BARROW HOUSE · DERWENTWATER

A place to stay. A place to belong.

Stay by the shores of Derwentwater in the heart of the Lake District. From dorm beds and private rooms to camping pods, group gatherings and exclusive use, Barrow House is a place to come together, explore and feel at home.

DERWENTWATER · BORROWDALE · 54.57° N

SAME HOUSE · NEW CHAPTER

A new chapter at Barrow House

A historic Lake District house for group stays, gatherings and shared adventures.

Formerly Derwentwater Independent Hostel, this much-loved house in Borrowdale is beginning a new chapter as Barrow House Derwentwater.

Our family is bringing the place back to life, preparing to welcome guests in 2027 with dorm beds, private rooms, camping pods and opportunities to gather as a group.

We're carrying forward its charitable heart: creating a place where people from all walks of life can stay, gather, explore and experience this extraordinary landscape together.

Enquire about a stay

WHERE LIFE IS SHARED

Barrow House and main lawn — Barrow House · Derwentwater

WAYS TO BE HERE

Find your way here.

Come for a night beneath the fells, gather your people, or simply step outside and see where the path takes you.

01 Sleep here

Barrow House cosy camping pods by Derwentwater

Stay beside the lake

Stay beside Derwentwater, with the fells, woodland and lake on your doorstep. Choose a dorm bed, a private room or a cosy camping pod, and make yourself at home in Borrowdale.

BOOK A STAY

02 Bring your people

Group enjoying main lawn views of Derwentwater from Barrow House

Bring your people

Bring your school, community, colleagues or favourite people together. From retreats and celebrations to weddings and exclusive-use stays, there's room to make Barrow House your own.

GET IN TOUCH

03 Step outside

Step outside

Walk from the door. Wander through ancient woodland. Follow the waterfall, swim in the lake, climb a fell - or simply find somewhere to sit and take it all in.

Discover the area

YOUR HOUSE FOR A WHILE · EXCLUSIVE USE · BORROWDALE

Have Barrow House to yourselves.

SLEEP 75 · EAT TOGETHER · EXPLORE OUTSIDE · STAY UP LATE · MAKE IT YOURS

Gather your people and make the place your own.

Barrow House is made for groups - big shared spaces inside and out, bedrooms for everyone under one roof, and the lake, woodland and fells waiting beyond the door.

Weddings and celebrations, school adventures, church weekends, retreats, reunions and big family gatherings. However you fill the house, it's all yours.

The main house sleeps 63+ across 11 bedrooms. Our 3 heated camping pods in the grounds accommodate a further 4 per pod. That's 75+, not including the opportunity to pitch tents too.

Explore exclusive use

Bring your people. We'll provide the place.

COME AND BE PART OF IT

Have something in mind?

We're taking enquiries for 2027 and 2028. Whether you're planning a gathering, celebration, group stay or simply wondering what's possible, we'd love to hear from you.

01 / GET IN TOUCH

Start a conversation.

No need to have all the details worked out. Tell us a little about what you're imagining and we'll get back to you personally.