Stroll With Joy Through Ambleside
In the spring of 2023, I visited the beautiful village of Ambleside, England. Ms Mason founded a Teacher’s College called “House of Education” there and the home where she lived was named Scale How. As you walk up the steep hill toward Scale How, a tiny, stone house hides behind a rhododendron. The Bee Hive, a practicing school, so named because it housed many “busy inhabitants” and had an octagonal lantern window rising from the roof.
As I left the car park in Ambleside and walked up the steep hill, past blossom covered trees and a huge, flowering rhododendron, I felt as if I was in a dream. Imagine living in this beautiful place, being inspired by the views, the friendly and beautiful environment. Following a trail in the woods behind Scale How, I hiked up to a great, round, grassy dome with several large chestnut trees at intervals. On every side were stunning vistas of lake, forest and mountain. The birds were singing, the bluebells were blooming in the woods and their scent filled the air. My heart was so full of delight!
The Armitt Museum houses a collection of Ms Mason’s personal items, her dresses, a portrait, the uniforms of her students with “For the Children’s Sake” embroidered around the edge. A pin with the words, “I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will.” Also, exquisite examples of her student’s nature notebooks with notes and paintings. Upstairs are housed all of the 6 volumes on Ms Mason’s Philosophy of Education; her grammar book; the PNEU volumes of articles; books she used with her students and books written about her. I had just finished reading, “Modern Ms Mason” by Leah Boden, and was delighted to find it there on the shelf.
Maybe you’re aware that Ambleside is only a few miles from Beatrix Potter’s farm, Hill Top. Tiny books and articles related to her characters are also displayed in the museum.
Evening descended with quiet and we passed through the narrow streets, bordered by stone walls and houses, toward the cemetery where we followed the signs to Ms Mason’s gravestone. Memorable to me was that when I looked down, I was standing on a stone slab with the initials “E” and “K” in each corner. Literally standing on the grave of Elsie Kitching, faithful friend, buried at the feet of Ms Mason. Such devotion and friendship! We wandered toward the parish hall and on to the cricket field where we could hear kids practicing, riding bikes, and see many joggers and dog walkers. My eyes were immediately drawn to a clump of rocks from which towered a blossoming pink tree. Seated amongst the bluebells beneath it sat a young girl, reading. (Swoon!)
The front garden of our inn looked out upon a grassy field, behind which was the cemetary and rising spire of St Mary’s Church. Next morning, we did what most people do when they visit Ambleside, we hiked along the River Rothay, viewing waterfalls, charming stone patios nestled into greenery, flowering wild garlic and then, a forest full of bluebells.
The high hills surrounding the village are a hiker’s Paradise! We did a short hike to Rydal Cave on our way out of town. I am prepared to go back and spend more than 24 hours there. Anyone else want to join me? ~Joy