Shap Fell Bothy (opens in new tab)
about 0.4 km from the start, in a straight line
It is 380 m from the Crookdale start and it is the only bed inside the 3-mile radius with a page anyone can read, so for this walk it is not one option among several - it is the option. What it actually offers a party off the Crookdale Birketts round is the whole building to themselves with a wood-burner and a bag of wood included, and a back gate onto the common: "The back gate opens onto public access common land, and there are public footpaths and bridleways across the moorland within 100 yards." What decides whether it works is the number four: eight can sleep there, four can sleep in beds, and bedding cannot be hired for a fifth. Add no running water, an outdoor Portaloo and no breakfast, and this suits a self-sufficient group of up to four carrying their own kit - not a family arriving expecting a room made up.
The building was an old telephone repeater station on the A6 before it became a camping barn; it sits at 1,390 ft with the back gate opening straight onto access land, and runs on wind and solar with water delivered in canisters and a Portaloo in the side yard.
- Dogs “Dogs are welcome.”
- Family rooms “In the upstairs there are 4 futon mattresses for the first 4 people to sleep on; additional guests can make use of the upstairs seating cushions or bring their own lilos, carrymats etc. Bedding for up to 4 people is available for hire or you can bring your own.”
- Parking “Two very large lay-bys for ample parking within 70 yards.”