Location Stonegarthside Hall, Penton,, Cumbria (the house is near Kershopefoot, just 4 miles from Newcastleton), CA6 5QL
Email enquiries@vivat.org.uk
Website www.vivat-trust.org
Contact
Phone 0845 090 0194

Fax
Opening Hours The office is open from 9am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday except on Bank Holidays. Online reservations made after 5.30pm will not be confirmed until the following working day.

The house is near Kershopefoot, just 4 miles from Newcastleton.

Stonegarthside Hall stands high above the banks of the River Liddel in the ancient Forest of Nichol. No more than half a mile from the Scottish border, the Hall lies on the edge of historically disputed territories which used to be known as "The Debateable Lands". With its austere facades and a single battlemented elevation, Stonegarthside Hall masquerades as a model castle. In reality it is a gentry house of three adjoining wings, each wing being three storeys high.

Described as "arguably the most remote country house in England", Stonegarthside Hall was built in 1682 by Henry Forster. The Forsters had been a prominent family in the region for a century and it is likely that Henry had a Scottish wife since he was at one time prosecuted for having his children baptised by a "fannatical feild preacher in Scotland".
Although its foundations are firmly planted in English soil, Stonegarthside is thoroughly Scottish. It has fine crow-stepped gables and decorated quoins or corner stones. Two flanking parallel wings are linked by a cross wall, creating an enclosed central courtyard, which was originally covered with a flat lead roof. The cross wall is topped by a battlemented parapet built out of fine ashlar blocks and pierced by quatrefoils.

After considering the availability lists, you can either call us on 0845 090 0194 (outside the UK call : 00 44 207 336 8825), with your credit card to confirm the booking immediately, or you can fill in the online reservation form.