A beautifully unique building in the eastern Lake District. This experience is best described as indoor camping, an adventure! Facilities are basic, but our reviews will tell you how much people have enjoyed it. The bothy is off-grid and has two floors - downstairs a cosy living area with woodburner and cooking facilities; upstairs a sleeping area with view of the night sky. Dogs welcome. Sleeps max 8 persons. Price based on 4 sharing. Want to go wild? Be our guest!
The space
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Shap Fell Bothy is an iconic and unique building located on Shap Fell, Cumbria, by the A6 road at 1390 ft above sea level. 10 minutes from Junction 39 of the M6 motorway, and 20 minutes from Kendal.
The Bothy has been converted to a camping barn from an old telephone repeater station. It is surrounded by moorland and there are no houses or neighbours for miles around. The nearest village with shops is Shap, about 7 miles away. Situated on the main route from John O' Groats to Land's End, the Bothy is suitable for long distance walkers and cyclists, also mountain bikers, ramblers, bird watchers, astronomers, weekend retreats, music practice, or simply for a unique overnight stay. The back gate opens onto public access land, and there are public footpaths and bridleways across the moorland within 100 yards. The Bothy has a roof-window and is an ideal place for star-gazing, as there is an exceptionally low and wide horizon, and low light pollution.
Please note: The landscape is bare high moorland, with no trees nearby, and there are power lines a few hundred yards away. The road can be busy in the mornings, but it quietens off by about 9.00 am, and it is exceptionally quiet at night.
The property is completely off-grid ie it is not connected to the electricity grid and has no running water. Lighting and low-usage power (eg for phone/laptop-charging) is supplied by wind and solar. Drinking water and water for washing etc are provided (water can be heated on the cooker or stove). There is a washroom in the building, and toilet facilities consist of a Portaloo chemical toilet cubicle outside.
Facilities are basic - best described as indoor camping. The accommodation downstairs consists of a main living room with wood-burning stove, tables and chairs; a kitchenette with caravan-type gas cooker (two rings and a grill); a washroom with small sink; and a hallway with coat hooks and space for boots.
Upstairs is a lovely sleeping/lounging area, fully covered with large thick rugs, with roof windows, ambient lighting and low comfortable seating. Heating is provided by a gas heater.
Sleeping arrangements:
The Bothy accommodates up to 8 people. In the upstairs there are 5 futon mattresses for the first 5 people to sleep on; additional guests can make use of the upstairs seating cushions or bring their own lilos, carrymats etc.
Car parking:
Ample car parking is provided 100 yards away in large lay-bys. There is a loading/unloading area off the road in front of the Bothy.
Pricing:
* The basic price is for up to 4 people. Extra guests charged at £10 per person per night
* Cleaning charge is £5 per stay, payable at time of booking.
***Please note: We DO NOT allow parties.
Leave it as you found it is the Bothy motto!
****It is a house rule that you keep the area outside of the bothy clear of rubbish (including picking up all cigarette butts) at all times and dog owners are MUST clean up after their dogs. It is also a house rule that you respect the bothy space inside. NO parties. We have a very minimal cleaning charge as guests are required to clean up after themselves fully indoors and outdoors before departure and leave the Bothy as they found it. Please take all your rubbish and recycling away with you. Extra charges at £35 per hour cleaning apply if there is additional mess left.***
The following are provided for you and included in your booking charge:
* Electric lighting and mains sockets for low-level use eg phone/laptop charging
* Gas cooker – 2 rings and a grill (gas supplied)
* 10L drinking water per day, and large canisters of water for washing, washing-up etc. (Up to three days supply of water is provided)
* Toilet paper
* Futon mattresses for 5 people (but up to 8 people are welcome)
*****We do NOT providing the Crockery, cutlery and cooking equipment including kettle OR Tea towel and hand towel. If you plan to cook please bring everything you need with you.*****
FUEL FOR WOODBURNER & USE OF GAS FIRE, AND BEDDING HIRE
* Your booking charge per night includes 1 bag of dry, locally sourced wood (ample for most people’s requirements in an evening), sufficient kindling & firelighters, use of upstairs gas fire.
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WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO BRING WITH YOU (ALL BOOKINGS)
* Bedding including pillows, sheets, duvets and blankets, or sleeping bags.
* Towels & tea towel
* If you intend to cook, all crockery, cutlery, kitchen utensils including pans and sharp knives.
* Soap and toiletries
* Torch – it can be very dark outside when there isn't much of a moon!
* Matches
* We recommend warm clothes, waterproofs, good shoes/boots
Other things to note
The weather on the top of Shap Fell can be severe and changeable - particularly in the winter months - so guests should come prepared. If you plan to walk on the moorland strong shoes, waterproof clothing and basic map-reading skills are essential.
The knowledge of how to use a woodburner effectively is recommended, although instructions will be provided. The woodburner is the only source of heating downstairs and is essential particularly in the winter months.
Upstairs the heating source is a gas heater which runs on cylinder gas. Gas is included in the booking charge. We ask that you use the heater sensibly. NEVER leave it unattended. Don’t leave it on while you are not in the room OR when you are asleep. Don’t leave it on when you are downstairs and your children are upstairs, asleep or not.
As mentioned above, the Bothy does not have running water. Drinking water and water for washing etc is provided for you (for up to 3 nights' stay). Water can be heated on the cooker or the wood-burner.
Sorry the Bothy does not have wi-fi access – however there is mobile phone reception there.
The Bothy is beside the road (A6) which was the main route between England and Scotland but which now serves local traffic only. It can be busy in the mornings, but is very quiet at night.
In summer the weather can be glorious, with panoramic views around a huge horizon. In winter the road is occasionally closed by snow, but is normally opened up by snowploughs within 24 hours. You will need to keep an eye on the forecast so you are aware of travel conditions (and in the winter you may wish to take out holiday insurance just in case access is affected by the weather). If you want to see current weather conditions, search online for ‘Shap A6 Weather Station’ and you will see views from a live webcam and weather data from the weather station which is very near the Bothy.
Check-in time is any time from 4pm. Entry is via key safe – we will message you with the code a few days before your visit. Check out is strictly before 10am, Our changeover staff will arrive at 10.05am to clean and set the bothy for the next guests.
Leave it as you found it is the Bothy motto!
****It is a house rule that you keep the area outside of the bothy clear of rubbish (including picking up all cigarette butts) at all times and dog owners are MUST clean up after their dogs. It is also a house rule that you respect the bothy space inside. We DO NOT allow parties. We have a very minimal cleaning charge as guests are required to clean up after themselves fully indoors and outdoors before departure and leave the Bothy as they found it. Unless you arrived by foot or bicycle, please take your rubbish and recycling away with you. Extra charges apply if there is additional mess left.***
This is not ensuite at a five star hotel !!!!!!.... this is indoor camping at its best!!!
