Elm Lodge

Elm Lodge, in the hills of Cumbria, is a newly-renovated Arts & Crafts house, perfect for parties of families or friends.

The house sleeps 22 guests, in 11 rooms, over two floors. There are seven beds on the first floor, three of which are en-suite, with the remaining four sharing three bathrooms. One of the rooms has two double beds and a further room has two singles. The rest of the rooms have kingsize beds.

There are four bedrooms on the second floor, two of which are en-suite. Two rooms – one with twin beds and one with a kingsize bed and bunk beds – share a bathroom.

Downstairs, there’s plenty of space for everyone to enjoy. The large, wood-panelled drawing room is capacious enough for everyone to sit, and there’s a wood-burning stove to warm them all up. Leading from the drawing room is a light-filled conservatory, which opens out onto the old potager garden (now filled more formally). Leading from the conservatory is a splendid billiards room, complete with an immaculate baize table.

Further on in the house, there’s a comfortable morning room, with deep, squashy blue-velvet sofas, and another wood-burning stove. The panelled dining room is just off the large, practical kitchen, and seats up to 26 guests. The kitchen itself is very well set-up to cater for a house full of guests. There are two pantries, a range cooker and a kitchen table, ideal for an early-riser’s breakfast, or tea-time for younger children. There is also a walker’s dream of a utility room, with plenty of space for drying outdoor clobber and dogs, plus two washing machines and a tumble-dryer. 

The house sits within fifteen acres of private estate, and the immediate gardens are surrounded by woodland. There are two hot tubs in the sheltered courtyard – ideal for easing tired muscles – and a seating area with BBQ on the terrace.

Edmund’s Choice of Extraordinary Feature

“I’m an enormous fan of an Arts & Crafts house, they’re invariably well-planned and pleasing spaces to be within. Elm Lodge is no exception, and has been beautifully renovated. I particularly admire the deep raspberry-pink walls and carpet of the billiards room.”

About the Location

Elm Lodge is on the edge of the village of Ravenstonedale, a few minutes’ walk from each of the pubs. The village is easily accessed from the M6 (J38 is 10 mins by car away). The nearby market town of Kirkby Stephen is 10 minutes away. Manchester is one and a half hours by car, and Newcastle upon Tyne is under two hours away. Ravenstonedale is set in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, but is only 15 mins drive from The Lake District and half an hour’s drive from The North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Things to Do

Ravenstonedale is set at the bottom of The Howgill Fells, there are many beautiful walks in the area, length to suit enthusiasm. The valley is a great place to explore by bicycle, with quiet lanes in the Yorkshire Dales and flatter routes in The Eden Valley. There is fishing nearby at Newbiggin on Lune and open water swimming in many local rivers and lakes. The market town of Kendal – home of the mint cake – is 30 minutes drive away.