Before reaching Allan Bank I had the opportunity to sit and watch the Herdwick sheep for a while.  They fascinate me;  some of them look just like my human’s grand dog, Buster, who is a Bedlington Terrier.At the entrance to the gardens I posed for a photo with a willow squirrel, and hoped that I would see some of the real red squirrels that live in the garden.There is a splendid view from the garden of the hills surrounding Grassmere.Here I am just before going into the house.  I could see the lake from here but forgot to get a photograph.National Trust properties often have a room containing books for sale.  I read Rupert and the Magic Seeds while the humans browsed.  I think Rupert wears rather silly trousers.The next room was set up as an art room, with tables suitable for full grown humans and small humans and bears to have a go at painting.  I did a quick self portrait.After going upstairs a guide suggested that I might like the play room.   The inhabitants were certainly very pleased to see me.I had a little ride on a wooden horse that rocked but didn’t go anywhere.There were lots of hats to try on.   I don’t think I would make a very good police bear.Two of the resident bears put on a special afternoon tea for me.  Before saying my farewells I tried out the blackboard.Allan Bank has a special room for knitting.  I did a few more rows of someone else’s knitting and would have continued but the humans said we needed to get some cake before the cafe closed.  I like cake.There was also a great selection of games in the knitting room that visitors can play.  The croquet set was just the right size for me; I struggle somewhat with full size croquet mallets.Next to the games table there were lots of knitted animals from the Beatrix Potter stories.  They all seemed very busy but Jemima Puddleduck  quacked a few times to me.Cuddly squirrels were for sale in the next room.  Unfortunately I didn’t get to see a wild red squirrel (though the humans have promised to take me to Brownsea Island oneday where red squirrels also live).   I started reading ‘Squirrel Nutkin’  but didn’t finish as didn’t want to miss cake. We made our own cups of tea and put some money in the donation box, then bought some cake at the cafe counter.It was a huge piece of very yummy carrot cake.  On the way out I posed for another photo.

I very much enjoyed Allan Bank as there was so much there to do.  It is a great place for bears and human children.

For more information about Allan Bank see: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/allan-bank-and-grasmere