Two Unforgettable Days at Castlerigg Hall – Walk Yourself Happy 2025
- A Warm Welcome to the Fells
In May, Castlerigg Hall welcomed something special: Walk Yourself Happy 2025. This two-day event, created by Julia Bradbury and The Outdoor Guide, brought people together to focus on simple things that often get overlooked — fresh air, mindful movement, good food, and real human connection.
Guests arrived at The Gallery terrace, where steaming mugs of tea were served under soft morning light. The view stretched across the fells, a quiet reminder of why so many return to this part of the Lake District again and again.
Arriving at the Castlerigg Gallery and seeing the view for the first time
- Fire-Cooked Food and Real Conversation
Our first shared meal set the tone for everything that followed, nourishing and full of heart.
The menu was crafted and cooked by Andrew Dickens, who not only brought the food to life over open flames, but also shared the fascinating stories behind the dishes. Cooking outdoors on an Ofyr BBQ with help from James Doyan, who set up the grill and stayed throughout the weekend to assist, Andrew led the way with warmth, humour, and genuine passion.
We gathered around the fire to eat and chat. It wasn’t just about fuelling up for a walk, it was about taking a moment to slow down, share a meal, and connect with each other.
Before we set off, Julia Bradbury welcomed the group with a heartfelt reading. Reflecting on the simple power of walking and how it helps us connect to nature, to ourselves, and to each other. Her words set a gentle tone that carried through the rest of the weekend.
Andrew Dickens and James Doyan
- A Walk with Purpose
With spirits lifted and stomachs full, the group laced up their boots and headed out on the first walk of the weekend, a steady climb to Walla Crag. Guided by the experienced team from Challenge The Wild, who know the local fells like the back of their hands, the walk was welcoming for all fitness levels.
The route was chosen not for speed, but for its beauty. Along the way, Julia led a short session of breathwork and grounding, inviting everyone to come out of their heads and into the moment. It was a chance to notice the wind, the earth underfoot, the rhythm of walking.
As we approached the summit, the space opened up. The views over Derwentwater were spectacular!
- Food That Feeds More Than Hunger
After returning from the walk, we regrouped in the outdoor cooking space at Castlerigg Hall. There, the fire continued burning: this time for a lunch made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Sustainable meat from BaseCamp North Lakes was prepared alongside colourful vegetables and grain salads.
Sow and Arrow products created by nutritionist and author Pauline J. Cox were introduced and Julia Bradbury offered practical advice about supporting energy, mood, and gut health through nutrition. She reminded us that food can be both functional and joyful.
One of the standout dishes created by Andrew Dickens for the event was Misckquatash — a traditional Indigenous recipe from the tribes of the American Northeast. Andrew explained how the Narangansett, Algonquian and Wampanoag peoples taught this dish to the early English settlers — the so-called “Pilgrim Fathers” — who arrived in 1620 on the Mayflower. The dish, made from corn and beans (and later adapted with seasonal meats and vegetables), helped them survive and is believed to have been served at the first Thanksgiving.
Andrew talked us through how the dish evolved over time into what’s now called “Succotash,” and explained the original technique of nixtamalization — a traditional process using wood ash to unlock the full nutritional value of dried corn. It was as educational as it was delicious.
The group shared lunch outdoors, soaking in the sun, enjoying casual chats, and taking in the buzz of a day unfolding just right.
Chef, Andrew Dickens, explaining traditional cooking techniques
- Stillness at the Stones
Later in the afternoon, we headed out to one of Cumbria’s most iconic landmarks: Castlerigg Stone Circle. The walk there was gentler, but no less powerful. We paused along the way to notice the colours of wildflowers, the texture of tree bark, and the sound of birdsong in the distance.
Reaching the stone circle felt like stepping into a different time. The landscape, already beautiful, seemed to hold a quiet power here. We stood barefoot in the grass, taking time for grounding and stillness. Some closed their eyes. Others walked slowly between the stones. It was a shared silence that didn’t feel awkward.
Julia guided a short mindfulness session, encouraging us to reflect on wellness not just as physical health, but emotional and mental balance too.
- Cake, Companionship, and Closing Moments
The return walk to Castlerigg Hall was filled with light chatter, easy laughter, and a sense of warmth. Conversations that had started hesitantly earlier in the day now flowed naturally. People asked questions, shared personal stories, and took in the views side by side.
Back at The Gallery, homemade cake and more tea were waiting. Guests swapped contact details and promised to return.
Before the weekend closed, the group gathered at our new Viewpoint — a peaceful space overlooking the valley and the paths we had walked together. Julia Bradbury officially opened the space with a short speech and ribbon cutting. The view was clear and wide, framed by blooming spring flowers and bright skies. It was the perfect full stop to a couple of days that had felt thoughtful from start to finish.
- Meet the Team Behind the Magic
Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury is a celebrated English TV journalist and presenter, best known for outdoor walking shows like Countryfile and Best Walks with a View. She co-founded The Outdoor Guide in 2010 with her sister Gina, aiming to inspire and inform people about walking, wellness, and mental health. Following her breast cancer diagnosis and recovery in 2021, Julia has become even more passionate about daily outdoor time, healthy living, and mindfulness — themes she explores in her bestselling book Walk Yourself Happy.
Gina Bradbury Fox
Gina, Julia’s older sister and managing director of The Outdoor Guide, was the driving force behind its creation. She built the website as a free, inclusive resource, inspired by Julia’s popular walking programmes. Gina also co-founded The Outdoor Guide Foundation, which donates outdoor kit to schools and promotes accessible walking for all.
The Outdoor Guide
More than a website, The Outdoor Guide is a vibrant community led by experts in routes, mapping, accessibility, and wellbeing. Their mission — Find it, Share it, Live it— is realised through free route downloads, community events like Walk Yourself Happy, and a foundation that equips children with waterproof gear so nature is accessible to all.
- What We Took Away
Walk Yourself Happy 2025 wasn’t about pushing limits or doing anything extreme. It was about remembering that wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be a walk. A shared meal. A moment to pause. A breath of clean air.
Some guests had been gifted the experience. Others booked it for themselves. Everyone left feeling lighter, more grounded, and a little more connected — both to nature and to each other.
- Want to See More?
You can explore more photos from the weekend over on our Facebook page, beautifully captured by Anna Bailey Photography and Castlerigg Hall park owner David Jackson. Every image tells part of the story — the food, the views, the smiles, the stillness.
