About Fornside Farm

A LAKE DISTRICT HILL FARM

Set in the beautiful scenery of St. John's-in-the-Vale, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site of The English Lake District

eco-friendly holiday cottages in the lake district (lambs)

References to Fornside start in 1303, and the name is derived from ‘Forne’s saetr’; Forne being a Scandinavian settler (9th or 10th century) and saetr meaning ‘hill pasture’. Parts of the typical Cumbrian longhouse date back to the 17th Century, and four of its barns have been converted into eco-friendly holiday cottages offering wonderful views over the Vale and the local fells.

St. John’s-in-the-Vale is a beautiful and secluded valley at the foot of the Helvellyn range surrounded by dramatic Lakeland scenery … yet we are within easy reach of Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside and all the other attractions of the English Lake District National Park.

We have lovingly furnished our eco-friendly Lake District holiday cottages to provide spacious accommodation of a very high standard, retaining some original barn features. They are well-equipped, warm, and welcoming with eco-friendly ground-source heating (underfloor downstairs), as well as a log burning stove. There is a private farm trail to help you enjoy our woods, fields, streams, wildlife and fantastic views.

eco friendly holiday cottage on a Lake District Farm (ducks)

We are on hand to offer advice on walks, activities and places to eat, but are just as happy to leave you to enjoy a relaxing holiday here at the farm. You may see red squirrels scampering along our dry stone walls in search of food, and you can spend hours just gazing at the lovely views from your cottage.

The farm is set back from the road with direct private access to the fells. We have 60 acres of beautiful countryside with spectacular views. The fields surrounding the farm are home to livestock; sheep, free range hens, ducks and geese plus the recent addition of pigs! Guests are welcome to meet our animals.

Many of the sheep in this area are Herdwicks, the traditional Lake District breed, famed for their hardiness. Herdwick lambs are born black and their fleeces lighten as they grow older. Swaledales are another very traditional breed in this area and you are likely to see many varieties of sheep just in our Vale.

Our hens are free range and we can usually provide you with the freshest eggs possible, laid by hens with probably the best views in the country.

10 REASONS TO STAY

At Fornside Farm

Peace and Quiet. The setting is truly idyllic; a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The farmhouse and cottages are surrounded by fields and fells (which our guests are welcome to explore). Listen to the sounds of nature; woodpeckers, Spring lambs bleating, hens clucking as they lay eggs, trees rustling in the wind and streams tumbling over rocks. Look closely at the beauty of the range of wildflowers nestling between rocks and amongst the grasses. You might even spot a red squirrel!
Excellent and convenient location: despite being just 20 minutes from the M6, we are nestled deeply into the fells of Cumbria. Our location is within very handy reach of Keswick, Grasmere, Ambleside and all the other attractions of the English Lake District National Park. For the hill-walkers, Wainwright-baggers and fell-runners amongst you, St. John’s-in-the-Vale divides the Eastern, Central and Northern Fells and is tucked right underneath the Helvellyn range (we even named our dog after it).
You’ll have the Great Outdoors on your doorstep! The mountains directly behind the farm and the valley with all its animals and meandering river in front will keep you captivated for hours, truly beautiful. You can start exploring the hills from your doorstep; witness Wainwright’s description of the route to Great Dodd from Fornside! In fact there are many trails to be enjoyed directly from the farm (see our blog for a few of our favourites). A short drive will take you to Whinlatter Forest, where adrenaline junkies of all ages can test their mountain biking skills, hunt Gruffalos, or even if they are lucky spot an Osprey. If you fancy messing about on the water, the nearby shores of Derwentwater offer kayaking, paddleboarding and all sorts of other wild wet fun! Check out our adventure page if you’d like recommendations for activities guides, especially if you are trying something for the first time.
We have created a private farm trail to help you enjoy our woods, fields, streams, wildlife and fantastic views … not to mention plenty of picnic opportunities! We will leave a hand-drawn map of the trail and the farm in your cottage for your arrival.
All of the cottages offer spectacular views; simply look out of any window and you get a picture-postcard view. Each cottage has its own outdoor eating area and BBQ offering views across the vale or up the fell, and there are more picnic tables further from the cottage, should a sun-downer somewhere different take your fancy one evening.
Warm and friendly hosts, Joanna & Matt Butler, will be on hand to offer advice on activities and places to eat, should you wish. Equally, having welcomed you to your cottage, you can enjoy your break undisturbed if that is your preference!
Ample parking right outside the holiday cottages. A PodPoint electric car charging point for our cottage guests who are already embracing the electric vehicle future. And not forgetting the locked barn, set aside specifically to store guests’ bicycles.
Fresh farm free range eggs: The ducks, geese and hens all lay delicious eggs and you will be given a box of fresh eggs as part of your welcome. More fresh eggs are usually available to buy.
Farm life. Visitors are welcome to meet our animals and roam the whole farm. We keep a supply of hen treats, if you want to encourage them to come up close to you!
Possibly most importantly, our cottages are simply great! You will have your own wood-burning stove (and plenty of wood), and every cottage has been beautifully decorated and equipped with eco-friendly ground-source underfloor heating. The cottages are all spotlessly clean and well equipped with everything you could possibly need.

A LAKE DISTRICT HILL FARM

10 REASONS TO STAY