Plan Your Trip to Owl Barn
The Ennerdale area is perfect for walking, exploring, photography, or simply relaxing in a Lake District cottage. Here are some other helpful links about the area: 15 miles away is Muncaster, a magnificent historic house set in a dramatic location with extensive gardens and a world-famous Owl Centre. Just 8 miles away is St Bees, a charming coastal village boasting a fine beach. St Bees is also the starting point of the 'Coast-to-Coast' walk, which follows the stunning cliffs of St Bees Head. Nearby, you'll find Loweswater, a beautiful wooded lake that offers some of our favorite walks. Whitehaven, located 8 miles away, is a Georgian town with a spectacular setting and rich history. Once the third-largest port in England, it has experienced decline but is now undergoing regeneration. The Beacon on the harbor and The Rum Story showcase the town's fascinating history. Cockermouth, our local market town, is just 7 miles away and features great local shops, including a very traditional ironmongers, as well as inviting pubs. For many, Keswick, only 30 minutes from here, is considered the heart of the Lake District, serving as a bustling tourist center with a splendid setting and numerous specialist shops, although it can be busy and pricey. The valley south of Ennerdale is Wasdale, 19 miles away, famed among walkers and climbers for Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. To the north, you’ll find Buttermere, a hamlet and lake nestled in a wonderful setting offering beautiful lakeside walking and dramatic fell-walking, plus delightful homemade ice cream! At the top of one of the spectacular drives out of Buttermere is Honister Slate Mine, which offers fascinating mine tours and more. Wordsworth House, owned by the National Trust, is a historic house and the birthplace of Wordsworth. There are plenty of other historic houses to explore, such as Mirehouse, Dalemain, and Holker Hall. You can also enjoy local theatres like Rosehill, The Theatre by The Lake, and The Kirkgate, as well as galleries such as Thornthwaite Gallery and Percy House Gallery. The Eskdale Railway is a wonderfully scenic narrow-gauge railway that will take you to the working mill in the village of Boot, in Eskdale, where more excellent walking and a fine pub await. If you enjoy sports, we have local options for golf, riding, mountain biking, scrambling, and climbing if you’re feeling brave. The steamers on Ullswater and Derwentwater are a fantastic way to explore these two lakes and can be combined with lakeside walks. You can even hire boats on Derwentwater, Ullswater, and Loweswater. Birdwatchers will be familiar with the Osprey, which nests locally. The Solway Firth and Ravenglass are excellent for estuarine birds, while Ennerdale is home to ring ouzels (which we have seen) and goshawks (which we have not!). Tree sparrows can be spotted at Hawes Farm, adding to the growing list of birds observed here (see the visitors' comments). If you’re looking for a secluded holiday cottage, this area offers great opportunities for adventure and relaxation.