We’re only a few weeks from The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (TM). Which means the next few weeks before Christmas, Hanukkah, and the other winter holidays can easily become The Most Stressful Time of the Year.
But if there’s a lover of Lakeland on your list, holiday giving is easy. Just get them something from Cumbria and they’ll be charmed! Here are a few ideas, mostly based on gifts I’ve given and received, all of which will ship at least as far as the United States. If you think I’ve missed a good one, let me know! I’m always on the lookout for new Lake District merch.
Custom OS maps. One of the gifts I’ve been most excited to give was a personalized OS Map. Yes, the good people at the Ordinance Survey will let you create your own Landranger or Explorer maps. They’ll even let you design a customized cover. This is especially useful if your favorite hikes are just at the edge of the standard-issue OS maps!
The Artists Measure whiskey glasses. A couple of Christmases ago, I received a delightful pair of these glass tumblers featuring the lakes and mountains of Cumbria. When you add whiskey to the glass, it seems to become part of the landscape.
Lake District liquor. Speaking of spirits, the Lakes are home to a number of delightful distilleries. One of my favorites is the Lakes Distillery; they don’t ship internationally, but they work with several partners who do. I’ve also enjoyed Bedrock Gin, which ships in the UK but (I’m pretty sure) not overseas.
Lake District beer. Cumbrian ales are difficult to find outside of the Lakes, but you can occasionally find a bottle or two in a far-flung place. My recommendations are: anything from Barngates Brewery, anything from Hawkshead Brewery, the Wainwright Golden Ale, Coniston Brewing‘s Bluebird Bitter (which I’ve found in the States!), and anything from Cumbrian Legendary Ales, especially Loweswater Gold.
Map boxes from The Workshop UK. What do you give the Lakes-obsessed person who owns too many maps of Lakeland? A special box to keep them in, of course! This Etsy seller offers some standard designs featuring popular places like Keswick and Windermere, or, for a slight upcharge, they will make a bespoke one for you (I chose Borrowdale). They’re just the right size for your collection of OS maps.
Ghyll and Crag hats and headbands. These gorgeous wool toppers are hand-knitted in Cumbria, warm, and somehow not itchy at all. Many of the designs feature a pom-pom of Herdwick wool, which I love — it’s a tactile reminder of long days out on the fells with everyone’s favorite “smiling” sheep. Because each hat and headband is handmade, they are generally able to accommodate people with unusually large (or small!) heads.
Chapman Bags. The luggage, handbags, and fishing totes are all handmade in Carlisle, Cumbria. Many designs are named after Cumbrian locations (e.g, the Helvellyn rucksack, the Derwent travel bag). They are pricey, as you might expect for high-quality handmade goods, but I’ve managed to score one of their leather saddlebags and a tweed weekender by carefully watching for sales. If you live in London, you can also take advantage of the occasional sample sale at their teensy showroom on Great Titchfield Street.
Lake District posters. Hard to go wrong here! I received a poster of Wasdale a few years ago, and it now greets me every morning. The only challenge is which one to choose…
Lake District wallpaper. Nothing says “I love you” like “Honey, let’s cover the entire wall with the Lake District.” Redcliffe Imaging offers custom wallpaper in the form of both maps (no more need to bother with all that pesky unfolding!) and photographic murals of their favorite Lakeland scenes.
Furniture from Jack Simpson Joinery. I’ve long lusted after the gorgeous bespoke designs of this Kendal-based artist. (Though shipping to the U.S. might be a bit tricky!) My personal favorites are their slate-inlaid lake tables and their Langdale Pikes headboard. (Maybe every night you’d dream of Great Langdale? I could live with that.)
A map from Middle Earth’s Maps. These Lord of the Rings-style maps are charming (as long as you don’t use them for navigating!). They offer various options, from the entire county of Cumbria, to just the Lake District National Park, to close-ups of individual lakes. They also have a very cool “favorite square” custom offering to turn your favorite square of a 1:25,000 OS map into art.
Conquer Lake District patches and stickers. These retro-style patches and stickers are a fun way to remind someone of their favorite trek.
Alp and Ash coasters. I have two sets of these stunning coasters, which feature a bird’s-eye view of notable peaks and tarns. The artist has mentioned on Instagram that she’s considering taking a break, so get them while you can!
Three-dimensional Lake District maps. A number of purveyors make these, and I always find them fascinating. OS sells one made by Dorrigo and The Workshop UK sells one made of wood. I’ve also seen some beautiful metal ones in various shops and restaurants in the Lake District, like these from Mountain Castings.
Lake District slate signs. Again, there are several places that offer these online. This is one of the few things on this list I haven’t managed to buy, give, or receive yet. Maybe this is the year!
Cumbria Crystal glassware. The leaded crystal decanters and cocktail glasses featured in the Downton Abbey series and various James Bond movies are made in Ulverston, Cumbria, using traditional methods, and often feature local names (“the Grasmere Collection” and so on).
Gift certificate to The Drunken Duck. Hard to imagine a recipient who would not cherish one of these.
Grasmere Gingerbread. Last but by no means least! Yes, you can buy it online and it will ship internationally. It’s so easy, it almost feels like cheating. Of course, Jamie Oliver has offered his version of the recipe, which is quite easy and can be made quickly at home.
