House in Cumbria

The luxurious former hunting lodge, deep in the heart of Grizedale Forest, sleeps 16 guests. The property benefits from a peaceful location, with a large garden, and is surrounded by open countryside and woodlands, making it the ideal rural retreat. Grizedale Forest is a haven for walkers, with a network of walking trails for all abilities. There s also a fascinating sculpture trail, featuring both permanent and visiting artworks. Those with a head for heights can swing through the forest canopy on a series of zip wires and high ropes at Go Ape. Alternatively, venture out after dark for an evening of stargazing. You ll also be within 12 miles of Lake District highlights such as Lake Windermere, Ambleside and Coniston Water. Enter the spectacular lodge via the front porch, where there s ample room to hang all your coats and store your muddy walking boots. From here, make your way into the welcoming hallway which houses a fantastic selection of books, magazines and local information for your perusal. At the heart of the property is a vast lounge, which is light and bright thanks to the large bay window and has a warming wood burner. The room is decorated in keeping with the heritage of the property, with tasteful soft furnishings to create an elegant, yet cosy, ambience. In the evening, snuggle up on one of the gorgeous sofas to read a book or watch the TV/DVD. The impressive dining room is accessed from both the hallway and the lounge. The room houses an enormous dining table with ample seating for everyone, as well as crockery and cutlery displayed in traditional dressers. Swing doors lead from here into the industrial style kitchen, which is professionally equipped with a large Rangemaster oven with six gas hobs, a separate grill and a microwave. There s also a breakfast table for a quiet morning coffee or for socialising whilst the meal is being prepared. Adjacent to the kitchen is a large utility room, with two dishwashers, two large fridges, a freezer and a washing machine. In addition, there s a larder with space to store wine. The property has an impressive eight bedrooms in total, two of which are located on the ground floor. The first, a pretty double, has a TV/DVD and a Victorian style en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC. The other ground floor bedroom is also a double, with a four poster bed and en suite bathroom with an indulgent free standing bath, shower and WC. The room also boasts a romantic balcony with woodland views and steps leading to the garden. This bedroom is accessed via a cosy snug, with a comfy sofa and TV. The remaining bedrooms are located on the first floor, up a grand staircase. All the bedrooms have their own TV. The first is a double with a four poster bed, French style furnishings and an en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC. The second also has a four poster double bed and an en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC. The third bedroom is a king size with an en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC, and has lovely views over the fells. The fourth bedroom is another double, with views over the meadow towards the forest, and has an en suite shower room with a WC. The fifth bedroom is a king size and again has fabulous views and an en suite bathroom with a shower over the bath and WC. The final bedroom is a twin with an en suite shower room with WC. The property s outdoor space is no less impressive than its interior, with ample room for everyone to spread out and find their own quiet spot. There s a large raised decked area to enjoy al fresco dining on a summer s evening, surrounded by mature trees and shrubs and with steps leading down to the garden. There is off road parking for up to ten cars available on the gravel outside the property.