Eskdale, lake district

Eskdale Retreat

Sleeps up to 16 | Self Catering | Idyllic Location | Hiking | Cycling | Wild Swimming | Hot tub

Overview
Lake District Guide
Full Details
Sections
Overview
Lake District Guide
Full Details
Sections
Architect plan of Eskdale Retreat from the garden.

Eskdale Retreat, our fabulous home in the western Lake District, sits in an idyllic location in the Eskdale valley, with the River Esk and Whillan Beck running along its boundaries. Eight bedrooms sleep up to 16 people.

The house is the former Eskdale Vicarage, which we have painstakingly restored and extended to create a fabulous luxury retreat that perfectly combines traditional Lakeland style with cool and contemporary Scandi design. The main house has six ensuite luxury bedrooms, with two additional ensuite bedrooms in the adjacent Coach House.

Please note: We are currently renovating the house. Work will be completed in December 2024. Until then, photographs of the house are architect’s computer generated images.

Far from the madding crowd and described by Alfred Wainwright as “one of the loveliest of Lakeland’s valleys”, Eskdale descends from the highest and wildest mountains in the Lake District towards the sea. This is a rugged, beautiful place for families and outdoor lovers – hikers, cyclists, wild swimmers, artists and escapists!

We don’t think there is better setting for an adventure filled luxury escape. Our garden, meadow and woodland are enchanting. With private river frontage there are deep pools for natural bathing. This is the stuff of childhood dreams. It is the perfect place for families and groups who love both luxury and the great outdoors, ideally located to explore and enjoy some of the best hiking, cycling, wild swimming and adventure activities in the UK.

Eskdale Stream

Full Details

Eskdale Retreat’s super luxurious and quirky interiors offer a wonderful blend of traditional Lakeland with contemporary Scandi influenced design. Our fabulous open plan kitchen / dining / lounge area, with double sided log burner, looks out through huge glass bifold doors across our meadow, toward the River Esk, with a backdrop of Lakeland fells.

With a large TV / cinema room, a cosy library snug, large hot tub and an Alpine style boot room with heated boot warmers, we have thought about every detail to make the perfect luxury escape. If, like us, you love cycling, then you’ll love our secure bike storage for up to 16 bikes, with bike washing facilities.

The large modern kitchen is equipped with everything that you will need to create feasts after days of adventures on the fells. However, if you don’t feel like cooking then there are two pubs within walking distance and two more a short bicycle or car ride away. If you prefer to “dine out at home” then we can recommend an amazing private chef who will cook for you.

Six luxurious ensuite bedrooms in the main house and two more in adjacent coach house, sleep up to 16 people. Seven of our bedrooms have super king size beds, four of which are zip link and can be divided into two singles. Two of the bedrooms have baths (one copper and one black!) and another has a fabulous built-in bunk bed, which is as much fun for the grown-ups as the kids.

From the doorstep of the house, you can explore some of the most stunning and unspoilt areas of the western Lake District. This is a place that is far from the madding crowd of the central Lake District. Rather, it is a place to escape the rat race. A place for relaxing, laughing and outdoor adventure and fun with family and friends.

  • Large smart TVs for streaming in the dining room and cinema / TV room
  • Sky and BT sport package
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth sound system in kitchen, lounge and dining space
  • 2 x Electric car charging points
  • Boot warmers / dryers
  • Washing machine
  • Tumble dryer
  • Iron and ironing board
  • Parking for up to 8 cars
  • Secure bike storage for up to 16 bikes
  • Bike washing facilities
  • Hot Tub

House Kitchen:

  • 2 x Neff Slide & Hide Single Oven
  • 2 x Neff Built in Microwave Oven
  • 2 x Neff Venting Induction Hob
  • 2 x Neff Dishwasher
  • 1 x large Neff Larder Fridge
  • 1 x large Neff Fridge Freezer
  • 1 x half height Neff Freezer
  • Nespresso coffee machine

Coach House Kitchen:

  • 1 x Neff Single Oven
  • 1 x Neff Oven Microwave
  • 1 x Neff Integrated Extractor Induction Hob
  • 1 x Neff Dishwasher
  • 1 x large Neff Fridge Freezer
  • 1 x Neff Washing / Dryer Machine
  • Nespresso coffee machine

We have six luxurious ensuite bedrooms in the main house and two more in the adjacent coach house, sleeping up to 16 people in total.

Five of the six bedrooms in the main house have super king size beds, all of which are zip link and can be divided into two singles. The sixth bedroom in the main house has a fabulous built-in bunk bed with two single beds, which is as much fun for the grown-ups as the kids. Two of the bedrooms have baths (one copper and one black!).

In the adjacent Coach House, both of the two bedrooms have super king beds, one of which is zip link and can be divided into two singles.

Main House

Bedroom 1: Super King OR Two Singles, ensuite shower and free-standing bath

Bedroom 2: Super King OR Two Singles, ensuite shower

Bedroom 3: Super King OR Two Singles, ensuite shower

Bedroom 4: Super King OR Two Singles, ensuite shower and free-standing bath

Bedroom 5: Two Singles, ensuite shower

Bedroom 6: One set of bunk beds, ensuite shower

The Coach House

Bedroom 1: Super King, ensuite shower and bath (upstairs)

Bedroom 2: Super King OR Two Singles, ensuite shower (downstairs)

Eskdale Retreat Ground Floor

Eskdale Retreat First Floor

The Coach House Ground Floor

The Coach House First Floor

Cleaning takes place on changeover day between 10am and 4pm. If you would like cleaners to come in and clean during your stay this can be arranged, for an additional cost, if we are given sufficient notice.

Beckfoot, Eskdale, CA19 1TF.

Directions provided upon booking.

We are here to help make sure that you have the best possible time whilst staying with us!  We have great working relationships with many local suppliers, who can offer a super range of services to help make your stay extra special, some of which are listed here.

As these services are provided by third parties, please contact us at the earliest opportunity if you are interested in any of them, as all subject to availability:

  • Private dining chef
  • Adventure activities including: canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, archery, raft building, ghyll scrambling & canyoning and multi-activity packages.
  • Bike hire
  • Guided hikes and walks
  • Guided mountain biking and road cycling
  • Guided wild swimming
  • Massage & holistic treatments
  • Yoga

THINGS TO DO AT ESKDALE RETREAT

You are spoilt for choice! There is so much to do in the Lake District. For the latest events, gigs, shows and festivals etc., we suggest you explore these local tourist guides:

Step outside the door at Eskdale Retreat and you will find a huge number of quiet lanes, bridleways, foot paths and high mountain routes to explore. From easy flat meandering paths along the river to some of the most challenging and exciting hikes in the Lake District and England, there is no better base for your adventure than Eskdale Retreat.

We love hiking – and that’s why you’ll find ski style boot dryers and a dedicated drying room at Eskdale Retreat. After a fabulous day on the fells, pull off your boots, leave them to dry in time for the next adventure and jump in our hot tub (or river!).

If you would like a private guide to tailor an adventure to your exact requirements then we can suggest the following:

Here are a some useful links that you might find helpful in planning your walking and hiking adventures:

Eskdale and the surrounding area is a cyclist’s paradise. Whether you’re after easy family trails down to the coast, intermediate or advanced mountain bike trails or some of the most glorious road riding in the UK, Eskdale Retreat is the perfect base. The famous Fred Whitton Challenge goes right past our front door.

Cycling is a personal passion of ours. At Eskdale Retreat you’ll find secure bike storage for up to 16 bikes and proper bike washing facilities. You’ll also find ski style boot dryers and a dedicated drying room. After a fabulous day on the bike, pull off your boots and wet gear, leave it out to dry in time for the next adventure and jump in our hot tub (or river!).

For bike hire, routes and guiding we can recommend the following:

If, like us, you love the euphoric rush of wild swimming and bathing in natural river pools, then we don’t think you will find a better place in the UK than Eskdale and the surrounding hills. We are spoilt for choice.

GUIDED WILD SWIMS. To make the most of your wild swimming and to explore the best spots safely, we strongly recommend that you use the services of a professional guide. We are pleased to recommend both Suzanna Swims and Wild Swims. They will each meet you at Eskdale Retreat and lead your adventure.

Here is a list of some of our favourite spots:

Trough House Bridge – simply walk across our private meadow behind Eskdale Retreat and up the river a little way and you’ll find the deep pools below Trough House Bridge. Perfect!

St Catherine’s Church & Girders Bridge – a 10 minute walk from Eskdale Retreat is St Catherine’s Church and the famous Eskdale stepping stones. About 200 metres upstream is a lovely bathing pool, just downstream from Girders Bridge.

Whillan Beck Plunge Pool – near the 17th Century packhorse bridge is the waterfall plunge pool of the Whillan Beck near the Eskdale Corn Mill.

Harter Fell – lots of spots including Eel Tarn, Stoney Tarn, Blea Tarn and Burnmoor Tarn.

Devoke Water – this lovely tarn is hardly visited but is a great for a swim.

Tongue Pot – the most famous of Eskdale’s wild swimming spots. Park at the top of the Esk Valley at the foot of Hardknott Pass and Tongue Pot is just below Lingcove Beck Bridge. A couple of hundred metres downstream of the bridge is the large swimming pool of Tongue Pot.

Lingcove Beck – a little further up from Tongue Pot and beyond Lingcove Beck bridge there is a cave you can swim in with a waterfall running into it. 

Waterfalls – we are spoilt for choice with Stanley Force, Birker Force, Cam Spout and Stanley Ghyll

SAFETY. Wild swimming does not have lifeguards and you swim at your own risk so: Be safe, be aware, be sensible and be responsible. To stay safe, never swim alone. Cold water will dramatically decrease your range at first, count on being able to swim a tenth of the distance you can in a warm pool, so practise in a safe zone and increase your range slowly. If it’s your first time swimming in cold water, enter the water gradually to see how your body reacts – beware of ‘cold shock’ which can bring on hyperventilation. Only experienced wild swimmers should swim in the more challenging river spots, lakes and tarns. Swim shoes are advisable and a wetsuit is a good idea if you don’t like the cold water. When you get out, it can take longer than you think to warm up, so have plenty of clothing ready, and ideally head straight off on another walk or run.

Whether you are staying at Eskdale Retreat to escape the hectic world, tune out and chill out or staying for adventure – ideally both – why not treat your mind and body to a reset too.

We are delighted to recommend the following:

Eskdale Retreat sits in the middle of a great big outdoor adventure playground! It’s a great base for a tremendous number of outdoors adventures –  for all age groups and abilities. You can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, rock climbing, archery, raft building, ghyll scrambling & canyoning and so much more!

We are lucky to have West Lake Adventures just a short cycle (or drive) up the valley from Eskdale Retreat. We can highly recommend them. With enough notice, they can organise as many adventures as you can take!

We can also recommend Path to Adventure, another local company offering high quality activities, qualified and experienced local staff and tailored adventure packages.

For Stand up paddle board (SUPs), kayak and bike hire locally, we recommend Marra Bikes & Boards.

You are spoilt for choice. We have four traditional Lakeland pubs in the valley!

The Boot Inn is within easy walking distance. Run by husband and wife Anita and Stuart and team, you can expect super food, a real log fire in winter and a warm welcome.

Also within easy walking distance is Brook House Inn. Run by Sarah and her brother Gareth and team, you won’t be disappointed by hearty food, a good beer selection, log burner in winter and another warm welcome.

Venture up the valley (a lovely bike ride or less than 10 minutes in the car) to the foot of the Hardknott pass and you’ll find the super Woolpack Inn. Run by Paddington (a charming person, not the bear), you can enjoy pizzas fresh from the pizza oven, a good menu, a good selection of beers and yet another warm welcome. This is also home of the wonderful EskFest, Eskdale’s very own super cool and quirky micro festival.

Did you know that as well as spectacular mountains, lakes and villages, the Lake District also has a spectacular coastline?

Visit Cumbria has a list of its Top 5 Cumbrian Beaches and the UK Beach Guide lists the Top 12 beaches in Cumbria, as selected by users of its beach guide.

The soundtrack at Eskdale Retreat of bird song and gushing rivers is broken only by the charming whistle of the “La’ Al Ratty” – Eskdale’s famous narrow gauge steam railway. With Beckfoot stop directly opposite Eskdale Retreat, you can enjoy and explore the stunning seven-mile route from Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the UNESCO World Heritage site, to Dalegarth for Boot station. This is a truly wonderful way to explore the valley and to reach the coast. For lots more information and time tables visit Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.

Dominating the Western Lake District coast, where the mountains tumble into the sea and bursting with treasures and tales, haunted Muncaster Castle oozes history from every rough stone which fashion the castle walls. John Ruskin described the stunning views of England’s highest mountains as “Heaven’s Gate”. Castle tours, spectacular gardens, exotic plants from around the world and the fabulous Hawk & Owl Centre enchant visitors. Special Events throughout the year include the Sausage Festival, Crafted in Cumbria Market, Medieval Muncaster, Live Music, wonderful Outdoor Theatre, Race the Tide, Halloween and Christmas extravaganzas.

Where to find us

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Have questions?

We understand booking a holiday home is a big decision. Feel free to call us on 01244 259400 or contact us by email at hello@daisyjoy.co.uk before booking. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have!

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