Cartmel Village Guide

The picturesque village of Cartmel is famous for its 12th Century Priory, boasting beautiful stained-glass windows, modern sculptures and ancient choir stalls. Leading off the village square, with its market cross, water pump, and fish slabs, is the Cartmel Priory Gatehouse – now a Heritage Centre which depicts the history of the monastery and the village.

Explore Cartmel

If you want to explore Cartmel in a less traditional way, Lakeland Segway is the perfect way to do this. The Cartmel Tour takes you on a fantastic scenic route past the Racecourse and up to the Holker Estate providing you with stunning views along the way. For the more advanced Segway glider, they offer the Adventure Tour, taking you along more demanding tracks through the woods where you can really find out what the off road Segways are capable of.

The Cartmel area is also home to the Cavendish family of the Holker Hall Estate, who extend a warm welcome to all visitors that want to look around their family home and 23 acres of immaculately kept gardens throughout the year. Surrounding Holker Hall are 200 acres of parkland with various walks, it’s even home to a herd of fallow deer! Also, during the Summer months Holker Hall host pop-up pub and pizza in the courtyard. Sample delicious woodfired pizzas straight from the oven, great ales and a relaxed family atmosphere. This is definitely not to be missed!

Holker Hall

What not to miss

The tradition of horse racing at Cartmel was started by the monks from the Priory in the 12th Century. Throughout the Summer months, Cartmel Racecourse hosts nine race days. The first race is on the Whit Holiday weekend at the end of May and the final one of the year takes place on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Cartmel Racecourse

Food and drink

To some Cartmel is known as The Village of Sticky Toffee Pudding and when you visit Cartmel you have to visit the Cartmel Village Shop and treat yourself to one of their amazing puddings. The owners started baking Sticky Toffee puddings in the back kitchen of the Village Shop a good 20 years ago. Word soon got out and it seemed like everyone wanted some. Twenty years, and a bigger kitchen later, it’s still handmade from 100% natural ingredients and there’s still nothing to match it.

L’Enclume is the only restaurant in the Lake District to hold two Michelin stars as well as being awarded the accolade of ‘number one restaurant in the UK’, by The Good Food Guide 2020. Excellent is an understatement for the endless tasting plates that come out of this experimental kitchen, under the watchful eye of Simon Rogan. There’s no limit to the wizardry delivered by the most famous development kitchen in the Lake District, all from simple ingredients grown in their local Our Farm or foraged from Lakeland countryside. The place to treat a loved one with one of the most memorable dining experiences in the UK.

Left image: Cartmel Village Shop | Middle image: L’Enclume interior | Right image: L’Enclume plate

Where to stay

Low Dog Kennel Cottage

Sleeps 4 | 2 Bedrooms | 1 Bathroom | 4 Star | 1 Pet Welcome

Originally built for the local gamekeeper, Low Dog Kennel Cottage offers a wonderful blend of charm and character alongside stylish and contemporary living. Enjoy the walk through the open countryside to the neighbouring village of Cartmel with its historic 12th Century priory and a great range of village pubs and popular eateries including the acclaimed Michelin Star restaurant, L’Enclume; artesian local shops including the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding Shop and
Cartmel Cheeses.