The Create Escape (Cumbria) Ltd is a brand-new business in the county. Based in a picturesque farmhouse in Hale, it provides people with the opportunity to ‘escape the everyday’ with cookery and creative experiences, led by business partners Angela Favell and Deborah Clark and a talented team of Cumbrian experts who lead workshops on a wide range of topics from photography to felting and ceramics to somatic exercise.

Angela’s journey to Hale in Cumbria started with the BBC’s Escape to the Country, with Angela on TV vowing to never leave her ‘forever home’ but all that was to change. Through a chance conversation, she discovered that the farmhouse next door was up for sale and immediately realised that this would be the perfect venue to make a dream become a reality.

The business partners met 5 years ago when, through the Growth Hub’s Business Start-Up Scheme when Angela was appointed as Deborah’s business start-up advisor. The two instantly bonded over their love of food and cookery, and a lasting friendship developed.  Angela had previously had support through the New Enterprise Allowance scheme to help start a new business.

While running their own successful businesses, they kept coming back to their dream of running their own cookery school and creative centre and finally at the beginning of June, the doors were opened to their first visitors, or ‘Escapees’ as they call them.

The first workshops, Thai Cookery, Aromatherapy products and Creative Writing have all been a great success with the first ‘Escapees’ delighted by the level of care and detail put into making each day as relaxing and indulgent as possible. With home-baked treats with morning coffee on arrival, a 2-course lunch (including wine) and afternoon tea before departure, there is no chance of anyone going home hungry! Between sessions, the beautiful gardens with their stunning views provide a tranquil setting for further relaxation.

We all know just how easy it is to get bogged down in the everyday; whether it’s tasks and to-do lists that take over our lives or a weekly routine that has turned into a rut. Failing to take time out for ourselves can have a detrimental effect on our health, well-being and happiness.

Angela and Deborah say, “There’s been a shift. People don’t necessarily want to buy more ‘stuff’ for themselves or their loved ones, they are more excited by great experiences – and that’s what we offer, fantastic experiences that bring fun, relaxation and a sense of well-being. A true escape from the everyday.”

You can visit their website here.