The Herdwick Huts have their own site within the magnificent grounds of Rydal Hall, in the heart of the Lake District. Nestled beneath the Fairfield Horseshoe, the location is hard to beat. A walk through a stunning woodland sculpture path takes you to Rydal Hall and its extensive 34 acre grounds. There are also paths which lead past cascading waterfalls and secret pools - perfect for wild swimming.

Why you'll love it at The Herdwick Huts


Set in the heart of the Lake District National Park close to waterfalls and wild swimming spots

Cosy shepherd's huts with wood-burning stoves and lovely views

Just 30 minutes from England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike

About the site


Located in the heart of the Lake District, The Herdwick Huts enjoy an exclusive site within the magnificent grounds of Rydal Hall. The five shepherd's huts are beautifully equipped with everything you will need for a comfortable stay. Each one sleeps up to three people in a double bed and single bunk bed, complete with hypoallergenic memory foam mattresses and fresh, colourful duvets and linen. The views from the stable door and windows are amazing, and the wood burning stove will keep you toasty warm. Each shepherd's hut has its own outside brazier and bench, and one well behaved dog can also stay. A maximum of one dog is allowed per each of the pet friendly huts at an additional cost of £20 per stay. Campfires are welcome in the raised fire pits only, please keep them raised off the ground.

The Herdwick Huts is open from 01/01 to 31/07.


Facilities and amenities

Adult only

Allow commercial vans

Allow pets on site

Café / restaurant

Disabled facilities

Drinking water

Family friendly

Fires allowed

Shop

Showers

Toilet

WiFi

Glamping

Near pub

Open year round

Peaceful

Watersports

Facilities include five separate men's toilets and showers and five women's toilets and showers. These are heated and do not require coin operation. All the facilities are a good size with shelving, plugs and large mirrors too.

There is also a communal washing up area and fresh water tap that guests are welcome to use.

If you're after a tasty treat, there is also a tea room onsite and just behind the tea room there is also a separate woodland toilet block.

The Badger Bar pub and restaurant offers full English breakfasts and a badger watching location - just a five minute walk away. Grocery shops are conveniently nearby including Spar, Co-op and Tesco within a ten minute drive.


A note from the site themselves...

I'm Sarah the owner of Herdwick Huts, and have lived and worked in the Lake District since 2000. There's nowhere else in the world I'd want to live and my two sons (now all grown up) love the countryside and exploring...they like to keep me on my toes!

I am passionate about creating spaces particularly in such picturesque settings, being able to provide something environmentally friendly and surrounded by nature. It's important for people to be able to get away from the norm and completely unwind whilst appreciating every moment.

I hope you'll come and visit us soon and I am always on hand to answer any questions you may have.


Map and address

Park address

The Herdwick Huts,

Rydal Hall, Rydal, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9LX

Coordinates

54.4493, -2.9818 | NY 36 6

View on Google Maps

The Herdwick Huts is ideal for...

Couples

Older children (13+)

Young children


There are 5 accommodation options on-site

Bookable pitches and accommodation options

4 x Shepherd Huts (Pet Friendly)

Max 3 people

Each has a double bed with memory foam mattress and a small single bunk bed, bedding provided. Cosy inside with the wood burning stove and complimentary firewood. One dog welcome. Shared site facilities nearby.

Shepherds Hut (Pet Free)

Max 3 people

Luxury shepherd huts on their own exclusive site at Rydal Hall. The shepherds huts have a double bed and a small single bunk bed, bedding provided. One infant allowed, please bring cot and bedding. Sorry, no pets. Shared facilities nearby.


The Herdwick Huts reviews

4.7 /5

8 reviews

100%

would recommend

Overall
4.7
Location
5
Value for money
4.62
Service
4.75
Facilities
4.38
Cleanliness
4.75

A perfect base to explore the Lake District

Antonia P

0

0

Shepherd's Hut - Shepherd Huts (Pet Friendly)Sep 2024

We really enjoyed our stay here! We were traveling without a car, which is why it was very convenient for us that the campsite is easily accessible by public transport and that we could easily get to Ambleside and Grasmere on foot or by bus. It's a perfect base from which to explore the Lake District! The site itself is beautifully situated and you can also go on wonderful walks directly from there. The cabins are very well equipped and the furnishings are very well thought out. Although they are small, you can spend a lot of time there and also cook without suffering from cabin fever. We were there at the end of September and were worried about the weather. But the wood-burning stove heats very well, so we were never cold. I suspect that you can even feel comfortable there in winter. The sanitary facilities are in very good condition, but you have to walk for about five minutes (hence one star deduction for facilities).However, this also has the advantage that you are very undisturbed. Sarah, the hostess, was always easy to reach and very helpful. We can therefore definitely recommend Herdwick Huts, especially for people who don't travel by car but still want to be in the countryside.

Perfect cosy retreat on a beautiful site!

Rose M

0

0

Shepherd's Hut - Shepherds Hut (Pet Free)Aug 2024

We had a fantastic stay in the Herdwick Huts on the grounds of Rydal Hall. The location is phenomenal- easy to walk into Ambleside or Grasmere, and regular buses from the doorstep, which can take you further afield to Keswick, Windermere etc. There are so many stunning walks on the doorstep! The shepherd's hut was spotlessly clean, very comfortable bed. The log fire made the whole place very warm, and there is a handy gas hob for cooking or making a cup of tea. The grounds of Rydal Hall are spectacular, with a beautiful waterfall running through the middle. We had breakfast each morning in the little café on the site. The shower blocks were extremely clean and showers were always hot. Brilliant value for money, we've vowed to come back every year!

Amazing getaway

Michala H

0

0

Shepherd's Hut - Shepherd Huts (Pet Friendly)Aug 2024

In a great location. A beautiful place and so relaxing. We loved it here.

Site's response

Thank you so much. I'm so pleased you enjoyed your stay. Hope to see you again. Sarah

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Interested in staying at The Herdwick Huts?

Call 07800 577616 to book.

Unfortunately The Herdwick Huts doesn't share their availability calendar with us yet. Availability changes quickly, especially in summer, so we recommend enquiring by phone to avoid missing out.


FAQ

It is a self check-in process and is available to you from 3pm. Check out just needs to be by 10am on your last day.

Dogs are welcome in the pet friendly shepherd huts. A maximum of one dog is allowed per hut and an additional cost.

Yes, the site is open all year including both Christmas and New Year, the large wood burning stove keeps it nice and cosy in winter.

The site hosts yoga retreats throughout the year.. However, you can book your own yoga retreat with a group of three to eight people. As long as you check that your dates are available for the huts and you book at least three huts, your host will run a personal retreat for your group.

Yes the site has internet access.

You can find a copy of the site map here.


The Hall's extensive 34 acre grounds include ornate gardens, a Grotte, and a superb tearoom. The huts are positioned a short walk from Rydal Water and many classic valley and high level walks, including the Coffin Trail to Grasmere and the famous Fairfield Horseshoe.

The small town of Ambleside is within walking distance, with amenities such as shops, restaurants and a five-screen cinema. From this central location you have great access by road, public transport and bicycle to explore most parts of the Lake District.

Two lakes on the doorstep give access to wild swimming, canoeing and fell walking. You'll also be just 30 minutes from England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike.

Attractions include:

  • The Coffin Route Walk (adjacent)
  • Rydal Mount (adjacent)
  • Wordsworth's House (adjacent)
  • Rydal Water (5 minute walk)
  • Ambleside (25 minute walk)
  • Grasmere (30 minute walk)
The listing for The Herdwick Huts was last updated on January 29th, 2025 at 8:16 AM

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