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Middle Cottage

Portinscale, near Keswick, Cumbria
Sleeps 4
Bedrooms 2
Bathrooms 1
Change Fri
Dogs welcome 1
4 star
Parking on site / nearby
Highchair available
Travel Cot available
Family friendly
Internet access
Open fire / wood burner
Enclosed garden / patio
Decorated for Christmas
Pub nearby
9 more

At a glance

  • Pretty 18th-century terraced cottage in Beatrix Potter countryside
  • Traditional details made extra special by a feature wood burner
  • Derwentwater is 0.5 miles for water sports such as kayaking and canoeing
Property code: OC-SZ341

A very warm welcome to this traditional 18th-century terraced cottage for up to four people nestled in lovely Portinscale. Retaining charming period features, boasting personal bespoke touches everywhere and its own off-road parking spaces, it makes an ideal base from which to explore this popular area. The owners have lovingly restored this place to feature the low ceilings, exposed beams, and sash windows, giving a feeling of its heritage, while creating a comfortable and cosy 21st-century holiday home. It's small and perfectly formed for a romantic getaway for two or a family Lakeland adventure.

Portinscale is a much-loved village just a short drive or pleasant walk to the bustling market town of Keswick. With some of the best fell walking in the country available right from the door and the shore of picturesque Derwentwater just a stone's throw away, this cottage really is perfectly situated to make the most of its surroundings. The village has two marinas at which you can hire all manner of vessels to mess about on the water. Why not pack a picnic, hire a boat and find your perfect beach to eat your lunch in glorious surroundings? Alternatively take a walk up the iconic form of Catbells just outside the village, the views are spectacular. There's a hotel, a good local pub and an excellent cafe all within a very short stroll of the house. Explore some of Beatrix Potter's legacy at Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden just outside the village and treat yourself to a delicious lunch while you're there!

Heading out of the village there's plenty to do. Whinlatter Forest Park is nearby with walking and cycling trails for all abilities, an imaginative play park for children, a popular cafe and even a high ropes course for the adventurous teens and adults among you. History buffs will enjoy a visit to nearby Mirehouse, a family owned stately home with delightful gardens and literary connections. Keswick is just a few minutes’ drive or an easy walk away. There's a fantastic choice of shops, eateries and visitor attractions to enjoy there. You can take in a play or concert at the gorgeous Theatre by the Lake or catch one of the wonderful Derwentwater Launches around the lake hopping off back in Portinscale. However you choose to spend your visit you'll find it is a base filled with character and warmth.

This traditional 18th-century terraced cottage has a wealth of period features, hand crafted woodwork, well-chosen local art and modern appliances making it a welcoming and comfortable base from which to explore the area.

Guests arrive to the rear of the property and enter via French doors into the open-plan living, dining and kitchen space. It's a lovely welcoming room, well thought-through to make the most of 18th-century cottage proportions to suit 21st-century requirements! There are coat hooks and plenty of space for muddy boots both inside and outside.

The well-equipped kitchen has modern cream units, a built-in fan oven, induction hobs, microwave, under-counter fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher and all the crockery and cookware you will require for your stay. The dining space has two specially adapted church pews made more comfortable by prettily printed cushions. The living room has two brown leather sofas arranged around the wood burner and feature slate fireplace, perfect for curling up to chat about your day's adventures. The magnificent panorama of Catbells above the fireplace might even inspire you to don your walking boots. There's also a Smart TV, DVD player and digital radio for your entertainment. The owners have thoughtfully left a selection of books, DVDs and games to keep you occupied too.?

Moving up the handcrafted corner staircase brings you to the small landing with three wooden latched doors. First to the master bedroom: this has a king-size bed, a dressing table along with built-in cupboard and drawers. The twin bedroom also has heavy wooden bedsteads and a 'tall boy' with drawers for storage (it is worth noting that, while the beds are full sized singles, the room is more suited to children rather than adults as there isn't much available floor space). The bathroom has a modern white suite with over-bath electric shower.

Moving outside the house there is a charming garden area with its mature shrubs including an umbrella-like variegated holly tree with bird feeders. There's a sheltered area over a bench by the house, and a raised deck with a dining set for four. Make the most of morning sunshine by having your cuppa or breakfast on the deck! Alternatively grab an evening glass of wine, take a seat and enjoy the visiting birdlife. At the edge of the garden is a gravelled parking space for one regular sized car. Further back, to the side of the garages is a concrete hard standing, solely for the use of guests, to accommodate a further car.

  • 2 bedrooms – 1 king-size, 1 twin
  • 1 bathroom with shower over the bath and WC
  • Oven, hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine and dishwasher
  • Wood burner – first set of logs provided
  • Smart TV, DVD, radio
  • Selection of board games/puzzles available
  • Towels not provided
  • Small partially enclosed garden with decked area
  • Off-road parking for 2 cars
  • Pub and shop within 1 mile
  • Please note there is limited floor space in the twin bedroom, so may be more suited to children
  • This property will be decorated for Christmas
  • Arrival: 16:30 onwards
  • Departure: before 10:00
  • 1 dog allowed. Additional charges may apply

Kylie Harmon-Twidle

This property is personally managed by Kylie.

Reviews

From guests that have stayed at the property.

Based on 21 guest ratings

Overall cleanliness
Overall cleanliness 4.6 starsOverall cleanliness 4.6 starsOverall cleanliness 4.6 starsOverall cleanliness 4.6 starsOverall cleanliness 4.6 stars4.6
Overall equipment
Overall equipment 4.5 starsOverall equipment 4.5 starsOverall equipment 4.5 starsOverall equipment 4.5 starsOverall equipment 4.5 stars4.5
Overall comfort
Overall comfort 4.6 starsOverall comfort 4.6 starsOverall comfort 4.6 starsOverall comfort 4.6 starsOverall comfort 4.6 stars4.6
Overall location
Overall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 starsOverall location 4.9 stars4.9

Reviewed by Vivienne 25th July 2026

Guest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 stars

We found Middle cottage very comfortable. Nice and clean. beds are very comfortable with lovely quilts and pillows.its very well equipped love that they have a ice pack in the freezer for you to use .you do have to be careful with the staircase. The kitchen seating area is a very tight place to get into.the fridge did the job but its old.

Reviewed by Mark 19th July 2026

Guest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 stars

Lovely little cottage in a quiet location ideal for a family of 4 or a couple and dog allowed as well. Parking for two vehicles on site which is good. Walking distance to Keswick and Lingholm thoroughly enjoyed my stay

Reviewed by Gillian 28th June 2026

Guest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 starsGuest rating 4.6 stars

Lovely cottage in a great location.excellent place to be during the heatwave as the cottage stayed lovely and cool. Outside space is great and two parking spaces excellent.

Reviewed by Mark 2nd May 2026

Guest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 stars

Lovely cottage in a perfect location, we visit here often.

Reviewed by Lesley 25th April 2026

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Reviewed by Christine 21st April 2026

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Wonderful cottage. Location perfect - easy walk to Keswick. Cottage facilities excellent, everything you need. Great easy parking. Slight issue with the heating. But we have already booked again for later in the year. Would highly recommend

Reviewed by Simon 11th April 2026

Guest rating 3.8 starsGuest rating 3.8 starsGuest rating 3.8 starsGuest rating 3.8 starsGuest rating 3.8 stars

The garden is not enclosed it is open at the end so you need to be careful if you have a dog, pheasants wander the back so it was busy for our spaniel. You have to take all your recycling to Keswick so a car is essential.

Reviewed by James 14th March 2026

Guest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 starsGuest rating 4 stars

A cosy little cottage in a good location to hike and bike from. Perfect for a couple. Great to have off road parking too.

Reviewed by Brian 27th January 2026

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Nice delightful cottage, but beware of the draught from front door, otherwise it's a lovely place to stay.

Reviewed by Bryan 19th September 2025

Guest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 stars

Fantastic location and handy having off road parking. Advertised as having an enclosed garden, if you have a dog be aware that this is not the case. Comfortable, but the kitchen is a bit tired and needs an upgrade.

Reviewed by Sarah 5th September 2025

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Another fabulous stay at Middle Cottage, our favourite home from home when were in the Lake District. Perfect location, comfortable, cosy, clean and well equipped. We love that you can walk into Keswick or head straight down to Hawes End and Derwentwater on foot. We barely used the car at all. Great woodland walks in Brandlehow and Manesty for our Read morecocker spaniel and he loves a swim in the lake. The weather was rather wet for us this year but that didnt dampen our spirits. Well be back! Hide

Reviewed by Michael 25th July 2025

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Great location, great cottage. We will be back!

Reviewed by Stephanie 18th July 2025

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Great place to stay for a week in the Lakes. Well equipped kitchen and we liked the location.

Reviewed by Mark 9th May 2025

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Perfect little cottage in an extremely pretty village with excellent walking straight from the door. Our favourite place to stay, thats why we keep returning.

Reviewed by Martin 28th March 2025

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Great cottage in great location, 2 parking spaces a bonus in a small village. Easy walk into Keswick, and well placed for access to all of the lakes.

Reviewed by Laura 15th February 2025

Guest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 starsGuest rating 4.4 stars

Reviewed by Paul 10th February 2025

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage. Comfortable and cosy. Good location. We would definitely stay here again.

Reviewed by Joanna 4th October 2024

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

I stayed at Middle Cottage with my daughter in October 2024 and we absolutely loved it! Its smaller than it looks in the photos but was perfect for us and really cosy and warm. The location is ideal as its only a 25 minute walk into Keswick so you don't need to worry about parking in Keswick then you can walk back to the cottage to get away from thRead moree hustle and bustle. We loved it so much we are going to book again for next year. Hide

Reviewed by David 20th September 2024

Guest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 starsGuest rating 4.8 stars

Reviewed by Lesley 13th September 2024

Guest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 starsGuest rating 5 stars

Very good indeed - comfortable, warm, well equipped and well situated. The TV is rather small but we suppose that is inevitable given where it is sited.

Reviewed by Alan 6th September 2024

Guest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 starsGuest rating 4.2 stars

19 more
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Location

Map
Note: As the postcode is used to identify the general area of the property, it may not always reflect its precise location, therefore please only use this map as a guide.
Sallys Cottages is a trading name of The Travel Chapter Limited | The Travel Chapter Limited is registered in England and Wales. | Registered office Travel Chapter House, Gammaton Road, Bideford, EX39 4DF. Company No. 02431506 | VAT reg: 143053210.