Rookhow
Friends Meeting House,
Rookhow,
Rusland
Ulverston
LA12 8LA

TEL: 01229 860231,

e: straughton@btinternet.com

Meeting for Worship at Rookhow

There is a Meeting for Worship at Rookhow on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7.30 pm. It lasts for 30 minutes and tea and coffe are served afterwards. All are welcome.

There is also a Meeting for Worship on Good Friday at 11am

Next meeting dates:
5 September
3 October
7 November
5 December

Area Business Meetings at Rookhow

|SW Cumbria Area Quakers Business Meeting will be held at Rookhow on 27 October at 10.30 am.

General Information

Rookhow Centre, originally the stables of Rookhow Quaker Meeting House dating from 1725, was converted to comfortable budget self-catering accommodation 14 years ago.

The Meeting House, still used for its original purpose, can also be used in conjunction with the accommodation, for workshops, seminars, retreats, AGMs etc. for a donation towards heating/cleaning/repair costs.

Rookhow's 12 acres of mature mixed woodland borders onto a stream, Bell Beck, with a bonfire space and outdoor barbecue. We have an Orienteering map of the site, a Trailo course and a newly modified path for easier access into the woods. There is parking for cars, minibuses etc. adjoining the centre.

Location:OS Map Grid Reference 332896

Rookhow is situated in the secluded Rusland Valley between lakes Windermere and Coniston Water, within walking distance of Grizedale Forest (orienteering, bike and walking trails, bicycle hire and environmental sculpture). The Coniston Fells, Langdale, the central and western fells and Helvellyn range are all within easy reach and the largest lakes are just a few minutes away.

There are 2 inns, usually serving food, within two miles; The Eagles Head at Satterthwaite, and The Manor House Hotel at Oxen Park. We are 20 minutes by car from the market town of Ulverston (large supermarket), 20 minutes from the conservation villages of Hawkshead and Cartmel, and nearer to the 'steamers’ at Lakeside, Ruskin's House at Brantwood, Haverthwaite Steam Railway, Haybridge Nature Reserve and wonderful and unfrequented walks on the doorstep.

Accommodation Details

The Centre has electric heating throughout with a wood burning stove in the main lounge and dining area.

There are 2/3 sleeping areas for up to 20 people: 8 pine bunks downstairs, 9 pine single and pine bunk beds upstairs, and 3 bed settees in the lounge. Camping is permitted by arrangement for larger groups.

The all electric kitchen is equipped with an electric range with hotplates, double oven and grill. Micro-wave also. There is a fridge freezer and a double drainer sink. The kitchen is well stocked with pans, utensils and crockery. The kitchen is open plan onto the dining and sitting areas of the common room.

There are four showers, five washbasins and two WCs.The Centre does not have TV, radio or telephone in keeping with the ‘away from it all’ peaceful simplicity of Rookhow.

NB: most mobile phones find reception difficult in the Lake District.

Please bring your own consumables: soap and toiletries, tea-towels and washing-up liquid, toilet rolls etc. A clean sheet and pillow case is provided, please bring own sleeping bags. A duvet can be provided for hire if needed.

The Meeting House can be made available for workshops, seminars and lectures.

There is also at present a woodland 'yurt' (nomadic style dome tent) that can be used for day/evening sessions (but not for overnight use at present) by prior arrangement (small covering charge).

Camping in conjunction with use of the barn is also possible.

Booking Arrangements

When making a booking, we ask for a named contact person to take responsibility, for booking arrangements, payment and safety issues.

Group leaders are responsible for the safety and good behaviour of their group,

All group leaders where appropriate are expected to check their group’s own public liability insurance is adequate and in place for the stay at Rookhow. Leaders will be responsible for the group’s first aid requirements.

We may charge a damage deposit: please report any problems and damages must be paid for. The Manager and Trustees are not responsible for any valuables left or vehicles while on site. Please note the stove, heaters and hot water can be very hot and groups are warned to take care accordingly.Children and young people should be supervised at all times, including in the grounds and woodlands.

Guests may bring a well behaved pet dog with prior notice only. Dogs will not be permitted to roam unattended, but to be under control at all times, as this is sheep and deer country and Rookhow is home to other pet animals.

2007 Prices: (electricity/firewood included)

Centre:£14 adult per night£7 junior per night(2 to 16 year old)

Minimum charge for group hire: £145 per night

Hire of duvet if required £4

Day Conference / Day Retreat charge £50

Meeting House, if available, £50 donation per day

Yurt:£5 per session, (morning / afternoon / evening) if available

Deposit/cancellation fee with booking.

Total payment may be required 15 working days before arrival.

How to Find Rookhow

NB: OS Grid Reference 332896.

1. FROM THE SOUTH:

From theM6 Junction 36:take the A591 and then A590, signed Barrow.

Though we are only 10 minutes on winding valley roads from the A590 at Newby Bridge (at the South end of Windermere) for your first visit we strongly advise following the A590 to Greenodd.

At GREENODD take the A5092, sign Whitehaven/Workington for less than a mile.

Take the FIRST RIGHT, sign Colton / Oxen Park.

We are five + miles along this road on the left, immediately after you see (but do not follow!) the sign for Ickenthwaite.

2. FROM BARROW:Take A590 east to Greenodd, then as above.

3. FROM HAWKSHEAD: Signs to Grizedale and continue for a further 3 miles beyond Grizedale Centre through Satterthwaite village towards Ulverston.

Rookhow is 3 miles south of Grizedale Centre, 2 miles south of Satterthwaite village, 1 mile south of Force Forge village, on the right. If you see a sign for Ickenthwaite you have just overshot our drive!

RAIL STATIONS: Grange Over Sands or Ulverston.20+ minutes taxi drive. There is no longer any public transport to Rusland. Nearest buses to Newby Bridge, Greenodd or Hawkshead.

Postal Address: RookhowCentre, Rusland, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 8LA,
TEL 01229 860231, e: straughton@btinternet.com

Rookhow is part of Swarthmore Meeting, part of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), a religious charity. There is a committee of Managing Trustees, Centre manager: Robert Straughton and Quaker Warden of the Meeting House: Lesley Straughton. The Centre is run as not-for-profit accommodation available for retreat, conference, educational and outdoor recreational uses of a non-commercial nature.