Until August 2012 the cottage was an old barn...
in which we use to store many things, from wood to hay from the rich meadows which surround the building.
The barn has been beautifully refurbished by local craftsmen, utilising only materials that are true to the area. Care has been taken to retain as many of the original features as possible; one feature in particular being an old bread oven which was used to cook food in days gone by. The rock on which our farm is situated is limestone and this features heavily in and around the house - beautifully built dry-stone walls, an internal feature wall and solid limestone tiles in the hallway and bathrooms. Solid oak has been used for the curved staircase, the gallery, the first floor and all doors.
The cottage has three bedrooms located on the ground floor, all are en-suite, have their own flatscreen TV and are furnished to the highest standards. The floor covering in the bedrooms, as you would expect, is 100% British Wool. The ground floor has under-floor heating which is controlled by our ground source heating system which also heats the water; another natural source, provided by the farms bore hole.
The first floor is completely open plan, providing lots of light and space as well as great views of the surrounding area. The kitchen island and units are locally handmade with granite worktops and have all the features that you would expect - Rangemaster cooker, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and washing machine. The kitchen leads into a secluded space, a ‘snug’ containing a sofa bed for those extra guests, and on into the main living area with a limestone fireplace and stove. Again, the furniture has been carefully chosen for your comfort, large soft sofas for those lazy days and nights, plenty of books to read and of course, a large TV.
Have you ever bottle fed a newborn lamb or given a pedigree cow a blow-dry?
Well then, now’s your chance! We offer beautifully relaxing accommodation and the chance to experience life on a working farm.
We have 850 breeding sheep, 50 suckler cows, five border collies, and seventeen hens. The farmhouse and buildings are hidden down the farm track this offers shelter from the worst of the weather. Just a five minute walk in any direction and you will see one of the reasons why we farm here - the breathtaking panoramic views. For us farming is a way of life and we wouldn't have it any other way.
Now we want others to enjoy it with us.
If you would like to watch from a distance or get real hands-on experience of a working hill farm then we can incorporate this into your stay; from lambing a sheep to feeding them on the sometimes harsh but beautiful open moors, in the depths of the winter months. We can also offer, by arrangement dry stone walling courses, sheep dog training and teach you basic animal husbandry skills.
Farming is very dependant on the weather and determines what jobs we do from day to day. No two days are the same.
We are located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the stunning Eden Valley...
with unspoilt landscapes of sweeping moorland views, tumbling waterfalls, rich and colourful hay meadows and an abundance of wildlife - nature at it’s very best.
What to do
There are many walks to choose from, whether a gentle stroll along the banks of the River Eden or a more strenuous climb to the top of Wild Boar Fell, where the last wild boars were seen in this country. There is no better way to explore the area, take in the views and experience the space and freedom that the great outdoors offers. For the young and young at heart there are the Tale Trails near Ullswater, which make walking and exploring fun as well as educational.
There are many villages to visit each with their own unique character. Our local town, Kirkby Stephen, is Cumbria's first "Walkers are Welcome" town and winner of the prestigious title of Calor® ‘English Village of the Year’. It has all the amenities that you would need for your stay, a large co-op for all your grocery needs as well as coffee shops and gift shops set along the main street. You may even see parrots belonging to a local charity flying about the town sometimes - keep a lookout for them on roof-tops and chimneys!
The Settle-Carlisle railway is within walking distance and we can arrange for pick up’s to and from the station. This is a relaxing way to see the area and explore some of the towns further afield.
For family days out there are numerous places that will keep your children entertained all day. Favourites with the children are Walby Farm Park, about an hours drive to the north and Light Water Valley, a large theme park with rides for all ages. Horse riding, paragliding and mountain biking are all available, but booking in advance is essential. Please contact us for more details.
Places to eat
With an abundance of local produce the area can boast some of the finest cuisine. Book a meal at the Black Swan Hotel, AA Pub of the Year England 2012/13, only 2 miles away. In the same village is the very popular Kings Head which has recently been refurbished. We would advise that you book meals to both in advance, as they are very busy.
If you prefer to cater for yourself in the cottage’s well equipped kitchen, why not visit one of the Farmers Markets that are held in the area and showcase the very best of local produce. Alternatively, home-made food is available at local pubs, as well as fish and chips, and Indian and Chinese take-aways.
Tariff
Lambing Time
Mid March - April
| Weekly | £1600 | |
| Weekend | 3 Nights, Friday - Sunday | £1000 |
| Midweek | 4 Nights, Monday - Thursday | £1000 |
High Season
May,July & August
| Weekly | £1475 | |
| Weekend | 3 Nights, Friday - Sunday | £925 |
| Midweek | 4 Nights, Monday - Thursday | £925 |
Mid Season
Early March, June, September & October
| Weekly | £1220 | |
| Weekend | 3 Nights, Friday - Sunday | £800 |
| Midweek | 4 Nights, Monday - Thursday | £800 |
Low Season
January,February,November & December (excluding Christmas & New Year)
| Weekly | £1070 | |
| Weekend | 3 Nights, Friday - Sunday | £670 |
| Midweek | 4 Nights, Monday - Thursday | £670 |
Contact Us
Stay Lambing Live
Easegill Cottage
Wharton
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4LQ
Telephone 07398233221
Stay in our luxury self-catering accommodation with wood fired hot tub and enjoy the experience of life on a Cumbrian sheep farm.
If you’re looking for a quirky weekend away, or wanting to get stuck into a week of something radically different, we’re offering you the chance to experience life on a working farm. We're sure you'll enjoy it!
As a family, we’ve been working our 400 acre farm since 1911, spending our lives in these dramatic and often challenging hills, with a simple aim, to produce great livestock. We’re passionate about what we do and where we live and we want you to experience it too. Sheep farming has always been integral to the Cumbrian way of life; but the truth is, it’s also a lot of fun. Relax in our beautiful self-catered cottage while your family experiences all that the farm has to offer.
For five nights in April 2011 we played host to the BBC series Lambing Live, with Kate Humble and Adam Henson. As a family we loved the experience and the opportunity to show others what life on the farm is really like. We want to do the same again for you and your family.