http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37403 For about £9 you get a huge plate of locally sourced meat – take your pick from beef, pork and lamb – a big old Yorkshire pud (regardless of meat choice), a separate serving of freshly cooked al dente veg, crispy roast spuds and the icing on the cake, an extra helping of gravy served alongside. ‘Coz there’s nothing worse than running out of gravy half way through your dinner, eh?
And the deserts can be pretty special too. I can definitely vouch for their pavlovas - made from crispy, chewy meringue, and mighty cheesecakes – huge, creamy and usually laced with some sort of booze.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37403 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37284 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37284 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37277 This will take you about five hours including an hour’s stop for lunch at the Inn.
Begin in the small village of Buttermere, following the path to Crummock Water. This skirts the lake on its western shore. The path is clear and hugs the water’s edge.
Spring is coming, heralded at last by the sound of water as the frozen waterfalls melt, there is the gold of gorse, birds nesting and the bleat of lambs.
We recite lines from Innesfree:
‘I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore’ and sing snatches of song as our spirits soar as we tramp along.
Mellbreak soon flanks us as we tramp the mile or so along the path to Dropping Crag’s sheer face, on to High park and then by road to the Kirkstile Inn.
I sampled delicious home made bread and soup and a wonderful plum and cinnamon crumble washed down with half of the local ale before setting off to Lanthwaite wood.
This takes us back towards the lake and her Eastern margins. A path again follows the water’s edge, light glittering on rock and water, milder air.
The last bit is along the road into Buttermere but can be avoided with some careful map reading.
The Sky Tea Rooms are still open for home made ice cream or cream tea to round off a perfect day out.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37277 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37274 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37242 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/37242 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36668 Park in the village of Talybont on Usk, where you can start and finish at the White Hart or Star pubs. One has a bunkhouse and the other a B&B and restaurant open through the winter; both have great beers and good food.
Cross the canal by the footbridge then cycle north on the Taff trail which begins with a long climb alongside the Talybont reservoir. you will see the high peaks ahead of you to the left. You then pass through Talybont on Usk and Taf Fechan forests, before crossing a B-road leading to a fantastic climb up stone tracks to the Cwm Cynwyn pass as the base of Cribyn at an altitude of nearly 2000ft. On a clear day the views are stupendous and you may surprise a few walkers, fell-runners and sheep.
The descent is very technical with huge boulders and terrifying drops coming down the other side before the surface improves to a fast tarmac descent into LLanfrynach, where there's a pub for a well-earned pint, before following the roads back to Talybont.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36668 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36620 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36620 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36457 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36457 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36456 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36451 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36448 It's also home (thankfully) to probably the best Kolsch beer in this great city.
Kolsch is a curious hybrid beer style that drinks like a good lager but is technically an ale. But don't let that put you off, this delightful beer served by gravity from wooden barrels is delicate, yet has hidden depths of flavour that make it the perfect session-able beer.
And what's more it comes in cute little 21cl straight glasses called 'Stanges' which are delivered conveniently to your table by the local 'Kobes' (barmen) until you put your beer matt on top of your empty glass (or just say no).
Great fun, great traditional food, great old building, but make sure your go to the main brauhaus building not one of the bars that serve in town.


it's a little walk out from the cathedral, but it's worth it.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36448 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36442 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36441 The tiny one room pub has a large fire, seats and a hole in the wall where you are served by the owner - who runs the post office/sweet shop on the other side of the hole.
Always a fantastic selection of beers and a wide variety of food available, as long as you want pork pie and pickle! It is a lovely place in the middle of some beautiful countryside, friendly, full of character and a great place to visit. Quite unique.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36441 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36395 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36395 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36389 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36385 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36379 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/36379