**GIVEAWAY 2024** WIN a 3-night stay at Kekaroka Lodge. Click here to enter. Giveaway runs 1 Nov – 1 Dec 2024.
Layers of dusky pinks and pale oranges hung above the horizon, perfectly framing the blazing red sun as it made a last valiant effort to emerge from behind the puffy grey clouds. Swifts darted about, chasing insects in the fading evening light, and the sound of contented munching drifted across the hillside from our neighbours – the resident sheep. Down on the reservoir, a gaggle of geese settled their final squabbles of the day whilst a pair of buzzards circled overhead, calling to each other as they hunted for their supper. Full of our own dinner, we were enjoying one of nature’s finest shows, from the comfort of our private hot tub at Kekaroka Lodge.
We’d retreated to the wilds of rural north Cumbria for a few indulgent days of peace and relaxation at Kekaroka Lodge. It doesn’t get better than bubbles, wine, and nature, all in the same moment. Deliciously toasty in the tub, we topped up our glasses, and waited to see what night would bring. As the sun finally gave way to the inky mystery of dusk, it wasn’t long before a couple of bats were doing loop-the-loops right in front of our deck.
The distant lights of Carlisle were twinkling on the horizon, but city life felt a million miles away. For the grand finale of our enchanted evening, a barn owl obligingly appeared, swooping down into the valley to pick up a tasty snack. Then, just as we were leaving our wet footprints behind and retreating into the cabin, a shooting star tumbled from the sky, adding a little extra magic to our evening.
A 5* Luxury Lodge in Cumbria
Kekaroka Lodge expertly blends nature with unashamed luxury. This 5* self-catering cabin is perfect for a romantic weekend away, with all the trimmings you need for a high-end rural holiday. We loved the rich blue and white colour theme that ran throughout the lodge, as well as the super-soft bed and well-equipped kitchen. For cosy nights in, there’s a log fire in the living area, and we were gutted that the unexpected sizzling temperatures of early Autumn meant we didn’t end up trying it out. Typical Brits, always complaining about the weather!
There were fluffy robes and slippers too, and lots of lovely local treats like coffee from Carlisle and Kendal, toiletries by Pure Lakes, and fresh spring water from right here on the farm! I was really touched that lovely owner Andrea (who lives in the cabin next door) left us some delicious vegan welcome treats, after finding out that madam here is dairy intolerant and wouldn’t be able to enjoy the chocolate brownies that are usually provided. Such a nice thought!
There’s a stylish free-standing bath in the bedroom for indulgent soaks, as well as a shower in the bijou bathroom. For a relatively small space, this lovely lodge really does have everything you need, and more!
What really makes this place so special though are the views. It’s rare to be able to see a distant horizon in Cumbria (normally the mountains get in the way!), so having the rolling countryside spread out before us, and the glistening waters of Castle Carrock Reservoir down in the valley below, was quite a treat. The wraparound deck at Kekaroka Lodge was where we spent most of out time, lazing about on the garden seats or soaking in the hot tub, watching for wildlife and relishing the tranquillity of nature.
So, where is Kekaroka Lodge?
Kekaroka Lodge is perfectly located in north Cumbria, a few miles east of Carlisle, on the edge of the North Pennines. The accommodation is tucked away on Tottergill Farm, just a short walk from the charming village of Castle Carrock. It’s far from the tourist bustle, but within easy reach of the Lake District, Northumberland and even the Scottish Borders if you fancy a day out.
Over the last few years, we’ve noticed that Cumbria, and especially the Lake District National Park, has become super busy in the tourist season. Roads can’t cope with the traffic volume, parking is often a nightmare unless you get up early, and many of the popular sights are just too crowded to be enjoyable. Which is why Kekaroka Lodge was such a find! Honestly, we think this is the way forward when visiting the region – staying in the lesser-known but equally beautiful rural wilds of Cumbria, whilst having easy access to heaps of local attractions should you want to venture out.
North Cumbria is also known for its dark skies, and the deck at Kekaroka Lodge was the perfect place for a spot of stargazing. There’s so little light pollution up here that the stars appeared to be more numerous, and much brighter than what we’re used to. We swear we saw constellations that we’d never noticed before, as well as Venus in all her sparkling glory. There’s even a telescope at the lodge, for all the avid astronomers out there.
Out and about at Kekaroka Lodge
One of the joys of staying at Kekaroka Lodge is that you can head out for walks right from the door without needing to jump in the car. We’d planned on doing a few day trips during our visit, but as the area was so beautiful, we ended up staying local most of the time instead.
Our favourite jaunt was hiking up the fellside behind the farm, on barely-there paths that meandered through the fading heather. A great suggestion from Andrea, who knows the local area really well and is full of ideas and tips on things to do. We didn’t see a single other person whilst we were out, so it felt remote, wild, and exclusive. The views out across the north of the county were fabulous, and up here you have a great vantage point for seeing Castle Carrock Reservoir.
We followed the trail along the low fellside, skirting around the reservoir and passing through Castle Carrock village before looping back to Kekaroka Lodge. It was a perfect circular stroll, with superb views and plenty of quiet countryside to enjoy.
If you want to explore a bit further afield, places like Hadrian’s Wall, Lanercost Priory, and Birdoswold Roman Fort are just up the road, and of course the Pennines and the Lake District are on the doorstep too. Being local to Cumbria ourselves, we’ve already seen most of the major sights, so opted for a few lesser-known spots instead.
Ashgill Force was our first stop. This stunning waterfall is just outside Alston in the North Pennines, accessed by a lovely riverside walk from the village of Garrigill. It’s a beautiful spot, and very peaceful – we hardly saw anyone during our visit. But the best bit? You can walk behind the waterfall! Just remember to bring your hiking boots as the trail is a bit muddy.
Next up on our magical mystery tour was the imposing Wetheral Priory Gatehouse which was once part of a Benedictine monastery. It was later used as a fortified tower house for protection during the infamous border raids. It’s free to enter, but you’ll need to park down in Wetheral village and walk up to the site (which just takes a few minutes).
We also popped down to Kirkoswold Castle, a crumbling ruin dating back to the 13th century, and hidden away on some farmland near Kirkoswold village. The castle was built in the distinctive pink Penrith sandstone, and only a single tower remains today. It’s worth a visit if you’re into history and atmospheric ruins, but take your wellies as the track can be very muddy, and there are a lot of nettles to contend with in the summer!
Eating out at Kekaroka Lodge
Despite the kitchen being one of the best we’ve come across on our self-catering travels, we didn’t do much cooking. We were on holiday after all! Andrea recommended the local pub, which is within walking distance, so we decided to give it a try.
Now, we don’t usually gush about pubs, and we’re certainly not foodies. But the Duke of Cumberland in Castle Carrock has got it just right. The food was superb (and plentiful!), the atmosphere was stylish yet unpretentious, and the staff were all really friendly and welcoming. It’s not often you find local Cumbrian pubs that combine those three essentials quite so expertly. Some of the best curry and steak pie we’ve eaten in a long time!
Our verdict
We don’t often go on holiday in Cumbria, since we live here and do a lot of day trips in our local area. Yet staying at Kekaroka Lodge made us see the county in a new, and frankly quite dazzling, light. It also forced us to unwind, relax and slow down, not things that we tend to do on our home turf.
Kekaroka is the ideal spot for a bit of escapism if you want to get away from the daily grind, and we loved that it felt super remote yet had heaps of things to do just a short distance away. The lodge itself is both gorgeous and comfortable, and the perfect place to retreat to after a day of exploring.
We rarely return from a trip feeling as rejuvenated as we did after our weekend at Kekaroka Lodge, and are so happy to have discovered a secret corner of Cumbria far from the crowds of the national park. To sum it up: Kekaroka rocks!!
***WIN a 3-night stay at Kekaroka Lodge***
Owner Andrea has kindly agreed to offer Conversant Traveller readers the chance to win a 3-night stay at Kekaroka Lodge. Just enter the giveaway using the widget below.
The prize: 3-night self-catering stay at Kekaroka Lodge for two people, to be taken before 21st December 2025. Two well behaved dogs welcome.
Blackout dates: UK bank holidays, UK bank holiday weekends, plus the Christmas and New Year period (23.12.24 – 5.1.25).
Start dates: can be any day of the week, depending on availability.
Entrants: open to entrants worldwide. The lodge is in Cumbria, UK. Travel not included.
Giveaway runs from 1st November 2024 until midnight on 1st December 2024.
How to Enter
Just use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter, completing as many of the options as you like. Make sure you select your entries on this Rafflecopter widget to validate your entry!
a Rafflecopter giveawayTerms and Conditions
No purchase is necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your chances of winning. The prize is provided by Kekaroka Lodge, and is a 3-night self-catering stay for 2 people at Kekaroka Lodge, Tottergill Farm, Castle Carrock, Brampton, Cumbria CA8 9DP. The prize is to be taken prior to 21st December 2025. This prize is not valid in conjunction with any other offer. There will be one winner. Travel is not included.
The prize is not refundable or exchangeable for cash, and no change will be given. This giveaway is open to worldwide entrants. The giveaway will run from 1st November 2024 and end at midnight on Sunday 1st December 2024. The winner will be determined on or around the 2nd December 2024 by a random drawing of eligible entries received. Your chances of winning are determined by the number of eligible entries. Winner must respond within 30 days of receiving the notification email, otherwise another winner will be chosen.
Please check our Conversant Traveller Privacy Policy and also the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy for more information on how your data will be used and stored.
Thanks to the lovely Andrea for hosting our stay at Kekaroka Lodge, and for providing the giveaway prize. As always, words and opinions remain our own, and we never accept a hosted stay if we wouldn’t have been happy to pay for the experience ourselves.
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I have visited Cumbria in the past but it was a long time ago. This place sounds wonderful and I would spend time relaxing, walking and enjoying the beautiful countryside.
I would love to visit Cumbria and spend time in the hot tub looking at the views!
i would love to spend some time in the hot tub after taking long walks 🙂
i would love to spend some time in the hot tub after taking long walks
I’d love to spend the days walking & exploring the local countryside and then retire to the hot tub & decking at night to relax
This would such a relaxing break
This looks lovely, perfect first break for me, my partner and our rainbow baby 🙂
I’d take some walks during the days and spend the evening relaxing in the hot tub Cumbria is so scenic
Deffo in the hot tub!!!
Looks so relaxing. I’m sure I would get dragged on a few walks by my husband!
Keraroka lodge in Cumbria looks the most idyllic way to switch off and recharge from a stesssful job which leaves me feeling frazzled at the end of the working week, I would love to visit.
I would love to spend some time in the hot tub after walking in those beautiful surroundings
Hopefully the weather would be nice enough to sit enjoying the view with a glass of wine.
Love visiting the Lakes, we always make sure to get out and hike everyday
This would be amazing. I love the Lakes but normally go to Keswick which is quite hectic so a relaxing weekend would be great especially in that jacuzzi.
Looks amazing! Fantastic competition
This would be amazing! We love the Lakes x
I’d be siteseeing during the day and relaxing in the hot tub at night.
What a great prize , would love to win it,
If I was lucky enough to win – I would take my Sister so we could enjoy some some amazing walks and just spending time together.
Never visited Cumbria but I would love to! I would spend my time in the tub and in nature!
This looks so cosy! And sitting in that hot tub under the stars would be the best thing ever x
I think if I was lucky enough to win I would love to gift it to my mum and stepdad for a lovely break away
I love Cumbria na dwould spend my time walking and enjoying the scenery
I think I would spend most of my time chilling on that deck, amazing views
I love the Lake District and Kekaroka Lodge looks particularly lovely. Such a beautiful setting where you can sit and enjoy the countryside or go straight from the lodge to enjoy the natural beauty of Cumbria.
I have not visited Cumbria yet bu I think the view from the Hot Tub would fill most of my time there!
Amazing prize!! This would be a great addition to add to my 40th celebrations next May! I would definitely be making use of the hot tub and views with my husband, as well as going on lots of walks. We visited Cumbria for our 1st wedding anniversary a few years ago and loved the place, so it’d be special to be back for more celebrations.
Been to Cumbria a few times for gigs in Carlisle, but usually in the off season.
Oh wow this place looks stunning! What a treat it would be to stay here with my husband. We would love going out to explore and see what hidden gems we come across! Soak up the glorious views and find a spot to have a bite to eat. We would love to support small businesses and buy some treats to take back for our two little girls. We would have a lovely chilled out time at the lodge too and hopefully get some stargazing in, whilst relaxing in the hot tub!
I would spend the time visiting the local attractions with my family.
Cumbria – walker’s paradise, followed of course by the hot tub, to take away any aches and pains!
I’ve been to Carlise, Back in 2007 and it was beautiful!
If I could peel myself out of the hot tub, and cosy Kekaroka Lodge I would certainly enjoy the lovely riverside walk from the village of Garrigill that you went on, it looks gorgeous!
But mainly we would spend the time relaxing, taking in the surroundings. Pub lunches and catching some ‘zzzzz’s!’
First up, what a lovely setting this is!
We would go for long walks and then enjoy some time in the hot tub.
This looks a fabulous place to stay missing the busy hotshots of the Lake District
I’ve never been to Cumbria, walking in Garrigill looks so beautiful and peaceful.
What a lovely place to sit and read a book
I’d relax, visit the towns and definitely try out the hottub – looks lovely!
i would chill and relax
This looks perfect for a lazy days recharge
I’d explore the area, go hiking and see the local sights, there looks like a lot to see.
It has been years since I’ve visited Cumbria but I would love to visit again, it is such a beautiful part of the country! I’d love to spend some time relaxing in the hot tub watching the sunset.
Cumbria is a wonderful place – I’d spend my time here with a mix of walking and relaxing
Wow looks so beautiful and peaceful
Mostly in the hot tub, but with a bit of walking if the weather is ok
id love to spend my time at kekaroka lodge relaxing in the hot tub and exploring the area and enjoying the lovely views, this is just what me and my best friend need after working nights on a mental health unit
We would love to just relax in the beautiful interior, the occasional long country walk investigating the local hostelries and soaking up the local history.
Thanks for the chance
love the area
Looks absolutely great!
Exploring during the day and then relaxing in the hot tub with a glass of fizz
I’d go on some fabulous walks in the beautiful countryside and then relax in the hot tub in the evening. Bliss!
I would spend all my time in the hot tub, definetly!
I would relax in the hot tub with a lovely glass of Prosecco ❤️
This would be amazing for a day hiking with the reward of a relax in the hot tub afterwards!
I’d love to visit my sister in Cumbria.
I visited the Lake District many years ago and have always wanted to go back. Also visited East Lancashire recently and it was so beautiful.
We love Cumbria! I’d love to relax on the deck with my binoculars and see what birds I can spot.
I would chill and explore the area, and hopefully grab some great photos.
Thanks — looks fab
I would spend the time relaxing and taking in the stunning views
I love Cumbria, We would do lots of hiking, and lots of hot tub!!
We lived in Blackburn so many trips where taken on a weekend to Cumbria my favourite being Kendal especially for the mint cake. I loved the castle too. We would often visit caves in Yorkshire to look at the Stalactites and stalagmites my parents were obsessed
I love Cumbria and would spend my time walking in the day hot tubbing in the evening
I was lucky enough to visit North Cumbria last month and it was wonderful. Hence my eyes just lit up when I saw your lovely giveaway. I think the cabin looks enchanting and I would be very happy with a mixture of leisurely lounging and exploring the gorgeous local countryside.
I’d be running a nice bubble bath in the lovely bath tub
WE would enjoy the scenery walking around and then when we tired a hot tub experience would perk us up.
My wife and I rarely get a chance to get away on our home because of a lack of childcare options and so this would be a lovely break. I imagine we would spend time relaxing in the hot tub and enjoying the views.
Would love to go for lovely walks and then relax in the hot tub in the evening with my partner.
Looks amazing
We would enjoy walks from the door, No entertainment required! We like to self cater so this would be lovely. We have been to Cumbria a few times.
Looks beautiful A lovely relaxing break and soak in the hot tub would be amazing
Gentle walk followed by a night in the hot tub with a glass of win a and a good book
This looks fantastic. We try to visit Cumbria at least once a year but we’ve never stayed that far north or anywhere with a hot tub. Heaven on earth!
I’ve never been but this looks so peaceful
We often visit Cumbria as it is only an hour away – love its varied scenery, towns and villages.
Cumbria is one of my favourite areas of England…..so close to Scotland and a whisker away from Gretna Green where we were married all those years ago! There is just so much to see and do. Between visiting the beautiful lakes to soaking up the atmosphere and history of the Romans on Hadrians wall and Vindolanda. As for the many stately castles and their stunning gardens it is a county with so much to offer. In addition, my lovely daughter in law hails from the highest village in England, Alston, Cumbria…..what more could we want?
looks like a wonderful part of the country
It’s decades since I last visited! I would do some gentle walking and look at the views and enjoy the hot tub very much.
I could sit all day watching the changing views from the decking and completely switch off from the stresses of home Homelife.
Kekaroka Lodge looks like the perfect place to get away from it all, but I would be torn between relaxing and enjoying the peace or exploring the area – a bit of both maybe!
Love Cumbria – would be chance to sit back relax and explore the most beautiful scenery
I would love to stargazers the hot tub with a glass of bubbles!
Probably catch up on some reading and just relaxing with my other half
I’d go for long walks viewing the beautiful scenery.