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Rising music star Sam Gray recently visited the iconic Lake District to shoot part of the video for his brand new single ‘All Of My Life’ – due to be released on 5^th of March.

Sam decided to shoot the video in the Lakes as he wanted somewhere that resonated with the song and conveyed what he was trying to say in the lyrics. The brand new video was filmed in Bowness Bay and at the Langdale Chase Hotel, overlooking majestic Windermere.

Sam said: ‘’the Lakes was the obvious choice for the shoot, a stunning location, which has romantic memories for lots of people. For the promo video we wanted to focus on the lyrics and set them against a beautiful backdrop, Windermere was perfect place for what we wanted.’’

Sam is definitely one to watch, after a blistering 2011 that saw him play listed on Radio 2, become one of the faces of Café Nero Music as well as touring with The Overtones and Charlie Simpson, he is kicking off 2012 with the brand new single, ‘All Of My Life’. The single was produced by the legendary Brendan Lynch and features Steve White (Paul Weller, Style Council, The Who, Oasis) and is the single is taken from Sam’s album ‘Brighter Day’ (released in October 2011). His album has won him a legion of new fans and as a result 2012 is already promising to be a very exciting year with a high profile tour in early spring and a new album to record.

Greg Stephenson Cumbria Tourism spokesman said: “Video shoots like Sam’s only further enhance Cumbria’s reputation as a great place to film. The video set amongst a backdrop of stunning scenery is a perfect advert for what Cumbria is about. After all our amazing and varied landscape has and continues to inspire the romantic in many of us. The Lake District, Cumbria, is the perfect backdrop for a whole host of filming opportunities, something that staff at Cumbria Tourism continually promote and assist with through our partners at Creative England.”

To watch the video, please visit www.golakes.co.uk/samgray.

Well, we did try to do a top ten but it’s just all so good! When visiting the Lake District, there are things that you simply have to try and these 15 examples of amazing local produce are a great place to start. So, go on and indulge, you can always walk it off!

Cumberland sausage – So important is the Cumberland sausage to Cumbria, local butchers are campaigning to have it designated as British Protected under EU law, giving it a similar status to Parma ham, Feta cheese and Champagne. So, what makes it a Cumberland? High meat content, that distinctive sausage coil, wider than your average sausage and with a rough-cut texture as opposed to minced. First and foremost, it has got to come from Cumbria. Recipes might vary slightly but the signature taste is that of a more highly seasoned sausage, down to the deep rooted connection between the Cumbrian coast and the spice trade in Britain, particularly at Whitehaven.

Waberthwaite meat – Nestling between the western edge of the Lakeland fells and the Irish Sea lies the sleepy backwater village of Waberthwaite. This idyllic little town in the South West of Cumbria is synonymous with the Cumberland sausage and other wonderful Cumbrian meats. At the heart of this tradition is Richard Woodall, one of the oldest family businesses still in existence. This little Victorian store which holds a Royal Warrant for their traditional Cumberland sausage, Cumberland hams and bacon is currently run by 7th and 8th generation family members.

Peter Gott’s wild boar – Peter has become quite the celeb through his ongoing campaign for better quality produce and counts culinary luminaries Jamie Oliver and Rick Stein among his friends and clients. He started to produce wild boar in 1993 and his pies, fresh meat, sausages and ham are all outstanding. You simply must try the wild boar prosciutto.

Herdwick lamb – The lambs mature slowly on the heather and grasses of the Lake District fells and as a result, their meat is succulent, tender and incredibly tasty. The flavour is considered by many to be more gamey than conventional lamb. In fact, an entirely scientific study carried out by Bristol University proved the taste and texture of Herdwick lamb to be superior to that of lowland breeds and that it was also rich in beneficial Omega 3 fatty acids. Who knew science was so tasty?!

Holker saltmarsh lamb – naturally reared on the Salt Marshes of the Cartmel Peninsula on Morecambe Bay. The managed grazing of the lambs has a positive impact on the marshland eco-system, they are free to roam and are only ever removed from the salt marshes when they’re at risk from an extremely high tide. The Holker Saltmarsh Lamb is a seasonal product which is generally available from mid June to the end of November/early December

Morecambe Bay potted shrimps – The brown shrimps of Morecambe Bay are renowned for their delicate taste and unique texture and have been caught by the local fishermen for hundreds of years. The methods may have changed, with the tractor replacing the horse and cart but the traditional recipe has survived; locally caught shrimps, boiled in butter with a secret combination of spices until they’re tender. Delicious.

Staff of Life bread – The Staff of Life Bakery in Kendal’s Berry Yard opened in September 1999 and has been baking delicious handmade breads, made from the finest ingredients with artisan breadmaking craftsmanship, ever since. Their gingerbreads, brownies and flapjacks are also well worth the visit.

Borrowdale teabread – The traditional Lakeland recipe for teabread is heavily influenced by the 18th century trade between the Cumberland sea ports and the Americas. The delicious combination of spices, dried fruits and cane sugar has become a hallmark of the Lake District and an ideal accompaniment to a nice cup of tea.

Chutneys and preserves – The whole county is permeated with preserves from creative and award-winning makers such as Lizzie’s Homemade, Claire’s Handmade and Hawkshead Relish. There’s also Wild and Fruitful, producing preserves from a range of locally grown and locally harvested fruits. Cumbria is also home to the World’s Original Marmalade Competition, which is held annually at Dalemain House, just outside Penrith.

Grasmere Gingerbread – As well as being home to Dove Cottage, William Wordsworth’s Lake District retreat, Grasmere is also the home of Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread. The smell of the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop is reason enough for a visit and the taste is reason enough to move there. They also deliver all over the world.

Cartmel Village sticky toffee pudding – Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding was invented over 17 years ago in the Cartmel Village Shop. It’s made using traditional Cumbrian baking methods and the finest pure cane sugar, sticky dates, free range eggs, fresh local cream and butter. Yes, it is as decadent as it sounds. It tastes even better than you’re imagining too.

Willow Water – Lakeland Willow Water is not only a refreshing and smooth tasting bottled water, it also helps to freshen the complexion and give you naturally beautiful skin thanks to it containing the nutrient salicin, an active ingredient of willow bark.

Jefferson’s Rum – Jefferson’s is a rich, beautifully textured dark rum displaying a fine balance of deep toffee, liquorice and vanilla with a subtle hint of honeycomb and ripe fruit at the finish. After a day walking the fells, this is the ideal tipple to warm the cockles.

Damson gin – Damsons are one of the few fruits that grow particularly well in the Cumbrian climate. A close relative of the plum, the damson trees and hedgerows, particularly at home in the Lyth and Winster Valleys, flower in April and the fruit is ready for harvesting in September. Damson gin can be mixed with tonic or lemonade and is an ideal pick-me-up nip out on the fells. Strawberry Bank Liqueurs and Cowmire Hall are popular producers.

Microbreweries – The Lake District is home to 25 microbreweries and a walking tour, over a few days of course, is an ideal way to sample the local delights. Jennings Brewery in Cockermouth, is one of the largest and it runs tours of the brewery, complete with a tasting session at the end. Hawkshead Brewery is owned and operated by the former BBC correspondent Alex Brodie. He moved the brewery to Mill Yard in Staveley and it has since become renowned for Lakeland food and drink. There is a viewing gallery above the brewery, from which you can soak up the stunning views and local brews.

If you’re planning a springtime holiday with the family, the Lake District is home to an Easter Eggs-travaganza that simply should not be missed. We’re sure that children of all ages will relish the opportunity to join in with the biggest Easter Egg Hunt in the North of England. With 100 unique Peter Rabbit eggs hidden across Cumbria, your search could well draw you into Mr McGregor’s garden but never fear, there’s safety in numbers so bring the whole family and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

The wonderful backdrop of the Lake District provides the perfect setting; birthplace of Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck and all of the other charming characters brought to life by Beatrix Potter. Follow in their pawprints as you adventure all over the Lakes, thanks to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere.

Peter Rabbit’s Easter Egg Hunt gets underway at 10.00am on 31st March 2010, when the Go Lakes website will unveil the map that shows the location of all 100 eggs. There will be clues to their location too but the searching is down to you. So, savour the fabulous spring countryside and get the whole family working together. The eggs could be hidden anywhere in the Lake District; in picturesque villages, gorgeous spring gardens, beside beautiful lakes or even on the top of some of the Lake District’s majestic, rolling hills. Wherever they are, they’ll be hidden in plain sight so you don’t have to worry about your little bunnies getting their paws dirty.

Every one of the 100 eggs in The Great Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt has been specially designed by local potter, Sue Dunne. Each is an extremely limited edition collector’s item for you to keep as a momento of your adventure. Not only that though, for everyone that finds an one of these fabulous eggs there is a free trip for two adults and two children to the wonderful World of Beatrix Potter Attraction and one of the first copies of a new Peter Rabbit tale, The Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt, published by F Warne & Co. Just bring your egg to The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in order to claim your reward. However, out of those 100 hidden eggs, there are ten which entitle the lucky hunter to an even more amazing prize! The top prize is a two night break for a family of four at the Low Wood Hotel, on the stunning shores of magnificent Lake Windermere.

You can keep up with the progress of the Great Peter Rabbit Easter Egg Hunt by revisiting the map page on the Go Lakes website or by following peterrabbiteggs on twitter.

The Lake District is proud to have inspired Beatrix Potter’s wonderful stories and enchanting characters, like Peter Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny and Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle. These charming creations are loved by children from all over the world but have a special place in their Cumbrian playground. Potter first visited the Lake District in 1882 while on holiday with her own family and like many others before and after, was captivated by the inspiring scenery. She has drawn families to the area ever since.The Lake District was to be a defining influence on Beatrix Potter for more than sixty years, first as inspiration for her wonderful children’s stories and later, moving her to take on pioneering conservation work to protect the Lake District’s beautiful scenery and wildlife for future generations.

Bring your family and stir their imaginations in the same setting that gave generations of delighted children their fondest memories. Stay in the Edwardian villas and ancient farmhouses that were once owned by Beatrix Potter herself, now turned into hotels and guest houses where you can follow in Beatrix Potter’s footsteps and fall asleep in the rooms where once your favourite childhood characters were dreamed up.