The Country House Cumbria is nestled at the foothills of the North Pennines, in a traditional working Cumbrian village, Castle Carrock, which lies to the east of Carlisle. Castle Carrock has an award winning pub, The Duke of Cumberland, with its crackling fire, delicious home cooked food and good choice of local ales, perfect for an afternoon relaxing after a walk or for a night out. This charming Cumbrian village has a picturesque Church, great local walks and even a working farm where you can see the cows waddle in for their daily milking. With a strong community feel Castle Carrock has a leek club, a working allotment and a local school and a population of only 300 lovely folk. The reservoir gives a picturesque walk but you will be spoilt for choice as The Tarn, The Gelt River & Woods and of course, the fells will give you more than enough choice of things to explore. The house is four miles out of the market town of Brampton that provides all of your essentials, a great butcher and food hall, coffee shops and pubs, all the takeaways you need and even a brilliant vintage emporium full of interesting finds.
The Hall is positioned ideally between the mountains and lakes of the Lake District National Park and wonders of the Scottish Borders, visit the local historical World Heritage site of Hadrian’s Wall, only a short drive away, discover the fells, rivers and waterfalls of the North Pennines or the beauty of the Solway coast and world famous mountains and lakes of The Lake District National Park. The Country House Cumbria lies in the Eden Valley giving you endless days of opportunity to explore the very best of the UK countryside.
Only nine miles away or a twenty minute drive, the historic city of Carlisle provides shopping and restaurants as well as an abundance of architectural sites, including the Cathedral and the world famous Carlisle Castle, famously the site where Mary Queen of Scots lost her head. Carlisle Railway station provides national rail and direct links to London in only 3 hours and 10 minutes.
The Lake District is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the UK. Benefiting from an incredible diversity of natural and cultural heritage which makes it stand out from other locations in the UK and across the world. The spectacular landscapes are known to have inspired many, including William Wordsworth, Alfred Wainwright and Beatrix Potter.
It is the largest National Park in England, a UNESCO World Heritage site, home to the highest mountain in England (Scafell Pike), the largest lake (Windermere) and the deepest Lake (Wastwater).
With over 3,100km of public rights of access are available across the various valleys and fell and mountain peaks, the possibilities for walking and cycling are almost limitless.
The many lakes, water bodies and rivers provide wonderful opportunities for water sports such as sailing, rowing, kayaking, steamer cruises, fishing, ghyll scrambling and swimming. Outdoor activities aren’t limited to the water as the Lake District is known as the adventure capital of the UK. Caving, rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking and many more are all available with several tour guides offering specialist courses and tours.
For those wanting a more leisurely experience the Lake District is also known for its range of historical sites and has an enviable food heritage with a diverse range of country pubs, restaurants, seven of which are michelin star accredited, breweries and distilleries all making the most of fantastic locally sourced produce.
Travel time by car to UIllswater: 45 minutes.
Hadrian’s Wall is an epic World Heritage Site, marching 73 miles from sea to sea across some of the wildest and most dramatic country in England. It is the largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain and regarded as a British cultural icon. Hadrian’s Wall is one of Britain’s major ancient tourist attractions. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. The sites of Birdoswald Fort and Banks Turret are close to the house, 20 minutes by car.
https://www.visitlakedistrict.com/explore/areas-of-cumbria/carlisle-and-hadrians-wall
Of the many treasures waiting to be discovered in the English Lake District, Lowther Castle is a particular gem. Built at the turn of the 19th century on the site of two previous houses, the castle was a grand affair boasting a room for every day of the year. Its gardens were the envy of the north.
Today Lowther Castle is one of the most intriguing visitor attractions in the country. Dramatic ruins, gardens within gardens, an adventure playground to rival the best in the land.
Located within a 5 minute drive, Talkin Tarn is a perfect spot for all the family to enjoy. Whether you want to take a gentle stroll around the ancient woodlands and The Tarn itself. Talkin Tarn is a kettle-hole lake formed by the immense force of glaciers 18,000 years ago. Moving ice scoured and carved the landscape leaving glacial sand hills and a natural bowl, which filled with water as the ice sheet melted. The Tarn has long and rich history and has traditionally been used for recreation since at least the middle of the 1800’s.
The same is still true today with visitors coming from far and wide to enjoy all that the tarn has to offer. Grab something to eat and drink at the tearoom or take a boat out there is something for everyone. It also offers great views back across to Geltsdale Fell so you can see the location from a whole different perspective.
If you are feeling adventurous you can even try out Talkin Adventures, who offer a range of outdoor activities including boat hire, archery and kayaking.
Close to the house is Gelt Woods, a delightful walk, and also an RSPB nature reserve. In the woods is a rock with an inscription carved by a Roman soldier in the 3rd Century. The woods are an important example of gorge woodland of a type peculiar to norther Cumbria and parts of Scotland, with a rich mix of native trees. All situated alongside the magnificent Gelt River, a rumbling river that runs excitedly over vivid red Cumbrian stone.
We are lucky to be located the the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The North Pennines is the second largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and is home to rare wildlife and rugged beauty, boasting striking landscapes to take your breath away, vibrant villages to welcome you in and sweeping moorland views fit to blow you away. The area is also widely regarded as benefitting from some of the darkest sky’s in the country and is a perfect place for stargazing.
Nestled in a beautiful and tranquil setting a short drive from the house.
The beautiful and now tranquil setting of Augustinian Lanercost Priory belies an often troubled history. Standing close to Hadrian’s Wall, it suffered frequent attacks during the long Anglo-Scottish wars, once by Robert Bruce in person. The mortally sick King Edward I rested here for five months in 1306-7, shortly before his death on his final campaign. Yet there is still much to see in this best-preserved of Cumbrian monasteries. The east end of the noble 13th-century church survives to its full height, housing within its dramatic triple tier of arches some fine monuments.
Aside from the fascinating ruins and tombs, there is a delightful gift shop and tea room, serving freshly prepared food to order using local produce.
For more information please visit the official website for the priory here.
The railway line between Settle in Yorkshire and Carlisle in Cumbria is one of the most well-known in Britain, and indeed is admired around the world.
The Settle to Carlisle Railway is one of the most scenic and impressive railways in the UK, with viaducts, tunnels and the wild scenery of the North Pennines, Eden Valley and Yorkshire Dales.
The Settle to Carlisle Railway was the last great mainline railway to be built in this country. Completed for passenger travel in 1876 by the Midland Railway Company, it had taken six years to build. For the 19th century engineers, the landscape presented a tremendous challenge to their ingenuity, skills and abilities.
Consisting of 72 miles of track with 21 viaducts spanning the ravines and 14 tunnels, the line was constructed by men who lived a harsh life in shanty towns, with little to supplement their manpower except dynamite. Advertised as the most picturesque route to Scotland, the Victorian and Edwardian travelling public took it to their hearts.
We are blessed with two fantastic golf clubs close to the house;
Brampton Golf Club – Visit website
Brampton Golf Club is situated in a beautiful area where you are presented with stunning panoramic views and just a few minutes drive from The Country House Cumbria.
The club was founded in 1909 and the course was originally designed by James Braid. Golf World has described Brampton Golf Club as ‘The Jewel of Cumbria’.
Carlisle Golf Club – Visit website
Carlisle Golf Club (founded 1908) is a short drive from The Country House Cumbria and situated amongst mature trees in gently undulating parkland and is one of the most attractive courses in northern England.
Further afield there is:
Slayley Hall – Visit website
A European Tour venue with two courses to choose from and just 1 hour from the house.
Close House – Visit website
Just an easy 1 hour drive from The Country House Cumbria, Close House offers two superb courses including the Championship Lee Westwood Colt Course, home to the English Open.
Silloth on Solway
The links course at Silloth on Solway is regarded as one of the best in the country – rated as the No. 1 golf course in Great Britain and Ireland for under £100, named in the top 100 courses in the country by different features in Golf World, Golf Monthly and Golf Digest, and ranked as one of the top 100 in the world by Planet Golf. This hidden gem is set in stunning surrounds on the Solway coast, with striking sand dunes and the waters of the firth bordering the challenging course.
The Sycamore Gap Tree is a sycamore tree standing next to Hadrian’s Wall near Crag Lough in Northumberland, England. It is located in a dramatic dip in the landscape and is a popular photographic subject, described as one of the most photographed trees in the country.
Known to some as Robin Hood Tree, Sycamore Gap featured in the 1991 blockbuster film ‘Robin Hood Prince of Thieves’ starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman.
