Business Details
Luxury Guesthouse in Keswick, Lake District
Scales Farm is a historic 17th-century farmhouse transformed into a premium guesthouse in the early 1980s, retaining original features while incorporating modern comforts. Our commitment to sustainable practices is evident in our 2015 installation of a renewable energy boiler system, ensuring eco-friendly heating and hot water. With over 15 years of experience as hillwalking leaders, we bring deep local knowledge of the Lake District, particularly Blencathra, to help guests plan their adventures. Our property offers six en-suite rooms, including accessible and dog-friendly options, complemented by a traditional beamed lounge, drying room, and secure bicycle storage. We provide expert guidance on walking routes from our doorstep, including access to Blencathra's renowned Sharp Edge trail.Our breakfast room serves locally sourced full English and vegetarian options alongside homemade preserves and specialist teas. The guest lounge features Wainwright's guidebooks, a 3D map of the Lake District, and complimentary walking equipment. Our location, six miles from Keswick, offers panoramic views of the central fells and direct access to Scales Fell. We maintain extensive gardens with bird-feeding stations and a private car park accommodating eight vehicles. Our dedication to preserving historical integrity while delivering modern hospitality has made Scales Farm a trusted choice for exploring the Lake District since our conversion.
Services
En-suite Rooms
Full English Breakfast
Private Parking
Drying Room
Walking Equipment Hire
Wi-Fi Access
Cycle Storage
Garden Access
Route Planning
Packed Lunches
Highlights and features
- We offer 17th-century farmhouse accommodation with modern comforts and renewable energy systems
- Our six en-suite rooms include accessible and dog-friendly options with direct garden access
- We provide expert local knowledge of Lake District walking routes from 15 years of guiding experience
- We serve locally sourced full English breakfasts with homemade preserves and specialist teas
- Our property features secure bicycle storage, drying room, and complimentary walking equipment
Services
En-suite Rooms
Our six en-suite rooms combine historic charm with modern comforts. Each room features contemporary amenities while preserving traditional elements like oak beams. Three ground-floor rooms offer direct garden access and dog-friendly facilities, while Room 3 provides accessible accommodation for guests with mobility needs. All rooms maintain the character of our 17th-century farmhouse while ensuring comfortable stays for modern visitors.
Full English Breakfast
Start your day with a hearty full English breakfast featuring locally sourced bacon and sausages. We offer vegetarian alternatives and lighter options like kippers or porridge. Our buffet includes eight cereals, fresh fruit salad, and homemade preserves. Guests with dietary requirements receive tailored meal options when notified in advance, ensuring everyone enjoys a satisfying breakfast before exploring the Lake District.
Walking Equipment Hire
We provide complimentary walking poles, maps, compasses, and weather-appropriate clothing to enhance your fell-walking experience. Our equipment supports exploration of nearby Blencathra and other Lake District trails. Guests receive route planning assistance from our team with 15 years of local guiding experience, ensuring safe and enjoyable walks from our doorstep to iconic routes like Sharp Edge.
Drying Room
Our eco-friendly wood-burning boiler room doubles as a drying facility for wet clothing and boots. The sauna-like environment effectively dries gear while maintaining a pleasant aroma from the renewable energy system. This year-round facility ensures outdoor enthusiasts can maintain dry equipment after exploring the Lake District's famously changeable weather conditions.
Route Planning
Benefit from our extensive local knowledge through pre-prepared route plans covering Blencathra's ridges and the Helvellyn range. Our team, with 15 years of hillwalking leadership experience, offers expert advice on walks ranging from easy trails to challenging scrambles. We help guests select appropriate routes based on fitness levels and weather conditions, ensuring safe and memorable Lake District adventures.
People
Ivan
Co-Owner
Co-owner with 15 years' experience as a hillwalking leader. Moved to the Lake District from London after falling in love with the area during a Scout Group visit in the 1990s. Brings extensive local knowledge to guest support.
Helen
Co-Owner
Co-owner and former hillwalking leader who relocated from London. Shares Ivan's passion for the Lake District, having discovered the region during a Scout Group visit in the 1990s. Contributes to guest experiences with local expertise and hospitality knowledge.
Questions
What room types are available at Scales Farm?
We offer six en-suite rooms including Standard, Superior, and Single Night options. Room 3 is accessible for guests with mobility needs, and three rooms are dog-friendly with direct garden access.
Does Scales Farm provide breakfast options?
Yes, we serve a full English breakfast with locally sourced ingredients, vegetarian alternatives, and lighter options. Our buffet includes cereals, fresh fruit, and homemade preserves with specialist teas available.
Can I bring my dog to Scales Farm?
Three ground-floor rooms welcome dogs with direct garden access. A £7 per pet per night fee applies, and we provide secure bicycle storage and drying facilities for outdoor enthusiasts.
What walking routes are accessible from Scales Farm?
We offer direct access to Blencathra's Scales, Doddick, Halls, and Blease ridges. Our team provides route planning assistance for walks ranging from easy trails to challenging scrambles like Sharp Edge.
Are there parking facilities at Scales Farm?
Yes, we have a private car park accommodating eight vehicles with additional cycle storage for 12 bicycles. The parking area is located near the buildings with easy access for guests.
What payment methods are accepted at Scales Farm?
We accept major credit/debit cards for deposits. Full payment terms require a 20% non-refundable deposit with the balance due before arrival. Special offers apply for stays of varying durations.
Reviews (7)
Gail Smith
Dec 13, 2021
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Weve stayed here quite a few times. Very welcoming. Lovely friendly people. Nice comfortable rooms. Lovely breakfast
Mick Smith
Dec 13, 2021
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This place is brilliant we have stayed here 5 times the owners are great would recommend if i could give 10 stars I would
Patricia Mogg
Nov 17, 2021
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Excellent place to stay with your dog, beautiful location, good for walks, very dog friendly, lovely breakfast. Very helpful hosts.
Gary Smith
Oct 21, 2021
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A beautiful, modern, spacious B&B run by Helen, Ivan and Barbara. Helen (and Barbara) are extremely friendly and knowledgeable about all things to do with the Lake District and the B&B has a superb range of maps and books. We have to give a special mention to Helen who went above and beyond to help us when we had car problems.
John Shedwick Photography
Sep 30, 2021
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Well overdue this review! We stopped at Scales Farm whilst filming around the fells in Keswick - A group of 7 of us with tonnes of camera gear, outdoor gear and the need to be out the door by 4am for filming. Helen and Ivan were more than hospitable, really friendly and bent over backwards to ensure we had everything we needed. I cannot recommend it more!
Rob Caddick
Sep 24, 2021
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Helen and Ivan, our hosts, made us really feel welcome from the get go and can'tdo enough for you, for example, we were there for my birthday and our wedding anniversary and I asked Helen if we could arrange a surprise for my wife on the morning of our anniversary which was carried out brilliantly.. Our room was clean and airy with brilliant views over Mosedale and Clough Head, breakfast was the best we have had.. well recommended!
Raymond Eaton
Sep 19, 2021
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Lovely B&B hosted by wonderful people. We were made to feel right at home the minute we arrived. 10/10
