Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views
Are you longing for a break somewhere different and peaceful, somewhere situated in gorgeous countryside? The Gatehouse at Kelleth Old Hall could be your answer - a luxurious and highly original getaway for two - with lots of space, a grand piano, books, books, more books and all kinds of architectural features you are unlikely to find anywhere else. And once you have taken in the comfort, space and character of the Gatehouse, you can step outside the door and find yourself in the middle of the Howgills, at the foot of the appropriately-named Eden Valley. The landscape is green and bronze, alive with wild flowers, and you can cycle or walk for miles without seeing a soul.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
About the area
Penrith
Located in Penrith, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. Stainmore Railway Company Ltd. and Lesley Rowe are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Kennedys Fine Chocolates and Eden Valley Railway. Appleby Leisure Centre and Brigflatts Meeting House are also worth visiting. Practise your golf swing on a nearby course, or enjoy other activities in the great outdoors, such as cycling and hiking in the area.
Yorkshire Dales National Park - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
Lowther Castle and Gardens - 25 min drive - 32.9 km
Whinfell Forest - 35 min drive - 47.7 km
Ullswater - 36 min drive - 53.0 km
Lake Windermere - 40 min drive - 45.9 km
Getting around
Kirkby Stephen Station - 12 min drive
Manchester Airport (MAN) - 105 min drive
Restaurants
The Black Swan - 9 min drive
The King's Head - 8 min drive
The George Hotel - 7 min drive
Salotto Italiano - 10 min drive
The Kitchen - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows pets (limit 3 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views on 26 January 2027 start from NZ$266, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Romantic Retreat With Space, Character And Glorious Mountain Views located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Yorkshire Dales National Park, Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve and Tebay Park. Eden Valley is 3 mi (4.9 km) away.
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great place to stay, very quiet and wonderful scenery
Loved the barn conversion with a mixture of new and old
Lovely lady who we rented off would strongly recommend
Jacqueline B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 12 July 2022
Thank you for a sweet review. It was lovely to meet you both and your doggies. Piglet and Bear send you a wave!
Delightfully quirky property with real character, which was perfect for a stay with dogs. It’s located in a spot where both the Lakes and the Dales are easily accessible, but the Eden valley itself is not to be missed.
We had a wonderful stay at the gatehouse. It really was special. It was so warm and cosy. Excellent bed and very comfy sofa. Would definitely recommend to my friends
The gatehouse is fantastic, the design and thought that has gone in to the layout and decoration makes it unique - both cosy and spacious. The views are beautiful and the location makes it very easy to go east to the hills and dales or west to the lakes. Charlotte was very welcoming and gave some very good recommendations for things to see and local spots. Very comfortable place to stay and the piano was a real treat. Thanks for having us!
Lovely, quiet rural location easy to find not far off the M6. Lots of walks in the hills and surrounding villages.
We loved the accommodation, very quirky and well looked after. Please do not take any notice of some negative comments I’ve seen. The whole point of the accommodation is to be rustic and old. Charlotte was very welcoming and
We loved the cottage withbits abundance of booksand eclectic decor and refurbishment. The double bed was super comfy. I had not spotted on the listing that there was also bunk beds for kids. Not needed for us but useful for others that are looking to book. We made ise of the hammock to relax and the games in the cupboard. Was only 10 minutes from the m6 junction(not that you could tell) made it easy to travel across the lake district both north amd south. Would definitely recommend.
Nightmare of a property. The host went for shabby chic, without the chic.The interior is Like someone just bought a charity shop and stuffed the property with everything no-one else wanted.The barn looks to have been converted and decorated by someone who went to a salvage auctionn and said "I'll buy everything" then employed a drunk bob the builder who decided to use everything even though nothing fitted properly.Would we visit gain? NO. Unless we were invited to witness the demolition.
A real rustic quirky barn that was a real pleasure to stay in. Bed was very comfortable. Everything was supplied to be able to cook whatever we fancied. The piano was a nice touch. Dogs loved the garden. Weather was dreadful but it did not stop us enjoying our stay.
My only criticism is that it would have been nice to have a shower mixer tap on the bath but we coped lol. We had a bit off a storm but we were very cosy with the heating on and no draughty despite 50 mph winds and us sitting watching out the window. Love this quirky old barn and would certainly recommend it. Don’t expect a boutique type residence. That it is not!!!! It is a converted barn with decor that has been thrown together with thought.
Thank you Charlotte we loved it
Dave and Denise
Ons verblijf in het prachtige poortgebouw van Kelleth Old Hall was fantastisch. Een warme ontvangst door Charlotte en een wekelijk prachtig, ruim en goed onderhouden vakantieverblijf. De internetverbinding is met behulp van Elon Musk helemaal up-tp-date gemaakt en werkt perfect. Enige minpuntje was dat er alleen een bad is en er dus geen douchemogelijkheid is.
Quirky barn conversion in a fantastic location with beautiful views to the front, sloping garden shared with the owner.
Plenty of local walks and felt safe even when walking on the roads.
A great time was had by all.
Interesting quirky barn conversion in beautiful surroundings.
This property was one of the most interesting and innovative holiday places we have stayed at. A mixture of antique, shabby chic and industrial styles, it did not disappoint. The beautiful little village with its lovely views from the house, of the hills beyond, added to its charm. Super host Charlotte Fairbairn was on hand to sort any problems and was always a mine of useful information.
A truly unique cottage with bags of character that’ll want you to spend more time in it than outside exploring the local area. Work forced me to get out each day but I couldn’t wait to get back each evening. From the open plan lounge to the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom, every detail is perfect and I’m now looking for an excuse to get back up and stay here again. Excellent communication from the host Charlotte with check-in and out very straight forward and hassle free.
Nick P.
Stayed 9 nights in Nov 2020
About the host
Hosted by Charlotte Fairbairn
Writer, mother, former dressage rider, interested in politics, the arts, journalism, books, people, music, antiques, ideas. Co-founder of the Lake District Book Festival, coming to Cartmel Racecourse in 2026.
Why they chose this property
I am pretty sure you will not find anything like The Gatehouse very easily. It is 100% idiosyncratic. When I came to do it up, I wanted to get away from the formulaic pattern of decor followed by holiday lets up and down the country. I think that if you are going on holiday, you want to find something different from what you have at home. You want to be refreshed and amused and inspired. Amusement at the Gatehouse may come from some of the design quirks inside. Inspiration and refreshment will come from the views and the landscape around.
The Gatehouse sits facing south over the Howgills. If you know the M6, you will recognise these wonderful doughy hills that Wainwright described as 'sleeping elephants' which mark a watershed between south and north Cumbria. Here we are, among the elephants, in a location both remote and accessible. In rain or shine, our views are always stunning.
What makes this property unique
The Gatehouse is designed principally for two - which means huge amounts of space and a real feeling of romance. The house is two-storey, the main living area largely open to the roof with a first-floor gallery at one end and a bathroom at the other. There are hundreds of books, a grand piano, a reclaimed Georgian staircase, a wall covered in corrugated tin, a woodburning stove decorated with winter moose scenes, some contemporary paintings, fully-equipped kitchen. The feel is New York loft meets London studio - all in the heart of some of the country's most dramatic and unspoilt scenery.