We have always loved visiting the town of Celebration as we find it extremely charming and almost a world away from normal life. It’s always seemed to us a most surreal sort of place with the piped music along the main shopping streets, the deck chairs at the lakeside and the electric golf carts used for getting around the town. It has an air of “Stepford Wife’s” about it, if anyone remembers the film. That however just adds to the charm.
We were surprised this visit to find the main car park has been built on, but there are usually plenty of free parking spaces providing you keep to the rules. Always park facing the way of the traffic, they are very hot on their rules and you will be fined if you don’t obey them.
Once parked it is so peaceful and serene to just walk around the lake looking at the plentiful wildlife. There are always small turtles to be seen, plenty of birds and waterfowl etc. This visit a mother duck had a brood of twelve little ducklings which she was talking for a walk around the fountain for a drink before returning to the lakeside. They then swam in an orderly line across the lake, it as so beautiful to watch. The landscaping all around Celebration is pristine, but around the lake there are beautiful lilies which look like giant orchids. You can walk across bridges through wooded areas and then all at once you’re presented with a small development of houses around another small lake. All pristine with their porches, verandas and the obligatory rocking chair. It all looks so perfect which again brings me back to the feeling of “Stepford Wife’s” but also makes you feel you’d like to live there.
Once you’ve enjoyed your leisurely walk around, the perfect way to end your visit is to stop at “Sherlocks” for a very English afternoon tea. They have an amazing array of teas which is served loose leaf with a tea strainer, the way grandma used to do! Cakes are a must and they have a very tempting (and fattening) selection to choose from. The portions are enormous so unless you are very hungry I would suggest sharing a portion between 2 people. They also do the very English ‘Cream Teas’ which have fruit scones like mother used to make. For those that want something more substantial they also do hot snacks etc.
The ambiance is good and I would definitely recommend a visit.
I hope this encourages others to visit and enjoy this charming town.
We were surprised this visit to find the main car park has been built on, but there are usually plenty of free parking spaces providing you keep to the rules. Always park facing the way of the traffic, they are very hot on their rules and you will be fined if you don’t obey them.
Once parked it is so peaceful and serene to just walk around the lake looking at the plentiful wildlife. There are always small turtles to be seen, plenty of birds and waterfowl etc. This visit a mother duck had a brood of twelve little ducklings which she was talking for a walk around the fountain for a drink before returning to the lakeside. They then swam in an orderly line across the lake, it as so beautiful to watch. The landscaping all around Celebration is pristine, but around the lake there are beautiful lilies which look like giant orchids. You can walk across bridges through wooded areas and then all at once you’re presented with a small development of houses around another small lake. All pristine with their porches, verandas and the obligatory rocking chair. It all looks so perfect which again brings me back to the feeling of “Stepford Wife’s” but also makes you feel you’d like to live there.
Once you’ve enjoyed your leisurely walk around, the perfect way to end your visit is to stop at “Sherlocks” for a very English afternoon tea. They have an amazing array of teas which is served loose leaf with a tea strainer, the way grandma used to do! Cakes are a must and they have a very tempting (and fattening) selection to choose from. The portions are enormous so unless you are very hungry I would suggest sharing a portion between 2 people. They also do the very English ‘Cream Teas’ which have fruit scones like mother used to make. For those that want something more substantial they also do hot snacks etc.
The ambiance is good and I would definitely recommend a visit.
I hope this encourages others to visit and enjoy this charming town.