There's more than meets the eye in this charming Lake District village, including a social calendar fit to burst.
Nestled on the fringes of the Lake District, the quaint village of Staveley is like a scene on a picture-postcard, with rippling waters trickling downstream along the backdrop of breathtakingly beautiful fells.
It’s a place of stunning scenery and brilliant walks, where the River Kent meets the River Gowan at the foot of the spectacular Kentmere Valley, and where the views take your eyes to Reston Scar, Pike Howe and Lily Fell, the latter two sitting at the foot of the Kentmere Horseshoe, one of the Lake District’s most beautiful walks.
Main Street is lined with rustic, stone terraces and St Margaret’s Clock and Tower – the oldest building in the village dating back to 1338 – is now dedicated to the memory of clock winder of 32 years Bill Bethom, following its renovation in 2005.
There is a gelato kitchen, coffee den and family butchers; there is a pub with rooms, a post office and a space for communal working.
But the Mill Yard is perhaps the most popular destination for visitors to this charming village. Formerly home to 19th century mill buildings used for wool processing, wood turning and corn milling, the repurposed site now houses offices and artisan shops including an award-winning bakery, chocolatier and Hawkshead brewery.
It’d be easy and convenient to spend a day on the fells, with Staveley a base for the UK’s largest cycle superstore and cycle hire shop Wheelbase, and The Forge, inov-8's first ever brand store with running, hiking and fitness kit.
This is a place where people look out for one another and for their community. Enjoy a nosy in the community stall with local handmade arts, crafts and produce, or do your bit with a two-minute litter pick. Take part in the community book share or donate to the community larder, an informal food bank in the bus shelter opposite the village hall.
Vibrant studio theatre Staveley Roundhouse offers a performance space for jazz, classical and folk, and the village playground is a fun, modern space for the kids to run off some energy. You’ll bump into cyclists, hikers and adventurers, and the easy road and rail networks mean the energetic towns of Kendal and Windermere are only minutes away.
Whatever the weather, this Lake District gem is not one to be passed by.
THE SOCIAL CALENDAR
Make some memories here in Staveley, home to a variety of exciting annual events. Kicking off the year is the annual Duck Race, a traditional and comedic gathering on January 1 where little yellow ducks race half a mile along the River Gowan. The Great Egg Hunt sees 30 giant, themed eggs created by the village primary school, residents, businesses and community groups hidden around the village as part of the Easter trail: crack the code to be in with the chance to win a giant chocolate egg created by Staveley’s The Blind Chocolatier.
One for the sustainably conscious or those with a keen eye for a bargain is The Yard Sale, where unwanted items, homemade creations, plants and bakes are placed on a map.
Increasingly popular is the 5k family Fun Run, a colourful event with a great atmosphere; and Bounce in the Park is a fun day out featuring an inflatable-filled village playground.
For the Halloween Party (so good it’s usually a sell-out event), the village hall is taken over by ghoulish decorations handmade by residents and their children, with grisly games and creative fancy dress.
And ending the year on a high, Staveley Samba Band leads the festive procession from the Eagle and Child Inn to the village hall, where the Christmas Lights switch-on countdown kicks off to light up the village Christmas tree before mulled wine and carol singing. Other regular events in the village include Saturday coffee mornings, dance workshops, a weekly pub quiz, comedy nights and film, music and theatre productions at the Staveley Round House. thesva.org
