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8 Guests
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3 Bedrooms
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2 Bathrooms
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Pets Yes
Features
- Hot tub
- Off road parking
- Open fire
- Garden / Patio
- Cot available
- Highchair available
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Broadband / WiFi
Reviews & Ratings
61 Customer Reviews
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"Brilliant place to stay."
Lovely hosts that did everything to make our stay memorable and enjoyable. The fire was burning on arrival and the hot tub was heated up for us! Fantastic stay, thank you.
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"This was an amazing place to stay, it has so much more character than a lot of places, and relaxing in front of the log burner in the evening, or in the hot tub was the perfect end to a day after climbing mountains, or visiting English heritage sites."
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"We had a superb week at Smardale Hall."
Perfect location and great views all around. Very comfortable accommodation. We will return soon.
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"The weather was poor whilst we were there but that was not be the fault of the host or Sykes."
We did enjoy the log fire with the essential logs immensely.
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"Amazing property and area, it was great that we could have a walk round and see all the animals."
We will definitely be back!
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"Had a lovely family trip to Smardale, loved the kitchen and the space of this holiday let."
It was simply away from it all (but the Wi-Fi worked). The views of the countryside were lovely and to be sat in the hot tub as the Sunday steam train passed by on the main line was really special. Walks galore from the property or very nearby or simply to relax In this piece of English history was a delight.
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"Our return to Smardale was fabulous."
It felt like coming home. We last booked in 2018. Everything was great with notable upgrades since our last visit. It's not often that the 15th century is attainable. We love the property and the owners are very approachable and always on site. We had a lovely week and would love to book again.
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"We really enjoyed our stay, it's not often you can stay in a C14th listed building."
The owners are lovely and friendly. The setting is beautiful and peaceful. Perfect for us.
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"We had a wonderful stay in an amazing house that took our breath away!"
The owners were very generous and made our New Years getaway even better than we could hope for! An unforgettable stay. Thank you xx
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"Easy access, beautiful property, helpful host and provided plenty of wood for the cold snap we had - would certainly stay again!"
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"The hosts were excellent - very friendly and had gone to the effort of decorating the house for Christmas for us!"
They were helpful with all our requests too. The house is unique - we loved it and will be back.
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"We have had a brilliant family weekend in this amazing, quirky property ."
Played hide and seek with the grandkids loads . Took full advantage of the hot tub . Plentiful supply of logs for the wood burner . Nothing was too much trouble for the owners . Went in a walk at the nature trail right next to the hall . Highly recommend the Black Bull in Nateby couple of miles away for good pub grub .
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"Smardale hall was a unique and wonderful place for a holiday with the family."
Our children called it the 'castle house' and the living room and the fireplace captivated them and us a lot. The beds were super comfortable and despite being old and huge, it felt pretty warm - particularly when we had the fire going. The kitchen was very well equipped and see managed to have dinner there most nights and even Diwali and a birthday celebration. We only met Steven the owner - once as he led us up to the place with his car at we got there in the night and couldn't see there we were going and again as we left. He was lovely and very hospitable. We loved waking up to sheep being rounded up in the pen and beautiful sunrises and sunsets through the many large windows. There is a local walk that is along the old train line that is really beautiful and friendly for all ages. If there are any cons, it would be that you need a car to get here and it's a B road at the end so be prepared for awkward backing up in case you encounter oncoming traffic. Good news is Sainsburys delivers groceries so you don't need to pack everything to go here. The bathrooms are in the turrets and are quite cold so pack some robes to keep you cozy as you get in and out of the shower. Finally, we tried the hot tub on one night but it was warm. We should have asked Steven to help get it hotter but we didn't. Mainly as our mobile phones didn't work there. However, the internet is super fast so you can keep in touch with the world if you want to and plan nearby adventures. Thank you for having us and hope to return in the future.
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"This was our second time at this property."
It is a fabulous get away location. We would highly recommend it.
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"My friends and I enjoyed our stay at Smardale Hall thoroughly!"
The character of the building, the views, the hot tub made this holiday incredibly special. The hosts were incredibly kind and friendly. Only minor problem was the shower in the en suite either ran very hot or freezing cold. But this did nothing to spoil our moods! We all said that we would definitely recommend this place to others as well as return ourselves!! Thank you for a great holiday!
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"Lovely stay."
Beautiful setting. Will definitely be back xx
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"We had a wonderful week at this property."
Stunning views from the house (and the hot tub), plenty of logs for the wood burner, great location (easy walk/bike ride to Smardale viaduct from the property), super comfy beds and the most friendly owners who, despite it being the height of lambing season, found time to let us experience their farm. We’d definitely love to return.
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"A unique property in a beautiful area."
We had a wonderful stay and the owners were very helpful. Lots of walks and wildlife at the local nature reserve. Don't miss the farmers market at Olton and the Wensledale creamery is worth a visit too. We've been here before and we'll definitely return again.
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"Excellent location, lovely characterful property, in keeping with its age!"
We had a really comfortable stay! Not the best hot tub, could of done with being a bit deeper, when you sat in it most of you was out of the water so we were freezing!! Thank you for allowing us early entry because of the storm! We really appreciated it! We’ll be back soon!
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"We had a lovely week at Smardale Hall."
Our hosts were tremendously attentive – the fire was lit before we arrived, there was an endless supply of wood and coal and they were immediately on hand for any questions we had. The house is spacious with a lovely kitchen and drawing room and the bed was superbly warm and comfortable. The house is on a working farm and the hosts were more than happy to show us around and even included us in the sheep scanning. The local walks in the Nature Reserve are wonderful with beautiful countryside all around and the Lake District is an easy drive and only about an hour away. Highly recommended for a very quiet week’s getaway or just a weekend break.
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"Lovely property with lots of history and character."
Idyllic location with fabulous views and great walks on the doorstep.
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"We experienced all 4 seasons in a few days but the best by far was watching the snow fall from the hot tub."
A roaring fire awaited us on arrival, which was most welcome the hall itself was well stocked and apart from catered to our very need. A very helpful farmer (owner) even transported us into local town for much needed shopping after we got snowed in. Would definitely be staying here again it was a very restful place to stay
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"Its location was excellent for us."
It allowed us to meet up with our daughter and at the same time travel down with our son. Its isolated location suited us perfectly and yet it has great walking nearby. Local service at Kirkby Steven suited us just fine and they were just superb. We would love to go bsck to this venue again in the future.
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"It’s a castle!"
!
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"Fantastic place to be."
Cottage was lovely and clean. Owners were fab and allowed my son to see all the animals and feed the calves. He loved it! Only downside was that the owners were told there’d only be three of us (also shown this on the app) but our confirmation email had correct no which was 4
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"Absolutely wonderful."
..that was our second time visiting Smarsdale Hall.... we'd love to go every year!!!!
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"Had a fabulous week at Smardale Hall."
It’s so quiet and peaceful with just farm noises and the clickety clack of the train in the distance. The weather forecast hadn’t been great, but it turned out really well and we sat outside for all but one meal. The friendly dogs often popped by to say hello too. Plenty of room for five of us, a lovely light and well-equipped kitchen, we enjoyed the hot tub and used every day. Visited lots of different places in the Lake District and Barnard Castle and also walked into Kirkby Stephens and back for a car free day. Highly recommend!
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"Excellent hosts, friendly e very appropriable."
Views stupendous, especially from the hot tub.Local nature reserve,highly recommend.We spent a wonderful week away staying here.Hopefully in the future will return.Thank you Gill Steve e family.
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"Enjoyed an exceptional stay at Smardale Hall, wonderful accommodation, warm welcome from owners and beautiful weather the whole time - perfect!"
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"2nd time at Smardale Hall, aka the Princess Castle according to my granddaughters."
Delightful period property. The views whilst in the hot tub are stunning, especially when the steam train goes past. Real fire in the lounge. It's a working farm and the hardworking owners love to show you their livestock. A real retreat for families, walkers or whoever, who want to recharge their batteries and have some quality time.
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"The pictures don’t do this house justice , so beautiful and spacious well situated hot tub loads of space in the house beautiful fire just loved it we didn’t want to leave!"
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"Fantastic holiday!"
Only problem was the WiFi which was ok in the kitchen, not ideal for work
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"This is a lovely property and great for kids as there is a lot of space inside and out."
I heard my son telling someone he met at a play area that we were staying on a working farm and he was so excited by this, the goats scared him though lol. The house itself is large and spacious, agree with someone else, if you want brand new with whitewashed walls then this isn’t the place for you! This property is homely and because of the old style of the building the decor fits beautifully. Beds are comfortable, it’s very clean and the kitchen is amazing. The WiFi isn’t the greatest and one of us needed to work while there (self employed) and couldn’t connect the laptop to the WiFi, the owner came round and very kindly provided us with another WiFi and code which worked. The hot tub is lovely and placed where the views are beautiful; house one side which is great to Look at and fields the other. Kids were excited to see the steam train going past from afar, we had a little walk along the old railway line and we enjoyed playing hide and seek inside when it was raining. We took a couple of our own games to play but there are some there, the kids played with some dinosaurs they found. Overall, a gorgeous place that has been very well looked after and very clean.
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"A lovely setting and very relaxed place to be ."
Thank you
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"Smardale Hall is a great location and place to stay."
We had a fab week staying there and would recommend it. Loads of walks from the doorstep and a great location. Yes, there are damp patches on some of the walls but it's a really old building, and this had no impact on our stay at all. It was never cold, with the heating coming on automatically if temperatures dropped even slightly, and plenty of wood if a fire was required. The beds are really comfortable and the bedrooms had blackout blinds which makes a great difference. The host also phoned us on the morning of our arrival to let us know the hot tub had unfortunately broken but she was very apologetic and had organised a repair for the next day, informed us as soon as it was fixed and we were still able to use it for the majority of our stay.
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"The owners are friendly, welcoming and very responsive."
There was an issue with the hot tub, and they were out to fix it almost within minutes of being made aware. The beds were exceptionally comfortable, and there was plenty of space for everyone to be together or to have space apart. Magnificent views, wonderful wildlife and farmlife all around. I can't fault anything about this holiday.
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"Smardale Hall is a unique and fascinating place to stay."
The ancient house is comfortable and welcoming due to the friendliness and generosity of the farmers who live next door. I will be booking it again soon.
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"Lovely hosts - we had a great weekend on the farm!"
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"Lovely location, and hot tub was great and secluded."
Like other reviewers have said, it is an old property and so you get what comes with that age of house, but as long as you are happy with that it is a lovely place to stay, beautiful location and plenty of walks from your doorstep. The owners are friendly (taking the family on a tour of the farm yard as we were looking at some of the animals), and had the fire roaring away ready for our arrival. We'll certainly be coming back, great location and property for a family break.
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"This holiday letting is fantastic."
We went as a group of 2 families with primary and pre school age children. Steve and his family could not have been more helpful and friendly. It is on a working farm and Steve let the children look round it and even hold the chicks. The views are amazing and the hot tub was used every day. The size of the building is enormous and there is a lovely open fire and big kitchen to host everyone in. We will definitely be going again.
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"Beautiful 16th century listed building."
Some parts needed updating but you would expect this of this building. We had a fantastic weekend with the hot tub being the bonus. It is very remote which is exactly what we wanted. Extremely well stocked with everything you need. Beds very comfortable. The owners were lovely, going above and beyond our expectations. We will definitely return.
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"The hosts were great people and the house is lovely and large."
Loved the hot tub in the garden looking at sheep over the wall. All in all a great experience
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"This was our third visit to Smardale - we love the house, the location, the farm and the owners."
It's such a relaxing place to be, and the hot tub at the end of a long walk is very special. We hope to be back next year!
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"Lovely setting, welcoming hosts, fantastic hot tub, isolated but beautiful views."
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"Listed building with parts 700 years old."
Fabulous views, the hot tub is a must. The accomodation is spacious so with 5 adults and 2 kids we had loads of room. Kids loved playing hide and seek. The kitchen is well stocked. The beds are soooo comfy. Although the weather was challenging the owner kept us well supplied with wood and coal for log burner and central heating was on. It's a working farm and the owners were very welcoming and the children loved being shown the animals, holding baby goats, chicks and watching the calfs and newly born lambs. This is perfect for quality family time. We are already looking to book for next summer.
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"Was brillant we loved it."
Only thing was the shower room lots off flies but i know it can't be helped.
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"We had a wonderful stay at Smardale Hall."
The owners are very friendly and relaxed. The hot tub is a winner, we spend many hours within. The rooms nice and clean and the beds very comfortable. Beautiful surroundings, lovely walks. Our family had a great time at the house.
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"The property is in need of some tlc - the damp problem is really bad much worse than others said."
I also don’t believe it should be listed as having WiFi as the WiFi is only an extender from the owners and the signal was so poor it didn’t work. We enjoyed the hot tub however that had not been cleaned and had a ring of scum around it. Lovely setting but felt a bit neglected.
I am sorry to hear you experienced Wi-Fi and maintenance issues during your stay at the cottage. We want you to have all advertised facilities on our website and we strive on having exceptional property standards in all Sykes properties. We will investigate the issues with the property owner to establish why our service has fell short on this occasion. This is not our usual expectation and would like to assure you that your issues are being handled. If you wish to discuss or elaborate more on the issues raised, please feel free to contact the Sykes office on the details below, quoting your booking reference number and any other information that may assist us in providing the best possible outcome and customer service. Lines are open 7 days a week from 9am until 7pm Property Owner
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"Great setting and location."
Good facilities and the hot tub was great (might want to include a picture of this on the listing as it is a real feature), However the wifi was very unreliable even in the kitchen. Although there is some damp in the property it is well served with humidifiers. Very friendly and helpful hosts.
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"A delightful generous and unique cottage which is part of a large working farm."
It is comfortable, spacious and easy - and the 'dormitory' room with four comfortable beds worked very well indeed. It is very well appointed, everything worked well and there was abundant hot water. The location gives perfect access to the delightful area. Perfect for a family holiday!
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"The house is a fabulous 14th century property on a working farm."
Extremely quirky but well equipped with plenty of crockery, cutlery, glasses and kitchen equipment for 8 people around a fabulous farmhouse kitchen table that easily fitted everyone. The hot tub and outside seating is across the yard in an area that gets the sun all day, so a really well chosen place to site them. As there were 6 mums on our annual 'away weekend' without the children, our only suggestion for improvement is the need for an extra shower. The en-suite bathroom (off one of the double bedrooms) has a shower, but the main bathroom has just a bath, so some consideration should perhaps be given to somehow incorporating a shower in the main bathroom else making the downstairs cloakroom into a shower room / wet room. Otherwise a wonderful, relaxing time was had by all. A great chat with the farmer about the farm, locality and his family connection with the area, before a 2.5 hour circular walk, a trip into Kirby Stevens, time in the hot tub and lots of fun and laughter - definitely just what the doctor ordered.
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"Great accommodation and great views."
We loved our stay and would gladly book again. Spectacular views from hot tub and great hot tub for first timers..
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"Just recently got back from a short stay here with my family."
We had a lovely stay and the owners were very nice and helpful. It’s a great place to just get away from it all and relax in beautiful country surroundings. The hot tub was lovely too after a long walk around the nearby nature reserve! Kirkby Stephen is only a short drive away and Kendal is only a 40 min drive away too. We would definitely recommend and would go back again!
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"Smardale Hall is a really peaceful place to stay."
The surrounding countryside is beautiful. The owners are very friendly and helpful. They allowed my 3 year old daughter to cuddle and feed their pet lambs on our final day there which made a lovely end to our holiday. I would definitely like to return.
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"Stunning property."
Larger than expected. Weather not good with heavy snow but that didn't stop the kids enjoying the hot tub. Farmer took me into town to buy extra provisions as was a moment if we were getting back down the lane. Would definitely come back. Really appreciated the assistance. Thank you.
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"A fantastic break."
The hosts were lovely and we couldn't have asked for anything more. Such a picture perfect place.
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"The only shower in the house (en suite) did not work properly - it was a dribble so some days I could not have a shower and had to wash down instead, not ideal when 5 people are sharing (and can sleep up to 8!"
) that needs to be addressed before I would consider re-booking. Everything else was perfect!
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"This is a fantastic house, in a beautiful location."
The farmer and his family were very friendly and invited the children to look round and 'help' on the farm, which they just loved. Many thanks.
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"The owners were very friendly and were more than willing to attend to minor problems for us."
The hot tub at this property is a real bonus.
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"Beautiful house, wonderful scenery, had an amazing time."
Already talking about booking it for my next birthday.
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"Stunning position, and lovely building."
Really near to a nature reserve which leads down to an old viaduct which you can walk across, a lovely early morning walk! The Dales were fabulous.
Summary
- Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x double, 1 x family room with 2 singles and 1 adult bunks
- Bathroom with bath, basin and WC
- Ground floor basin and WC
- Kitchen with dining area
- Utility
- Sitting room with woodburner.
- Oil central heating with woodburner
- Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD, CD, WiFi, selection of books, games and DVDs
- Fuel, power and fuel for woodburner inc. in rent
- Bed linen and towels inc. in rent, please bring own hot tub towels
- Cot and highchair on request
- Off road parking for 4 cars
- Bike storage
- Front patio garden with 8-seater hot tub and use of lawned garden
- Three well-behaved dogs welcome at a supplement charge of £30 per dog
- Sorry,no smoking
- Shop and pub 3 miles
- Note: Property is on a working farm and children should be supervised at all times
- Note: Property is located near the Settle-Carlisle Railway and some noise may be heard
- There are no more than 6 trains a day, no later than 8pm and with little noise
- Note: WiFi is only available in specific areas of the cottage. Please note: If you are wanting to bring a 4th dog please get in touch with Sykes to enquire first.
The property
Kirkby Stephen 3 miles.
Dating back to the 14th century, this enchanting Grade II listed semi-detached cottage is attached to the owner's home and sits on a working livestock farm with sheep and cows in a delightful rural location between the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks.
Complete with unique towers and turrets, this striking cottage provides spacious accommodation for any group hunting for a holiday with a difference.
The large sitting room features a cosy woodburner and a hideaway space set into each adjoining tower, providing a cosy spot to retreat with a book.
There are three comfortable bedrooms, including one with en-suite facilities, and a family bathroom, located in the first floor turret; another unusual feature of this delightful cottage.
Outside, there is a sunny walled garden, and guests are welcome to use the shared lawns that overlook the farmyard.
If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the native red squirrels and deer that dwell in the Smardale Gill nature reserve on the doorstep.
The traditional market town of Kirkby Stephen is just three miles away and offers a good variety of amenities, and the option to enjoy a breathtaking journey by steam over the Ribblehead viaduct on the Settle-Carlisle Railway.
The quaint village of Ravenstondale is a short drive away and has excellent pubs and tea rooms, plus the 9 hole golf course allows visitors to leave their green fees in an honesty box, and enjoy a relaxed game in pretty surroundings.
This charming cottage will be loved by guests of all ages.
About the location
KIRKBY STEPHEN
Appleby-in-Westmorland 12 miles; Sedbergh 13 miles; Barnard Castle 21 miles; Penrith 22 miles; Reeth 22 miles; Kendal 23 miles; Middleton-in-Teesdale 27 miles; Ullswater Lake 35 miles..
The old market town of Kirkby Stephen lies at the foot of the Howgill Fells in the upper Eden Valley, between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. The traditional market town hosts a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants and pubs for every taste and budget. A delightful rural town with a thriving local community and many traditional old dwellings, Kirkby Stephen boasts cobbled old yards, quaint corners and a pretty picnic area where “Frank’s Bridge” crosses the River Eden, while just a mile from the town, the old railway station connects to the magnificent Settle-Carlisle Railway line, a must-do travel experience for everyone. Enjoy many excellent walks and cycle routes nearby, particularly the route of the old Darlington to Tebay train line over two magnificent viaducts, and visit the gothic gorge where the River Eden flows through wooded Stenkrith park. Explore the wonderful Howgill Fells or visit the majestic Pendragon Castle and Brough Castle. A superb location with the whole of the mystical Lake District National Park, the stunning Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines AONB at your fingertips.
View more holiday cottages in Kirkby Stephen
Notes: Maximum of 8 guests
Note: 3 well-behaved dogs are welcome at a supplement charge of £30 per dog, a 4th dog may come but please enquire with Sykes before booking otherwise the 4th dog will be rejected.
This property offers the following short breaks:
- Winter
- Off-season
- Last minute
- Christmas