Hut Bookings by non-members and Kindred Club members
Non-members may only be booked in by a member.
Kindred Club members may book in but do so by emailing the hut warden – Email warden
Location:
Beetham Cottage is the only FRCC hut in the Eastern Lake District. It is a delightful, small cottage not far from Ullswater. It is centrally placed for access to all the Eastern fells.
Nearest Telephone/Mobile Connection
EE phone reception is now available in the immediate area. There are public phone boxes at the Brotherswater Hotel and in Patterdale.
Facilities in the area
There are shops at the Brotherswater campsite and in Patterdale and Glenridding. Meals are also available at the Brotherswater Hotel (booking essential). There is a wider selection of eateries in Patterdale and Glenridding.
The 508 bus runs between Penrith and Windermere and passes Beetham from April to October. In winter, the service to/from Penrith terminates at Patterdale, a short walk from the hut – there is no winter service connecting to Windermere. Timetables are in the hut book.
The Ullswater ferry plies regularly between Glenridding and Howtown and Pooley Bridge This can be useful if your mountain trip ends up at the top end of the lake.
Climbing and Walking
There are crags within easy walking distance in the Dovedale, Deepdale and Grisedale valleys. Many other challenges are around in the wider area and the 2011 FRCC Guide gives comprehensive details.
Winter challenges in the eastern gullies and slopes of the whole Helvellyn Ridge can easily be reached from Beetham and it’s worth waiting for the right conditions for winter expeditions. Sublime if you get it right.
The Cottage is also very well placed for ascending the High Street range on the east and the Fairfield/Helvellyn ridge to the west. Best of all you can walk in walk out from the hut to much of it!
History
A generous bequest from Bentley Beetham, an honorary member of the club, in 1963 made possible the purchase of the cottage which now bears his name. At first, and because of Bentley’s connections with Borrowdale, a larger hut in that valley was considered but this was rejected in favour of a property in the Eastern fells. A two storey stone house known as Brotherswater Cottage on the main Kirkstone road near Hartsop was on the market, the only stipulation being that it should not be used as a retail shop or a filling station. It had the added attraction of being attached already to mains services although conversion work was still needed to convert it for use as a Club Hut. After many months work the hut, with the new name Beetham Cottage, was officially opened in October 1965.
Feedback and Suggestions
Feedback on any aspect of Beetham Cottage is welcomed, particularly suggestions for improvements and, initially, they should be addressed to the Warden. If you think he is of too delicate a disposition to cope with your comment then tell the Huts Secretary.
It will also be helpful if you could report any shortages of supplies, faults or problems you encountered to the Warden – but if there aren’t any toilet rolls don’t try telling that to the Huts Sec. Just Email Warden.
Enjoy your stay at Beetham Cottage – if you don’t the warden wants you to tell him why!