On a short break almost as much time is spent travelling as at the location you're heading to, so I believe in making that journey interesting - country roads instead of motorways - stopping along the way, and seeing more than a blur of roadside through the windscreen.
So my Lake District break started with a scenic drive through the Peak District (above) and a stop for picnic lunch at Lyme just outside of Manchester.
We didn't have long, and
have visited the house and garden on a previous occasion, so settled for a short walk around the pond by the sawmill before heading back on the road.
North of Manchester it's hard to avoid motorways but it is possible to take a break from them (and not a service area). We headed for Rufford Old Hall near Ormskirk, a lovely Tudor house now owned by the National Trust.
Our timings hadn't worked too well and we arrived just as everything was closing for the day, with just enough time for a walk round the gardens.
To one side lie formal gardens, with a woodland walk beyond leading to the church.
To the side a path leads through orchards now in full blossom, to a shrubbery with rhododendrons and bluebells.
The Hall itself looks fascinating - a mix of ancient timbers and mellow brick - and I'd have loved to see inside and peer OUT of those tiny-paned windows. Something for another time.
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