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Stable Hills are mid 18th century farmhouse cottages located on the eastern shore of Derwentwater immediately south of The Ings in Strandshag Bay. The cottages sit on a perfectly situated plot that is quintessentially Lake District, set amongst the natural backdrop of mixed woodland, crag and lake.
The land from Crow Park in Keswick down to Ashness Gate is owned by the National Trust, including that of Stable Hills. It was acquired on 13 September, 1929, from Sir Noton and Lady Barclay.[1] The land and buildings of Stable Hills have intrinsic archaeological value. The farmhouse, privy, shippen, barn, stable and ridge and furrow have been documented by the National Trust (see below).
The farmhouse cottages
The farmhouse itself comprises of two main building phases. The first being mid-late 18th century "double pile plan farmhouse with housepart, parlour, back kitchen, dairy. The staircase at the end of the passage is a Borowdale feature. A well adjoins on the south wall."[2]A fire at the cottages around 1900 resulted in the second phase of building works making changes to the barn and incorporating this into the house.[2] A later modernising phase took place in 1982.
Access to Stable Hills is via a gravel road from the B5289, approximately one mile south of Keswick town centre. The gravel road is a bridleway, which then becomes a permissive bridleway after the cottages. This continues south towards the Hundred Year Stone in Calfclose Bay and beyond to Strutta Wood where it joins the B5289 again. Picture-perfect views of Stable Hills can be seen from Friar's Crag and Strandshag Bay. Those with a canoe or kayak can photograph this beauty spot from the tranquil waters of the lake, however, it should be noted that the section between Lord's Island and the mainland is a no-row area to provide space for wildlife and this should be respected.
Nearby
Lord's Island
To the west of Stable Hills is Lord's Island, now only containing rudimentary foundation stones of the manor house that once stood here, built by Sir Thomas Radcliffe around 1460. Covered entirely with trees and a haven to wildlife, particularly that of nesting geese, it is a familiar sight to the residents of Stable Hills. The jetty has unobstructed views of the island and the local population of waterfowl that call this place their home.
Walla Crag
The mighty wall of Walla Crag sits impressively in its surroundings, adorned with the predominantly coniferous woodland of Great Wood, overlooking Stable Hills, which nestles comfortably on its more humble footprint. The 10-mile circular route around Derwentwater passes behind Stable Hills on a boardwalk that allows for year round passage through The Ings, a deciduous wooded wetland area with significant wildlife interest. Without the boardwalk it would be impossible to walk through this area. Recent developments now means human and animal alike can share this parcel of land harmoniously, both benefitting in different ways.
External sites
The following links from National Trust Heritage Records Online details the following archaeological interests:
References
- ↑ Our land History: Strandshag Bay and Stable Hills The National Trust Land Map. Retrieved 5 February, 2023.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Farmhouse, Stable Hills, Keswick National Trust Heritage Records Online. Retrieved 11 February, 2023.