Set in the wild beauty of the Bolton Abbey landscape, Thorpe Fell Cabin has been a retreat for walkers, keepers and even kings for centuries. This historic stone shelter, surrounded by miles of heather moor, is now an off-grid refuge, carefully reclaimed and designed with peace and comfort in mind.
Though remote, Thorpe Fell Cabin is accessible, and getting there is part of the adventure. Trek to the cabin on moorland paths or travel overland by 4×4. You’ll find yourself immersed in a landscape of rare beauty and special scientific interest, which supports local plants and endangered wildlife.
Discover the serenity of the moors, wonder at the starry skies, and embrace the quiet awe of Thorpe Fell.
The experience
Sitting at 1,600 feet on Barden Moor, Thorpe Fell cabin is an off-grid and fully catered experience. Whether you choose to hike the two miles from Upper Barden Reservoir or to be driven with your luggage in one of the Bolton Abbey Estate’s 4x4s, this secluded stay is a refuge for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
The one bedroom cabin comes with two warming wood burners, one in the living room and one in the bedroom with stacks of firewood ready to be lit. Our estate chefs will prepare your food in advance using locally sourced ingredients, ready to warm when required.
Embrace simplicity on this retreat with no running water or electricity, but remarkable views in every direction.
Flora & Fauna
Keen hikers can venture further into Barden Moor, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and unique ecosystem, supporting a wide range of rare plants and wildlife. Warm weather brings the moorland to life with a sea of purple heather.
The moorland is carefully managed to encourage biodiversity, and it attracts many endangered and vulnerable wading birds, including golden plover, merlin, lapwing, oystercatchers and the elusive curlew. The UK curlew population has fallen by half in the last 25 years, making it as endangered as the jaguar; however, the estate’s work to restore this natural habitat has given the curlew a renewed chance of survival. Around 300 breeding pairs now take refuge on the estate, more than are found in the whole of the UK south of Birmingham.
International Dark Skies Reserve
Under cloudless skies, Thorpe Fell is also a place for spectacular stargazing.
It sits within the International Dark Skies Reserve of the Yorkshire Dales, one of only six in the UK, making it one of the best places in the world to view the night sky.
Thorpe Fell cabin was originally rented by the Duke of Devonshire from the Tempest family of Broughton, and used as a shooting lodge. It was purchased by the Bolton Abbey Estate in August 1923 along with Thorpe Fell.
The cabin is thought to have been used as an office when the nearby coal mine was in operation in the late 18th century. The chimney and its surrounding ruins, visible from the cabin, are all that remains of the mine today. These were repaired and made safe in 2000 after many years of decline due to the harsh weather conditions, in collaboration with the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust.
HRH King Edward VII, Edward VIII, George V and Prime Minister Harold McMillan were regular visitors to Thorpe Fell Cabin in the early 1900s during their frequent visits to the moor. A flag used to fly when royalty were visiting the cabin, but in the 1970’s the flagpole was struck by lightning, which split the pole.
Access & Parking
Access
Though utterly remote, Thorpe Fell Cabin is easy to access. Regular trains from London to Skipton take around 3 hours. Transfers can be arranged direct from Skipton Train Station for an additional fee of £150. The journey is just under an hour to Thorpe Fell.
From Skipton Station, it’s just a 15 minute drive to The Devonshire Arms. Make the rest of the journey on foot, or in an estate 4×4 for an additional fee.
For driving to Thorpe Fell Cabin, you can either park at The Devonshire Arms Hotel and walk the 7.5 miles to the cabin or park at Upper Barden Reservoir, from there is a 2 mile walk to the cabin. Please note that the track beyond Upper Barden Reservoir is not passable for standard vehicles, you may drive your own 4×4 to the cabin but this is fully at your own risk.
The moorland path to Thorpe Fell takes in reservoirs, heather and ever-changing views, with the chance to spot wildlife along the way.
Parking
There are two parking options. Guests can use the car park at The Devonshire Arms Hotel, from there it is a 7.5 mile walk to Thorpe Fell Cabin. Or park at Upper Barden Reservoir which is a 2 mile walk from Thorpe Fell Cabin. The track from Upper Barden Reservoir to Thorpe Fell cabin is not passable for standard vehicles, however, you can drive your own 4×4 at your own risk.
Transfers can be arranged from The Devonshire Arms for an additional fee – £95 for both ways, £50 for one way. These transfers can be used for transferring luggage only if preferred.
Location
Thorpe Fell Cabin – What three words: tourist.specifies.lush
Check in/check out location:
The Devonshire Arms Hotel
Bolton Bridge, Skipton BD23 6AJ
01756 718100
reception@thedevonshirearms.co.uk
Check in
Check in and key collection from The Devonshire Arms Hotel: 3pm
Check out: 11 am –please return keys and emergency radio to The Devonshire Arms Hotel
Food & Drink
When you book your stay you’ll also need to choose what you’d like to eat from our specially developed menu from our estate chefs.
Breakfast, dinner, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk and snacks are all included and will be waiting for you in the turfed hut 10m from the cabin.
There are no facilities to prepare uncooked food, so we will ensure all your pre-prepared food is prepared ready for your arrival. You may bring snacks with you.
Additional food and drink is available to purchase in advance.
Amenities
Washing & bedding
Compost loo, 10 metres from the cabin in the Turfed Hut.
Wash stand for handwashing and teeth brushing only in the Turfed Hut below the cabin.
Dry shower kit provided – no bath or wet shower on site.
Bed linen and towels provided.
Kitchenware
Crockery, cutlery, glassware, bottle opener are provided.
Gas powered fridge and stove are located in the nearby turfed hut which will store your selected meal choices ready for you to heat in your own time.
Yeti cool boxes for drinks and meal accompaniments.
As there is no running water in the cabin, complimentary bottled drinking water is provided.
Heating & lighting
Two wood-burners, one in the living area and the other in the bedroom, will be set ready for lighting with plenty of firewood.
There is no electricity, however a solar power bank and battery powered lights are provided.
No barbeques or outside fires are permitted at the cabin due to its sensitive moorland site.
What to bring
Walking boots, waterproofs, indoor shoes and a comfortable change of clothes are essential. Given the experience and setting, this is important, so please do bring all of these things with you.
Bed linen and towels will be provided.
Entertainment & connection
Books
Board games
Binoculars for wildlife and bird spotting
The moors and the night sky
There is no WiFi at the cabin and there is limited mobile phone signal (though usually accessible outside or further up the hill).
An emergency radio will be provided when you collect your welcome pack from the Devonshire Arms Hotel. Please return when departing.
Pricing
Thorpe Fell Moorland Experience
£215 per night (£107.50 per person)
Includes: Breakfast, Dinner, Snacks (meals are selected pre-arrival)
Additionals
Transfers must be arranged at time of booking
Return transfer for up to 2 people with luggage to Thorpe Fell Cabin from The Devonshire Arms Hotel – £95
One way transfer for up to 2 people with luggage – £50
Return transfer for up to 2 people with luggage to Thorpe Fell Cabin from Skipton Train Station- £150
Food & Drink
Additional food & drink must be ordered 48 hours prior to arrival
Packed lunch option £20pp
Bottle of white wine Pocas Branco Portugal £20.00
Bottle of red wine Pinot Noir Sanziana Romania £20.00
Bottle of champagne Delamotte £50.00
Pack of 4 local canned beer Black Sheep Blonde £14.00
Pack of 4 local canned Hebden Lager £14.00
Pack of 4 Tanqueray canned G&T £20.00