Cosy Barn conversion by a Lake District Pele Tower

The Garden Barn was converted in 2016 into a delightful two-bedroom property, with soaring beams over a spacious living room/kitchen, all super-cosy thanks to a biomass boiler. One bedroom has a king-sized bed with a memory foam mattress and would suit two adults, while the second is perfect for children, with an L-shaped bunk bed and space for a third mattresss/toddler bed/cot. It’s the most accessible of all Johnby Hall’s accommodation, with just a low entrance step and only two interior steps and a modern shower room with a level access shower.

Guests are welcome to bring up to four dogs free of charge. For an added touch of pampering breakfast can be offered, at a modest cost, in Johnby Hall’s Great Hall. It is a unique place to stay in a quiet part of the Lake District.

Through the day there’s plenty to see and do without ever leaving the property. There are plenty of toys and books for children, while the garden’s history goes back centuries, with a walled orchard and woodland walk, a tranquil location and views over the Pennines. Look out for interesting birds and even the occasional red squirrel.

Best of all, everyone is welcome: children and pets love the range of garden toys and woods in which to roam.

Johnby Hall suggests

The Garden Barn is available on a self-contained basis with a three night minimum stay. Between March and November we prefer to let The Garden Barn on a Friday to Friday, Friday to Monday or Monday to Friday pattern where possible, but feel free to call to discuss your requirements.

Pricing

Price for seven nights self-catering

£494 - £810

Minimum three-night stay

Dogs and children stay free. Seasonal offers and discounts for longer stays are often available: just call and ask.

Location

Johnby Hall is on the edge of the hamlet of Johnby, a mile of the larger village of Greystoke. If using a satnav the postcode is misleading: set your route for Greystoke (CA11 0TP), follow the sign for Johnby from the village green, take the left fork (again signed Johynby) and then - after a mile - Johnby Hall is on the left with white gates. It's six miles from the M6: take exit 40. The Boot & Shoe in Greystoke (1 mile) is a good friendly pub for supper, or treat yourself to a Michelin-starred meal at the Dog & Gun in Skelton (3 miles), who's menu features Johnby Hall's own rare-breed pork.

Johnby Hall is a stone's throw from the Lake District National Park. Ulswater is 8 miles away and Keswick-on-Derwentwater 14. The market town of Penrith is six miles away, and in less than 4 miles you'll find the historic houses and gardens of Hutton-in-the-Forest with Dalemain only a couple of miles further. Brougham Castle is 6 miles away, the craft shops of Caldbeck are 9, and Hadrian's Wall, Morecambe Bay, the Solway Coast and the North Pennines are all within easy reach. Or you can always park the car and choose instead to enrol on a craft course: the Quirky Worshop in nearby Greystoke run a range of idiosyncratic courses.

Electric car charging points are available in Penrith (six miles) and at Rheged Visitor Centre (three miles).

Reviews

"This is the place to stay if you want atmosphere, quiet and delicious, home-produced breakfasts -- the main house has been in the family for hundreds of years and you can feel it when you have breakfast in the huge sitting room dominated by portraits of ancestors and an immense fireplace - the accommodation is spacious - with a big bedroom and a sitting room - with a smaller bathroom - v nice cakes are provided on arrival If you are looking for hotel luxury, this is not the place - but if you want space, history and calm in the midst of a gorgeous part of the country, this is a dream"
Sebastian U, December 2022