Stonehouse Farm

Stonehouse Farm is the home of four ex-OUMC members - Steve, Katja, Alison & Aileen. We also have two kids living in the property, so please remember it is a family home, not a campsite!

On arrival, please 'check-in' at the bar so that we can show you around and set up a bar tab for you. Please also let us know how long you're planning on staying, and whether you have any allergies or dietary requirements so that we can plan group meals accordingly.

Location

The house is situated just off the A596, halfway between Wigton and Aspatria, and is accessed down an unsurfaced track which leaves the road by a large tree, where power and phone lines cross over the road.

The postcode is CA7 3NW, but this takes you to a random field nearby. The lat/long of the turn-off is: 54°47’48.0”N 3°15’59.3”W (54.796670, -3.266462). Scan QR code above for navigation in Google Maps.

Turning space is limited, particularly for larger vehicles if there are cars parked in the driveway.

Accommodation

In order to afford some privacy (mostly to the kids), the meet will be accommodated in the garden, barn, and conservatory. There is space in the garden for approximately 20 tents – please share tents if possible in order to maximise space.

Camping facilities

The following facilities are available:

Camping Bathroom – a dedicated camping bathroom containing one toilet, basin and hot shower, with 24-hour access from the garden. As there is only one shower, please be considerate to avoid queues. Note that we are not on mains sewers, so please only put human waste and loo roll in the toilet.

Annex toilet – an additional toilet in order to avoid queues caused by the shower. Access will only be available from 4pm to 10pm (approx).

Conservatory – The conservatory will be available as a quiet room to shelter from bad weather and hang out. It also has plenty of sockets for phone charging etc. Please don’t use the conservatory as a drying room, and please no hot pans, stoves or cooking inside.

Fire Pit – There is a dedicated fire pit if anyone wants to have a campfire.

Washing up – There is a sink for washing up in the gear room, accessed from the courtyard.

Water – Outside taps at the back of the house and in the gear room both supply drinking water.

Washing Line – For hanging wet towels etc.

Drying Shed – Wet gear can be hung in the bike shed – it’s not heated, but at least it’s dry!

Kettle & Microwave  - these will be available 24hrs a day in the marquee outside the bar.

Bouldering Wall

An all-weather bouldering wall is available for use. Please bear in mind that it’s only a home wall and may not be up to the safety standards of a commercial centre. Climb at your own risk... and please let us know if you find spinning holds.

The wall has 6 coloured circuits. Problem cards are available for you to tick off problems when you've climbed them, and each fully completed circuit card can be redeemed for a free drink at the bar.

Bar

We have a bar on site (the legendary BablyBar!) which is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks for consumption anywhere in the grounds. Beer, wine and cocktails will be available for sale whenever the bar is open (basically in the evenings or when we’re not at work or out climbing). If you’d like to buy drinks then we’ll ask you to set up a bar tab which can be paid on the last day of your visit – payment by debit/credit card please.

Warning: there is strobe lighting in the bar – if you have photo-sensitive epilepsy please let us know in advance.

Pizzas

Pizza will be available from the bar between 6pm and 8pm every evening (apart from when we’re doing group meals) – nothing fancy, just frozen pizzas from the supermarket, but useful if you can’t be bothered to cook. Payment on bar tabs please.

Evening Meals

The Club are providing three evening meals during the trip.

Saturday - Barbecue - standard bbq food, including vegetarian options.

Monday - Medieval Night - roast chicken, vegetarian sausages and hearty vegetarian broth.

Tuesday - Wild West Night - chilli con carne or vegetarian chilli.

On the other evenings you’ll need to either cook outside or eat in the pub after climbing.

Local Shops

The nearest shop is Co-op in Aspatria, which is about 10 minutes away by car. It’s not far out of the way if you’re driving back from most of the climbing areas. Larger shops (Co-op and Lidl) are available in Wigton, which is also about 10 minutes away but not in the direction of most climbing. There’s also a handy petrol station in Waverton, on the A596, five minutes away in the direction of Wigton.

Climbing

The nearest crag is Headend Quarry, which is 15 minutes away and has a selection of low-grade limestone micro-routes, useful for a couple of hours on dodgy weather days. The closest good cragging is in Borrowdale, about 40 minutes away. For sport climbing, Scawgill Quarry and Bram Crag are also about 40 to 45 minutes away.

Things to Bring

Consider bringing these things with you:

• Tent, sleeping bag, thermarest, pillow, head torch
• Tarp, picnic chair
• Towel, wash kit, flip flops
• Stove, pans, mug, cutlery, plate
• Climbing gear - rock shoes, harness, helmet, rope, rack

Please note that we do not have a fridge available for group use, so please do not bring food that needs to be chilled.

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