MP's call to save iconic Eden farmhouse (From The Westmorland Gazette)

MP's call to save iconic Eden farmhouse

2:55pm Thursday 11th June 2009

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WESTMORLAND and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has called upon English Heritage to save an iconic Eden farmhouse.

Mr Farron has written to the chief executive to request English Heritage buy Sleddale Hall, near Shap, which was made famous in the cult 1980s film 'Withnail and I'.

An original bid to save the cottage fell through and the building's owner, water company United Utilities, said it was considering its options.

The farmhouse still contains many of the original features used during filming and many fans make the pilgrimage to visit the site.

“Sleddale Hall is both a piece of iconic British cinematic history and also a unique part Cumbria’s local heritage," said Mr Farron.

“For many years English Heritage has worked tirelessly to protect, promote and care for historic sites such as Sleddale Hall. I’ve therefore written to English Heritage to request that they buy Sleddale Hall and in doing so allow future generations to appreciate its value as part of Cumbria’s cultural heritage.

“The cottage has a huge amount of potential and could be transformed into a working museum, with self-catering and maybe a tea room. If English Heritage were to buy the cottage, I’m sure that it will be, in words of Uncle Monty, ‘the last island of beauty in the world’.”

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