Whistle Wood Wagon - Cumbria, United Kingdom
Brampton Mill
- Wagon for 2 from £90 per night (read our low price promise)
- 1 double
Suitable for children of all ages
Not suitable for pets
Children welcome. Sorry no pets.
Overview
Catherine and her family have a particular connection to the Whistle Wood Wagon as they actually lived in it for a year, when they first moved to the Eden Valley and started doing up the old 17th century mill. Now that the mill is habitable, the wagon has been wheeled up to the top of the orchard, looking down the slope to the mill race, with views over to the Pennines on one side and the organic vegetable garden on the other. Built from recycled timber on a WWI lorry chassis, it is tastefully decorated with bright, painted tongue and groove boarding and fresh flowers from the garden. Sit back and listen to the sounds of the countryside, from the pattering of the rain on the tin roof to the calling of the curlews and the clucking of the chickens in the morning. The shower room is just a little way away in a converted mill room, and if you're curious, Catherine will be more than happy to show you around the rest of the working mill and explain how everything works.
In the Northern Pennines, settled between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, not too far from Ullswater, this is the perfect place for any keen walker or cyclist. It’s also an amazing place for wildlife - keep very quiet and you might see the otter that swims up the mill race and past the wagon!
Essentials
The important stuff
- Check in: from 4pm
- Check out: before 10:30am
- Children are very welcome but please be aware that the mill race runs 20m below the wagon and Brampton is a working mill so do be careful of the machinery
- Sleeping arrangements
- 1 double
Kids & Pets
Children welcome. Sorry no pets.
Cooking
- 2 ring gas stove with small oven
- BBQ provided
- Small fridge
- Outside cupboard for cool box
- Large stone sink inside wagon
Washing
- Private electric shower and flushing toilet located 80 yards from the wagon
Heating, lighting & bedding
- Charcoal burning stove
- Electric heater
- All bed linen and towels provided
Entertainment
- Selection of games - cards, dominoes, scrabble, pass the pigs
Getting there
Brampton Mill, Brampton, Appleby in Westmorland, CA16 6JR
What3words address: midwinter.dial.timing
By train
The nearest station is Appleby, just under 2 miles away. It is normally possible to arrange a pick-up from here - ask Catherine for details.
By bus
The nearest bus stop is also in Appleby.
By car
Brampton Mill is situated 2 miles north of Appleby in Westmorland.
Either.....
From the A66 eastbound turn off for Appleby, then at the T junction turn right towards Dufton.
From the A66 westbound turn off for Appleby this road will take you down through Appleby and out on the Dufton road.
And then carry on as below:
Continue down Dufton Road, pass the turning for Brampton Village, go down the hill, as you pass Espland Hill Farm and Chapel on your right, the road rises and narrows at the top of the rise to the left is the track down to the mill. Follow the track and on your right is a gravelled parking area for the wagon. Park here then come down to the house and Catherine will show you around.
Food & Drink
At Brampton Mill
Tea and coffee will be available and eggs will be provided for you if the chickens are on form, as well as vegetables from the garden when in season.
Pubs & Restaurants
The New Inn (Brampton) - good pub meals
The Stagg Inn (Dufton)
The Royal Oak (Appleby)
The George and Dragon (Clifton, 12 miles) - very good local seasonal food, good for special occasions
Activities
At Brampton Mill
For anyone interested in that sort of thing, Catherine is always happy to show you around the mill and explain how it all works.
Places to visit
Appleby (1.9 miles) - Your local historic market town on the banks of the Eden river. Here you'll also find your nearest tourist info for more ideas!
High Cup Wines (3 miles) - Cumbria's only commercial vineyard! Try some of their country wines and visit their little exhibition about the geology of the fells
Acorn Bank (8 miles) - National Trust herb gardens, woodland walks and another water mill
Little Salkeld Watermill (14 miles) - This one mills biodynamic flour, runs mill tours and has award-winning tea rooms. A great walk from the watermill takes in Long Meg and her daughters, the second largest stone circle in the country. There's also the Eden Lacey Caves, perched above the river Eden which make a spectacular stop on a riverside walk. Nurture Eden provide lots of great information on things to do in the area and Visit Eden is also worth a look.
Ullswater (17 miles) - Take the famous Ullswater steamers from Pooley Bridge for an absolutely stunning trip down the lake. Catherine recommends getting off at Howtown and doing the 7 mile walk to Glenridding.
Askham Hall Gardens (17 miles) - Beautiful gardens, a great café, and a perfect base for lovely walks and cycle rides
Settle & Carlisle Railway - Jump on the train at Appleby for a day out on one of Britain's most scenic railways.
Rainy days
What could be more impressive on a rainy day than a waterfall? There are loads in the area - try Rutter Force, Hell Gill, Aira Force, High Force and Low Force in Teesdale, Cauldron Spout in Howgill Fells.
Outdoor & Active
Whether you want a gentle riverside walk down the valley or to climb up and explore the North Pennines and Lakeland fells, there are a huge variety of beautiful walks right from your doorstep. Particularly recommended are the footpaths to Brampton village and pub (just ½ mile away), High Cup Nick, Dufton Pike and Flakebridge Wood(especially breathtaking when the bluebells are out in May). Have a look in the Eden Valley guide book in the wagon for inspiration.
There is also a wonderful circular walk that you can do which takes in both woodlands and Lakeland fell views. It is a 5 mile walk straight from the wagon, following tracks and with liquid refreshment to be found on the way at The Stag Inn in Dufton.
There are also a whole range of cycle routes, from gentle valley routes to more challenging fellside ones. If you want some extra momentum, the electric bikes available to hire in Appleby are apparently a lot of fun!
For a spot of fishing in the River Eden, permits are available in Appleby.
And if watersports are your thing, canoeing, kayaking and sailing are all available on Ullswater.
Meet your hosts
Catherine and Ken bought Brampton Mill in disuse and disrepair in 1998. They saw the potential in it, and built the Whistle Wood Wagon to live in while they tackled the much larger project of making the Grade II listed mill buildings a safe and comfortable home for themselves and their new baby son.
The mill's 15 acres of land are set in a beautiful countryside region, forming part of the Eden valley SSSI, with the North Pennines AONB just 1½ miles away. Brampton Beck meanders through the land from the weir that feeds the mill race and runs the mill. In the orchard, just next to the wagon, there is a large organic vegetable garden, which you're welcome to share when the veg is in season. There are also hens in the orchard, so there are normally fresh eggs on offer, and the fields are grazed by sheep and the rare fell ponies in the summer.
Wildlife & Environment
Having built a new mill wheel, the mill provides more than enough hydroelectricity to supply the house and wagon, although this is also supplemented by the solar panels covering the barn roof. There is now a grid connected 3.6kw generator, which, given the amount of rain recently, has been exceptionally successful!
There is an abundance of wildlife here, with red squirrels and even a resident otter that swims up the mill race. Lots of breeding estuary birds come up from the Solway, including curlews, plovers, lapwings and oyster catchers, and you might also see herons, water hens, grey and pied wagtails, dippers, flycatchers and many more. There are bats nesting everywhere (including the porch), and the lack of light pollution means there are wonderful starry nights. It's a real piece of old England!
Our guests say...
Absolutely brilliant couple of days great hosts great location will definitely go back
05/10/2018John
Whistle Wood Wagon was everything I had hoped for. Cute, cosy and quiet. It was a real escape from reality with card games and scrabble till late in the night. It is so close to the Lake District that we were able to visit a few places on the Saturday. Absolutely loved it.
31/08/2018Kelly
Third time staying at WWW and it still has the same magic. A total retreat from the busy world and the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Perfect setting and gorgeous views of the upper Pennines to watch the sunset against whilst enjoying a glass of wine and BBQ with the sheep and hens bellow you in the field beyond the clear waters of the mill stream . Catherine is a perfect host who leaves you in peace to enjoy but is there if you need her and is more than happy to show you round the mill they restored.
16/07/2018James
We had a lovely stay at Whistle Wood. We were made very welcome whilst also left to enjoy our break in peace. We would recommend this beautiful place.
13/07/2018Gaynor
A short two night break close enough to the Lakes to do a bit of exploring. Brilliant weather, nothing but birdsong to disturb the silence. BBQ suppers and a short walk to the pub. Perfect.
17/06/2018John
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Booking Terms
Canopy & Stars low price promise
Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd Company No 09088366 of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. Sawday’s Canopy & Stars is part of the Alastair Sawday’s Group of Companies. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into or for any services or arrangements you purchase (“Booking(s)”) or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking. For all Bookings, your contract will be with the supplier of the Booking in question, and in most cases this will be the owner of the property you’ll be staying at (“Owner(s)”). When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner of the Booking. Your Booking with us is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking with us at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
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- you have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- you consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
and
- you are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age.
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. A Booking is confirmed on receipt of a 25% non-refundable deposit for all Bookings with check in dates of more than 10 weeks away. For all Bookings that have a check in date of less than 10 weeks before check in, payment for the Booking will be required in full and the entire Booking will be non-refundable. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a non-refundable deposit as required by the Owner of the Booking in question (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in).
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This booking confirmation will normally be sent out within 24 hours in the case of email and seven working days in the case of post, and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your booking confirmation within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Where a deposit has been paid, full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in date and a reminder will be sent to you two weeks prior to this date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your reponsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If we have been unable to take payment after two weeks of the balance due date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who may cancel your Booking.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Alastair Sawday’s Publishing Co. Ltd who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation and Amendment by You
2.1 Any cancellation or amendment request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within one working day of receipt. You are also advised to confirm all changes to our Customer Services Department by calling 0117 204 7830. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Amendments and cancellations can only be accepted in accordance with the booking conditions of the Owner of your Arrangements. The Owner may charge the cancellation or amendment charges shown in their booking conditions (which may be as much as 100% of the cost of the Arrangements and will normally increase closer to the date of departure). The Owner may charge cancellation or amendment charges in accordance with its own booking conditions, however for the sake of convenience only, we have outlined the Owner’s charges at clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that these are the Owner’s own cancellation and amendments charges, not Canopy & Stars’, and therefore the Owner may vary their charges as they wish, without notice to us. The correct charges will be notified to you at the time of your cancellation or amendments.
2.3 Owner’s General Cancellation Charges:
2.3.1 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your deposit being forfeited, as all deposits are non-refundable.
2.3.2 All monies paid for a holiday (deposit and balance) are non-refundable within 10 weeks before check in date.
2.3.3 Cancellation of any holiday after it has been paid in full and at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, will result in forfeiture of your deposit (or an amount equivalent where one was not paid as the holiday was paid in full) and the balance being returned to you.
2.3.4 Cancellation insurance is available but will be a third party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way.
2.4 Owner’s General Amendment Charges:
2.4.1 Alterations to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time alterations will be treated as cancellation. All alterations are subject to availability and may incur a £30 adminstration fee.
2.4.2 Differences in the total amount payable resulting from alterations will be refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price and paid by you in the case of increases in price.
Special note: Generally Owners will charge the above cancellation and amendment charges, however we must stress that these are a guide only and charges may differ from those shown here depending on the Owner. The exact charges will be notified to you by the Owner at the time of cancellation and/or can be found in the Owner’s own booking conditions which are available from the Owner on request.
3. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Arrangements or to cancel them. We will also liaise between you and the Owner in relation to any alternative Booking offered by the Owner but we will have no further liability to you.
4. Complaints
Because the contract for your Booking is between you and the Owner, any queries or concerns should be addressed to them. In the event that you have any complaint about your stay, please notify the Owner as soon as possible. If you don’t follow this procedure there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and so make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that amount of compensation you may be entitled to may be reduced. Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also contact us as we appreciate all feedback. It’s important to us and the Owner to know that you’ve enjoyed your stay or if anything could have been improved.
5. Pricing
Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices.Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
6. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you;
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured ad so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded;
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
7. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
8. Pets
Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply.
9. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price.
10. Visa, passport and health requirements.
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the Arrangements you chose to purchase. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday.
11. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance you purchase is adequate and appropriate for your particular needs. Please read your policy details and take them with you on holiday.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of booking is permitted.
14. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
15. Your Responsibilities
Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their property. You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners will also require damage deposits. You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Any refund for so doing will be at the entire discretion of the Owner. In addition, the Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
16. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
17. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
18. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
Absolutely brilliant couple of days great hosts great location will definitely go back
05/10/2018