Tag Archive for: romantic break

EV Charging

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EV Charging at Shepherds View

EV Charging Unit

EV charging Unit

We are delighted to announce that we have added an ICS charging unit as an additional service for any guests wishing to travel to us in their EV car.

The charger is suitable for all EV cars, but guests will still need to bring their own Type 2 cable. Access to the unit is easy and is via a QR code located on the front, which then allows guests to pay for charging.

Our starting price for charging is set at 40p per kWh, but we do reserve the right to alter this according to the price of electricity operating at the time.

So no more searching around Cumbria for the nearest charging unit, or worrying if you will make it back.  Charge over night and spend more time enjoying your holiday.

We look forward to welcoming you and your EV car in the very near future!

What’s your favourite time of year?

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January & February

Dufton Pike in the snow

Snowy winter peaks

There is no better time of year for enjoying quality ‘me’ time than the early months of the year.  Often there can be snow on the hills, making the views from the feature window of Shepherds View spectacular, with crystal clear mornings and dark nights for star gazing.

You don’t need to make any excuses to cosy up in front of the log fire in one of our complimentary dressing gowns, enjoy the underfloor heating, or luxuriate in the jacuzzi bath.  With Netflix on the TV for binge episodes of your favourite show ‘staying in’ can really be the new ‘going out’!  And should you venture out, then in early February Dufton Ghyll has wonderful embankments of snowdrops on display.

March & April

As the clocks march forward enjoy more of the above, but with the added fun of the Spring lambs arriving in the field below you.  It’s the reason we called the barn Shepherds View, and many a guest has whiled away the hours watching them skip and play.

Dalemain Mansion, near Ullswater, hosts the world famous marmalade festival on 22nd celebrating all things marmalade, and on 23rd the Cumbria Classic motor show.

May

Bluebells in Dufton Ghyll

With Summer around the corner the bluebells appear in the Ghyll, or you can take our guided walk to the spectacular display at Flakebridge Woods – one of our favourite walks to do.  If you are lucky you can see the native Red Squirrels at play, sometimes a woodpecker, or even a deer.

On 12th & 14th Brougham Hall, near Penrith, is running its 1940s wartime weekend event.  Free to enter, you can park in Penrith and travel on a Cumbria Classic Coach to the venue and enjoy military vehicles, wartime displays, period fashions and food and dancing.

June

On 4th June Hutton in the Forest holds one of its Classic Cars events.  A great place to visit anyway at this time of year, enjoy the historic house, walled gardens and woodland walks – this is the perfect venue.

25th June is the Ullswater Country Fair.  Held in Patterdale, in the shadow of the Helvellyn range, this is a traditional country show that showcases the rich heritage of the Lake District, including traditional sports and crafts.

July

Pot Fest at Hutton in the Forest

From the 4th and then weekly on every Tuesday throughout July & August – take a Fish & Chips supper cruise with Ullswater Steamers – a perfect combination of the stunning scenery of the Ullswater Valley and a quintessential British supper!  Perfection!

The 15th marks the first of the fantastic local Agricultural Shows to visit – Penrith Show.  These shows always provide tremendous entertainment with ringside attractions, livestock competitions, and rural crafts on display.

On 22nd and 23rd Dufton Village Hall becomes the centre for artistic talent with Art in the Hills – now a popular annual art exhibition this is a showcase for some of the talented professional and amateur local artists from the Eden – our guests in 2022 couldn’t resist buying some of the art so beware – this is a great show!

Back to Hutton in the Forest for Potfest on 28th to 30th.  This flagship event showcases the best work from over 90 selected artists and is a must for all ceramic fans – don’t forget your credit card!

August

3 great Agricultural shows to visit

The Fellside Royal

The Fellside Royal

on 10th Appleby, 26th right here in Dufton for the Fellside Royal (including the Dufton Fell Race), and finally on 31stCrosby Ravensworth.

On 20th Dalemain once again hosts the Cumbria Classic motor show.

September

This is the month for the famous Dufton Beer Festival at the Stag Inn.  Dates to be confirmed but normally the second Fri/Sat/Sun of September.  Cracking beer, cider and live music, and a short stagger home!

October

With the nights starting to draw in then the log burner comes into its own again in the barn.

As the clocks change Penrith holds its now iconic Winter Droving, a unique celebration steeped in tradition.  Over the weekend of 28th the town has a celebration of light, fire and rural life, with masked street processions and street stalls with food, drink and giftware.  Not to be missed!

November & December

The year ends the same way it started with lazy days and time to relax.

Romantic breaks

Romantic breaks

 

 

 

When will you choose to visit?

Escape to the charming village of Dufton in rural Cumbria

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Dufton Village

Dufton Village

Seeking relaxation and a reset in nature for your next holiday?  Then look no further than the beautiful village of Dufton in the Eden Valley.

Shepherds View is an award winning 5 Star Gold holiday cottage for couples set on the edge of the village, so that you can enjoy peace and seclusion, whilst at the same time being a few steps away from all that the village location has to offer.Hanging baskets at Shepherds View

Dufton itself is a typically attractive Eden fell side village with a layout of houses, back lanes and crofts set around a green.  Its name is probably Anglo Saxon meaning ‘settlement where the doves are kept’, and despite a lead mining history, sheep farming remains the dominant industry.  The village nestles in the shadow of the Pennines, 3 miles from the traditional market town of Appleby with its array of local grocery stores & tea shops, and Norman Castle.

Rural Dufton life

Rural Dufton life

Sunset at Shepherds View

Sunset at Shepherds View

At Dufton Barn Holidays we feel a holiday should be about the experience you have as much as the quality of the cottage you stay in – after all experiences are what memories are made of.

With a breath-taking view you look out of the feature window toward Cross Fell, the highest point of the Pennines.  In the Spring enjoy the sight of the lambs cavorting in the field below, or fabulous sunsets setting across the high fells throughout the year.  As well as all the detail that makes up this 5 star property, including underfloor heating and a jacuzzi bath, we provide a luxury hamper of carefully selected Cumbrian products to excite your tastebuds.

High Cup Nick

High Cup Nick

View from Dufton Pike

View from Dufton Pike

To help you explore the village and the surrounding area you can enjoy using over 15 personalised walks from the doorstep, of differing abilities, including the magnificent High Cup Nick and nearby Dufton Pike.  Or you can choose to explore the beautiful woodland of Dufton Ghyll, with its gurgling streams and plethora of wild-life including Red Squirrels and occasional deer, blanketed in snowdrops in February and bluebells in the Spring.  If you have brought your bicycles then meander along quiet country lanes with magnificent vistas all around you.

Bluebells in Dufton Ghyll

Bluebells in Dufton Ghyll

Meadows around Dufton

Wild flower meadows

If you’re in the mood for a treat then take a 2 minute stroll to the Stag Inn to enjoy a refreshing ale in the beer garden overlooking the Pike, or a deliciously wholesome meal in their restaurant, and in the Spring and Summer months enjoy a snack at the Post Box Pantry Café, all of course with a warm Cumbrian welcome.

However you choose to spend your holiday we are certain you will leave more refreshed and relaxed than when you came, and with many happy memories of this beautiful area to take away.

 

4 great reasons to make Shepherds View the base for your next staycation

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As we all get used to the new norms of a post lockdown world there has been a massive surge in people looking for staycations in the UK. Many have turned to the standard honey-pots of Devon and Cornwall or the Lakes, which can only lead to an increase in these areas of visitor numbers and indeed prices. It’s time to think again and look a little further afield at an area of equal beauty, but far less crowded, the Eden Valley on the eastern edge of Cumbria.

Shepherds View could be just what you are looking for and here are 4 great reasons why:-

1. Stay In!

You don’t have to be big on the outdoors to come here. We’ve got the Visit England 5 star gold award for a reason. If your idea of a good holiday is finishing off some books in peace and quiet then why not sit in our feature window with a glorious view changing in front of you by the hour. We are complimented on our well-equipped kitchen so you won’t have to remember to bring with you any of your essential kitchen utensils. Take a well-earned soak in our jacuzzi bath and enjoy one of the hydrotherapy programmes, or binge watch a couple of series on Netflix with the log burner keeping you toasty. Whenever the weather allows then we have a private garden for you to sit and relax in as well.

Did we mention the bed? The superking with Hypnos mattress is frequently mentioned by guests and is designed to give you a great nights sleep ready for tomorrows adventures (or relaxation)!

2. Leave the Car!

You don’t have to drive anywhere if you don’t want to. There are numerous walks from the door of differing lengths and ability, and we’ve written them up for you so that you get a flavour of our beautiful area. Of course, you might want to walk up the jewel of the Pennines, High Cup, but we’ve got you covered on this one as well, even suggesting a quieter alternative route to the more popular way. If cycling is your thing then we have safe storage for you, and we’ve drawn out some of our favourite cycle routes for you along the quiet lanes linking the pretty fellside villages.

3. Take the Car!

If you want to explore then Dufton is such a great location to drive out from. Ullswater, with all it has to offer is only 25 minutes drive away, and Keswick on Derwent Water only 45 minutes. Similarly, if you want to go to High Force in Teesdale then you are only 45 minutes drive as well, and the Eden is also on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Other than travelling into the Lakes many of these routes are less busy and so you can expect a much more pleasant journey. Finally if you want to get your eyes tested then Barnard Castle is only a short trip east along the A66!

4. Eat Out!

We are lucky enough to have a great pub, the Stag, in Dufton. Only a 2 minute walk from the cottage if you don’t feel like cooking then you can’t go wrong here. The pub has a great reputation for good wholesome food and great beer, and what could be better after a long walk or bike ride!

Romantic breaks for couples in Cumbria

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Valentine’s Day comes once a year, but at Dufton Barn Holidays you can enjoy a couples break for any special occasion at any time of the year.

Romantic Retreat

We have everything you need for a perfect romantic retreat whenever you choose to celebrate your special anniversary, birthday, or kids free break! We cater for flexible self-catering holidays to suit your free time from 2 or more nights, and we’re located in the beautiful Eden Valley close to the Lake District and Ullswater. Once you’ve parked the car you don’t need to move it again until you leave – unless of course you want to – and you don’t have to worry about the weather spoiling your stay as here staying in is just as enjoyable as going out.

Step inside the threshold and you will be transported to a peaceful and luxurious haven where time really can stop still.

Special Features

Downstairs you will find a fully fitted kitchen with every modern convenience you might need and a wonderful view of open fields & woodland, and in the spring the sheep and lambs often come nosing up to the window.

Upstairs you will find a perfect space to be together. Lounge in comfort on the super king-size bed with hypnos mattress for perfect bedtime relaxation – we don’t supply an alarm clock! Feel the pleasure of warm tiles on your bare feet from the underfloor heating; Snuggle up in front of the log-burner as you binge watch the latest TV hit; Set your mood with the mood lighting controls; Relax in the Jacuzzi bath and allow your stresses to bubble away; Or simply sit and drink espressos in the swivel chair and marvel at the stunning view from the feature window that changes by the hour.

Plenty to Do

If all that isn’t enough, you can stroll up to the village pub or teashop for a refreshing drink or a tasty bite to eat. Or take a romantic walk through the wooded ghyll to hopefully see red squirrels, deer or bluebells in the Spring. There are plenty of manageable walks from the doorstep, but if you are looking for a little more adventure then walk up Dufton Pike or even High Cup Nick for spectacular Eden views, or bring your bikes to cycle the quiet lanes between the attractive fellside villages.

Whatever you want from a romantic staycation – you’ll find it here at Dufton Barn Holidays.

Get in touch for your perfect break – https://duftonbarnholidays.co.uk/availability/