Herdwick Cottages is one of the last independent holiday letting agents in the Lake District. As a family-run business, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and going that extra mile to ensure you have a memorable holiday in the beautiful Lake District. Herdwick Cottages operates as an agent on behalf of the owner is administering the bookings between the guest and the owner. We do not own any of the properties that we market.

Situated on a working farm, surrounded by superb views, The Elm Shepod is one of two Smardale Mill Shepods, the other named The Ash. The Shepod is a hybrid between a traditional shepherd's hut and a larger glamping pod. With a double bed and an optional double sofa bed, each pod is ideal for up to two adults and two children. These Kirkby Stephen glamping pods have been designed to a high spec comprising underfloor heating, a fully equipped kitchen, open plan sleeping/sitting area and a mains-plumbed bathroom with a full-sized shower, loo and basin. 5-minutes drive away is the Smardale Nature Reserve. A must-visit if you fancy a walk through some of the finest Yorkshire Dales. The circular route that follows the former railway line will take you past the historic Smardale Gill Viaduct (15 minutes). If you fancy fishing, the nearby Scandal River offers a mile of private fishing, so do bring your fishing rods. The Market town of Kirkby Stephen is a 10-minutes drive away where you will find a selection of shops and grocery stores and there is also a choice of nearby pubs, such as The Kings Head at Ravenstonedale (3-Miles) that offers great food and real ales.

From your cosy Cumbrian lodgings, you have the choice of scores of challenging hiking and cycling routes in three national parks. You’re firmly in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for moorland walks to the towering Cautley Spout waterfall (20 minutes’ drive). In the Lake District National Park (40 minutes), you can cycle dramatic Honister Pass (an hour), and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty gives you remote walks up to Grassholme Observatory and Reservoir (45 minutes). Ramp up the cultural element of your break with a visit to the stately ruins at Lowther Castle and Gardens (40 minutes), or pick a sunny day and take a picnic to eat on the grounds of Brough Castle (15 minutes). And for a real taste of Yorkshire goodness, a visit to Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre (40 minutes) gives you the chance to taste local cheeses and see them being made. The destination pub at Tan Hill (half an hour) is the highest in England. It serves up a decent grub with fantastic views down Swaledale, where you can enjoy afternoon tea with the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’ Amanda Owen at Ravenseat (35 minutes) in summer. Kirkby Stephen Rail Station — 2.0 miles Kings Head Pub - Ravenstonedale - 3.2 miles Black Swan Pub - Ravenstonedale - 3.5 miles Sandford Arms Pub - Sandford - 4.4 miles