For more than 70 years people from North Shields have enjoyed holidays on the beautiful Patterdale Estate near Ullswater.
Few will be aware of that the 220-acre estate, with its own private lake shore at the foot of Helvellyn, was bought by Rowland Lishman in 1951 and gifted a year later to the then Tynemouth YMCA to provide affordable holiday accommodation for young people from urban areas.
In the early days, the estate included Patterdale Hall, used for activity breaks for North Shields youngsters. While the hall is now in the ownership of another organisation, the estate is open all the year round, with 15 quality self-catering lodges – four with views of Lake Ullswater – two bothies, Lishman House (a four bedroom stone cottage), and touring pitches for Caravan and Motorhome Club members, all of which can be booked online.
In addition to enjoying holidays at Patterdale Estate, there are also volunteering opportunities to help the small staff team.
Estate hospitality manager Cat Morton, who comes from North Shields and was previously the fund-raising officer for North Tyneside YMCA said: “Rowland Lishman really wanted people from his home town to benefit from the beauty of Ullswater. He loved the area and some of his family still holiday here.
“While a lot of people from North Shields come to Patterdale Estate for holidays – with some returning year after year, some for the past 40 or 50 years – this place has such special links with the town that we would like more to know about its history.”
The estate runs as a charity, with profits over and above running costs going to support the valuable work undertaken by the North Tyneside YMCA.
Cat continued: “People who come here for holidays say that as soon as they arrive, they switch off and fully relax. It is a very tranquil place, surrounded by beautiful scenery. Some come to have a peaceful break, others to enjoy more adventurous outdoor pursuits.”
During December, a group from North Shields spent a weekend volunteering at Patterdale Estate, helping to put up Christmas decorations.
“We have such a small staff team that we welcome support from volunteers who play a valuable role, especially with maintaining such extensive grounds,” she said.
For further information about booking a holiday or volunteering opportunities go to www.the-estate.co.uk
