Reviews

We have not long returned from our visit to Blencowe for our wedding..amazing!Christine, Gillian and Joanne were amazing from srart to finish! The stay was everything we wanted. Brilliant break away with everything on your door.

This magnificent Country House, cottage, gardens and estate was a perfect venue for 24 of our friends to jointly celebrate 40th birthdays in May 2019. The house is perfectly located, near Penrith and close to the Lakes District, Durham Dales and easily reached via the A66 or M6. We rented the main hall, sleeps 18 and Stag Cottage, sleeps 6, and it was superb in every way. The main hall is a blend of historic home with all of its original charm and character and modern, well appointed rooms (especially the luxurious en-suite bathrooms) and the awesome kitchen. The owners think of everything that a large group needs, including huge American Fridge Freezers packed with bags of party ice and a classy welcome hamper, milk, bread, tea, coffee and local goodies. We hired in the Rowley Estates’ recommended caterer, Lynn Hilditch catering, using the dinner drop off service on the Friday and Lynn and her team for a waited banquet in the main dining room/ Great Hall on the Saturday. Lynn delivered a stunning 3-course meal, including 30-day aged sirloin steaks and slow roasted lamb shanks. The food and service was magnificent and Lynn and team cleared up absolutely everything by the time we had finished our desserts. Perfect. The weather was great and we enjoyed drinks on the archery lawn and gardens in warm sunshine on the first night. There is a lot to do locally, including a number of fell walks and a lovely (if slightly pricey village bakery and cafe) plus a nice local pub which seemed to only open in the evenings. Melmerby Hall is a magical place where a large group can live like lords and ladies, recreate memories and enjoy a level of sophistication and splendour that is hard to recreate in modern venues and settings. Our group had a brilliant weekend and plans are afoot to make it an annual or bi-annual weekend in the Lakes. We booked through Kate and Tom’s but once set, we received outstanding communication and customers service from owner Christine Rowley. We received useful e-mail marketing with helpful local events, ideas and suggestions which helped us to get the most from our stay. I can’t think of a single negative about our stay – my only advice would be to take care driving into the hall and estate – the arched entrance is a snug fit for bigger cars. On the whole, Melmerby Hall is magical and a perfect venue for group celebrations and weekend escapes. 5-Stars

This was our second stay in a Rowley Estates property and it lived up to our high expectations. We booked the Farmhouse and the other two buildings on the site. The space and comfort are marvellous. Plenty of room for the coming together of a large family party and also for privacy and quiet when required. Kitchen equipment is of a high standard and there were generous welcome provisions in each property. The area is beautiful with plenty of footpaths nearby.

Such a lovely place!! We stayed in the 6 bedroom house which was beautiful.
All 6 bedrooms have their own bathroom and the beds were comfortable. The rooms are very clean and well decorated, each with it’s own character and charm. 3 of the rooms can be configured into either twin beds or a large single bed.
The kitchen is beautiful and has EVERYTHING you might need, perfect for those wanting to eat in.
The dining room is very large but we never used it as the kitchen is quite spacious with a table of it’s own.
The living areas are small but quaint with a fireplace that already had wood and kindling making it ready to go!
The location was perfect- isolated enough to allow you to enjoy the outdoors but only 15 minute walk to the little town of Melmerby which has a great pub and bakery. And only about 30 minute drive to the Lakes! 25 minute drive to the Sainsburys in Penrith.
Check in was a breeze as they have a small lockbox with the key.
Communication with Christine was very easy and she was lovely in person. The welcome basket they had for us was a wonderful touch.
I was very impressed with this place. I feel that Christine and Rowley Estates thought of everything that their guests might need.
I would definitely stay here again!
Of note- they also have a separate 3 bedroom and 1 bedroom unit in the same farmhouse. Also, the hot tub does not come with the house. We hired it for an additional fee through Cumbria Hot Tubs (as advised by Rowley Estates)

This place is amazing. Beds really comfy and whole place really clean. We loved the hen do we had here there was 24 of us who stayed and it was the best weekend ever… it’s so peaceful set in beautiful surroundings.. defo be back xx

Dear Christine
I just wanted to say that I would give a five star review (6 if it were possible ) for everything about our stay in your beautiful accommodation . From the initial enquiry to the reluctant end of our stay and to the kind and generous after care. The Hall was immaculately presented the welcome basket was generously and thoughtfully prepared. The very slight change to our requirements in the arrangement of our bedroom requests was dealt with within minutes of reporting it with kindness and humour.
Although the weather was not on its best behaviour nothing could detract from the comfort and beauty of the hall and the well kept garden or the fact that it is situated in a most wonderful area with plenty to do and see no matter the weather. The thoughtful email sent to me detailing the many indoor and outdoor attractions near by helped us to enjoy every minute of our stay . Learning the intricacies of the huge Aga made preparing meals a learning event for the whole family and the conversion of the dinning room table into a snooker table made for great fun and competitiveness in the evening tournaments.
The kind and considerate after care came with the speedy finding and forwarding of a gift my young grandson had bought and which had been forgotten and thereby averting (in his opinion)a major tragedy Once again many thanks for all you kindness and care and consideration. It is now my greatest wish that we will be able to return sometime and enjoy all the benefits of your lovely accommodation.

OUTSTANDING we went for my daughter in laws hen weekend from the moment we got there it was amazing beautiful bedrooms unbelievable comfort and the hens were great to thank you so much xx mother in law L

Amazing views! The walk down the village to see the ponies was delightful. The farmhouse was beautiful ~ especially the Kitchen! Such a tranquil and scenic place and the views are breath taking. We really enjoyed our stay here and highly recommend it to others.  

Thank you for everything! 

Our first walking holiday in this beautiful part of the world. The views have been breathtaking. We have made the most of all the wonderful and varied walks in the area and also further afield and eaten very well in the local pubs. Elk Cottage is all we had hoped for, a homely base for us to return to each day and relax. Every possible requirement has been thought of. As we return to London, I will miss being woken each morning by such a varied and beautiful sounding dawn chorus (then going back to sleep!!)

Perfect location for restful or active holifay. Inspiring views of the Pennines and Lake District as well as gentle local country walks, yet not too far from local pubs and facilities. (Lovely bakery in Melmerby and brilliant for browsing bric a brac shop) On arrival the first impressions said it all. An amazing welcome hamper and basics in the fridge and then beautiful Egyptian cotton sheets. A high quality barn conversion, the cottage is deceptively spacious and was ideal for us (two couples) with two en suite, and several sitting areas. We were lucky and had sunny weather and had most of our meals on the delightfufl terrace. So hot that we asked for a sun umbrella which the friendly and super efficient Gai(Housekeeper) quickly provided.. Only little downside i can think of – my tall brother did bump his head on low door frames and I couldnt find a butter dish but we are alreay planning a return vsit in autumn