Spanning 500 acres, The Lane Head Estate is situated on the southernmost edge of the Lake District, nestled amongst the picture-perfect village of Cartmel.
Comprised of a combination of holiday cottages, farms and a small holiday park, this family-owned estate has sustained and been sustained by the local farming community since the early 70s. Now, with a number of initiatives in the pipeline, the estate is set for further development, the main aim being to ensure the estate, its tenants and the local farming community has a solid and stable future ahead.
Our beginnings
The man responsible for the Estate being where it is today was the late GP Wilson, who sadly passed away in May 2017. GP was originally from Backbarrow, with his father being the managing director of the “dolly blue works” following it being purchased by Reckitts in 1918, which is now the White-Water Hotel. GP was educated at Wrekin College, which involved him being away quite a lot, but when he was home, he would work for his father. After finishing his education, GP went on to be a chartered surveyor, spending time in London and Rhodesia (as it was).
It was whilst he was in Africa that he began building the Estate. The first purchase was thought to be Hard Crag House which has since been sold but Crag End Cottage retained. Subsequently, High Gateside Farm was acquired from the Taylor family and Burns Farm acquired from Harold Walker and which once formed part of the Grayrigge Estate, the centre piece of which was Broughton Hall on the way into Cartmel.
GP moved back to the UK and founded Wilson’s Chartered Surveyors, Estate Agents and Auctioneers. The business did well and he ultimately had offices in Grange-Over-Sands, Ulverston and Arnside with a sale room in Barrow-In-Furness. Whilst running his business GP was the Master of the North Lonsdale Foxhounds (for 24 years), an active member of the Vale of Lune Harriers and farmed much of the land which is now let. GP built up a pedigree herd of Herefords and established the GP Wilson Hereford Trophy, which is awarded to the best native beef exhibit at Cartmel Agricultural Show each year. GP eventually reduced the size of his chartered surveying business and exited farming, focussing on advising a select number of clients. During this time, he was also a Trustee of the Lakeland Arts Trust and a councillor for South Lakeland District Council.
Since 2017, George has managed the Estate. Since taking over the reins, George has spent the last 4 years carrying out essential upgrades and renovations to the agricultural and residential elements of the Estate, the former of which had been neglected by previous occupiers. There are ongoing plans to continue to upgrade and renovate parts of the Estate.
Mary is responsible for Crag End Cottage and Lane Head Cottage, on the Estate. The renovation of the Cottages has been Mary’s project and she has invested a significant amount of time and energy into them as is apparent from the warm interior styling and excellent finish in both Cottages.
George and Mary are assisted by Tony Wood, who is responsible for the maintenance and repair of land and buildings on the Estate as well as the woodland. You will often see Tony with his two black labradors, Teal and Rio, around the Estate working on walls, hedges or windfallen trees. Tony is a much valued member of the team and integral to keeping on top of maintenance.
The Lane Head Family
The map below shows the farms and buildings that make up the Lane Head Family. Lane Head House itself is a circa 250-year-old grade II listed house which was sympathetically renovated in 2011 and is occupied by Mary Wilson and her cockapoo, Bertie. Attached to this, what was once a coal store is now the lovingly renovated Lane Head Cottage, a cosy holiday let with beautiful wooden beams and bags of charm.
Just a few minutes from here in each direction, you’ll find the Lane Head farms, High Gateside, Wall Nook, Tewitt Moss and Burns Farm. All uniquely run, you can find more information about each on our Farms page. At Burns Farm you will find our Lodge & Caravan park. This secluded little spot offers the perfect retreat for those wanting a little peace and quiet, with 23 developed plots and counting.
Finally, our latest addition to be completed was Crag End Cottage. Another lovingly-renovated, homely holiday cottage, within walking distance of the ancient village of Cartmel and enjoying idyllic views of Cartmel Village itself.
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