2 acres hosted by Jane H.
1 glamping pitch · 3 bedrooms · 5 beds · 1 toilet
Off-lead friendly
Pets can be off-lead at this Hipcamp.
Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon
I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position.
In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you.
The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river.
My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay.
You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk!
Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there.
This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host.
The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.King Garth is a building set in 2 1/2 acres of riverside land which is managed for wildlife. There is a paddock with Alpacas and guests have the option of looking after the Alpacas whilst in residence. They also have the option of fishing and rods are available in the house.
The living space is all upstairs on the 1st floor. It comprises 3 rooms:
- The sitting room with it’s magical views over the river and a log burner. The decor and furniture reflect the history of the building.
- There is a double bedroom also with a window overlooking the river.
- The third room ‘the barn room’ has a barn owl nesting box where owls/kestrels/pigeons come and go and sometimes nest.
There is a double bedroom, then in the sitting room there are 2 futons - double and single. There is also a single bed in the barn room.
Spoilt for choice: On a summer’s evening, a barbecue is the preferred way to cook. On a cooler night, when the log burner is lit, I often enjoy a jacket potato cooked in the fire or enjoy stew simmered on the top of the burner. There is also a 2 ring gas hob for impatient people who want instant food or a quick cup of tea.
As there is no running water at King Garth, the toilet is a dry compost toilet. The prospect of emptying the toilet may seem daunting, but you will soon get used to it. A chore best designated to the person with the poorest sense of smell!
Washing at King Garth is part of the fun! As there is no running water, there is no power shower, wet room or any of that nonsense! However, there is the beautiful river Eden. The experience of floating downstream, gazing up at blue skies with kingfishers flitting over head, cleanses both body and soul at the same time!
Then, if you need a warm up you can fire up the hot tub. The preparation of the tub is also part of the fun. Filled by the icy water from the well, the log-burning stove might take several hours to heat, but when the hot tub gets warm enough, the reward is so much better than a tub heated at the touch of a button.
Once warm, it retains its heat all night, so you can stargaze while staying cozy. There is even a ledge for your glass of wine! This unit will suit people who enjoy wildlife, outdoor living, Alpacas and fishing.
