The Local Story

STAVELEY-IN-CARTMEL IS A SEVENTEENTH CENTURY HAMLET NESTLED BETWEEN THE SOUTHERN SHORES OF LAKE WINDMERE AND CHAPEL WOOD ON THE SLOPES OF CARTMEL FELL.

Historically, Staveley-In-Cartmel was one of seven townships in the Manor of Cartmel (first mentioned in 677 when the Northumbrian king Egfrid, having just conquered the district, granted to St. Cuthbert the whole of the lands called Cartmel with all the Britons therein). For many years it was owned by the Canons of Cartmel Priory until they were sold to a man called Thomas Holcroft in 1540 after the Priory was suppressed.

In 1545-46 Thomas Holcroft sold the Manor of Cartmel to King Henry VIII where it was held by the Crown for many years.  Parts of the lands were granted out, and in 1610 it was sold to Thomas Emerson and Richard Cowdall, who at once transferred to George Preston of Holker, the price paid being stated as £2,200. In 1636 all the lands, rents and services in the graveship of Cartmel and the bailiwicks of Cartmel Fell, Broughton, Walton and Barngarth were granted to William Elphinstone and John Croft, who, after four years' contention, made a composition with the tenants by which the whole was put into the hands of trustees for the tenants, among whom it was divided. 

Each of the tenants paid his share of the expenses, and was liable for a proportion of the lord's rent, or 'fee-farm rent,' as it was called. Under this arrangement the whole body of landowners was regarded as owning the manor.*

Today, Staveley-in-Cartmel features a clutch of predominantly residential dwellings stretching along a hill at the base of Chapel Wood. Village life centres around the beautifully appointed St Mary’s Church and adjacent village hall, whilst the volunteer run, Millerbeck Light Railway in the private grounds of Millerbeck House, provides a fabulous steam, diesel and electric train experience for all ages eight weekends a year.