The Old Croft House

01/11/2026

This weekend saw Kirkby Stephen host its very first b**r festival thanks to The La'l Nook and Berry Grape & Grain raising money for the amazing Prostate Cancer UK 💙

We were a little disappointed to only squeeze in one pint before welcoming our next guests, but at least it meant we were bright-eyed and ready to cook up the perfect cure for a late night!

A huge thank you to our extra guests who did us proud, polishing off every last crumb and helping us raise £60 in memory of someone incredibly special to us…

**rfestival

31/10/2026

Hobgrumble Gill. The name is thought to come from the Lakeland dialect word hob, meaning a hobgoblin or bogart, grumble, the sound of the river rumbling through the valley, and the Old Norse gil, meaning a ravine. In other words, a rumbling ravine haunted by a hobgoblin!
Whilst the closest we got to a goblin was Nick when he got hungry, we can’t think of a better place for a Halloween walk than the wonderfully atmospheric Swindale Valley. 🎃🍂👻

Wild Haweswater

27/10/2026

It’s the perfect time to spot our favourite local residents as they prepare for winter! 🐿️ 🌰
No matter how many times you catch a fleeting glimpse, the thrill is always the same as you watch their acrobatic displays. The Red is our only native squirrel, and with fewer than 38,900 estimated to remain in England, they’re a precious sight and well worth stopping to appreciate. Keep your eyes peeled on your next walk, you never know when one of these beautiful little characters might make an appearance…

Penrith and District Red Squirrel Group Cumbria Wildlife Trust Visit Eden

27/10/2026

25/10/2026

If ever there was a time to hunker down by the fire it was this weekend 🌧️💨
A fire crackling, the irresistible smell of chocolate brownies fresh out of the oven as you walk through the door, the perfect welcome after a wet and wild walk. Soon, all is well with the world again. 🍂🤎

23/10/2026

If you are looking to enjoy the Eden Valley without walking let the Settle Carlisle railway do the leg work. Sit back as you take in the stunning scenery before arriving at your destination. Nick enjoyed a few hours exploring Carlisle and its stunning architecture and even visited the moon…

Settle Carlisle Railway CRP Visit Eden

22/10/2026

When you’re used to walking as part of a pack, heading out solo can feel intimidating, especially when you’re not the best at packing a rucksack and have sole responsibility for one very enthusiastic Ted.
Today’s glorious walk along Gunnerside Gill and back towards Crackpot Hall, deep into the lead mining history surrounded by Swaledale in all its Autumn glory was a reminder that pushing outside your comfort zone is always worth it…

20/10/2026

19/10/2026

Just the most perfect day…

19/10/2026

12 years ago to the day, we walked the Dovedale Round for the first time while ticking off Wainwrights. Neither of us remembers the views or has any photos, so we can only assume it was either miserable, too long to enjoy, or a bit of both. This weekend, after glorious drive through the Eden Valley and along Ullswater we arrived 45 minutes later to a perfect day of blue skies, sunshine, autumn colours and breathtaking fell top vistas. Definitely worth a revisit, and this time we certainly won’t forget…

Visit Eden