Byre - The Green Cumbria

Dogfriendly Magazine Review

Read our comprehensive review of this listing printed in our bi-monthly magazine.

Name: The Green, Eden Valley
Reviewers: Stephen and Nia Bridgewater

Sometimes we all need to escape, even if it’s just for a couple of nights. That was exactly how we felt as we arrived in the tiny village of Ravenstonedale one dark, wet and windy evening. Making a mental note that the pubs looked well worth investigating we continued to follow the directions we’d been sent. “Follow the single-track lane for three-quarters of a mile,” they said. “You will go past a ruined barn on the left and then another on the right. Just after this turn left down a gravel track for about 400 metres.”

We were definitely off the beaten track now and I could already feel the stresses of the working week sliding from my shoulders. Normally, finding a barn that is, frankly, in the middle of nowhere, in the dark and rain can itself be stressful but Richard and Carly, the owners of The Green, had ensured that the directions were faultless.In fact, their TouchStay electronic welcome guide was a revelation all round. Downloadable before arrival and viewable as an app or a PDF it includes everything you need to know about staying at the venue; from what you need to bring (or not), activities in the local area, the best local pubs and restaurants, and lots of other useful info.

We’ve travelled extensively with Howie and Franklin over the years and stayed in some fabulous locations – from country cottages to stately homes and boutique hotels – but as we eased open the stable door to our accommodation we let out a collective “Wow”. The Green consists of a converted Victorian stone barn split into three dog friendly holiday lets. 

We’d been allocated The Byre and it really was breathtaking. Capable of sleeping up to four it is described as “a perfect base for a couple’s retreat or for families wanting to explore the countryside.” The ‘upside down’ nature of the property – with ensuite bedrooms and whirlpool bath downstairs and living accommodation upstairs – makes it particularly dog friendly and Richard and Carly had kindly provided towels, sponges and everything needed to clean a muddy poodle or two upon arrival. As we were to discover over the next couple of days there’s also an outside tap for especially dirty dogs.

Upstairs, the open-plan living area has a magnificent double-height ceiling with exposed beams that creates a light, airy and serene space and there’s also a cosy mezzanine level with fine blankets, books, low lighting and a small speaker to listen to music. French doors also open from the lounge area onto a balcony, where you can take in the far-reaching views across the Eden Valley.

Although we had a car full of food and drink the now incessant rain made the thought of venturing out into the cold decidedly unpalatable so we set about lighting the log burner and exploring the welcome hamper that was waiting for us on arrival. Richard and Carly have developed close relationships with local businesses and the hamper included sourdough bread from the local award-winning Ivy Cottage Baker in Brough, handmade chocolates from Kennedy’s Fine Chocolates in nearby Orton and jams and marmalades from Country Flavour in Kirkby Stephen. There were also small batch hand-crafted sodas from Queen Fryers Drinks (run by the chef and owner of the award-winning Dog & Gun at Skelton), dairy products from Neil the local milkman and snacks made by Yorkshire Crisps.

This local shopping ethos is just part of the couple’s aim to make the accommodation as sustainable as possible which includes ground source heat pumps, compostable kitchen items and local produce in the welcome packs. “Sustainability is much more to us than swapping a few cleaning products,” said Carly. “We already have several sustainable systems in place such as our ground source heat pumps for heating and hot water, private bore-hole for water, compostable kitchen items and local produce in our welcome packs; but these are only just the beginning and we are very excited about a more sustainable future.”

Richard and Carly acquired The Green in 2020 and have transformed it. Carly’s passion for renovating houses and interior design has merged with Richard’s love for the mountains and the great outdoors to create a venue where guests can immerse themselves in the surrounding area and relax in the cosy nature-inspired interiors. Ravenstonedale lies within the beautiful Eden Valley, with the Pennines to the East and the Lake District Fells to the West. Being at the foot of the Howgill Fells and within the Yorkshire Dales National Park means Richard – who is a qualified mountain leader – is able to take guests out for memorable days in the hills. He is passionate about the outdoors.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is not just about spectacular walking, it also has large areas completely free from local light pollution. The Green is therefore located within one of just 18 Dark Sky Reserves in the world, with minimal light pollution and one of the darkest skies in the country making it one of the best locations in Britain for stargazing.

Included in the cost of your stay is a special stargazing kit, which includes a guide to constellations and the night sky, blankets to keep warm, binoculars and even a stargazing journal. Wrap up warm and enjoy a night outside (or on your balcony) and on a clear night you could see as many as 2000 stars, watch the International Space Station pass over and – at certain times of the year – see shooting stars.

For wildlife lovers, the area is awash with rarities, from red squirrels to semi-wild fell ponies and both tawny and barn owls. The stargazing binoculars double up as useful tools for ‘twitchers’ and bird books are provided for enthusiastic amateurs to hone their recognition skills. I’m told you might also see swallows, buzzards and kestrels during the day, and lots of other birds that nest nearby regularly visit the strategically placed feeders, but during our visit it was so windy that even the birds were commuting on foot!

Unfortunately, the torrential rain also precluded all but the shortest of walks and the total cloud cover prevented any stargazing. But it didn’t matter…

Although, like most dogs, Howie and Franklin enjoy a good walk they’re also content with short ones when it’s wet and cold, especially when there’s a log burner to curl up in front of when they get back. The Byre also has underfloor heating (powered by ground source heat pumps) and there are few things more relaxing than settling down in a warm barn listening to the rain hammering on the windows and the wind blowing through the trees.

A veritable feast of books is provided, with something of interest for most people to peruse, and there is also a choice of board games. However, those more keen on modern forms of entertainment are catered for by a flatscreen smart TV, smart speaker with a Spotify subscription and high-speed WiFi.

The Byre has a well-equipped kitchen with full-size fridge freezer, double oven, hob, microwave and dishwasher, but having noticed the local pubs shortly before our arrival we were keen to explore their menus. Ravenstonedale village is around a mile from the property and 6 miles from Kirkby Stephen, the nearest small town. The village is home to a golf club, art gallery, tennis court and two excellent pubs, both of which are dog friendly.

The Kings Head, on the outskirts of the village, was built in the 16th century and refurbished a decade ago after being closed for a number of years. The legendary Alfred Wainright stayed here during his efforts to map the 214 fell tops in the Lake District and the ham, egg and chips that was his favourite dish remains a staple of the menu to this day. Howie and Franklin were treated like royalty at the Kings Head, met the pub dog (without barking) and loved it so much that we visited for both lunch and dinner during our stay.

Closer to the centre of the village, the Black Swan is a Victorian inn that has been owned by the same family for nearly 20 years. Voted ‘Pub of the Year’ in the 2022 Cumbria Tourism Awards and named the UK’s 20th best gastropub in 2023 the Black Swan’s menu is a foodie’s delight. Conceived by head chef Scott Fairweather, the fayre is described as “attractive pub food with a creative slant, that expresses individual personality.” But the food is worthy of any Michelin star restaurant and calling it ‘pub grub’ seems to do it a disservice.  Among the highlights we enjoyed was a most incredible venison dish and a gravity-defying cheese soufflé.

Had the weather been kinder – and our energy levels been higher – there were plenty of  options for day trips and local attractions. The ‘holistically managed’ Piper Hole goat farm consists of SSSI meadow lands that were recognised as Cumbria’s first ‘Coronation Meadows’ by appointment of King Charles. The scheme sees 60 locations donate seed to a recipient site within the same county in a bid to enhance and increase the numbers of traditional meadows. Piper Hole is also famous for its goat’s milk and meat products.

Cautley Spout, England’s highest waterfall, is just a few minutes’ drive away from The Green and includes a 2.5-mile circular walk from The Cross Keys Temperance Inn. Slightly further afield you can explore the Eden Viaducts of Podgill, Merrygill and Smardale Gill, visit Lowther Castle and its gardens or shop at Farfield Mill where flat caps and woollens are among the specialties.

Those wanting to travel a little further can reach Barnard Castle in 30 mins, Windermere in 45 mins and Ambleside in an hour. Although the weather hampered our plans we did manage to call in at Barnard Castle on the way home, just to check our eyes! Once again, Howie and Franklin were made very welcome at one of the town’s many dog friendly cafes, in this case the Alice in Wonderland themed Madhatter Kitchen & Tea Room. 

With amazing walking, stargazing, nature watching and tourist attractions on the doorstep and highlighted in one of the most comprehensively written and well-presented visitor guides I have seen, it seemed such a shame to spend most of the visit indoors. If you’re anything like us, you may feel guilty about going away and doing nothing. However, on this occasion, it was just what the doctor ordered, providing an opportunity to reconnect with each other, devote undivided attention to Howie and Franklin and feel the stresses float away. We will go back to The Green, though, it’s one of those places where you feel relaxed, welcome and at ease. Hopefully the weather will be kinder next time.

The Green, Eden Valley, review by Stephen and Nia Bridgewater and appears in DogFriendly magazine issue 78.  For more information on the DogFriendly magazine visit https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk/magazine