yoga practice begins
If you know that I (Joanne) drive in to Kendal to go to a yoga class, when I have a studio next to my lounge, you will understand why Jacqui Wallace, of Yoga Sapien is one of the three yoga tutors I recommend if you are coming here. I first met Jacqui when we moved...
Gingernut Catering
Do you like the idea of fine dining with your friends and family, but not everyone is a fan of getting dressed up and booking a taxi, or driving to a restaurant? Hands up who likes the idea of delicious food without the cooking and cleaning? Then booking a chef for...
St Marks Stays Studio & Yoga Equipment
What actually is the St Marks Stays Studio you may ask if you are new to us? Previously built as a connecting room between the original vicarage and the outbuildings / garage at the end, by Bolton School, this space can be used by groups for whatever they need it to...
Mountain Walking and Swimming Guide
If you would love a mountain walking and open water swimming guide that also comes with a super cute Spaniel, then please do read on. I have been guided by Vicki on the Kendal Climbing Wall and Damian and I have both cross paths and chatted with Vicki about how good...
Beetham Fairy Steps
Have you heard the story behind the Fairy Steps in Beetham? Back in February we went to find out for ourselves as we explored a walk you can take on a day out in the area. Parking at Heron Corn Mill, we took the walk to the Fairy Steps from a little further out....
Artist Retreats
Did you know that we also get artist retreats here at St Marks Stays and this was one of Joanne's ideal visions when we first viewed St Marks Stays? We are very fortunate to have some highly creative artists in our location and this blog series is introducing you to...
Taking life At Nature’s Pace
As the sun appears more, don't you just want to be outside, taking life 'At Nature's Pace'? Well you can do just that if you arrange to hang out with Ruth, who runs Nature Connectedness Adventures via her company called, 'At Nature's Pace'. We first met Ruth in our...
Have Martin Frickel cook for you
Would you like to have Martin Frickel cook for you? More and more these days, we see groups having a reunion stay here, decide to treat themselves to an evening with dinner cooked for them by a chef. They talk passionately the next morning about how great it was and...
What is a Singing Bowl?
If you have ever heard about sound baths, or singing bowls and wondered what on earth they are, I can highly recommend getting in touch with Laura-Jane Clare if you are coming to stay here. I have had a the luxury of having Laura-Jane set up her Quartz crystal singing...