Feather Down

Howbeck Lodge Farm

Escape to a simpler life with Christine and John

Come to Howbeck Lodge Farm and experience true rural isolation and a little taste of heaven in the Lake District. Together with their children, John and Christine have been sustainably farming sheep and cattle for over 20 years at what was formerly known as Feather Down Lake District Farm. Your canvas hideaway awaits you with stunning views of the Cumbrian countryside, the ideal spot for a family holiday in the Lake District.

A taste of Olde England

If you want to pop back up to civilization, the village of Hesket Newmarket is a short walk away. Visit the Old Crown, one of the first pubs in the country to be bought and run by the community. A rich slice of rural English life is served up almost every week in the summer in the form of agricultural shows - you might even be able to see John there with his prize livestock, as he’s a regular trophy winner! For the sunnier days, pop over to the Solway Firth for its beaches or to gems like Ullswater, Derwenwater and Bassenthwaite, where a swim makes an inviting prospect - there’s more to the Lake District than stunning walks.

What to do at Howbeck Lodge Farm

Wake up from your comfy beds and take in the beautiful Lake District views the moment you peek outside. Cook your breakfast on the wood stove and enjoy it al fresco on the picnic table outside your canvas hideaway. For the foodies, Christine is also well known for her home-made fare, which you can sample from their pretty farm pantry. Then grab yourself a cuppa and have a chat with John about his livestock while the rest of the family enjoy their freedom on this fantastic base for a Lake District family holiday.

What can you expect?

Honesty shop
Pizza oven
Dogs not allowed

What animals with you find on this farm?

You too?

What our guests like

National Park
Breathtaking view
Spring lambing
Great hiking

Our canvas hideaways

Canvas hideaway with farm-house shower

6 persons

Canvas hideaway with en-suite shower

6 persons

Canvas hideaway with private outdoor shower

6 persons

A unique experience

Back to basics

Live in nature

Have adventures together

Including wood for the wood-burning stove
Including welcome package with bed-linen, towels, candles, matches, washing-up liquid and other basic items

Going without electricity is our greatest luxury

Pizza night

The farmer will usually fire up the pizza oven during your stay. Everyone gathers round to tell their stories of the day’s adventures and invent pizza toppings you’ll never find on the high street

Ask the farmer

The farm tour is a must if it’s on offer. But you don’t wait till then. The farmer will be delighted to tell you more about what goes on at the farm at any time.

The farm shop

It’s great for the basics and usually even better for local produce and low food miles. And every Feather Down farm shop operates on an honesty basis.

Options during your stay

Veg Box

A box of fresh seasonal vegetables.

English Breakfast Hamper

Recommended!

Comes with free-range eggs, bacon, sausages/chipolatas, bread, butter, jam /honey/marmalade, tea, coffee, milk, sugar, fruit juice. Exact content may differ slightly per farm.

Fruit Box

Upon arrival, a fruit box with fresh seasonal/regional fruit will be waiting for you in your tent.

Meet your hosts

Christine and John

We are the Stobart family and have farmed at Howbeck Lodge for over 20 years. We have three children, David, Joanne and Sarah. Although Jo is married and has a son, they spend as much time as possible back on our beautiful Lake District farm.

Experience true rural isolation and a little taste of heaven at our traditional upland sheep farm.

What do our guests think?

Average rating

9.5

Mrs O'connell

10/09/2021

Wonderful!

Mrs AZIZ

23/08/2021

Good old fashioned fun

8.8

Mrs Khalifa

20/08/2021

This was my first time glamping and I didnt know what to expect but it was absolutely amazing, The family enjoyed it aswell. The farm owners were really welcoming and helpful with all our queries. It was a beautiful place for friends and family to spend time in and i would definitely do this again.

Mrs. Herzberg

30/07/2021

We had an amazing time! John and Christine (and family) could not have been better hosts - always willing to answer the kids questions about the animals. Christine makes amazing pizzas! The farm itself Is so well set out and the facilities are great. It’s such a great alternative to camping, with real beds and a warm stove, but still rustic enough to feel like we’ve been in nature. Never had such hot powerful showers as well! We will definitely return.

Mrs Kilby

26/07/2021

Everything I could have hoped for…I was hoping for a fun and fantastic adventure for me and my family a holiday that we would remember and that’s what we got. The shepherds huts were superbly kitted out and the beds were extremely comfortable. Both adults and children had so much fun …the children enjoyed the freedom,being able to roam free playing football or down in the stream and the adults were happy knowing that the children were safe playing while they chatted and chilled.It was a holiday to remember.

Mrs Dennis

19/07/2021

8.8

Miss Clark

11/06/2021

Super friendly farm owners, beautiful settings with stunning surroundings, everything we need...we had a fantastic time.

Miss McGovern

07/06/2021

Very relaxing holiday in a lovely spacious tent. My little boy loved being on the farm and went to see the animals every morning, the owners couldn’t of been more friendly and welcoming.

8.8

Mr Sprenger

31/05/2021

Fantastic site, with very attentive hosts. The food was excellent.

Mr Brown

28/05/2021

Lovely neck of the woods. Tents very comfortable and clean and hosts lovely and helpful. Home made food great (though pricey especially desserts) but mountainous! Would have fed twice as many people. Shame we weren't informed about the new-this-year caravan field next door (same hosts) who also had use of the showers (after a few users these were cold for a good 1-2 hours) and surrounding play area. Made for a less exclusive and secluded experience. Would have benefitted from a better playground/trim trail rather than just a swing.

7.5

Mrs Naylor

14/05/2021

Bliss

Miss Holmes

20/09/2019

Perfect, very friendly and happy hosts. Farmer John and Christine are so lovely and welcoming. The Animals are clearly very well cared for too.

Mrs Kenny

30/08/2019

We had a great time,very relaxing for the adults and the kids enjoyed the freedom of the farm.John the farmer was very helpful and welcoming,I’d highly recommend Howbeck.

Miss Lyons

23/08/2019

Really different and really great!

Mrs. Lee

19/08/2019

7.5

Mr Van Laere

16/08/2019

8.8

Mrs Young

16/08/2019

7.5

Mr Kirkley

12/08/2019

Wet

7.5

Mrs Thompson

29/07/2019

Relaxing

Miss Langton

26/07/2019

We had a fantastic time. The kids absolutely loved roaming free around the farm and seeing all the animals. The hosts were fantastic and made us feel very welcome.

Mrs Hall

19/07/2019

Mrs Tweedy

31/05/2019

Absolutely amazing, we were a party of 16 (9 adults and 7 children). We had three tents in total (2 x frills and 1 x normal). The showers were amazing in the tents and beds comfortable. We did have a few camping stoves for quickness for tea in the morning. But we did use the log burning stoves for cooking meals (Spaghetti Bol and chicken curry). We also had bacon and freshly picked eggs from the hens for breakfast (eggs were free). The farm and campsite were fantastic, the kids had so much fun feeding the goats and running around the field, we even got a fun trailer ride from the farmer which we all loved. The farm itself is great, it’s a working farm and we got to see the sheep being herded, the cows being fed, the pony and the new puppies from the foxhounds. The farmer and his family were all very friendly and extremely helpful.We went for a walk through the village, past the park and down to the river (about 3/4 of a mile) difficult with a pushchair, but we managed.We all had an amazing time, we can’t recommend this place enough, we will definitely be back.On the day we left we prebooked Sunday dinner at village pub which was lovely.

Ms Rodrigues

27/05/2019

Mr Stephenson

24/05/2019

great experience at Howgill Lodge farm, the place is spotless and the children truly enjoyed interacting with the animals which were in fantastic condition and kept in extremely clean enclosures.

Mr Trickett

17/05/2019

Mrs Briggs-Harris

03/05/2019

Brilliant. Lovely to let the kids have the freedom to roam, paddle in the stream, collect eggs and wear the same clothes for four days (we did change their underwear!). It was a very chilly weekend, but we didn't mind. And at least the showers in the wash block were hot and powerful. Friendly people, beautifully maintained site and the children didn't want to leave. The children walked their first mountain too. They wanted me to book again after we left - we were just metres down the road.

Mr Hardy

26/04/2019

Relaxing,kids loved being out doors and just provided some quality family time without modern technology

8.8

Mrs Stott

19/04/2019

Wonderful experience from start to end!

Miss Nastri

15/04/2019

Incredible, John, Christine and Sarah made us feel like part of the family. We got to experience true farm life (without the hard work). The tents and shower block were immaculate and the homemade food was delicious. I cannot recommend the farm more highly, beautiful, tranquil and most importantly a wonderful experience from start to finish. The children cried when we left and we will most definitely return! Thank you.

Mrs Heyes winstanley

15/04/2019

Howbeck Lodge in the Lake District was fabulous! The 6 person safari tent was spacious and comfortable, the communal showers hot and the farm itself was great for the kids with plenty to see and do. John and Christine were the most hospitable hosts I have ever come across. Make sure you visit the hen pen each day for fresh eggs and say good morning to the sheep, goats, rabbit and horse.

Mrs moyes

08/04/2019

Great family break

Mr Gallagher

05/04/2019

Our kids loved being able to run free in the field and meet the animals on a real working farm. Watching lambs being born and collecting freshly laid eggs from the henhouse were truly memorable experiences for them. The hospitality was excellent - Christine went above and beyond whenever we needed a little help and it was very much appreciated.

Mr Buckley

01/04/2019

Our mini ‘life in the wild’ adventure. We loved getting back to basics and leaving the crazy modern world behind. The tent was amazing inside and really cozy. Our 5 year old was so excited to see the ‘cupboard bed’. He also became best buddies with Harvey the sheep.

Mrs Lawson

10/09/2018

Great getting back to a world where kids weren't glued to technology and explored the world around them. Seeing the nearby attractions and getting up close with the animals in the farm made my children's day!

8.8

Mrs Major

20/08/2018

Best experience of Glamping. John and Christine were the perfect hosts. We were made to feel welcome from the very first moment. Would definitely recommend Howbeck Lodge Farm

Mrs Ball

10/08/2018

Friendly family fun

Mrs Collingwood

10/08/2018

We loved our stay at Howbeck Lodge! Great facilities in the amazing tents, beautiful area, wonderful comfy beds and lovely hot showers! Highly recommended!

Mrs johnson

06/08/2018

Fantastic from start to finish! john and family are all so lovely and make you feel very welcome nothing is to much trouble. The canvas tents are brilliant and homely and we loved having no electricity, the kids were able to enjoy the outdoors minus the xbox’s!! And play like kids should. I would also recommend pizza night where John and his grandson cook homemade pizza in the outdoor pizza oven. A truly amazing break and we will definitely be back. Thanks so much.

Mrs Lobban

03/08/2018

Really lovely spot and accommodation of a high standard. Loved the honesty shop, the animals on the farm (rabbits especially) and freshly-laid eggs. Could be doing with an info pack in the tent (e.g. where the nearest shop is, what to do with refuse etc). Little disappointed the pizza evening wasn't on when we were there and I did miss home comforts, but great to get away from it all. Kids had a ball!

8.8

Mrs Murphy

23/07/2018

Very relaxing and fun