Webdesign by Moat Vale plagiarists 2009

We are a 12 acre small-holding, virtually on the Scottish/English border of Cumbria – within The Debatable Lands. Our land is divided into 4 fields, and we have a small flock of breeding sheep, laying and meat hens, and we grow as much of our own veg and fruit as we can. Everyone calls it The Good Life - this year we have been self-sufficient in tatties, onions, beetroot, rhubarb and mutton belly – what a diet!

This year the campsite features solar facilities to provide hot water for washing up and for the hand operated washing machine. This project is ongoing and in time the facilities will include a washing up shed and solar shower to supplement the washroom, WC and electric shower that are already here.

Our land sits within the surrounding landscape of mixed woodland and pastured farmland. Although we are on flat ground, in a few miles you meet the remote, undulating moorlands of the Borders. The mountains of the Northern Lake District and Galloway Hills are visible on the skyline looking south and north.

The campsite overlooks our land, so you’ll see all the goings on of the seasons. Lambing, clipping, hay-making, weeding, harvesting, egg collecting – we’re happy to lend you a hoe if you’re missing your garden. You are welcome to walk through our pasture and meadow to the local footpaths beyond, and dogs can be exercised off the lead in fields without sheep.

We have a pretty relaxed attitude to life in general, and we would like you to feel at home on our site. There is  plenty  of room in the field for ball games and the bairns to run around. Next to the washroom you’ll find a simple library with a ‘secret garden shed’ feel. There are local leaflets and local information, and reading books and games to borrow for rainy days.

Depending on the time of year you can buy our eggs, fresh veg and our own lamb – perfect for a barbeque on a sunny evening. All the vegetables  we grow are chemical free  and no artificial fertilisers are used on the grass that our sheep graze. Our lambs are allowed to grow naturally on the grass, so they are usually at least a year old before they’re ready. They are butched locally and we think the flavour and tenderness is fantastic!

We are a very handy and peaceful overnight stop if you’re heading further north from further south, and vice versa. But why not stop a while longer and discover what’s going on in the Borders?

Life at Moat Vale

Submit your own travellers tips for visitors to Moat Vale.........

Photo Gallery