Tag Archive for: cumbria tourism award

Summer News!

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Hopefully the rainy season is finally past us and we can enjoy a spell of warm and sunny weather.  Both properties have been busy during May, and the Potting Shed in particular has been busy with Pennine Way walkers, although the Ravenber Way was a new one on us.

Longer days means a great opportunity to walk later in the day.  We highly recommend a late walk up Dufton Pike or High Cup to see the sun set over the valley.  Summer is also a great time to join in some of the rural traditions in the area with local agricultural shows coming thick and fast.

Whatever the weather there is always plenty to do.  We always look forward to getting our bikes out at this time of year and cycling around the quiet Eden Valley lanes – usually in search of coffee or ice cream at Brough Castle, Abbott Lodge or Melmersby.  We have lived here nearly 11 years now and still find great new walks or places to visit – in May we went wake boarding on Ullswater for the first time, which was brilliant fun and highly recommended for those who like a little bit of adrenaline.

               

 

Pub Recommendation – George & Dragon, Clifton 

The George & Dragon is owned by the Lowther Estate and is a multi award winning pub.  The pub aims to  rear, forage and grow most of its ingredients from the family farms and the kitchen gardens at Michelin starred Askham Hall.  The food produced is exceptional, and whilst the price is at the top end of what you would expect from a pub, the old adage of you get what you pay for has never been more true.  Highly recommended for a special celebration or for a treat.

https://georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk/eat/

Cafe Recommendation – Jak & Co, Appleby

Jak & Co, at number 4 Bridge Street, is a new edition to the coffee spots in Appleby.  Previously just a soft furnishings and ornaments shop, Jackie has now added an excellent coffee shop selling hot drinks, sandwiches and homemade cake served from 9.30 to 2.30 every day except Sunday.  As the Florist in Appleby has sadly closed they also sell fresh bunches of flowers for that special occasion or emergency purchase!  They can also be ordered in advance.  

For more details visit their Facebook page Jak & Co

 

What’s on in the Eden

Appleby holds a small local market every Saturday morning.  Slightly further afield is the larger Orton Farmer’s market held on the first Saturday of each month.

30 June – Ullswater Country Fair
6 July – Skelton Agricultural Show
20 July – Penrith Agricultural Show
26/27/28 July – Potfest in the Park at Hutton in the Forest
8 Aug – Appleby Agricultural Show
15 Aug – Brough Agricultural Show
24 Aug – Ravenstonedale Agricultural Show
29 Aug – Crosby Ravensworth Agricultural Show
31 Aug – Fellside Royal Dufton

For more details and other events visit www.visiteden.co.uk

Suggested Walk – Hilton Beck

This is a lovely walk, especially if you want to get away from it all, and starts from Hilton which is only a 15 minute drive from Dufton.  Its a smaller version of the High Cup Valley, but you can only do it when the red flags aren’t flying as it walks across the edge of the Warcop army range and so you need there to be no live firing.  You park in a designated parking area at the top end of Hilton and then follow a track alongside Hilton Beck for as far as 4 miles depending on how you feel.  You probably won’t see more than a couple of people on your way and you can reach the Scordale mine workings for a bit of Eden Valley history.  If you are feeling adventurous then walk back along either right or left ridge for stunning views (check your ordnance survey map for the route) or simply retrace your steps. 
Summer Current Availability

We have limited availability across the rest of the Summer, but do have the following short breaks available in Shepherds View.

4 nts Mon 24th to Fri 28th June
3 nts Fri 12th to Mon 15th July
3 nts Fri 9th to Mon 12th Aug
6 nts Sat 14th to Fri 20th Sept

The Potting Shed has more availability, but with a surge in National Trail walkers these dates fill up fast so please book as soon as you know your plans as there is limited accommodation in Dufton now.

If you have an interest in fine art then the July date coincides with Dufton Village Hall’s annual Art in the Hills event, which showcases local artists from the Eden Valley with their artwork available to purchase.

Of course on warm summer days our garden is at its sumptuous best and a great place to sit out and enjoy a cup of tea or a cheeky glass of wine after a day out.  We are dog friendly, and you can relax knowing your furry friend is safe in our dog proofed garden.

                       

 

Cumbria Tourism Awards 2022

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2022 has been a momentous year for us.  Back in March we entered Dufton Barn Holidays into the Cumbria Tourism Awards for 2022 and were absolutely delighted to be short-listed for Self-Catering Accommodation 2022.  It is always a highly competitive category due to the variety of accommodation available across Cumbria and so it was a real privilege to be one of four businesses up for the award.

Following the judge visit in April, where our business was scrutinised from top to bottom, we then had to wait for the prestigious black-tie event at the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal on the 6th July.  After the last couple of years it was great fun to dress up in black tie and ball gown and meet up with all the other high quality competitors across 15 different Tourism categories.  A really supportive group of people at the top of their professional game, and a spectacular occasion for all present after 3 years absence due to Covid.

It is fair to say that you enter an award in hope rather than with expectation, and so we were absolutely stunned to hear our name called out as winners in our category.  It is without doubt the pinnacle of our professional hospitality career and we were delighted to win as representatives of the beautiful Eden Valley, and made even more special as the award was sponsored by Out of Eden.  It is still sinking in a month later, and we will be proud of this achievement for years to come.

We started out on this journey in October 2017 when we started the construction of Shepherds View and we have always made decisions with our guest at the heart of what we do.  We have met many lovely guests along the way, many of whom have returned several times to enjoy what Shepherds View, Dufton, and the Eden Valley have to offer.  In many ways it is through their support and enjoyment, and ultimately their reviews of their experience with us, that has given us the confidence in what we do – and this is absolutely the icing on the cake.