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Rocklands, Penrith

Visitor Rating
Rating
12
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6
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Rocklands is a spacious house in Shap village, positioned within the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. This property works brilliantly for larger groups and families wanting to explore both the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. The converted garage games room provides excellent entertainment space for evenings in.

Shap sits in a quieter corner of the national park. The village offers easy access to walking routes and outdoor pursuits. Local facilities including a playground, tennis court and basketball court are just 100 metres away.

The house sleeps up to twelve guests across six bedrooms. Ground floor accommodation includes one double and one super-king with en-suite shower.

About Rocklands

Rocklands is a spacious house in Shap village, positioned within the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. This property works brilliantly for larger groups and families wanting to explore both the Lakes and Yorkshire Dales. The converted garage games room provides excellent entertainment space for evenings in.

Shap sits in a quieter corner of the national park. The village offers easy access to walking routes and outdoor pursuits. Local facilities including a playground, tennis court and basketball court are just 100 metres away.

The house sleeps up to twelve guests across six bedrooms. Ground floor accommodation includes one double and one super-king with en-suite shower. Upstairs you'll find one king-size, two super-king rooms (convertible to twins) and bunk beds. There are three bathrooms plus a ground-floor shower room. The kitchen opens to a generous dining room with bay window. The sitting room features Smart TV and comfortable seating.

Lowther Castle and Gardens sits 8 miles away (15 minutes). Brockhole on Windermere offers watersports and activities 18 miles distant (30 minutes). Lakeland Maze Farm Park provides family entertainment 12 miles away (20 minutes). Penrith town centre lies 6 miles south (12 minutes).

Rocklands delivers proper group accommodation with its games room and flexible bedroom setup. The location bridges Lake District exploration with Yorkshire Dales access perfectly.

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Need To Know

Rocklands Video Tour

Rocklands video tour

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Local Insights: Rocklands

Unique information you won't find on booking sites

Penrith, Yorkshire Dales

Weather & Local Conditions

9°C

Clear sky

Updated: 20 Jul 2026, 3:03am

🌡️
9.20°C
Temperature
💨
4 km/h
Wind Speed
💧
86%
Humidity
🧳
Packing Tip: UK weather can turn quickly, so pack layers whatever the forecast. A waterproof and sturdy shoes mean the whole group can head out whatever July throws at you.

What to Expect Through the Year

  • May - September: Warmest, longest days - ideal for big group days out, gardens and BBQs
  • October - November: Crisp autumn colour, cosy evenings by the fire, quieter attractions
  • December - February: Perfect for a snug winter escape - great for Christmas and New Year gatherings
  • March - April: Spring blooms, longer evenings returning, wildlife becoming active
🌧️
Rainy Day Tip: A large cottage comes into its own on wet days - board games, a long lunch and a film with the whole group beat a cramped hotel any day. Check the tabs here for nearby pubs and attractions with indoor options.

Dark Skies & Stargazing

Rocklands sits in a location with genuinely dark skies - a real treat for a group, and something you rarely get at home in town.

Bortle Scale Rating

The Bortle scale measures night sky darkness from 1 (darkest) to 9 (brightest urban):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
🌌
Class 4 - Rural/suburban transition
This location's dark sky rating

What You Can See From the Cottage

The Milky Way is visible overhead, though light domes may be visible on the horizon towards larger towns.

The Milky Way is visible on clear, moonless nights.

Best Stargazing Conditions

  • New Moon periods: Darkest skies, best Milky Way visibility
  • Winter months: Earlier darkness, crisper skies, Orion constellation prominent
  • After 11pm: Neighbouring lights typically switched off
  • Allow 20 minutes: Let your eyes adjust to darkness before looking up
📱
Pro Tip: Download a stargazing app like "Sky Map" or "Star Walk" before arrival. Mobile signal can be limited, and these apps work offline - a fun activity to share with the whole group.

Location & Elevation

261m

(856 feet above sea level)

Rocklands sits in a peaceful Yorkshire Dales setting - space to spread out and the perfect base for a group getaway.

🏔️
261m
Elevation
📍
Penrith
Nearest Village
🌲
Rural
Setting

What the Elevation Means for Your Stay

  • Fresher air: Expect it a touch cooler than coastal areas - bracing walks and restful sleep
  • Clearer air: Less pollution and haze, better views and stargazing
  • Morning mists: Valley fog sometimes forms below, creating magical sunrise views
  • Walking access: Higher starting point means shorter climbs to hilltops and summits
🚗
Driving Note: The roads to Penrith are typical Yorkshire Dales lanes - narrow in places with passing spots. If the group is arriving in several cars, share the postcode and a meeting point in advance.

Coordinates

Latitude: 54.5245665° N | Longitude: 2.6733017° W

Sunrise & Sunset Times

Today's sun times for Penrith (Monday, 20 July 2026):

4:00am

Sunrise

7:34pm

Golden Hour

8:34pm

Sunset

🌅
4:00am
Sunrise
🌇
8:34pm
Sunset
📸
7:34pm
Golden Hour

Planning Your Days by Season

  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Sunset around 9:30-10pm - long days for group walks, days out and late alfresco dinners
  • Autumn (Sep-Nov): Sunset 5-7pm - perfect timing for an after-dinner drink as the stars come out
  • Winter (Dec-Feb): Sunset around 4pm - cosy early evenings by the fire, ideal for stargazing
  • Spring (Mar-May): Sunset 6-9pm - watch the evenings grow longer each day
🌙
Golden Hour: For the best light, plan your group photo or evening walk around golden hour (7:34pm). The warm colours make for lovely holiday photos before you head back in for dinner.

July Daylight

This month in Penrith, you have approximately 16.56 hours of daylight. The long summer days mean plenty of time for group adventures before a relaxed evening back at the cottage.

Practical Essentials

Everything the group needs to know before you arrive at Rocklands.

Mobile Phone Signal

📱

Signal Strength

Good

Mobile signal is generally good in this area across most networks.

💡
Signal Tip: All major networks should work well here.

Nearest Essentials

🚗
Arrival Tip: Fill up with fuel before you arrive - petrol stations can be sparse in rural Yorkshire Dales. With a larger group it's worth doing one big supermarket shop on the way, especially if arriving late.

Family & Fun

Data updated: 20 Jul 2026 | Location: 54.5245665, -2.6733017

Information unique to this location - not available on booking sites

What Guests Love

What do previous guests think about their group stay at Rocklands

Converted Games Room

The garage conversion creates brilliant entertainment space where groups can gather for table tennis, board games and evening fun together.

Six Flexible Bedrooms

Twelve guests sleep comfortably with ground floor options, en-suite facilities and super-king beds that convert to twins when needed.

Free Local Amenities

Tennis court, basketball court, playground and skateboard area sit just 100 metres away, perfect for active families and groups.

Generous Dining Space

The large dining room with bay window seats everyone together for proper family meals and group gatherings throughout your stay.

National Park Location

Shap village sits within Lake District National Park boundaries whilst offering straightforward access to Yorkshire Dales exploration too.

Private Parking

Off-road parking on the private drive means multiple vehicles park easily, essential for larger groups travelling from different locations.

Getting To Rocklands

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Rocklands by car, take the M6 to Junction 39 and follow the A6 south towards Shap. The house sits within the village with convenient off-road parking on a private drive for multiple vehicles.

By Train

Penrith Railway Station is the nearest rail connection, located 6 miles north of Shap. Regular services connect to major cities including London, Manchester and Glasgow. Taxis cover the journey to Rocklands in approximately 15 minutes.

Off-road parking on private drive
Penrith Railway Station (6 miles)
M6 Junction 39, then A6 south

Group Attractions & More Nearby

Stuff for larger groups and families to try!

Lowther Castle and Gardens
Distance: 8 miles
CA10 2HG
Brockhole on Windermere
Distance: 18 miles
LA23 1LJ
Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Distance: 12 miles
LA8 8DD
Shap Abbey Ruins
Distance: 1.5 miles
CA10 3NB
Wet Sleddale Reservoir
Distance: 3 miles
CA10 3PQ
Keld Chapel Walk
Distance: 2 miles
CA10 3LB
Penrith Town Centre
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 7TR
Morrisons Penrith
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 9EH
Tesco Penrith
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 8ET
Shap Village Shop
Distance: 0.2 miles
CA10 3NL
Penrith Railway Station
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 8JR
Shap Community Facilities
Distance: 0.1 miles
CA10 3PH
Lowther Castle and Gardens
Distance: 8 miles
CA10 2HG
Brockhole on Windermere
Distance: 18 miles
LA23 1LJ
Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Distance: 12 miles
LA8 8DD
Shap Abbey Ruins
Distance: 1.5 miles
CA10 3NB
Wet Sleddale Reservoir
Distance: 3 miles
CA10 3PQ
Keld Chapel Walk
Distance: 2 miles
CA10 3LB
Penrith Town Centre
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 7TR
Morrisons Penrith
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 9EH
Tesco Penrith
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 8ET
Shap Village Shop
Distance: 0.2 miles
CA10 3NL
Penrith Railway Station
Distance: 6 miles
CA11 8JR
Shap Community Facilities
Distance: 0.1 miles
CA10 3PH

Is Rocklands Right For Your Group

Discover why this cottage is the one for your party or family reunion...

For Families
Children enjoy free access to playground, tennis court, basketball court and skateboard area just 100 metres from Rocklands. The games room provides indoor entertainment during wet weather. Nearby Lakeland Maze Farm Park (12 miles) offers animal encounters and tractor rides. Lowther Castle features an adventure playground within extensive grounds. Brockhole on Windermere delivers watersports and treetop activities. The heated outdoor swimming pool in Shap operates during summer months.
Groups Will Love...
The converted garage games room at Rocklands creates dedicated entertainment space away from sleeping areas. Groups gather here for table tennis, board games and social evenings without disturbing those who retire early. This separate zone works brilliantly for mixed-age groups where children want activities whilst adults relax. The games room adds genuine value for longer stays when weather keeps everyone indoors. Combined with six bedrooms and multiple bathrooms, this setup delivers proper group accommodation.
Pet Friendly
Rocklands does not accept pets. Dogs and other animals cannot stay at this property. Groups travelling with pets will need to arrange alternative accommodation in the Shap area or Lake District. Several pet-friendly properties operate nearby for those requiring animal-friendly facilities. The local area offers excellent walking routes that would suit dog owners, but this particular house maintains a no-pets policy throughout the year.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Rocklands

The Greyhound Hotel Shap

Located 0.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA10 3NL

The Kings Arms Shap

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA10 3NL

Yanwath Gate Inn

Located 5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: CA10 2LF

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Rocklands

Is Rocklands pet-friendly?
The property does not accept pets. Groups travelling with dogs will need to find alternative accommodation in the Shap area.
How many people does Rocklands sleep?
Rocklands accommodates twelve guests across six bedrooms including ground floor double, super-king with en-suite, king-size, two convertible super-kings and bunk beds. Two bathrooms plus ground-floor shower room serve all guests comfortably.
What entertainment facilities are available?
The converted garage games room provides dedicated entertainment space for groups. Inside you'll find a Smart TV in the sitting room plus outdoor facilities including tennis court, basketball court and playground just 100 metres away.
Where is the nearest supermarket?
Penrith offers major supermarkets including Morrisons and Tesco, located 6 miles south (12 minutes by car). Shap village has a local shop for essentials and last-minute supplies within walking distance.
Is there parking at Rocklands?
The property provides off-road parking on a private drive. Multiple vehicles can park easily, which suits larger groups arriving in separate cars from different locations.
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Ground floor has one double and one super-king with en-suite shower. Upstairs features one king-size, two super-king rooms (convertible to twins on request) and one bunk bedroom, sleeping twelve total.
Are there outdoor spaces?
The garden features decking leading to a seating area for outdoor dining and relaxation. Garden completion is scheduled for spring, providing space for groups to gather outside during warmer months.
What attractions are nearby for families?
Lowther Castle sits 8 miles away (15 minutes) with adventure playground and grounds. Brockhole on Windermere offers watersports 18 miles distant (30 minutes), whilst Lakeland Maze Farm Park provides animal encounters 12 miles away (20 minutes).

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