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Waitby School is surrounded by stunning views

Waitby School is surrounded by stunning views

The living room is spacious, yet cosy

The living room is spacious, yet cosy

The kitchen is fully equipped

The kitchen is fully equipped

The Lake District is a short drive away

The Lake District is a short drive away

Bedroom one features dual aspect French windows

Bedroom one features dual aspect French windows

Ensuite to Bed One featuring a whirlpool bath

Ensuite to Bed One featuring a whirlpool bath

The Smardale Viaduct is a short walk away

The Smardale Viaduct is a short walk away

The living room's wood burning stove and TV

The living room's wood burning stove and TV

The kitchen's microwave and reflections

The kitchen's microwave and reflections

Rainbow view from the kitchen

Rainbow view from the kitchen

Bedroom Three

Bedroom Three

The vestibule is useful for boots and coats

The vestibule is useful for boots and coats

The view from the back garden

The view from the back garden

Bedroom Two has a handmade bed

Bedroom Two has a handmade bed

There's a desk to work at if you really need to

There's a desk to work at if you really need to

A beautiful walk from Waitby School

A beautiful walk from Waitby School

Bedroom one suite's floor to ceiling silk curtains

Bedroom one suite's floor to ceiling silk curtains

Luxury fabrics in Bedroom Three

Luxury fabrics in Bedroom Three

Ensuite to Bed Two

Ensuite to Bed Two

Waitby School in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Waitby School in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Waitby School is surrounded by stunning views

Waitby School is surrounded by stunning views

The living room is spacious, yet cosy

The living room is spacious, yet cosy

The kitchen is fully equipped

The kitchen is fully equipped

The Lake District is a short drive away

The Lake District is a short drive away

Bedroom one features dual aspect French windows

Bedroom one features dual aspect French windows

Ensuite to Bed One featuring a whirlpool bath

Ensuite to Bed One featuring a whirlpool bath

The Smardale Viaduct is a short walk away

The Smardale Viaduct is a short walk away

The living room's wood burning stove and TV

The living room's wood burning stove and TV

The kitchen's microwave and reflections

The kitchen's microwave and reflections

Rainbow view from the kitchen

Rainbow view from the kitchen

Bedroom Three

Bedroom Three

The vestibule is useful for boots and coats

The vestibule is useful for boots and coats

The view from the back garden

The view from the back garden

Bedroom Two has a handmade bed

Bedroom Two has a handmade bed

There's a desk to work at if you really need to

There's a desk to work at if you really need to

A beautiful walk from Waitby School

A beautiful walk from Waitby School

Bedroom one suite's floor to ceiling silk curtains

Bedroom one suite's floor to ceiling silk curtains

Luxury fabrics in Bedroom Three

Luxury fabrics in Bedroom Three

Ensuite to Bed Two

Ensuite to Bed Two

Waitby School in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Waitby School in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Waitby School

Cumbria, CA17 4HJ

5 Star Eden Valley Grade II listed former school

  • Spectacular walks on your doorstep
  • Ideal for Lake District and Yorkshire Dales
  • Sonos sound system and Smart TV with Sky package
  • Storage for bikes
  • Extensive book library for all ages and tastes
  • Woodburning stove
    • Sleeps 7Sleeps 7
    • Bedrooms 3Bedrooms 3
    • Bathrooms 2Bathrooms 2
    • Dog Free Cottage Dog Free Cottage
    • Ground Floor FacilitiesGround Floor Facilities
    • WiFiWiFi
    • ParkingParking
    • Open fire / Log burnerOpen fire / Log burner
    • PC 5 star

Availability & Book Now

Click any available start date to see prices & BOOK

From £485

  • Start dates

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All inclusive holiday cottage badge.
No hidden charge cottage badge.
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– Member Since 2015 –

Features

Sleeps 7

Sleeps 7

Bedrooms 3

Bedrooms 3

Bathrooms 2

Bathrooms 2

Dines 7

Dines 7

Dog Free Cottage

Dog Free Cottage

WiFi

WiFi

Parking

Parking

Ground Floor Facilities

Ground Floor Facilities

Enclosed Garden

Enclosed Garden

Open fire / Log burner

Open fire / Log burner

Child-Friendly

Child-Friendly

Space to play

Space to play

Barbecue

Barbecue

Fine dining (within 10 miles)

Fine dining (within 10 miles)

National Trail (within 1 mile)

National Trail (within 1 mile)

Bike storage

Bike storage

Supermarket delivery available

Supermarket delivery available

Hypoallergenic bedding option

Hypoallergenic bedding option

Credit cards accepted

Credit cards accepted

About & Contact

5 Star Eden Valley Grade II listed former school

Standing alone on a breathtaking fell near Kirkby Stephen in the Eden Valley, Waitby School enjoys glorious uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. Originally built in 1680, Grade II listed Waitby and Smardale School is now stylish boutique-style holiday accommodation, set within the new boundaries of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is perfect for unwinding in complete luxury, set in absolute tranquility, but close enough to Kirkby Stephen for guests not to feel isolated.

Iideal for couples seeking a romantic idyll; practical for walking or cycling enthusiasts (Kirkby Stephen is on Wainwright’s legendary Coast-to-Coast route); safe for families with children and a perfect stepping stone for guests wanting to explore the natural magnificence and views of the Lakes, Dales, County Durham or the Pennines.

There is a raft of attractions on Waitby School’s doorstep – castles and historic houses, museums and gardens, waterfalls and rivers, spectacular fells and beautiful nature reserves, ancient towns steeped in the past, old country pubs, award-winning restaurants and the Settle-Carlisle Railway.

Inside the vestibule has its original ceramic basin, vintage floor tiles and coat pegs for the schoolchildren, this is a perfect boot room and place to store walking gear, outdoor kit and games.

The main room has magnificent double height living room was the original main schoolroom and features the original hearth and fireplace, with the addition of a wood burning stove for cosy nights in. Solid oak flooring with underfloor heating and refurbished original sash windows mean the room is snug, even in the depths of winter. A flat screen television, Sky satellite and Sonos, coupled with a Bose surround sound system and comprehensive book library all ensure that guests have plenty of entertainment to hand.

The hand-built kitchen is fully equipped to cater for the most discerning of chefs. The Buttermere slate surfaces complement the underfloor heated, locally-sourced, stone floor. Included is Whirlpool oven, ceramic hob and microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer and the glorious views from both windows. The double doors overlook the fells and the window above the sink frames ancient trees. A WC and further vestibule are off the kitchen.

On the ground floor, with French windows to either side, is the main bedroom that has been decorated with simplicity in mind. The luxurious mattress and bed linen will tempt you to stay in bed, however the fluffy rugs and underfloor heating will soften the blow when it’s time to get up. The master bathroom features Buttermere slate, luxury bathroom fittings and a whirlpool bath.

Up the handmade staircase off the main room, the second bedroom suite is an eyrie, with a handmade bed, oak floors and half panels, a generous walk-in wardrobe and shot silk green curtains framing a view towards Smardale. The window is perfect for viewing steam trains passing on the Settle-Carlisle line. The walk-in shower and toilet feature Buttermere slate flooring and luxury fittings.

The third bedroom is reached by a staircase from the kitchen and has three handmade beds, a walk-in wardrobe, oak flooring, designer wall/reading lights (and lots of books!) as well as a view of fields and trees towards Kirkby Stephen.

The outside of Waitby School is safe for children, as it is fully enclosed by ancient dry stone walling, with generous parking for several cars and large front and back lawns. Three majestic trees date back to the school’s original construction and the 360-degree panoramic views are ever-changing with the time of day, conditions and seasons. The old boys’ toilets have been converted into a log store (logs and kindling for the wood burning stove all included) and secure storage for outdoor furniture and barbecue.

Member since 2015

Tel:.

Tel:+44 (0)7771657183

waitbyschool.com

Click here to email

Waitby School
Cumbria, CA17 4HJ

Location & Attractions

Select categories to explore all attractions

  • Castle Castle
  • Gardens Gardens
  • Museums Museums
  • Pub/Restaurant Pub/Restaurant
  • Visitors Attraction Visitors Attraction
  • Walks Walks
  • Wildlife Wildlife

Waitby School

School Lane
Waitby
Kirkby Stephen
Cumbria
CA17 4HJ

Castle Sizergh Castle

Beautiful mediaeval castle with grounds

Visit Website >

Castle Lowther Castle

Steeped in intriguing history, this castle was formerly a grand affair but now only its façade remains standing. There are exhibitions, gardens, food and an adventure playground.

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Castle Lammerside Castle

Accessible ruin dating back to the 12th Century.

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Castle Pendragon Castle

Legends say that this was the home of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur's father.

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Gardens Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill

A tranquil haven with a fascinating industrial past and best known for its comprehensive herb collection and traditional fruit orchards

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Museums Bowes Museum

A fantastic, eclectic collection housed in a stunning historical building. Watch out for the special exhibitions and the famous Silver Swan

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Museums Kirkby Stephen East

A historic station and steam railway, opened in 1861, and now cared for by volunteers of the Stainmore Railway Company

Visit Website >

Museums Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts Home

Explore the history of Windemere and art of the world through permanent installations and thoughtfully curated one-off exhibitions

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Pub/Restaurant King's Head

Nice pub food in a cosy and informal setting

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Pub/Restaurant The Bridge

Modern bistro/café offering morning coffee, great lunches and dinners as well as homemade cakes and other treats

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Pub/Restaurant The Sandford Arms

A charming old world pub providing well cooked food from this restaurant, between Kirkby Stephen and Appleby

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Pub/Restaurant The Taggy Man

Small but effective, worth going just to find out how the pub got its name, friendly locals and management

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Visitors Attraction Wensleydale Creamery

Located in the beautiful town of Hawes, this is a cheese cornucopia with a visitor centre and ‘cheese experience’

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Visitors Attraction Rheged

A gallery, café, cinema, shopping venue, workplace and creative space on the edge of the Northern Lakes

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Visitors Attraction Haweswater

The flooded village of Mardale - An ancient settlement flooded in the 1930s to make a reservoir to supply water for Manchester. In dry summers you can still see the ruins

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Walks Great Asby Scar Nature Reserve

Great Asby Scar is a great little hill which can be easily summited. The highest point of the Scar is called The Knott at 412m (1352 feet)

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Walks Nine Standards Rigg

Nine Standards Rigg is a fell in the north-east of the Dales, which is named after the set of prominent cairns that are situated to the north of the summit

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Walks High Force

A spectacular waterfall that plunges into a limestone gorge to reveal ancient rocks

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Walks Rutter Force

Next to the waterfall is a picturesque old mill that was once used to grind corn before being converted to manufacture bobbins. It later served as a sawmill.

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Wildlife Smardale Gill Nature Reserve

A great place to see wildlife while out walking. Also offering stunning scenery and is a lovely place to see flowers, butterflies and birds.

Visit Website >


Meet the owner

George Broom and Emily Hough

Waitby School has been in the Broom family since the 1970s, when Tom Broom bought the then-derelict building for his wife, who grew up in Kirkby Stephen and whose family still live in the area. Sadly, Tom died before work could begin on turning the property into a home and it wasn't until 30 years later that his son George took up the labour of love to turn Waitby School into a holiday house. Waitby School is a home from home for George, his wife Emily, and their family, who aim to provide a luxurious experience and welcome guests to enjoy the most beautiful scenery and all that this enchanting area has to offer.