Things to see and do
The Studio
The Studio Morland , next door to Morland House, is an Arts, Wellbeing & Leadership studio offering a range of creative and wellbeing sessions and is available to hire for group bookings and for workshop sessions during your stay when booked in advance. In conjunction with Morland House, residential courses can be arranged, with the use of the Studio for art and practical sessions.
Sessions include: yoga, breath work & meditation, singing, drawing from nature, bullet journaling, wellbeing and personal leadership sessions, movement and dance workshops, ukulele sessions, sewing, coil pot and clay making, plus more.
More info can be found on their website www.thestudiomorland.co.uk
Enquiries can be made through: thestudiomorland@gmail.com
Walking
Choose between lower-level walks in the rolling Eden Valley or higher-level walks in the nearby Lake District. The extensive network of footpaths and bridleways in the Eden Valley often have superb long views to the Lake District and Pennine hills. In the Lakes, Ullswater and Haweswater are only 20 minutes away, and Keswick (which sits between Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake) is only 40 minutes away. Select walks from the many guide books or let us make suggestions.
On the doorstep, there are even four attractive circular walks from Morland of between 3 and 4 miles, described and mapped in a free guidebook.
Cycling
The Eden Valley is increasingly recognised as a paradise for cyclists with its quiet country lanes and extensive bridleways. National Cycle Route 71 passes the gate, and there are exciting cycling opportunities in every direction passing through pretty villages and beautiful countryside. The popular Lands End to John o’Groats route passes nearby in one direction, as does the C2C in another.
Croquet
There is a levelled croquet lawn in the garden with equipment available for guests, including a rulebook for those who may need a refresher on the finer points.
Climb a Mountain
You have the whole of the Lake District fells and the Pennines to choose from. The easiest to reach are Blencathra beside the A66 to Keswick, and Helvellyn, the third highest Lakeland mountain, at the end of Ullswater.
If wet, Penrith has a popular indoor climbing wall at the Leisure Centre, and there are higher walls at Kendal and Keswick.
Fishing
You can fish for salmon and trout on the Eden (England’s second most prolific salmon river) and its tributaries, and in fishing lakes. We are grateful for the help of a fishing adviser whom you can consult about your particular requirements.
Golf
There are several golf courses in the area which welcome Pay and Play visitors, where you can enjoy spectacular views during your round, such as Penrith, Appleby and Keswick. Further away there is Silloth, which is a national-standard links course on the edge of the Solway Firth.
Pony Trekking
You can enjoy pony trekking at Park Foot Pony Trekking Centre
Swimming
You can be brave and swim in the pool below the waterfall in the garden, and you can paddle in the beck with care. There are well-equipped indoor pools at Appleby (recommended) and Penrith Leisure Centre, and a delightful outdoor pool in summer at Askham, 5 miles away.
Tennis
There is a recently refurbished (albeit rather tight) court nearby at the Village Hall in Morland, and two at Hackthorpe (4 miles).
Spa
Have a luxurious Spa Day at the Aqua Sana in Whinfell Forest Center Parc (3 miles), from only £95.
Shopping and Sightseeing
The nearest city is Carlisle with a wide range of national shops, the cathedral and the castle, (24 miles, 35 minutes up the M6). Penrith also has a wide range of independent shops and some nice cafes. It also has Sainsburys, Morrisons, Aldi, Booths, and the Cumbrian Food Hall of local firm Cranstons (8 miles, 15 minutes). Appleby, the old county town of Westmorland, has a wonderful high street, Boroughgate, stretching from the castle at the top to the church at the bottom (7 miles, 15 minutes). Kendal also has a wide range of interesting shops, Abbott Hall Art Gallery, and the Brewery Arts Centre. Keswick is the outdoor retail centre of Europe, on the edge of Derwentwater.
Visit an Attraction
The Eden Valley is crammed with historic houses and buildings, animal attractions and other points of interest:
- Morland Church
- Dalemain (country house)
- Ullswater Steamers
- Hutton-in-the-Forest (country house)
- Eden Valley Railway
- Acorn Bank House & Garden (National Trust)
- The Alpaca Centre
- Lowther Castle
- Rheged Visitor Centre (films, shops, play areas)
- King Arthur’s Round Table
- Mayburgh Henge
- Eden Millennium Monument
Image credits: Andrew Bowden, Peer Lawther, Gary Robson, Lynn Rainard
