Stable End
Description
General Introduction
Nestling in a superb position at the foot of England’s highest mountain (Scafell), and on the edge of England’s deepest lake (Wastwater), is Woodhow Farm with its two small holiday cottages – Stable End, which sleeps 6 (pictured above) and the Old Barn, which sleeps 4. The farm was bought recently by Richard & Sam Scrivener who have spent time refurbishing the cottages to a high standard. Woodhow is in the heart of the Wasdale Valley, one of the most peaceful parts of the Lake District National Park.
The farm has existed since 1757 and although it has changed over the centuries, many original features remain. Still a traditional working farm with a flock of Herdwick sheep, it has recently taken on some new additions in the form of two herds of goat! A farm shop on site sells a wide selection of meats (goat, Herdwick lamb and mutton, Lakeland beef, rare-breed pork).
Surrounded by ancient broadleaved woodlands, Woodhow Farm offers you everything a holiday in the Lake District is all about. There are badgers, deer and foxes to be spotted in the woods, as well as buzzards and ravens, and the farm has its own tarn that is home to a wide range of birds and waterfowl. The resident heron can often be seen drinking at the water’s edge.
The holiday cottages are in the heart of Wasdale, one of the most peaceful valleys in the Lake District.It boasts England's deepest lake (Wastwater), highest mountain (Scafell), smallest church (St Olaf's) and the world’s biggest liar competition (each November, in the Santon Bridge Inn). It is the birthplace of British climbing, with excellent climbs of all grades, and a playground for local diving clubs. Local rumour has it that each club has a collection of gnomes on the lake bed, one of whom has a noose around his neck as a result of club rivalry.
For more gentle exercise, there are hundreds of walks right from the door of the holiday cottage. Wastwater Lake is five minutes away, or you can go high up on the fells and mountains. There are many good swimming and picnic spots on the shores of the lake.
There are three pubs in the valley - Wasdale Head Inn at the top of the lake (10 mins in the car), the Screes & the Strands (20 mins walk) face each other on the way to Gosforth village, where you will find shops selling groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables, food to go, alcohol and newspapers.
Eskdale is another lovely valley, only 15 minutes drive away, with hundreds of river and mountain walks. It also houses a terminus for the Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway - a popular miniature railway that travels seven scenic miles to the coastal fishing village of Ravenglass. Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Owl Centre is also 15 minutes away and has lots going on all year round, especially for children.
Photos
Photos
Things To Do
Things To Do
Stable End Cottage: The Surrounding Area
Wasdale
Wasdale, along with Borrowdale and Langdale is one of the big three mountain valleys of the Lake District, with some of its most dramatic scenery. Famously home to
England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike and deepest lake, Wastwater, it is also one of the most tranquil parts of the National Park.
Dawn over Great Gable in Wasdale
Stretching 12 miles from Wasdale Head at the top of the valley down to the village of Gosforth, this is a place that has hardly changed for centuries. Colonised by Norse
farmers in the 9th and 10th centuries, the valley bottom is a patchwork of fields from the time of the Vikings, leading to the lake and mountains that rear up to the sky.
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Wasdale Screes
The Screes appear to climb straight out of the lake, rising to a height of almost 200 feet. On the other side of the valley are the great mountains of Yewbarrow, Seatallan,
Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Green Gable and, biggest of them all, Scafell Pike.
Wasdale on a Winter's evening
Wasdale offers some of the most memorable hiking and walking in the Lake District, both on the high fells and along the valley bottom. Felltreks runs guided walks in the fells, led by an experienced member of the Mountain Rescue.
It is also the birthplace of British climbing, with hundreds of routes. Information on these is available from the local climbing shop on 019467 26384.
There are lots of things to do on the lake. Sailing and motor-boats aren’t permitted but you are welcome to bring your own kayaks, canoes and rowing boats. There are
plenty of picnic spots and beautiful places to swim or go for a paddle. Wastwater is a magnet for local divers. Look at the BSAC website for details and bookings.
Mountain bikes are not allowed on footpaths but are permitted on bridleways, of which there are many. The three most popular routes are Blacksail Pass, Styhead Pass and
Burnmoor Tarn, but they are all for experienced riders only as they all involve steep climbing.
St Olafs - one of England's smallest churches
As well as the deepest lake and highest mountain, Wasdale boast England’s smallest church, St Olaf’s, set
amongst a small wood of yew trees. The roof beams are said to have come from Viking ships. The churchyard holds the graves of many climbers who died on the fells.
There are three pubs in Wasdale. At the top of the valley, in the hamlet of Wasdale Head is the Wasdale Head Inn, the perfect
place to relax with a pint of real ale made onsite at its own microbrewery. Its Above the Line service
provides walking guides and routes tailored to your party’s needs. It was the birthplace of the world’s biggest liar competition, now held each November in the
nearby Santon Bridge Inn. Further down the valley, in Nether Wasdale, The
Screes Inn offers real ales, a good selection of wines and food, including good vegetarian options. The Strands Hotel just
opposite also serves real ales and food.
Within walking distance
- Wastwater - England's deepest lake
- Wasdale Head - England’s Smallest Church, St Olaf’s
- Scafell Pike - England's highest mountain
- Nether Wasdale
Gosforth
Gosforth village, at the very end of the valley is the nearest place for shops groceries, fresh fruit and
vegetables, food to go, alcohol and newspapers. It also has an interesting stone cross in the St Mary’s Church
yard , which is thought to date back to Viking times. You can also buy everyday essentials and fine quality poultry, meat and game a couple of miles away at the Santon Bridge
Country Cuts farm shop.
Ravenglass & Eskdale
Wasdale is near to many other Lake District attractions, such as the old fishing village of Ravenglass (fifteen minutes drive away) with its Roman bath-house, beach, and the famous Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway - a popular miniature railway that travels seven scenic miles to the beautiful and
tranquil Eskdale valley. Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Owl
Centre has lots going on all year round, especially for children.
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Steam Railway
