Escape for a romantic break for two at this cosy cottage that sits down a country lane just a few miles from Hawkshead and Windermere. Set on a quaint complex of former 17th-century Lakeland barns, this cottage sleeps two people in one bedroom and welcomes two canine companions. It is the ideal rural retreat for a couple who like to hike, bike and kayak their way around the Lake District by day, and snuggle up in front of the cottage’s glowing wood burner each evening.
Step inside and you’ll find a welcoming open-plan lounge/kitchen/diner, where features like the beamed ceiling, slate floor and wood burner all add to the authentic atmosphere of the property. Cook up a romantic meal for two in the kitchen area and enjoy an intimate dinner at the breakfast bar, or head outside to dine al fresco in the garden. After dinner, enjoy a glass of wine as you soak up the tranquil atmosphere, or head in to the living area and slip onto the sofa to watch a movie by the glow of the wood burner. When the day is done, climb up the steep, narrow staircase, where you’ll find a stylish king-size room that has a pretty, Chinese-style screen that separates it from the bathroom.
Head into the gorgeous village of Hawkshead (1 mile) and you’re sure to be as enchanted as William Wordsworth, who went to school there. Browse the local shops, visit Wordsworth’s old grammar school, treat yourself to a cream tea, or enjoy a pint by the fireside in one of the village’s 17th-century inns. Or make your way to Esthwaite Water (3 miles), where you can go trout and pike fishing or take a self-guided osprey safari.