Carly and Richard Duckworth found The Green Cumbria on a ramble through the dramatic valleys and pastures of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Falling in love with the Victorian stone barn, featuring high-vaulted ceilings and rustic beams, they bought the home-from-home country-cottage-style accommodation.
At the foot of Cumbria’s Howgill Fells, the Green Cumbria sits in a quiet land where sheep outnumber people. It’s a sheltered spot, almost with its own microclimate. Fell ponies gather by the hazel tree embankment when wild winds sweep through the valleys. Carly and Richard saw the potential of this peaceful location. Sandwiched between it’s busier neighbours, The Lakes and The Yorkshire Dales, the Eden Valley offers a quieter rural retreat.
Over a dozen years the previous owners had undertaken a phoenix project, transforming a derelict barn into high-end luxury. Both The Byre and The Haystore sleep four whilst The Carthouse sleeps six. The largest cottage easy access to a ground-floor wet room and the option of a bed on the same entry floor for guests with limited mobility. In addition, The Green Cumbria is dog-friendly, a rarity for high-end self-catering accommodation.
Taking ownership in the Spring of 2021, Carly, with the experienced eye of a career working with interiors, swept through the properties with a stylish refurbishment. She brought restful autumn colours to spacious self-catering accommodation. Every detail is considered: boot scrapers by the front doors, hooks in the foyer for drying coats and even binoculars for spotting red squirrels and birds.
Country kitchens have been upgraded with generous provision of Denby microwaveable crockery and ample cutlery. A large slab of ash wood was custom-made into a sturdy table that seats eight for The Haystore. As there is an interconnecting door with The Byre, The Haystore, with plenty of glasses and a Spotify account, can provide a social hub for both cottages.
Following the refurbishment, Carly and Richard picked-up Cumbria Tourism’s runner-up award for “New Tourism Business of the year” for 2022 and are classified as Visit England 5* Gold self-catering cottages.
Warmed by underfloor heating and wood burners with tall flint and stone chimneys, this trio of cottages really is an all year-round destination. Flexibility of accommodation, the king size double beds can be reconfigured as singles, makes The Green Cumbria, popular with extended families as well as groups of friends, cyclists and walkers.
A week before arrival, guests are sent a code for the door lock and a link to the very reassuring Touchstay App. The kitchen has an extensive starter pack: butter, bread coffee, dishwasher tablets, kitchen roll, loo roll, milk etc etc are all provided. There’s even a bottle of wine and some locally handmade chocolates. If you want to seriously self-cater it’s a mere ten-minutes drive to Kirkby Stephen’s shops. Alternatively, there are three pubs a five-minute drive away in the nearest village of Ravenstonedale.
Owner Richard Duckworth is a qualified Mountain Leader who offers guided walks departing from The Green Cumbria’s doorstep.
Hosting individuals, families or corporate groups, he leads walks up the local peaks of Green Bell, Randygill Top and even expeditions to the Three Peaks. He often leaves the beaten track for secret spots like plunge pools in the River Eden and the source of the River Lune.
For a break from yomping across the fells, Sedbergh, a dozen miles south, offers less strenuous pleasures. Westwood Books, with over 7,000 titles on its shelves, is leading the town’s charge to become the Hay-on-Wye book destination of the north.
Once Farfield was one of five mills in Sedbergh but it spun its last yarn in 1992. The lowest floor recalls the heritage of the waterwheel and turbine. Visitors can try their hand at weaving on a loom. Other floors have been converted to studios where artists work. Visitors can talk to carvers, carpet-weavers, knitters, painters, print-makers, sculptors and sewers as they create. With a cafe by the looms, Farfield Mill has enough on offer for a whole day’s entertainment.
The Green Cumbria impresses with meticulous attention to countless details: indulgent Bath House toiletries, eco-friendly sandwich bags for walkers’ packed lunches, locally produced bespoke furniture and even a stargazing kit for this dark skies location. Every little detail contributes to a luxurious break in a tranquil location.
The Green Cumbria fact file
You can find out more about surroundings, facilities and availability of this delightful escape at The Green Cumbria.
Prices begin from £550 for three nights from November through to February excluding Christmas and New Year. In peak season prices rise to £1,550 for a week.
There is a £100.00 discount off any 7-night booking placed between 24th October 2022 and 31st January 2023. Enter voucher code at checkout: GREEN100 Read about guided walks and navigation courses at Richard Duckworth ML.
If you enjoyed Michael’s review, you’ll find more rural escapes in the UK on our Travel channel.
About the Author / Michael Edwards
Michael Edwards is a 50connect travel critic. He has a nose for good food and fine wine and plays a mean round of golf.
