Occupying a central location within the Lake District National Park, this exquisite cottage is ideal for families or groups of friends as it has it all: unbridled views of the fells, stunning wildlife and lakeside tranquillity.
This charming holiday property enjoys lovely views and a unique location tucked away in the woods at the foot of Catbells. One of only a few houses with lake frontage gardens on Derwentwater, it could sell itself on location alone. Sleeping eight people in four bedrooms on one level, the property also has a bright main living room with beautiful views of the woods and fells, plus glimpses of Derwentwater. The house is full of character and instantly welcomes you, but the jewel in its crown is the delightful front garden. Located across the private road, it includes a woodland path down to the pebbled lake shore. Relax on the lawn by the reed beds, take an afternoon cup of tea to the slate picnic bench, or dip your toes in the fresh water!
Footpaths lead off in all directions from the property, offering walks including short lakeside strolls and challenging routes on the surrounding fells. The landing stage at High Brandlehow is just a few minutes' walk away and you can use the Launch to access all the attractions around Derwentwater as well as the popular market town of Keswick. The addition of a local bus service means that it's very easy to spend a week at the property without using the car at all!
The property is an amazing, characterful cottage in a beautiful location; a place to relax, have fun and make life-long happy memories with friends and family.
From the gravel driveway, at the top of seven steps, an attractive covered porch on the newer clapboard section of the house offers a sheltered entrance into the property. The door here leads into a utility room with practical tiled floor and plenty of space for boots and coats. There is a sink with drainer, washing machine, tumble dryer and traditional hanging clothes airer, as the boiler and hot water tank are also in here it is always warm so is an ideal drying room. A shower attachment over a wet room style drain is perfect for cleaning off a muddy dog, child or just dirty boots! Off to the right is a toilet with basin and heated towel radiator.
Straight ahead a door leads out onto a hallway with a window looking out over the back garden and woodland, turn right and you will find a double bedroom with vaulted ceiling and exposed ridge beam. This triple aspect room is lovely and light with views out onto the woodlands around the house with Catbells and Maiden Moor towering overhead, Skiddaw can also be glimpsed through the trees. This carpeted room has a chest of drawers as well as a chair and bedside tables, plus a bookcase with a good selection of reading matter.
Back along the hallway straight ahead is the family bathroom, part tiled, spacious and practical it is lit by a skylight window. The bath has a shower attachment and a heated towel rail ensures dry warm towels when you've finished your relaxing soak.
To the left off the hallway a large bedroom houses two sets of bunk beds, this room has always been a bunk room for the family and has a window looking out over the woods with the lake glimmering between the tree trunks. There is a chest of drawers for storage, on the wall is 'Tubular Fells', an alternative view of the Wainwright's laid out like the London tube map and there is plenty of floorspace for children to play on.
The last doorway from the hallway opens into the large comfortable living room with plenty of room for everyone to relax in comfort. Gather around the wood burner, which is freestanding on a slate hearth with ample logs supplied (you'll need to bring your own kindling) and stacked nearby; perfect for cosy nights in watching the flickering flames. There are two three-seater sofas to choose from either side of a coffee table in front of the wood burner so sit down, relax and enjoy the happy atmosphere of this homely room. It is cosy in the evening but also lovely and bright during the day with dual aspect windows looking out over the gardens and woodland to the fells beyond plus skylights in the sloping ceiling at the back looking up to Catbells - the views are just stunning. There are two bookshelves filled with a variety of fiction and reference books on everything you could possibly need, including local walks, and a side table is filled with local information leaflets for even more ideas. There is also a table seating six tucked Against the wall encouraging the family to sit round for a game or two.
Two bedrooms open off the living room, one on each side at the front of the house. To the left is a double with bedside tables, chest of drawers and hooks on the wall for hanging; the window looks over the front garden to the lake and fells beyond through the trees. To the right is a homely room with a double bed, bedside tables, a chest of drawers and similar views from the window. There are shelves filled with books, paintings of local scenes on the walls and the benefits of underfloor heating for toasty toes! A door out of the far side of this bedroom leads to a small lobby and then the kitchen. Off to the left from this lobby is a shower room with underfloor heating beneath a tiled floor, large shower with dual shower heads and a heated towel radiator.
Reached either from the lobby outside the bedroom or from the living room the kitchen is beautifully done with well laid out units and a dining table with fabulous views - this is a lovely big bright family room. Finished in a farmhouse style with a large dresser, painted units, oak worktops, double Belfast sink and big island unit it also has all the mod cons with dishwasher, fridge, freezer, electric oven and hob. It is well equipped and practical without sacrificing any charm; this is a room designed to be the hub of a holiday filled with laughter and chatter. The table is positioned in the big bay window to make the most of the stunning views across the garden, through the woods and up to the felltops of Catbells and Maiden Moor. Seating eight in comfort, it is perfect for family meals making happy memories that will last forever. The full height windows in the bay window include French doors opening on to the patio and there is also a back door out into the garden.
The back garden is private with a sheltered patio area with two benches for sitting out surrounded by peace, quiet and the sound of birdsong. The remainder of the garden is rough grassland with trees, surrounded by woodland and the sound of a nearby stream, it is a true escape from modern 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.
Crossing over the driveway and into the front garden directly opposite the cottage, you could be entering in to a little bit of heaven. The solid slate picnic table looks over the lawn to the lake beyond. In spring, the garden is full of the sight and scent of daffodils followed on by bluebells, foxgloves and spectacular azaleas beneath the trees. Wander down the winding path to the small pebble beach on the side of the lake or 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 while away a few peaceful hours. There is also a beautiful view back to the house from here, snuggled down amongst the trees with the fells behind. In the evening when the lakeshore walkers have gone home this little piece of paradise is all yours and feels worlds away from everyday life. Look out for deer and owls at dusk and as there are no street lights nearby, views of the stars in the night sky are amazing - just lie back and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of this lovely spot.
The property is a unique property in an amazing location offering a holiday never