HERE is the weekly column from Andrew Thomas.

A few weeks ago, I extolled the virtues of Kirkby Lonsdale, one of South Lakeland’s loveliest towns. This weekend I visited another of our local gems - the medieval village of Cartmel.

Lying below Hampsfell with its exposed limestone, Cartmel is a pretty and compact settlement, with plenty of narrow, winding streets to explore and buildings featuring some interesting architecture.

Dominating Cartmel is the magnificent 800-year-old priory. The village also includes the attractive square with its stone cross and the Cartmel Priory Gatehouse with its splendid archway.

There are several pubs and lots of shops, including an antiquarian bookseller, art gallery, gift shops, cafes and Cartmel Village Shop, which sells the famous sticky toffee pudding. Meanwhile Unsworth’s Yard offers a cheese shop, wine shop, craft brewery and adjacent tea shop.

The village is firmly on the culinary map as it is home to two of Simon Rogan’s restaurants: L’Enclume - which holds two Michelin stars, five AA Rosettes and was named the number one restaurant in the UK by The Good Food Guide 2020 - and Rogan & Co, which was awarded its first Michelin star in 2018.

There are interpretative panels as you wander around the village, telling visitors about its history. One explains the history of bridges and the former ford which over the years have helped people cross delightful River Eea, which runs through the centre of Cartmel.

The village, of course, has its own racecourse - surely the most picturesque in the country. On race days Cartmel is transformed as thousands of visitors head to the course to enjoy exciting racing, funfairs and stalls.

You sense the village is proud of how it looks and wants everyone to enjoy its appearance. On footpaths near the course are polite signs stating ‘There is no poop fairy’, asking dog owners to ensure they remove dog waste.

As I left Cartmel I came across an intriguing old road sign, referring to ‘Lancaster Over Sands’, ‘Ulverston Over Sands’ and ‘Grange’. Grange is now well-known as ‘Grange-over-Sands’ yet two words of this title were omitted on the sign. I wonder why.