The Upper Eden Valley around Kirkby Stephen is an unspoilt oasis situated between the busy Yorkshire Dales and the crowded Lake District National Parks. Some of our guests come to explore those adjacent tourist magnets yet seduced by the local countryside never actually get there! In fact we have had some visitors who never moved from the cottage! At Stouphill Gate all our guests can be assured of a warm friendly welcome and lots of peace & tranquility.
Stouphill Gate is a traditional old Cumbrian farmstead, and the holiday accommodation has been formed from the older parts of the property retaining much of the original character whilst benefiting from all of the modern conveniences. The owners live adjacent and are happy to assist guests in any way during their stay. All the holiday rooms enjoy spectacular views across the countryside. We can offer a two bedroom holiday cottage and we have two adjacent bed & breakfast rooms, one of which is suitable for the disabled. Please see the individual pages for each area of the accommodation.
The cottage has two bedrooms and can sleep up to five, while the bed and breakfast rooms each have a double bed. The ground floor room is fully wheel- chair accessible. There is a separate quiet lounge / breakfast room for bed and breakfast guests. Please see the individual pages for each of the separate areas of the holiday accommodation.
All our guests can be assured of a warm friendly welcome, homemade cake and tea or coffee await our bed and breakfast arrivals while the cottagers will also be greeted with homemade cake and complimentary tea/coffee to brew themselves. In the winter there will also be a warm fire awaiting in the cottage. Being adjacent to the holiday accommodation the owners are happy to offer help and suggestions to all visitors during their stay and are flexible over arrivals, even if you don't know what time that will be! Please visit the 'visitors comments ' page to read what former visitors have written in our visitors books.
Disabled facilities - Bed and Breakfast
The bed and breakfast room is the lower room we call 'the undercroft' and has been specifically tailored to suit our less mobile guests, while maintaining the high standards with colour TV and beverage facilities, ample wardrobe space and a built-in dressing table with drawers. All of these fittings have been installed to facilitate ease of access and use even for those confined to a wheel -chair but have been designed not to look clinical. This room is our most flexible since the larger floor area means it can also be used as a family room, with the addition of an additional single bed. The room is centrally heated and the bathrooms have ample hot water. The proximity of this (and the Loft) adjacent to the holiday cottage means we can offer either of these rooms for use with the cottage. This lower room is especially used by families accompanied by elderly relatives or disabled family members.
Both bed and breakfast rooms share the quite lounge, which is located in the main farmhouse, here guests can relax thumbing through a book by the cosy heating stove or plan the next days activities using the leaflets and guide books on the shelves. There is a also cupboard with games and jigsaws for those so inclined. This room is also where you will be greeted with cake and a beverage on arrival and where a hearty Aga cooked breakfast is served in the mornings. The home made bread and jams are a real treat. Evening meals are available in all three local pubs, the closest is within walking distance. and Kirkby Stephen with its fish & chip shops, pubs etc is only five miles away.
The bedroom has ample space all around (the bedside tables recessed into the walls to assist wheelchair access). The shower room has a walk-in shower.
Outside facilities
Externally the holiday accommodation is entered via a narrow driveway which opens out into a large car parking area with ample space for all. Adjacent to this is the terrace and spacious children's playing field. Fuel (coal and wood) and refuse areas are easily accessible and secure storage can be arranged for bicycles etc as required.
The cottage has its own private garden with table and chairs and the views are even better out of doors. In springtime and early summer an area of the meadow is fenced off (to sheep) and the wild meadow flowers growing there may be enjoyed by our guests. Those with greener fingers may enjoy walking around our allotment area where we grow may of our own vegetables (some of which can be purchased in season).
Further away is the polytunnel and our small orchard as well as the old spring and pump house which used to supply water to the house. Access to the ground floor bed and breakfast room is level as is the ground floor of the cottage, both accessible to wheelchairs. Some flowers and butterflies to be found around the cottage and bed & breakfast areas of Stouphill Gate.
