Greystoke ?EUR" It?EUR(TM)s not all about Tarzan!
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Greystoke is a charming little village with traditional slate roofed cottages dating from the 17th century. Just five miles west of Penrith, Greystoke has a pretty village green with an ancient market cross thought to date back to the early 1600s. Unfortunately it has no direct link to Tarzan but we think he once stayed at one of the very first Lake District holiday cottages in the area.
Situated opposite the village Green is The Boot and Shoe, a 17th Century Coaching Inn. It is a traditional family owned pub serving homemade meals and locally produced real ale along with specialty curry, steak and tapas nights. All year round you will find an eclectic range of live music performed on Sunday afternoons. Watch out for the Christmas Carols along with traditional mulled wine and mince pies. If you are not tired enough after a day in the fells you can join in with the Boot Music Jam session playing, singing or just listening, every 2nd and 4th Monday.
Greystoke holds a beer festival with live music in September raising funds for the open-air swimming pool. Tickets are available locally or volunteer for a stint behind the bar in exchange for free entry!
The village store is situated right in the heart of the village. You can expect friendly service from the family run store, selling the usual newspapers and groceries along with local meat and freshly baked bread. Open seven days a week, the store also has a post office counter.
A jewel in Greystoke's crown is the open-air swimming pool which opened in 1973. There is a small toddlers pool adjacent to the main pool, which has a small slide into the shallow end. Snacks and drinks are available to enjoy sitting on the poolside picnic benches. The pool is open between April and September and is staffed by volunteers so it is recommended that you ring ahead or check their website for opening times.
The pool is part of the District Sport Association, which also offers two children's play areas, a football field and free village car park.
For safe family cycling, Greystoke Forest, part of the castle estate, offers miles of tracks in a beautiful woodland setting.
An important location for cyclists, Greystoke is at the crossroads of the Coast to Coast and Lands End to John O'Groats route. The well-appointed tea garden and cycle cafe offers pretty views across parkland to Greystoke Castle and all manner of home made cakes, cream teas and lunches for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. The barn operates a self service for cyclists with not only hot food and drink, but spare inner tubes, chain oil and sudocreme!
The cycle cafe also runs 'quirky workshops' all year round from dry stone walling, chicken wire sculptures and first aid to all manner of painting and drawing. It is worth checking their website for the extensive and eclectic list.
St Andrews church is a good example of a pele tower, structure unique to the north of England, specifically built to protect against attack from invading Scottish forces. The church holds much of interest including ancient stained glass, modern sculptures, and artefacts dating from the 14th century with full details on information boards throughout the church.
There are several Lake District cottages in the surrounding areas of Greystoke which make an ideal base from which to explore this unknown quantity of Cumbria.
I was born and bred in Eskdale and brought up on a working farm. My family where always branching out into new areas which eventually led to the Lake District cottages industry. I have followed in those footsteps and enjoy sharing the little hidden gems the Lake District has to offer.
Category Article About, Greystoke, itEURTMs, Tarzan
