Hethersdale North of England

LUXURY ESCAPE IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

If you like your outdoors wild and wonderful and your indoors calm and super luxurious, Hethersdale is for you. Pack your hiking boots, bikes, swimsuits and a bottle or two of the good stuff! There’s room for all 16 guests in the open-plan kitchen, diner and sitting room, which sets the scene with a double-sided wood burner in the middle and bifold doors framing the outside view. Soothed by the Scandi-meets-Lakeland earthy colour scheme, listen to tunes on the Bluetooth sound system, chat round the large dining table and gaze at the wild beauty that is all around. Then decamp to the cinema room and pile onto the huge horseshoe sofa.

This former vicarage has been lovingly restored to offer a luxury retreat from daily life. Grab a book for a quiet read in the snug library or grab your boots from the boot warmers (yes!) for a hike across the fells. Lose yourself in the private meadow and woodlands. Picnic with only the sounds of rivers and bird song. Paddle, swim or fish in the two (yes!) rivers that run along the edge of the property (the River Esk and Whillan Beck). Love cycling? If so, you’ll love the secure 14 bike store and bike washing facilities. After your hike, ride or river dip, sink into the hot tubs and relax!

When days are this full, the six calm ensuite bedrooms in the main house are heaven. Choose a room with a view or a room with a freestanding bath - also with a view! The adjacent coach house offers its own cosy living space, kitchen and dining room and two further bedrooms. With the Lake District around you, two pubs within walking distance, rivers, meadow, woodland and luxury accommodation, Hethersdale is made for carefree and special times with family and friends.

Selected by Gareth

Learn more about our handpicking process

What we think

Hethersdale benefits from a wonderful location in the unspoilt Western Lake District, away from the madding crowds. If you love the outdoors, this is the perfect place for you to get back to nature with friends or family.

Gareth, Big House Experience

Gallery

Highlights Grounds Living Spaces Kitchen and Dining Facilities Bedrooms Bathrooms All

Aerial View

Living Room

Dining Room

Kitchen

Snug

Cinema Room

Scafell Bedroom

List of Bedrooms & Floor Plans (PDF)

What to Expect

We’ve tried to think about everything to make your stay at Hethersdale just perfect. In all of our big houses to rent, we provide all the essential features to cater for a large group. Here’s a list of all the practical provisions we have at the house. If there’s anything you can’t see here but need, just ask as we’ll see what we can do.

Luxury bed linen, bath towels and hot tub towels
Open plan kitchen, dining and living area with double sided log burner (separate kitchen in the coach house)
Dining table that seats 16 guests (dining table in the coach house seating 4 guests)
Wi-Fi
Cinema room with large Smart TV with Sky and BT Sport package
Additional Smart TV in the living area with Sky and BT Sport package
Smart TV with Sky and BT Sport package and log burner in the coach house
Cosy library snug
Bluetooth sound system in the kitchen, dining and living area
Alpine style boot room with heated boot warmers
Zen Den (garden room) with table tennis table and space for classes/retreats (available from April 2025)
Two hot tubs (each seating 5)
Secure bike storage for up to 14 bikes (with bike washing facilities)
Two EV charging points (no additional charge)
Ten acres of land including private river frontage, riverside meadow and woodland
Outdoor adventure activities (additional cost)

Lake District Location

A beautiful Lake District location, close to the picturesque village of Eskdale in the rugged Eskdale Valley.

House FAQs

What are the check in and check out times?

Check in is at 4pm on the day of your arrival and check out is at 10am.
How many cars can park at the property?

There is parking for 8 cars at the property.
Are pets allowed?

Up to two well-behaved dogs are allowed at Hethersdale, subject to a fee of £50 per dog. Dogs are not allowed upstairs or on soft furnishings.
Are children welcome?

Children are very welcome at Hethersdale. Two travel cots and two highchairs are available on request (please bring your own cot linen). Please note, parents should supervise children at all times due to the proximity of the rivers and also around the hot tub area.
Are stag and hen parties allowed?

Respectful hen and stag parties are sometimes permitted, but only with express permission from the property owner prior to booking. Please contact us to discuss.
How many guests can sit at the dining table?

The dining table can seat up to 16 guests.
Can you recommend any local places to eat out?

Yes, we'd recommend the following Lakeland pubs and cafés, all within a short distance of the property:

The Boot Inn (within easy walking distance)

Expect super food, a real log fire in winter and a warm welcome.

Brook House Inn (within easy walking distance)

Hearty food, a good beer selection, a log burner in winter and another warm welcome.

Woolpack Inn (10 minutes by car or a lovely bike ride away, at the foot of the Hardknott Pass)

Enjoy pizzas fresh from the pizza oven, a good menu, a good selection of beers and a warm welcome. This is also home of the Lake District's number one micro festival EskFest.

King George IV Inn (less than 5 minutes by car or around 10 minutes by bike)

A historic coaching inn offering a wide selection of real ales and hearty food.

The Sawmill Café & Farm Shop (15 minute drive)

Standing on the banks of the River Irt with a working waterwheel and millrace running through the heart of the building, the Sawmill offers an idyllic setting to enjoy delicious food and refreshments.
What is the nearest train station?

The nearest train station is Ravenglass (8 miles).
What is the nearest airport?

The nearest airports are Blackpool (88 miles), Leeds Bradford (98 miles) or Manchester (114 miles).
Will you hold a damage deposit during our stay?

Yes, we ask to hold a cautionary deposit of £1,000 during your stay at Hethersdale. This is requested just two weeks prior to your stay, and is returned shortly after, assuming no damage to the property or its contents (see our Booking T&Cs for more information).
How do I book?

You can check availability and pricing and place your booking request online, or by calling our team on 01242 352 747.

When booking, we ask for a deposit of 33% of the total price, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to your stay (or the full balance when booking within 12 weeks of your stay).