What's in Greystoke and the Local Area

Greystoke is the hive of lots of activity, and has seen lots of comings and goings in it's long history.  The word on the Grapevine has it, that Greystoke is one of those places in the World where people seem to live long and prosper!  

 

Please take a few minutes to check out some of the interestings things in and around Greystoke, and if you click on your chosen subject in the left hand column, you will be able to see lots more information together with some amazing images.

 

Greystoke Castle

Most people will think of Tarzan when they hear the name "Greystoke Castle".  

Unfortunately it was only a story written by Edgar Rice Burroughs, however, there is a bit more to the Castle, so have a look and read on!

 

In 1069 Llyulph de Greystoke was regranted his lands by the Normans following their successful conquest.

The wooden tower which stood at Greystoke was surrounded by a high fence or pale "pele" this was then replaced with a stone built tower, and 18 generations of "de Greystoke" lived in it.

 

In 1346 King Edward 3rd gave permission for the tower to be castellated, and the Castle was created.

 

Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk and "Earl Marshall" of England were sent north in the early 1520's to solve the Scottish problem, Thomas met and married Lady anne Dacre.  She had inherited the Castle and it's lands at Dacre on the death of her husband, and this marriage gained for a considerable part of Cumberland.

 

The Castle became one of the Border Chain of Fortifications and replaced Hadrians Wall as a barrier against the Scots.

 

Greystoke Castle was held for the King during the Civil War, then after the war in 1660 it was destroyed by Cromwell.

 

It lay in ruins for a generation, then a small Manor House was built from the reclaimed stone.  The Castle was then rebuilt and enlarged to a design by "Salvin"

 

In 1868 a Maid left a lighted candle in a cupboard full of linen, and the consequent fire destroyed large parts of the Castle.

 

It was rebuilt by Henry Howard, using materials and labour within the Estate, then in 1939 the Estate was commandeered by the Army, and the land became a Tank Drivers training ground.  Later the Castle itself becam a prisoner of war camp, largely for Polish who had been fighting for the Germans.

 

The damage done to both the Castle and it's Estate was huge, and it was not until 1949 that the Army decided not to retain the Estate, and this unfortunately meant that the compensation fund had been exhausted.

 

Post war, the long process of renovation and modification started, and has continued ever since.

 

More than 14 generations of the Howard Family have since lived in the Castle, and still do.

 

Tarzan

Written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, he worked as a War Correspondant during the Boer War.  He had a chance meeting with a member of the Howard Family (who resided in Greystoke Castle, as do further generations of the Howards do today) and they became firm friends.  Edgar was also known to visit the Castle on many occasions.  

It was mainly the rich aristocracy and learned elite who aquired and read books in those days.  So when Edgar decided to put pen to paper, he knew that he would need a little known place in which to build his "Tarzan" story. 

It would have to be an Estate, and also one which could boast it's own Castle. 

If he were to choose somewhere more well known such as Warwick or Windsor, he may not get away with it? just because everone was trying to get their Families married into all the wealthy Families in and around, it therefore could not have become plausable.  So by choosing Greystoke and it's magnificent Castle, it stood much more of a chance of being true.

 

Nicky Richards' Racehorse Stables

We still have our Racehorses which file through the village daily in two, three and sometimes four lots on their way to and from the gallops.  

Trainer "Nicky Richards" son of the late Gordon W. Richards who was one one of the most formidable "Trainers" of his time, currently resides at the Rectory Farm where the Stables are based. 

 

The Boot & Shoe Pub

The Boot & Shoe Pub is a 17th Century Coaching Inn and sits right in the middle of the village.  It is always very busy, and to see why you only need to take a wander across there whether just for a quick drink to quench your thirst, or to spend a little more time and have a meal and a get together with friends.  Ben and Jan Mandale along with their family and staff, will welcome you like long lost friends.

 

Village Shop, Post Office and Tea Room

Almost opposite the Pub we are lucky enough still to have our village shop and post office. Run by Andrew James, you will find just about anything you might find yourself short of, and the Post Office side of things is a real bonus o have.

 

Cycle Cafe & Quirky Workshops

Annie Swarbrick who runs this facinating little place has two bites at the cherry regarding it's visitors.

Firstly it is a great place to stop off for a refreshing drink and light refreshment as well as home made goodies on offer.  

The second is her "Quirky Workshops" which are numerous courses that are avaialble for booking yourself on.  Anything from bike maintenance, to cookery, dry stone walling to chicken wire sculptures, willow weaving to Blacksmithing, painting and drawing to rug making?  Just about anything you can think of.

 

St Andrews Church

St Andrews Church was built in 1255, and is comparatively large for a village church.  The tower part of the church was supposidly used by the villages as a "Pele Tower" in which to hide themselves away from the marauding "Scots".  

 

Greystoke Primary School

We are lucky enough still to have our village School.  Having attended there myself (years ago) it still holds lots of memories for me. It was founded in 1838 by Lady Mabel Howard, herself a resident in Greystoke Castle.

 

Swimming Pool

After years of endless fundraising our heated outdoor swimming pool was finally opened for business in 1973.  Now open from May to September, is a a great place to be.  With a fabulous Grant given, much needed maintenance and improvements have been made to ensure our Swimming Pool and Sports Facility remain in the heart of the community for generations to come.  

There are two pools, the smaller shallow one is used by toddlers just getting the hang of being in the water, and the larger one has a depth of 6 feet at the deep end decreasing to about 4 feet at the shallow end.

 

Walking

There are many walks in and around Greystoke, all of various lengths and can also demand various levels of fitness!

Ullswater is our nearest lake, and is only about 7 miles from Greystoke.  It has inviting walks right around the Lake, and in Spring you can walk amongst those yellow dancing heads of "Wordsworth's Daffodils, and take in the fabulous views on offer on a relaxing Ferry Trip up and down the lake, then walk back to your car at your own pace.  If not you can stop off at either end Pooley Bridge, Aira Force or Glenridding, do a bit of sightseeing or some "retail therapy" - Shopping!

 

Cycling

The C2C (Coast to Coast) cycle route runs right through Greystoke.  

The ususal starting point is either Whitehaven, Workington or Maryport, heading this way towards Keswick through Whinlatter Forrest (where you can spend all day on the various runs and routes if you want to) then on to Greystoke which is the usual 1st day stop.  

The second day takes you to Penrith, Langwathby, and Alston, then on to Rookhope or Allenheads.

The third day is the finishing destination of Tynemouth or Sunderland.

We do get the few who are able to do all of it in one day, and one or two more who are so fit they are able to get there and back in the same day!!

But if you're are just wanting an easy day there are lots of little runs in and around Greystoke which will hopefully "fill a gap"! 

 

Motorsport

Greystoke Forrest is used for a number of Motorport events throughout the year.  Owned by Malcolm Wilson of M-Sport, who are based at Dovenby near Cockermouth in Cumbria competes in WRC all ever the world with his RS Fiesta Teams.

 

Malcolm Wilson

The 45th Malcolm Wilson Rally will hopefully take place in March 2021?, and has stages in Greystoke Forrest which make for spectacular viewing!

 

Greystoke Stages Rally

We also have "The Greystoke Stages Rally" usually taking place in July 2021, but we'll have to wait and see if it will go ahead - or not? .

 

Motorcycling

We are also "Biker Friendly" and have many visiting groups that have now become friends within the 'Biking' fraternity.  

 

The BMF (British Motorcycle Federation) have one of their early in the year rallies with us (The Daffodil Rally) which takes place over the last weekend in March and we can have 20+ people staying and having various rides out over the Weekend! 

 

We even have a Guest who stays with us 4 or 5 times a year during the Motorcycling season on his way backwards and forwards up and down the country, and accross into Europe - his occupation amongst many is an "Official Photographer" for Moto GP and World Superbike!

 

 

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We will look forward to welcoming all of our Guests in 2024,

new and those who are returning to 

Stafford House

Guest House,

and also to our

Self-Catering Lodges

 

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With the "Utmost Safety" of all our

Guests in mind, 

we still continue to take every precaution possible, including following the "Updated Guidelines" from the Government

so that we can 

open for Business

- Safely!

 

During the 1st Lockdown in March 2020, we invested in a

"Fogging Machine"

By useing a special solution certified

to kill ALL Viral 

& Bacterial Infections,

(should there be any present),

We are confident that we can operate as safe as we possibly can be.  

 

We also meticulously clean and sanitise all areas, before finishing with a "Steam Cleaner"

making sure that everything is safe.

 

There are Hand Sanitisers in all 3 Bedrooms, as well the Breakfast Room in the Main House.

The Lodges also have Hand Sanitisers in the Kitchen. 

 

Thank You For

Your Custom and Patience, 

and we will look forward to seeing you all again very soon.

 

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Please be aware that unfortunately we do not allow pets into the main building of

"Stafford House",

 

However you are more than welcome to bring them along when you are staying in our Lodges

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News

Our En-Suite Double Room in the Main House has now been appointed with a Kingsize 4 Poster Bed, there is also wooden pannelling on some of the walls.

We hope that you will like the changes!   

 

After the 3rd Lockdown we were allowed to re-open our Lodges on 12th April 2021, and we have made a few changes..

 

Blencathra Lodge now sleeps 2 People, and Pennine Lodge can sleep up to 6 People.

 

Check out the Lodge Section to see what we have done!

For the last 6 years we have achieved the "Certificate of Excellence" award from Tripadvisor, so in recognition of that we now appear in their

"Hall of Fame!"

Click here to arrange  booking with us.

Call us now on

01768 483 558

Email us now at:

info@stafford-house.co.uk

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