Smardale Mill Shepods

View prices & book 10 15 reviews
Shepod exterior
Shepod exterior
The peaceful setting for the shepods
Shepod exterior with decking
The ash shepod
Hill views
View from the site
Breakfast bar and sink
Well-equipped kitchen with a full-size fridge
1/40
The peaceful setting for the shepods
Shepod exterior with decking
The ash shepod

  • Luxurious 'shepod' glamping in Cumbria countryside near Kirkby Stephen
  • A 15-minute drive to Brough Castle; 45 minutes to the Lake District
  • Fully equipped pods with fishing and hikes from site; pubs close by
Home to smart glamping pods with all mod cons, Smardale Mill Shepods is on a working farm in dramatic Cumbrian fell country. Surrounded by spectacular views, these delightfully decorated and fully equipped pods are just the thing for anyone who likes a certain degree of comfort alongside their outdoor adventures. Nifty kitchens come with a fridge, cooker and breakfast bar, and the 'shepods' also have a cosy living space, a double bed and a bathroom with a full-size shower where you can clean up and warm up after a day out hiking. (Please note that linen is provided for the double bed but not for the sofa bed in the open living space.) Smardale Nature Reserve (five minutes’ drive) is a good place to start your exploration of the Yorkshire Dales on foot, with a circular trail along a former railway line to historic Smardale Gill Viaduct (15 minutes). With all this glorious countryside close by, it’s all too easy to forget that this site is easily accessible from the M6. Anglers, don’t forget to pack your rods, as the Scandal river has a mile of private fishing to test out during your stay. You can cook in your pod or spark up the barbecue – head to Kirkby Stephen (10 minutes’ drive) to pick up the essentials – and there are plenty of interesting pubs around locally, serving fine regional food (including Yorkshire pudding with Sunday roasts, of course) and craft beers.

Campground type

Lodges, cabins, pods or huts 2
Open all year
Opens
Please note
  • Bookings must not be for more than 7 consecutive nights.

Languages spoken

English

Reviews

10

Overall rating based on 15 reviews View breakdown

Peaceful

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Only showing reviews for the last 30 months.

Idyllic little haven, especially with recent sunny weather Nice, clean and ample spaced…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 8
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 8
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Andrew C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: Idyllic little haven, especially with recent sunny weather
Nice, clean and ample spaced Pod with enough facilities to keep me, partner and dog happy, clean and fed.
Set on a working farm (very little noise) with peaceful, tranquil views over looking the fields, hills, animals and wildlife.
Town, shops, cafes etc.. a short drive away

Disliked: None... .lovely quiet and relaxing stay

Recommend to friends Visit again

Excellent

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Anonymous The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: Location
Facilities
Lovely welcome

Recommend to friends Visit again

Shepod was very clean,staff were very friendly, it had everything .

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Mrs Beverley F. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: We liked it very much ,it's our second time being there, and will be going again ,place is lovely, nice walks ,and very peaceful, beautiful scenery, and they did a lovely afternoon tea .the shepod was very clean ,had everything you needed.

Disliked: None

Recommend to friends Visit again

Perfect site to relax, with clean facilities.

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Liam B. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: The accommodation was perfect. It is very clean, and comfortable, and had everything you would need for a short stay. The location was also great. Situated on a working farm it was very peaceful with no light or noise pollution. However you were still only a short drive away from the town center and only an hours drive from places like Keswick and Windermere. The owners of the farm are very lovely. They were really welcoming and made sure we had everything we needed.

Disliked: None

Recommend to friends Visit again

Very quiet and nice place to stay. Friendly staff, pod really clean…

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 6
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Olga C. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: Very quiet and nice place to stay. Friendly staff, pod really clean

Recommend to friends Visit again

Cozy and clean accommodation with welcoming host. Perfect bolt hole for the…

Overall 10/10
Location 8
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Hannah R. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: Cozy and clean accommodation with welcoming host. Perfect bolt hole for the surrounding area with peaceful and lovely scenery of the animal fields.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Peaceful site, well appointed accommodation, friendly owners

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 8
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 8
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Mark E. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: The Shepod was well finished with all of the facilities needed. The location on a working farm was amazing and was a perfect site for exploring the surrounding countryside. Eating on the decking, watching the cows was a treat. The Shepod was perfect for dogs too. The owners were approachable, friendly and nice to chat to. All in all a wonderful place, nice accommodation and we will be back.

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Lovely comfortable, clean and peaceful accommodation. Lovely views and walks in the…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness No rating
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Deborah W. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: Lovely comfortable, clean and peaceful accommodation. Lovely views and walks in the local area, from the farm over the fells and Smardale Viaduct. Family very welcoming and dog friendly. Would recommend

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

Stunning shepods

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 10
Brian F. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: The shepods were fantastic,everything you need ,lovely underfloor heating and really hot water ,beautiful location on a working warm stunning veiws , absolutely loved our time away .

Disliked: Nothing

Recommend to friends Visit again

The hut is fabulous and very well equipped. Lovely views. Popped into…

Overall 10/10
Location 10
Value for money 10
Accommodation 10
Facilities / Activities 10
Customer service 10
Child friendliness 10
Cleanliness 10
Wifi 8
Paige M. The reviewer booked through Pitchup.com

Shepherd's hut

Liked: The hut is fabulous and very well equipped. Lovely views. Popped into kirkby Stephen town centre for Sunday lunch which was only 7 mins drive. We had a great stay here and will be back.

Recommend to friends Visit again

Features

Dogs allowed

Leisure on park

Bar or club house Cycle hire Evening entertainment Fishing Fitness centre Indoor swimming pool Kids' club On-site restaurant/cafe Outdoor swimming pool Playground Recreation room/arcade TV room Takeout Tennis Watersports

Amenities on park

Bath available Car parking by site/unit Composting toilet Dog park Drying room Free wifi Grocery store Ice pack freezing Internet access Laundromat Parent & baby washroom Payphone Pick-up from public transport Portable toilet Pub toilets Restrooms Shower available Washing-up area Wifi

Groups welcome

Family friendly Motorcycle friendly Single-sex groups welcome Student groups welcome

Rules

Barbecue grills allowed Barbecue provided Campfires allowed Commercial vehicles allowed Dogs allowed Dogs allowed all year

Themes

Hikers’ paradise Luxury Peaceful Remote location Spectacular scenery Wildlife haven

Utilities

Charging facilities Dump station Electric car charging point(s) Propane/gas cylinders available Recycling available Renewable energy

Nearby amenities

Bar nearby Dog walk nearby

Type

Tiny (1-10 sites)

Nearby leisure

Fishing nearby

Location

Smardale Mill Shepods

Smardale Mill

Kirkby Stephen

Cumbria

England

CA17 4HG

Directions

Timezone

Europe/London +0100 (GMT+01:00)

GPS

54.47741°N
-2.4016°W

Nearest transport

Bus
17.2 mi Bus Station
17.2 mi Bus Station
17.2 mi Bus Station
Rail
2 mi Kirkby Stephen Rail Station
7.9 mi Appleby Rail Station
11.2 mi Garsdale Rail Station
Ferry
19.4 mi Pooley Bridge Ullswater Ferry Landing
19.7 mi Howtown Ullswater Ferry Landing
22.3 mi Glenridding Ullswater Ferry Landing

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Local attractions

From your cosy Cumbrian lodgings, you have the choice of scores of challenging hiking and cycling routes in three different outdoor areas. You’re already 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 culture 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 in 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, and serves up decent grub with fantastic views down Swaledale, where you can share afternoon tea with the ‘Yorkshire Shepherdess’ Amanda Owen at Ravenseat (35 minutes) in summer.

Must see

High Force Waterfall 14.8 mi

The Rheged Centre 19.3 mi

Dalemain Historic House & Gardens 19.7 mi

The Bowes Museum 20 mi

Barnard Castle 20 mi

National Trust

Acorn Bank Garden and Watermill 14.2 mi

Sizergh Castle and Garden 20.1 mi

Townend 21.2 mi

Windermere and Troutbeck 21.5 mi

Hill Top 24.5 mi

Cycle routes

Find local routes on the National Cycle Network - over 12,000 miles of cycling routes.

Other

Smardale Wildlife Reserve 0.6 mi

Kirkby Stephen - Nine Standards Rigg 2.1 mi

Kirkby Stephen Circular 2.2 mi

The Eden Viaducts 2.2 mi

Kirkby Stephen - Nateby - Wharton Hall - Lammerside Castle 2.3 mi

Local events

  • Kendal Calling (Thursday, July 31, 2025 – Thursday, July 31, 2025)

    Penrith, England 15.3 mi

Please note: All distances on this page are calculated "as the crow flies" - please check actual distance depending on your mode of travel using the Get directions button above.

Offers

Conditions apply - see campsite type section for details

Nearest campgrounds

Unfortunately, we have no nearby bookable campgrounds.

Want to know more about camping in The Lake District and Cumbria?

Frequently asked questions

  • Does Smardale Mill Shepods have a swimming pool? No View all features
  • Is Smardale Mill Shepods dog friendly? Yes View all features
  • What attractions are near Smardale Mill Shepods? From your cosy Cumbrian lodgings, you have the choice of scores of challenging hiking and cycling routes in three different outdoor areas. You’re already in the Yorkshire Dales National Park for moorland … Read more
  • When can I check in and check out of Smardale Mill Shepods?
    On-park accommodation
    Arrive:  2 p.m. –  Anytime
    Depart by:  10 a.m.
    Read more
  • How much does it cost to stay at Smardale Mill Shepods? From $252.80 (for 2 nights, 2 adults) - prices may change depending on your dates and party.