The Story

If you've ever ridden or driven the A686 over the North Pennines, you'll know exactly what Hartside means.

That carpark. That view. That feeling the moment you pull in and realise you're among your people — bikers, drivers, hikers, families, locals, travellers — all drawn to the same remarkable place at the top of the world.

For so many of us, Hartside isn't just a cafe. It's our happy place.

The level of happiness that exists in that carpark is hard to explain unless you've felt it yourself. The Hartside community are some of the nicest people you could ever meet — united by passion, regardless of age or background. It brings together everyone. Hartside is the community.

That's why losing it has hurt so much.

What Happened

The financial world has changed dramatically since Covid. The hospitality industry has been hit harder than most, and the spirit of entrepreneurial culture has been depleted by world events. Getting a project like this off the ground has been exceptionally challenging — not for lack of love or effort, but because the landscape has made it so.

But here's the news: Hartside has been given the green light.

Planning permission is secured. The land is in place. The professionals are lined up. The project is, in every sense, oven ready.

Now we need to build it.

What We're Building

The new Hartside Cafe will be everything the old one was — and more.

70 seats inside. 50 outside. Comfortable and warm, with those same spectacular views that make Hartside unlike anywhere else in the UK.

The kitchen will offer a straightforward, honest menu built on locally sourced ingredients. Proper food. The kind that fuels a long ride or rewards a hard walk.

But Hartside has always been about more than food. As we get established, the diary will grow:

The new cafe will be fully accessible. The views will be the same. The welcome will be even warmer.

Why We Need You

The total build cost is £700,000. We're funding the majority through a bridging loan and commercial mortgage — but the difference between a good build and a great one lies in what the community can contribute.

Every pound raised goes directly into the physical structure.

Our first milestone — and what we're asking you to help us reach — is £100,000. That unlocks the groundworks and gets the sealed structure completed before winter. It's the foundation everything else stands on.

We're keeping costs down by sourcing local contractors and suppliers — people who are as keen to see Hartside back as you are. No expensive construction conglomerates, no inflated profit margins. Just honest work by people who care.

If we raise more than our target, it goes straight into kitchen equipment — another £100k of kit that will take the cafe to the next level.

Your Money Is Safe

Hartside Cafe Ltd is a family-run limited company. All donations will be held in the Hartside Cafe Ltd account at The Cumberland Building Society, managed transparently and accountably.

The build is being overseen by Jake Hirst — a trusted friend with decades of experience managing construction projects all over the world.

Every step of the build will be documented and shared across social media. We're as excited as you are, and you'll see everything as it happens — including the live stream from site.

How You'll Be Recognised

Everyone who donates becomes part of the story.

We prefer simplicity over spectacle. A plaque that means something beats a logo plastered everywhere. This is about community, not advertising.

What This Means for the Area

Hartside isn't just about the cafe. It's about what comes with it.

Local employment. Good wages. Stability for younger workers in the area. Investment back into the surrounding communities of Cumberland. Support for local charities. More visitors staying longer, spending more, discovering one of the most beautiful parts of England.

The legacy of Hartside will be bigger and bolder than ever before — a destination for thousands of enthusiastic people who love this remarkable location.

A Final Word

Life isn't a race. Everything comes at the right time.

Hartside has taught me that. It's tested us, tried us, and taught us patience. But the tortoise always gets there in the end — and this is our time.

The cafe is desperately needed. The community is ready. The build can begin.

All we need now is you.

Feel the urge to donate. Help restore a brilliant place to eat and meet.

Hartside is an institution of like-minded people. This new cafe will encompass all the kindness and generosity of the customers who've loved it over the years. It will be a legacy — for a long time — and a great benefit to this beautiful part of Cumbria.

[DONATE NOW]

Every contribution, no matter the size, builds something real.

Thank you. See you at the top.

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