Cottage in Cumbria

This delightful cottage is the perfect place to truly unwind. With so many walking and cycling trails from your doorstep, including a popular footpath around the lake. There is also access to the Keswick launch on the lake so you don t need to get in the car. The village of Grange (1.5 miles) is known as the Jaws of Borrowdale and is one of the most picturesque valleys in the National Park. The market town of Keswick, known as the outdoor capital and with its independent shops, eateries and specialist instructors, is 5 miles away. 10 miles north is Bassenthwaite Lake, a wetlands nature reserve where resident ospreys nest. From here, you can access the quieter northern ascents to magnificent Skiddaw and Blencathra. Whinlatter Forest Park (6 miles) have a range of outdoor activities for everyone and a cafe. Deceptively spacious, this family owned cottage nestled on the banks of Derwentwater has an interesting story, having originally been built as a holiday home by the Vicar of Newlands, the great grandfather of the current owners. Despite its history, it has been sympathetically renovated to create a light and airy, contemporary country cottage with ample space and all the mod cons. After pulling up on the gravel driveway, ascend the seven steps to the sheltered porch and go through the door into the utility room, which is great for discarding muddy coats and boots and rinsing off muddy paws. It s amply equipped with a washing machine, tumble dryer and an airer, while a shower room with a wet room style drain is handy for after muddy fell walks. There s also a WC here too. From here, head into the hall which takes you past two of the delightful, sunny bedrooms one double and one bunk bedroom with views of the gardens and fells, as well as the family bathroom. You ll eventually arrive at the impressive lounge which is flooded with light and has a wood burner as its focal point. There are comfortable sofas to sink into of an evening, and an additional table and chairs offer a great place for a game of cards. From the lounge, you can access the stunning kitchen/diner with its vaulted ceiling adding to the sense of space. It is well equipped to cook up a hearty breakfast or a four course evening meal, and includes a dishwasher, fridge, freezer, electric oven and hob. The dining table is situated in front of floor to ceiling windows, so the views provide a stunning backdrop to any meal, and French doors lead out to the patio. Also from the lounge, you can access two further beautiful double bedrooms and the shower room. Outside, there is a private back garden with a sheltered patio area for al fresco dining. The rest of the garden is rough grassland with trees, surrounded by woodland and the sound of a nearby stream, so it s easy to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of rural life. A path winds over a ditch via a slate clapper bridge and down to a large shed, the left hand side of which is available for bike storage. Across the driveway, you can enter the spectacular front garden where a solid slate picnic table looks over the lawn to the lake beyond. In spring, the garden is full of daffodils, bluebells, foxgloves and spectacular azaleas beneath the trees. Wandering down the winding path, you ll come to the small pebble beach on the side of the lake. Alternatively, you may prefer to sit on the lawn and admire the view through the lake edge reeds to Otter Island (private) and over the water to Walla Crag, Bleaberry Fell and Blencathra. The garden is sheltered by the woodlands around it and this section of the lakeshore is in a sheltered bay making this a lovely spot to escape for a few hours. There is also a beautiful view back to The Warren from here, snuggled down amongst the trees with the fells behind. Wildlife love this little haven, so look out for deer and owls at dusk, and as there are no streetlights nearby, views of the stars in the night sky are amazing.