Cartmel is a small village in south Cumbria, although prior to local government reorganisation in 1974 it was Lancastrian, and still seems to have more in common with Lancaster just over Morecambe Bay than with Lakeland. The religious has long been at the heart of this village, Northumbria’s King Egfrith gifting it to St Cuthbert to establish a monastery in the 7th century. In 1188 the then Baron of Cartmel, William Marshall, founded the Augustinian Priory of St Mary and St Michael, whose church still dominates the village. The rest of the foundation was destroyed during Henry VIII’s dissolution, though the gatehouse built in 1330 remains, now housing an exhibition devoted to the priory and the village. The little river Eea runs through Cartmel, a bridge here having been a crossing point for centuries. In the village of winding streets and white painted houses there is an old market place complete with cross, and fish slabs reminding the visitor that not only was this a local trading place, but that fishing (and cockling) have been important in the area since it was settled. There are earthly pleasures here to balance the religious. The 15th century Cavendish Arms (the Cavendish family is associated with nearby Holker Hall) welcomes visitors, though very tall ones need to watch the beams. A more recent claim-to-fame is the sticky toffee pudding served by the village shop. And for those in need of sport Cartmel has the smallest National Hunt racecourse in the country, traditionally holding meetings in May and August. Even here the long-gone monks leave their mark though, as legend has it they started the racing for some Whitsuntide diversion.