Kentmere Farm Pods

UK England North West England Cumbria Windermere

01539 821 210   Browfoot Farm, Staveley, Near Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JQ

  • From £77.50 a night
  • 4 Glamping Pods
  • Perfect for Families
Comfy glamping pods on a working Lake District farm, with stunning views down the Kentmere Valley and the beautiful river Kent a stone’s throw away.

Situated just a few miles to the east of Windermere, Staveley is a beautiful south Lake District village, neat as a pin and sitting in a glorious location at the foot of the Kentmere Valley. Two miles away, Browfoot Farm is a working farm that’s also home to four glamping pods that make for a perfect home-from-home, with Swaledale and Herdwick sheep, a herd of Highland cattle and plenty of scratching hens and ducks kicking about in the orchard.

Each of the farm's glamping pods is large enough to suit a family of four, with proper beds – a double plus a double sofa bed – and underfloor heating. They have en-suite shower rooms and well-equipped kitchenettes with fridge and microwave, and enough space for a family to really make themselves comfortable. One of them is dog-friendly, and all are well set up for outdoorsy folk, with boot boxes and storage available for muddy bikes. There are also picnic tables for sunny days with barbecues and fire pits for hire.

There are walks galore from your double-glazed French doors, one of which – the ‘Kentmere Horseshoe’ – was one of Wainwright’s favourites. The nearby river offers a chance to spot wagtails and dippers, paddle and splash about, and there's even a stone packhorse bridge that makes a great place to play poohsticks. You can also follow the riverside path through oak coppiced woodland to Staveley, a couple of miles away. The proximity of Staveley also means there are plenty of amenities on your doorstep, with shops and cafés, the excellent Eagle & Child pub, and the Hawkshead Brewery, which serves good food and its own ales.

Details

Facilities

Each pod is fully insulated with underfloor heating and double-glazed, lockable French doors. There is 1 double bed and 1 double sofa bed, plus a compact kitchen area and an en-suite wet-room-style shower, toilet and basin in each pod. Bedding and linen is provided (duvets, pillows and blankets) and towels are available to hire. The kitchen has a fridge, microwave, toaster, kettle, crockery and utensils. There is also a kitchen table and chairs. Each pod has down-lighters inside, power sockets and external lighting for the decking area. Outdoor bistro-style seating and table are provided on the wooden decking as well as a picnic bench on the stone patio and barbecues can be booked (with refundable cleaning deposit). There are also boot storage boxes for each pod that double as seating. No WiFi (though good 4G coverage in the village, plus board games and books on the local wildlife to keep you occupied). Fire bowls available to hire. There is an area to wash bikes and they can be stored in a secure shed. The pods are on a working farm, home to sheep, cows, hens and ponies. 2 River Kent fly fishing permits on the land (stocked with trout), if you have a National River License and a rod please ask Kentmere Farm Pods for permission and where to go.

Suitable For

Glampers, couples, families, friends, and one well-behaved dog (in one of the pods called White Howe) – yes. Tents, campervans, caravans, noisy folk and stag or hen groups – no. We do not allow group bookings for more than two pods. If you book individually but are clearly a group hiring more than two pods we will refer you to our terms and conditions and insist you leave without a refund.

Nearby

Explore from the door with footpaths straight from the farm. Wander down the lane and play Pooh sticks from the old stone packhorse bridge, head off on the 3-river trail or try Alfred Wainwright's favourite walk: an epic 7-hour-long trek known as the Kentmere Horseshoe, which takes in Yoke, Thornthwaite Crag, Shipman Knotts, Mardale Ill Bell, Kentmere Pike, Ill Bell, Harter Fell (Mardale), Goat Scar, and Froswick. (Warning: it's one of the longest and most remote walks in the Lake District.) There is something for all ages and abilities, though, with particularly pleasant walking along the river valley. The ancient oak woodland along the riverside just south of Staveley was once used for making bobbins and now home swathes of bluebells, early purple orchids and wild garlic (spot redstarts, flycatchers and great spotted woodpeckers). Head over the valley top with a round trip to Potter Tarn (3 miles) and Gurnal Dubs, just beyond, fantastic for wild swimming in summer (or very chilly dips in winter!), while, in the opposite direction, wallow in the river in Kentmere or paddle in the Kent near the pods. There are great biking routes, too, with some challenging rides over Garburn into Troutbeck and up Green Quarter, following old packhorse trails. In the Lake District more generally, all the larger lakes have boat hire – canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, rowing, kayaking and paddle boarding, with the nearest available in Windermere. Holmescales Riding Centre (01539 729388) and Larkrigg Riding School (015395 60245), both near Kendal, offer horse riding for all ages. For culture, Abbot Hall (01539 722464) in Kendal has some fantastic contemporary exhibitions or try the Brewery Arts Centre (01539 722833) for shows by local artists.  For a retro film experience, try the Royalty in Windermere. 

Food & Drink

It's a 5-minute bike ride (2 miles) to Staveley, a thriving village with shops and cafes on the main street. The old Mill Yard has been converted into a series of shops and outlets (including Wheelbase, the largest bike shop in the UK!) For an informal bite, try Wilfs Café (01539 822329; dog-friendly) – great for breakfasts, lunches and snacks – or, a few yards further, try More's Bakery (01539 822297), with a hipster feel and a very cool vibe, serving coffee and, of course, heaps of bread and baked treats. It's a good place to stock up if you're heading into the hills. Out on the Main Street, Mr Duffins coffee shop (01539 822192) has great coffee, which is freshly roasted on the premises, while Café Eclec (01539 821393), not only serves soups, snacks and cakes but it also an antiques shop. If it's pub food you’re after, The Eagle & Child (01539 821320) serves good ales and wholesome food, with a garden right next to the river for sunny days, while The Hawkshead Brewery (01539 822644; back in the Mill Yard) has a good vibe, brews its own beer on site, and has a large lounge upstairs serving tasty food. The village also has a Spar for groceries (there are larger supermarkets in Kendal), a Post Office serving sandwiches and bacon butties and a local butcher. For superb local produce, Low Sizergh Farm Shop (015395 60426) is well worth a stop. 

Pricing

Pods £85–£95 a night for 2 (2-night minimum stay).  Extra adult £12 a night; extra child £6 a night.  Dogs £13 per night.  Extra car £5 per night.

The Owner Says

Welcome to Kentmere Farm Pods on our working family farm in the Lake District National Park. An adventurer’s paradise in South Lakes – great for exploring on bike, or foot, from the door, or simply relax and chill out. Our luxury Glamping pods offer a unique, peaceful retreat in the stunning Kentmere Valley. Ditch the tent pegs and still enjoy those special outdoor experiences with a few home comforts! Each pod sleep four comfortably with a double bed, sofa bed, bedding and linen provided. The pods are insulated and heated so you can get cosy and there is an en-suite shower/toilet as well as a kitchen area with microwave and fridge.

Our four pods are sited in their own large field, with spectacular views of the Kentmere Valley and surrounding Lakeland fells. With no light pollution, on a clear night, the sky here sparkles with stars, so light up the barbecue and enjoy. If you want a campfire there are fire bowls for hire. 

Our farm is 500 acres, covering a variety of pasture-land, woodland and high fell, with the River Kent and streams winding through. As well as sheep, cows and hens, you will see a wide range of flora, birds and wildlife and we work closely with Natural England to deliver responsible and environmental farming.

We are two miles from the thriving village of Staveley, along a quiet country road, with some great cafes, shops and pubs. The nearest towns are Kendal and Windermere and there are loads of activities including; water sports, riding, climbing and culture spots as well as great places to eat nearby.

Location

Contact Website  01539 821 210  Kentmere Farm Pods, Browfoot Farm, Staveley, Near Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JQ

Show Map

Getting There

From the Kendal direction, take the A591 and look out for Staveley signposted on the right hand side of the road (slip-way-style junction; it's 2 miles after the Sizergh roundabout). Turn off here and follow this road through Staveley village, turning right for Kentmere just before the village hall (from the Windermere direction on A591, the turning for Staveley is on the left, beyond Ings, and takes you on to Danes Road; turn left for Kentmere just beyond the village hall). From the turning by the village hall, drive for 1 mile and the road turns right over a bridge. Ignore this and stay on the left hand side of the river. Go straight on up Browfoot Lane, keeping left of the river, for about 2 miles. The property before Kentmere Farm Pods is Goose Howe, 4 fields further, on the right, there's a sign on the right hand wall for Browfoot Farm. Turn in here. Down the drive, take a right in front of the two red doors, past farm buildings and left just beyond the grey barn.

Kentmere Farm Pods are extremely accommodating of anyone who wishes to travel by public transport and it is easily done. Staveley railway station is on the branch line that connects Windermere to Kendal and Oxenholme mainline station. It's around 50 mins to Kendal from Carlisle, 1¾ from Manchester, 2½ from Glasgow, 2¾ from Leeds and 3hrs to Kendal from London (though all times vary). You can take bikes on the branch line but you need to book in advance. It's a flattish, rural 2 miles from the train station to Kentmere Farm Pods. If you do arrive on foot or by bike, Kentmere Farm Pods will provide free towels and are happy to get groceries for you in advance if you give a week's notice. For other travel and general exploring, the 555 bus service runs through Staveley to Kendal or to Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick. Mountain Goat (01539 445161) is a private minibus service that can connect you from Windermere all over the lakes.  Taxis are also available but you need to book in advance.

Facilities

  • Groups welcome
  • Dogs welcome
  • Walking
  • Good walks nearby

Related Guides

See Glamping in Windermere

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