Lake District Cafe And Farm Shop Put On Market As Owners Prepare To Retire
A popular Lake District cafe and farm shop has gone on the market as its owners prepare to retire after years running the business.
The Sawmill Cafe & Farm Shop is located in Wasdale and is being offered for sale on a freehold basis, with the asking price available on application. The business is being marketed by specialist property adviser Christie & Co on behalf of owners Kirsten and Julius Manduell. The couple have decided to move on from the hospitality business as they prepare for retirement and focus more of their time on their other interests.
The business operates from a restored 19th century sawmill situated on the banks of the River Irt, beneath the dramatic surroundings of Scafell Pike. The property retains several features connected to its industrial history, including a working waterwheel and millrace running through the building. Its setting within Wasdale gives the business a distinctive combination of hospitality facilities and Lake District scenery.
The Sawmill includes both a cafe and farm shop, providing visitors with food, refreshments and a range of products. The business has more than 146 indoor and outdoor covers, giving it capacity to accommodate customers across different areas of the site. There is also substantial parking, adding to the facilities available to visitors arriving at the property.
The Manduell family bought the sawmill buildings in 2016 before beginning a major restoration and conversion project. Work took place over approximately two years, with the buildings restored and converted in 2018 and 2019. The Sawmill Cafe subsequently opened in 2020, marking the start of the current hospitality operation at the historic site.
The restoration was undertaken with the aim of retaining the character of the former sawmill while creating a modern cafe and farm shop. The working waterwheel and millrace remain prominent features of the building, connecting the current business with the site's industrial past. The combination of restored historic features and its location in Wasdale has helped establish the property as a distinctive destination for visitors to the area.
Kirsten and Julius Manduell said they had been involved with the business for the best part of 10 years, describing their time running it as a positive journey. They said the decision to sell had been made as they wanted to concentrate on their farm and holiday park while also having more time with their family. The sale therefore represents a change in direction for the owners rather than a decision to continue expanding the hospitality operation themselves.
The business is being presented as an established hospitality opportunity for a new owner. Its combination of café facilities, farm shop operations, seating capacity and parking provides several different elements within one property. The location also gives the business access to visitors travelling through the Lake District, while the established operation means a buyer would be taking on an existing business rather than developing a new venue from scratch.
The property's location is one of its most significant features, with the Sawmill positioned in the Wasdale valley and close to some of the Lake District's best known landscapes. The River Irt runs alongside the building, while the surrounding area provides a strong tourism setting. The combination of natural scenery, historic architecture and hospitality facilities gives the site a distinctive identity within the local visitor economy.
The farm shop forms an additional part of the business alongside the café operation. It provides an opportunity to sell food, gifts and other products while complementing the visitor experience at the site. The business has also developed links with local producers, with an emphasis on supporting Lake District businesses through the food served in the café and products available through the shop.
The historic building has a long connection with the local area. Evidence of a cornmill on the site dates back to the 1790s, while it was operating as a sawmill from at least the middle of the 19th century. The building remained connected to the area's industrial history for generations before eventually being restored and converted for its current use.
The restoration also involved repairing the property's waterwheel and other elements of the historic structure. Work on the wheel included craftsmanship and locally sourced materials, while metalwork within the building was restored or replicated to preserve its character. Local businesses and craftsmen were involved in the wider restoration project, helping retain a connection between the property and the surrounding community.
The café and farm shop currently provide a destination for both visitors and people living in the surrounding area. Its facilities include indoor and outdoor seating, parking and access to the river setting, allowing the business to operate as both a hospitality venue and retail destination. The combination of these uses provides the future owner with an established operation that can serve different types of customers.
The business is also positioned within the wider Lake District tourism economy, where hospitality venues benefit from visitors attracted by the area's scenery and outdoor activities. Wasdale is particularly associated with major Lake District landmarks, providing a strong backdrop for a business aimed at tourists and local visitors. The Sawmill's location beneath Scafell Pike adds to the appeal of the property as a destination rather than simply a roadside cafe.
Christie & Co senior business agent Marslie McGregor described the Sawmill as a distinctive hospitality business in an exceptional setting. The agent said the combination of its trading operation, established customer base and opportunities for future development could make the property attractive to prospective buyers. Interest is expected from operators looking for an established hospitality business in the Lake District.
The sale provides an opportunity for a new owner to take control of a business that has been developed over several years by the Manduell family. The existing buildings, café, farm shop, seating areas, parking and historic features form part of the overall offering. Further development opportunities could also allow a future operator to consider how the business might evolve while maintaining the character of the property and its surroundings.
The decision to sell comes after the owners invested significant time in restoring the former sawmill and establishing the current operation. Their departure marks the end of a period in which the historic property was transformed into a functioning café and farm shop serving visitors in Wasdale. The future of the business will now depend on the buyer who takes on the site and decides how to develop the established operation.
The Sawmill Café & Farm Shop is being marketed on a freehold basis, with further information available to prospective purchasers through the sales process. The property combines a trading hospitality business with a substantial site, historic buildings and a prominent Lake District location. For a new operator, the sale offers the chance to take over an established venue while continuing the site's role within the Wasdale visitor economy.
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