Bassenthwaite Lake Station
Bassenthwaite Lake, a station on the former Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith railway in Cumbria, closed in 1966 and fell into a serious state of disrepair over the next 53 years until Simon and Diana Parums purchased the ruin and set about a 2-year programme of renovations to restore the old stone station building into its original condition. With the trackbed almost vanished beneath years of leaf detritus and many of the slates, platform edge and original features long gone, this mammoth task has been a labour of love that is fast approaching its conclusion and the results are truly spectacular!
With planning permission for a café quickly secured, it was apparent that the station building was too small for a sustainable café business and that additional seating was required. The ideal solution was for a train carriage to be sited on the old trackbed to extend the facility, however, a full-size replica steam train, which had been used as the filmset for the 2017 film, Murder on the Orient Express, became available and now forms a magnificent centrepiece and attraction for the site. Whilst it is not a real train, its additional width and height means that a spacious Restaurant carriage and Salon are available for customers to use or hire and somehow, breathes life back into the station once more.
The 1930s style of the train and its décor provides a real Wow Factor and reflects the romantic steam train atmosphere of the era, now reflected in the station restoration too.
Now open from 7.30am for takeaway breakfasts and 9am for eat-in breakfast, brunch and lunch and a wide range of teas and cakes. The Orient Express afternoon tea will be available from 6th September.
Also we are dog friendly . . .
We have 32 seats in the restaurant carriage and another 20+ in the station building. The carriage seats can be reserved but we are going to keep the station tables availble for walk-ins so it’s always worth a try and there is no better place to wait for a few minutes than the Dubwath Silver Meadows opposite or have a wanter down the station platform to look at the train and watch the wildlife. Plenty of outdoor seating too so you could ‘takeaway’ but stay on site. If the Salon isn’t privately booked, there can be no more special place to enjoy morning newspapers and get some peace and quiet!
Booking requests to [email protected] please or call 017687 76599
3rd Birthday Bash
Join us for our third birthday celebration at the station! Well-behaved adults, children and dogs all welcome!
Taste a range of wines, beers and ciders, soft drinks and full bar available too, all to wash down a delicious BBQ meal prepared by our Head Chef and his team.
Ticket Price includes first drink and priced:
£10 per adult (includes first alcoholic drink from a range) or Child/non-drinking adult £5 (includes first soft drink) Drinks vouchers can be purchased at a price of £5 each or £20 for five and there will be some full bottles available on special offer too.
There will be some great offers on the day and a voucher system will be used so you can buy as many or as few drinks or food as you like. No own food or drink please. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for and there will be gluten-free options too.
Starting at 4.30pm, the whole site will be open to guests including the train on a first some first served basis. Last food order 7pm, last drinks 7.30pm, site closes 8pm.
This will be a fun, relaxed event, celebrating 3 years since we opened our unique and award-winning cafe.
Tickets from the website, by telephone or from Reception.
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Bassenthwaite Lake Station. Please fill in as much detail as you can.
Bassenthwaite Lake, a station on the former Cockermouth, Keswick, Penrith railway in Cumbria, closed in 1966 and fell into a serious state of disrepair over the next 53 years until Simon and Diana Parums purchased the ruin and set about a 2-year programme of renovations to restore the old stone station building into its original condition. With the trackbed almost vanished beneath years of leaf detritus and many of the slates, platform edge and original features long gone, this mammoth task has been a labour of love that is fast approaching its conclusion and the results are truly spectacular!
With planning permission for a café quickly secured, it was apparent that the station building was too small for a sustainable café business and that additional seating was required. The ideal solution was for a train carriage to be sited on the old trackbed to extend the facility, however, a full-size replica steam train, which had been used as the filmset for the 2017 film, Murder on the Orient Express, became available and now forms a magnificent centrepiece and attraction for the site. Whilst it is not a real train, its additional width and height means that a spacious Restaurant carriage and Salon are available for customers to use or hire and somehow, breathes life back into the station once more.
The 1930s style of the train and its décor provides a real Wow Factor and reflects the romantic steam train atmosphere of the era, now reflected in the station restoration too.
Now open from 7.30am for takeaway breakfasts and 9am for eat-in breakfast, brunch and lunch and a wide range of teas and cakes. The Orient Express afternoon tea will be available from 6th September.
Also we are dog friendly . . .
We have 32 seats in the restaurant carriage and another 20+ in the station building. The carriage seats can be reserved but we are going to keep the station tables availble for walk-ins so it’s always worth a try and there is no better place to wait for a few minutes than the Dubwath Silver Meadows opposite or have a wanter down the station platform to look at the train and watch the wildlife. Plenty of outdoor seating too so you could ‘takeaway’ but stay on site. If the Salon isn’t privately booked, there can be no more special place to enjoy morning newspapers and get some peace and quiet!
Booking requests to [email protected] please or call 017687 76599
3rd Birthday Bash
Join us for our third birthday celebration at the station! Well-behaved adults, children and dogs all welcome!
Taste a range of wines, beers and ciders, soft drinks and full bar available too, all to wash down a delicious BBQ meal prepared by our Head Chef and his team.
Ticket Price includes first drink and priced:
£10 per adult (includes first alcoholic drink from a range) or Child/non-drinking adult £5 (includes first soft drink) Drinks vouchers can be purchased at a price of £5 each or £20 for five and there will be some full bottles available on special offer too.
There will be some great offers on the day and a voucher system will be used so you can buy as many or as few drinks or food as you like. No own food or drink please. Vegetarian and vegan diets can be catered for and there will be gluten-free options too.
Starting at 4.30pm, the whole site will be open to guests including the train on a first some first served basis. Last food order 7pm, last drinks 7.30pm, site closes 8pm.
This will be a fun, relaxed event, celebrating 3 years since we opened our unique and award-winning cafe.
Tickets from the website, by telephone or from Reception.
Your enquiry will be sent directly to Bassenthwaite Lake Station. Please fill in as much detail as you can.