Welcome to High House
High House is situated in Seathwaite, at the head of the popular valley of Borrowdale in the English Lake District. It is a converted stone built 16/17C farmhouse in its own grounds, with car access and parking
High House is the club hut of "K Fellfarers". It offers a high standard of bunkhouse self catering accommodation for groups of up to 26, and is considered to be one of the best in the Lakes. As well as walking and climbing clubs, High House is regularly used by outdoor educational groups, schools and corporate groups.
Its superb location is one of the many reasons that visiting groups often refer to it as their favourite bunkhouse. Being just off the track to Sty Head and Grains Gill, the central fells such as Scafell Pike and Great Gable can be ascended without the need to drive the car.
Please note that we only let to groups and do not let individual beds or dorms. High House is run as an unmanned bunkhouse and groups are responsible for cleaning it before they leave.
Early booking is essential due to the popularity of the facility, especially at weekends.
High House is situated just through the hamlet of Seathwaite in Borrowdale, Cumbria, GR NY235119 and is labelled on google maps. What 3 words: ///cube.picnic.fixture
High House Accommodation
Common Room
The large open common room is used for eating and is great for relaxing in front of the nice warm multifuel stove burning fuel that is included in the nightly rate.
The room also includes the club’s library which is available for all to use, but please don’t remove any books. It’s great for looking up everything from a walking route up Scafell, locating the classic Corvus climbing route in the next valley, or helping to identify the numerous birds that can be seen from the building.
Downstairs Dormitory
The large downstairs dormitory sleeps 18 in bunk beds. It has a washroom with toilet, shower and two basins and is warmed by a small multifuel stove
Upstairs
- The upstairs dormitory sleeps 8 in single bunks. There is electric background heating and a washroom with two basins and a shower plus a toilet on the landing
- The drying room equipped with heater and dehumidifier is also on the landing.
- The members room sleeps 9 and is also upstairs. It normally reserved for K Fellfarers members only however, if exclusive use of High House is booked (available midweek only), then access to the members room is permitted, though the overall number of people permitted to stay remains at 26
Kitchen
High House has a fully equipped kitchen:
- Double oven with grill (top oven = 16″ wide x 15″ deep x 6″ high, bottom oven = 16″ wide x 15″ deep x 8.5″ high)
- Electric hob with four electric rings
- Eight gas rings
- Two microwave ovens
- Two refrigerators (no freezer compartment)
- Toasters
- Full range of utensils, crockery, cutlery, pans etc.
- Plumbed-in water heater for hot drinks.
Outside
High House is fortunate to be situated in its own spacious grounds - the final approach from the gate is up a track leading to parking area for at least 10 cars - depending how you organise it!
There are picnic tables and benches just outside the front door which is great for outdoor cups of tea or meals. Through the grounds runs a beck called the Runner, which is great to play in - but please leave it as you found it - dams are fun to make but have led to problems in the past.
Over the Runner is a slate bridge which leads you to the outdoor fire pit. Please feel free to have a fire in this, though you must provide your own wood. Opposite the front door is an area that was formerly an enclosure but is now known as ‘the lawn’.
Important Information - Please Read Before Booking
Changeover / Cleaning
High House is not staffed or cleaned between visits. Each group is responsible for cleaning and leaving it ready for the next visitors and reporting anything that needs attention.
If another group has booked the previous night, please arrange to arrive around tea time, and likewise leave by tea time on the day of your departure.
Use by Club Members
Booking gives you sole use of High House except the member's room, meaning there will be no other group staying. However, our members do have the right to stay in the member’s room - In practice it is very rare that members choose to visit when another group is booked in.
For mid-week bookings only, if exclusive use of High House is required - including the members room (meaning that we guarantee that you won’t be sharing with our club members), this can be booked for a surcharge, though the overall numbers permitted to stay remains the same at 26.
Fire Safety
It is a condition of use of High House that a member of each visiting group takes responsibility for fire safety including ensuring the group are familiar with the emergency procedures and making the checks displayed clearly on the notice board at High House. A checklist and feedback form will be emailed with your final details.
Mobile Phone Signal
There is no telephone or Wi-Fi at High House, but there is now a weak mobile signal in the building, you can usually get 4G in the parking area and a better signal down at the gate. There is a public telephone box by the farm at Seathwaite.
Dogs / Pets
Dogs and other pets are only allowed in the common room and must not sleep in the building. There are often sheep in the grounds so they must be kept fully under control at all times.
What to Bring
You will need to bring at least the following:
- Food and drink
- Sleeping bags or duvets, and pillows
- Tea towels
- Firelighters and matches. We supply solid fuel for the stoves but if you prefer wood you need to bring your own dry wood.
- First aid kit
- Wood for firepit if desired - our solid fuel must not be used on it!
We supply cleaning equipment including Ecover products and washing up liquid etc - please do not use other products due to the risk of damage to the septic tank.
We also supply toilet paper, cloths, bin bags etc but please report any shortages - it's best to take a few with you just in case!
For fire safety reasons please do not take or use candles or deep fry food.
Local Area
Please support the local economy by using the pubs, cafes and shops as much as you can. At the time of writing the following are available within 3 miles, though businesses are seasonal and opening times vary so check first.
How to Book
For booking enquiries please contact Maja While – (bookings.kff@gmail.com) or use the "send an enquiry" link below to create an email. Once the booking is provisionally agreed a deposit of £50 per night will be required to secure the booking, details of how to make this payment will be emailed. The deposit is non-returnable on cancellation unless the dates become re-booked. The balance is payable 4 weeks prior to occupation. Sorry, but we need at least one week’s notice for bookings and we don’t let individual beds.
Please supply the following information –
Group :
Contact Name :
Email Address :
Telephone :
Postal Address :
Arrival Date :
Departure Date :
Where did you hear about High House?