Photo: champagne being poured for a celebration

Group accommodation for special celebrations

Whether celebrating in style or simply spending quality time together, Morland House is the perfect place for a memorable holiday, providing comfortable accommodation for large groups of family and friends. Sleeping nineteen, with bunk beds, cot and triple bedroom for children, the spacious Grade 2 listed house is set in four acres of Victorian walled gardens with views to the Pennines. The rural village of Morland lies in the heart of the beautiful Eden Valley adjacent to the Lake District.

The former rectory dates to Tudor times but much of its character derives from it being the family home of the Markham family since 1828.  Over the last two centuries the house has been extended and filled with a fascinating variety of paintings, books, antiques and curios which make a stay here truly special. Recent modern touches include the all essential home comforts of excellent WiFi, central heating, modern bathrooms – and new beds! To add to the magic, each bedroom is named after an illustrious Markham ancestor with themed pictures and an explanatory history guide.

As soon as you enter the oak panelled front hall you will be swept back into a former age.

Comments from recent guests

“Morland House is a treasure, it was a privilege to spend a week there and my mother had a brilliant birthday celebration”
“lovely to be able to gather all our family together under one roof … so much space and so comfortable”
“celebrate in style in such a unique setting”
“formal dinner served in the dining room was a real highlight … brilliantly catered”
“the house was filled with laughter the entire time”
“the catering for the weekend has been brilliant”
“great fun playing hide and seek - endless places to hide”
“ridiculously comfy beds!”
“warm and cosy at night - lovely roaring fires”
“special mention must go to the garden too – we played rounders, paddled in the stream and enjoyed the absolute peacefulness”

The extensive gardens are laid out around a ‘beck’ with herbaceous borders, croquet lawn, riverside walks and kitchen garden.  Down steep steps and across the wooden bridge, the secret Victorian quarry garden is a children’s wonderland complete with animal stone monsters and even a grotto. Younger guests have ample room to let off steam whilst older ones can find a quiet corner to relax peacefully – perhaps in the  private garden where the sheltered paved terrace is a natural sun trap with outdoor furniture, summer house and barbecue.

The dining room is a perfect setting for a celebratory formal candlelit dinner with drinks beforehand in the spacious drawing room whilst family portraits look down. Light the fires to add to the magical atmosphere. The musically inclined can gather around the grand piano in the drawing room, whilst the games room has a pool table and darts board to satisfy those with a competitive streak!

Behind the green baize door, there is a comfy snug with TV, and a large kitchen with a pair of ovens and hobs plus ample fridge and freezer space – and two dishwashers. Sainsburys, Tesco and Asda all deliver online shopping.  If you would like to spoil yourselves, we can recommend an excellent local cook who will provide a delicious dinner all served and cleared away with the minimum of fuss.  There is a separate caterer’s kitchen, so the main kitchen can be reserved for the family.

If you prefer to eat out, a variety of excellent options are in range, from a café just a few minutes’ walk away in the village to gastropubs and superb Lake District hotels such as The George and Dragon (Clifton), Another Place (Ullswater), Samling Hotel (Windermere), Haweswater Hotel (Bampton) and Askham Hall.

The village location on the edge of the Lake District is a great base for exploring in all directions – into the Lakes, along the Eden Valley or towards the Pennines. The nearest lake is Ullswater, just 20 minutes’ drive away, offering a range of high- and low-level walks, mountain biking and water sports. We  look forward to welcoming you.

Examples of recent celebrations at Morland House

  • 50th birthday parties
  • accommodation for wedding guests
  • significant birthdays for senior family members
  • alumni reunions when the former students were into their sixties
  • wedding anniversaries