Lowstern, Clapham, North Yorkshire   

After recent improvements, Lowstern must be amongst the finest premises for cavers, climber and walkers in the Dales.  The cottage is in a secluded position in a small wood surrounded by farmland about half a mile from Clapham village.  It is ideally placed for access to Ingleborough and its caves and potholes, with the other caving areas of Craven just a short drive away.    

Information for users 

Location: Grid reference 736691.  Lowstern is on the B6480 Clapham to Bentham road, a quarter of a mile from the junction with the A65 (Clapham bypass).  The cottage is in a small plantation on the south side of the road and is approached through double gates and up a short track.

Parking: Vehicles may be parked beside the hut.  As the farmer requires daily access to the field, it is essential that the track be kept clear at all times.    

Gates: Please close the gates when leaving.  This is a requirement of our landlord. 

Accommodation: 16 places (4 plus 12) in two bunkrooms on the first floor. The six-bunk bedroom at the top of the stairs is strictly reserved for YRC members at all times. 

Facilities:

Entrance hall. 

Drying room with dehumidifier, storage heater and spin dryer.  Keep the door closed.

Dining room with gas fire, folding tables and chairs.

Living room with open fire and easy chairs.

Kitchen with full catering equipment.  Extractor fan must be used when cooking and washing up.

Part central heating, principally for winter background heat to prevent condensation when the cottage is vacant.  It is activated when the outside temperature falls below zero.

Cold water sluice room for washing caving equipment.

Two washrooms with hand basins, shaver point, shower and toilet.  The gas boiler in the ground floor washroom supplies all hot water. 

Do not attempt to adjust the boiler controls. 

The extractor fan must be used when washing or using the shower. 

Water Supply: 200 gallons stored in roof tanks and electrically pumped. 

Gas:  Propane tank outside the cottage.  The supply is permanently on so when leaving the hut at any time please make certain that all gas appliances are turned off. 

Electricity:  The main switch is at the left hand end of the distribution board to the right of the entrance door. Open the cover by lifting it up; push the breaker switch up to turn the supply on, and down to turn it off.

Electricity must be used only for appliances already installed in the hut.  No other electrical heating equipment is allowed.  If the supply is overloaded the NORWEB / UNITED UTILITIES breaker will trip and cannot be reset by the warden. The supply must be left on at all times.  

Open Fire:  Logs are provided, but please bring your own kindling.  On no account must wood be taken from the plantation. 

Rubbish: There is no rubbish collection.  It is essential that all food (except tea, coffee and sugar) and rubbish be taken away.  Black plastic bags can be found in the sink drawer. 

Restrictions: No television or dogs may be brought into the building. Please remove boots and muddy equipment in the entrance hall. No young people under 13 are allowed to stay in the cottage on Friday or Saturday nights. 

Local Amenities: Clapham village (half a mile away) has a grocery store, and a pub.  There is a telephone box outside the New Inn.  A wider range of shops is available in Settle and in Ingleton, where caving equipment can also be hired.  There is no garage or motor fuel supply facilities available in Clapham, the nearest garages for fuel are at Ingleton, Bentham and Settle.

Would visitors please fill in the names of all members of the party in the Hut Book on arrival.  This is on the shelf to the right of the fireplace. 

Please return the key and pay the balance of fees to the Hut Secretary as soon as possible after your visit.  At the same time please report any damage, including anything you discover on arrival.   

All persons using the hut are required leave the hut in a clean and tidy condition following the "Leaving Check List" in the Club Hut Handbook on-site.

Fees: 

      There is a day rate of 50p for using the hut during the day but not staying overnight, fee to be placed in the box in the entrance hall

      Special midweek rate (Sunday to Thursday nights) for large parties of £50 per night total

Whilst the above fees are applicable to persons as described, using and sleeping in the cottage they are also applicable to persons who choose to camp and sleep overnight within the surrounding grounds of the cottage.

Bookings:  If you wish to make a booking, please contact the Hut Secretary by email or telephone to enquire about available dates.  Once a date has been agreed it will be held as a provisional booking.  This must then be confirmed as soon as possible by submitting a fully completed YRC Booking Agreement Form, with deposit, to the Hut Secretary who will acknowledge receipt and provide confirmation of booking acceptance. The Hut Secretary's confirmation of booking, and only such, shall be deemed to be a valid booking by the Yorkshire Ramblers' Club.   

For a YRC Hut Booking Form please CLICK HERE        Adobe Acrobat Reader required on your PC to view form, if not please download from   

For all bookings contact: The Hut Secretary, Mr. Richard Josephy, 135 Divinity Road, Oxford, OX4 1LW  Tel: 01865 723630    Email:     

Local contact: The Hut Warden, Mr. John Lovett, Kirkdale, 3 Old Road, Clapham, Lancaster, LA2 8JH Tel: 01524 251300    Email:

YRC Members can view a copy of the YRC Lowstern - Hut Handbook in the members' only login area of this website.

Updated 12 December, 2007