Edenhall Estate Review: A Luxury Family Escape in the Heart of the Lake District
Edenhall Estate review: Stormy weather, roaring fires, spectacular scenery and all that luxury. Rachel Ducker finds out what makes Edenhall Estate in Cumbria the perfect retreat from the ordinary to reconnect with the wild outdoors.
When you go on a family holiday to Lake District in October, you know the weather might not cooperate. But what we didn’t quite foresee was having to go through a storm called Boelo to get there.
Wind, rain and some pretty dubious motoring conditions brought about a hectic journey, but there was one question we all wanted answering when we arrived at the breathtaking Edenhall Estate: was it worth it?
Absolutely. And then some.
Edenhall is a fabulous 1500 acres of private estate, at the southern tip of the Lake District National Park that is home to ancient woodland, lush fields, peaceful river banks and shimmering lakes. It’s a place where the pace of life drops to half speed, the trappings of the outside world appear to be miles away, and your only real decision is whether to be outside or in front of the fire.
Our October half-term trip was at High Barn, one of the estate’s stunningly restored homes and probably the most beautiful place we’ve stayed as a family.
High Barn: A Home Away From Home
Perched high on a hill and surrounded by woodland, the panoramic views of the Lake District and the Pennine Fells are spectacular from the high barn, set in fields in all directions, grazing cows, and a great sense of being completely in the wilds.
The barn sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms and has all the comforts of home for a self-contained stay, with the bonus of some rather luxurious extras.
A cosy, inviting retreat mixing rustic charm with modern comforts. The interiors are warm and inviting with wood finishes, unique furniture, carefully selected artwork and two wood-burning stoves.
Then there are the little things that go the extra mile.
One of the bedrooms has a gorgeous roll-top bath while outside there is a wood fired hot tub, an outside shower looking out towards Blencathra, fire pit and even a stargazing bed for those lucky enough to visit on a clear night.
It really is the ultimate countryside hideaway.
One very nice touch when we opened the fridge was that the team had left us a delicious homemade lasagne and apple crumble for us to enjoy after the long journey.
It had been hours of driving through the storm and knowing that dinner was already taken care of was very reassuring.
We started the fire, unpacked our bags and got settled into what was rapidly becoming the perfect, rustic, batten-down-the-hatches, escape-from-the-world kind of getaway.
Sometimes, all it takes is the little things.
Exploring the Lake District
Having successfully negotiated our first wild night we were up early and ready to go!
One of the major selling points of Edenhall Estate is its setting. Situated close to Penrith on the eastern boundary of the Lake District, it offers a perfect base for exploring some of the finest scenery in Cumbria whilst remaining in the peace of the Eden Valley.
Our first foray of the trip led us down the trail to Buttermere Lake, a stunning body of water nestled between jagged peaks and incredible scenery.
There is something very magical about the Lake District in Autumn. Trees lose their leaves, the hills are regularly cloaked in mist and the constantly changing weather makes for very dramatic scenery.
Even though the weather was hard to control, we enjoyed getting outside and exploring the outdoor setting and having some fun together.
Once a busy day exploring was over we made our way back to High Barn, got out of our gear and relaxed in our casual wear as we enjoyed a family pizza night.
Burning wood-stove, the howling wind outside, and a family movie on the TV, I couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be.
And that, at least for me, is what this kind of holiday should be about.
A Little Beatrix Potter Magic
The next day, we set off again. This time, we stopped off at Hill Top, the beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter’s National Trust home.
Having grown up with her wonderful stories, being inside the house where so many of her creative ideas had come to life was truly magical.
Maintained with superb character intact, visitors to Hill Top can experience it as Potter saw it, from the rooms and furniture in which she created her illustrations to the landscape that played such a vital role in her stories.
Great place to visit with children, particularly if they know who Peter Rabbit is and are familiar with some of his adventures.
We left Edenhall and headed back home, but took a slight diversion once more to visit Aira Force Waterfall.
And after days of torrential downpour, that was true as well.
Force by name, force by nature!
It was a truly incredible sight: water cascading through the lush, wooded valley of the waterfall. There’s something hypnotic about watching nature in full flow and the turbulent weather conditions had only served to enhance this particular trip.
It was another reminder that the Lake District isn’t somewhere you go expecting the sun to shine. Actually, I think the weather is one of the reasons I love the place.
The Luxury of Doing Absolutely Nothing
Although it was fun discovering our surroundings, some of the best times we had were literally just sitting around and doing nothing at all.
And I think that’s what was lovely about Edenhall Estate.
Of course, it’s not all bad, we love staying in beautiful hotels but the reality is that when you’re travelling with three children there’s still an element of consciousness of other hotel guests. Concern over how noisy the children are or how much entertainment they require, or whether we need to be anywhere at a certain time.
At High Barn, all of that disappeared.
We had our own space, our own routine and the privilege of just being us.
We could just play, make dinner, watch movies, be in our pyjamas and be in this amazing environment without being concerned we might upset anyone.
Yet we weren’t compromising on comfort.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
High Barn was perfect, everything about it was luxurious but it didn’t feel formal. It was spacious, well furnished and had all the homely touches that you’d expect, but it still felt secluded and private.
We loved relaxing in the wood-fired hot tub overlooking the woodland and fields.
There’s something quite magical about immersing yourself in warm water when it’s cold outside, especially if you’re also in the midst of nature.
And though some could have been heartbroken by our turbulent appearance, I loved it.
The rain, the wind, the crackling fires and the wild skies all contributed to the mood. It was a reminder to slow down, disconnect and enjoy the simple pleasure of time spent together.
Occasionally, the best holidays aren’t measured by how much you fit into a few days but how you feel.
And this one had us totally refreshed.
More Than Just a Holiday Cottage
Though we were based at High Barn while we stayed, Edenhall Estate comprises a total of 13 different properties all boasting their own character and unique qualities.
No matter if it’s a romantic weekend for two, a family holiday or a large gathering celebrating a special occasion, you’ll find something to match most occasions.
Eden Hall makes for a sumptuous country-house stay, sleeping up to 14 with seven stylish bedrooms, stunningly elegant communal areas, a music room with a Steinway grand piano, private gardens and outside hot tub.
Udford House, sleeping 12, provides a generous riverside getaway for larger family groups or friends, while East Lodge, an enchanting old head gardener’s house sleeping eight, has been thoughtfully restored.
For smaller groups there’s Kiri Cottage, a snug, two bedroom cottage situated overlooking the lake and deer park, and Sala Cottage a delightful six bedroom cottage also with its own hot tub.
You can also choose from other beautiful options: West Lodge, Cuckoo Cottage, the modern Loft or The Lodge a quality handcrafted log cabin positioned on the River Eamont.
If you want something more daring, the estate’s Lost Cabins – named Romy, Forrest and Merlin – are perfect for woodland hideaways, with wood-fired hot tubs. These can be reserved individually or as a whole group if you’re seeking a more outdoorsy getaway.
It’s effortless to envisage returning with a large group of family or friends, maybe renting a handful of properties and making a real event of it.
Weddings, Celebrations and Special Occasions
Edenhall Estate isn’t just a place to relax in the countryside – it’s an stunning location for weddings, parties and private hire.
The estate boasts three unique wedding venues – Eden Hall, High Barn and River Barn, capable of hosting everything from small-scale weddings to grand celebrations.
Exchange your wedding vows beside the estate’s private lake, have your reception beneath the vast mountain views from High Barn or immerse yourself in the riverside ambiance of River Barn.
There is also a lovely 12th-century church on the estate, and the estate has space to take as many as 80 overnight guests.
In addition to weddings, the venue also hosts corporate retreats, private meetings, and brand experiences, capitalising on the venue’s remote positioning.
If you’re planning a special occasion such as a birthday, family get-together or a group holiday, the ability to have several properties within a single estate really appeals.
Would We Return?
Without hesitation.
Our time at Edenhall Estate reaffirmed for me why I have always loved this part of the world.
The Lake District just has a knack for making you thankful for the simple things. The fresh air, the stunning scenery, the time away from screens and timetables, and the chance to make memories with the ones you love.
High Barn provided all of that for us, but with the added bonus of a wonderful home from home!
It wasn’t about spectacular adventures or busy days. It was about warm nights next to the fire, good food, family movies, days out exploring and relaxing in the hot tub while the rest of the world carried on somewhere over the fields.
Even Storm Boelo couldn’t bring us down. More so.
So, if you’re looking for somewhere special to get away from it all, we can wholeheartedly recommend the love-ly Edenhall Estate, with its glorious fields, nature and lake, as a destination to visit with your partner, family or friends.
Because some of the best memories are made when you are away from it all and just your people.
How to Visit Edenhall Estate
Edenhall Estate, The Courtyard, Edenhall, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 8ST
High Barn from £249 per night. (Published starting price; varies by dates and availability).
Accommodation: 13 unique stays, from romantic cottages and woodland cabins to larger luxury homes sleeping up to 14 guests.
Our stay: High Barn — sleeps six across three bedrooms, with two log burners, a wood-fired hot tub, a roll-top bath and panoramic countryside views.
Great for: Family trips, romantic breaks, group travel, weddings, parties and corporate retreats.
Telephone: 01768 881430
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.edenhallestate.com
Book High Barn: View accommodation and availability
Rachel Ducker and her family enjoyed a hosted stay at Edenhall Estate for review purposes. All opinions and experiences are her own.
