Dalemain and the World Marmalade Awards

Our final day of the Easter holiday was spent in the area around Ullswater. Our first destination was Dalemain, for lunch and a stroll around the beautiful gardens.

I absolutely love Dalemain, for so many reasons. There's the stunning location amongst the hills and mountains; the garden, the tea shop and the wild garlic which grows in profusion close to the River Eamont. 

But, there is one other, very special aspect about Dalemain and this is the World Marmalade Awards! Somewhat like Paddington Bear, I am very fond of marmalade and enjoy making a selection from the wonderful array of marmalades on display.

Today I selected 2025's winning marmalade - Hitomi Wakamura’s Yuzu and Pear Marmalade. It looks absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try some on my breakfast toast tomorrow.

I find myself wondering if the novelist Elizabeth Jane Duncan knew of the Dalemain competition when she wrote her novels: The Marmalade Murders. Set in North Wales, this cosy mystery takes place at the town’s agricultural show, where marmalade and murder are the stars!