017687 77634 | TheYewTree@honister.com
Our Story
Pub & Eatery
Est. 1628
The Yew Tree, at Seatoller, is an amalgamation of two cottages built in 1628. They served, during Queen Elizabeth I reign, as accommodation for German miners when graphite was mined.
Nearby Honister Slate Mine gives a fascinating insight into yesteryear as well as showing how slate is relevant today, over 450 years of mining history preserved to modern day where they are now the only producers of the world renowned Westmorland roofing slate.
At the so-called Jaws of Borrowdale, near Grange, the river runs under steep cliffs through a gorge. Thomas Gray, an 18th century romantic poet, described the Jaws as a menacing ravine whose rocks might, at any time, fall and crush a traveller. Much of the valley was covered by the Fawcet Forest.
There still remain areas of broad-leafed and conifer woodlands, most belonging to the National Trust home to ancient oaks trees and yew trees.
The Borrowdale Yew at Seathwaite Farm is one of the four ancient yews (Taxus baccata) celebrated in William Wordsworth‟s 1803 poem, 'Yew Trees':
'But worthier still of note
Are those Fraternal Four of Borrowdale
Joined in one solemn and capacious grove
Huge trunks! and each particular trunk a growth
Of intertwisted fibres serpentine'
In 1829 the Borrowdale community included: 2 publicans; a joiner and cartwright; a schoolmaster; a blacksmith; a slate proprietor, the agent for the Black Lead works at Seathwaite and 21 farmers of whom 13 are classed as „yeomen‟.
It is now based around tourism with numerous forms of accommodation available and home to Westmorland green slate, the last working slate mine in England.
Borrowdale stages a Shepherds Meet and Show each year. Fell racing, sheepdog trials, hound trailing, and craft displays are part of the action.
The Cumbria Way passes through the valley as does the Coast-to-Coast walk. The 58-mile long Allerdale Ramble runs from Borrowdale to Silloth, on the northwest coast of the county.
It is also an important venue in Adevnture actibvity pursuits with activities ranging from Via Ferrata, Climb the mine, Canyoning and Mine Tours.
