A very warm welcome to this stunning property in an unparalleled position in the Eden Valley. Sleeping up to ten people in five spacious and beautifully appointed bedrooms, as well as five bathrooms and benefiting from wonderful socialising spaces, it really is an ideal cottage to gather family or friends for a luxurious break in this glorious area. The owners have created a wonderfully indulgent atmosphere with spacious rooms, elegant decor, comfortable furnishings and stylish use of the house's original features. Outside the property is no less impressive boasting extensive lawns, mature trees, a sunken pond and a vast deck for outdoor dining. The property offers wide-open views of staggering grandeur with a panorama that takes in the Pennines, the Lakeland Fells and the Howgills. More impressive than that though is the feeling of absolute peace and seclusion in this rather magically indulgent hideaway.
Tucked down a lane between the villages of Kirkland and Skirwith, the cottage offers a fantastic array of walking and cycling right from the door. There's a network of paths and bridleways offering low level potters or fell top epics such as those of Cross Fell and Dufton Fell. For cyclists, Sustran's Pennine Cycleway runs past the end of the lane and the C2C route is close by too. Why not hop on your bike down the quiet roads to Culgaith and reward yourself with a piece of lovely cake at the tearoom in the village? For those wanting to really harness the tranquillity and beauty of this magnificent place why not pop right next door to Edensoaring, a gliding centre where you can get a bird's eye view of the landscape in one of their graceful aircraft. Alternatively just enjoy watching them silently soar above the surrounding countryside.
Exploring the wider area yields plenty of interest too. Railway enthusiasts are well served with the Carlisle to Settle Railway stopping at nearby Langwathby and history buffs can choose between Acorn Bank, Hutton in the Forest and Lowther Castle within easy distance. The beauty of the Lake District isn't too far away with picturesque Ullswater just a 20-minute drive and charming Alston, the highest market town in England just 15 miles into the Pennines.
This really is an ideal cottage to gather family or friends for a luxurious break in this glorious area. The accommodation is also very flexible for differing groups as several of the beds are 'zip and link' so they can be made up as super-king-size beds or twins (please advise on booking of your requirements).
On arrival at the house, guests enter directly into the large kitchen/diner. Decorated with a gorgeous 'modern rustic' feel about it, it has light coloured units, a large oval distressed wooden table and wooden flooring. The kitchen itself is very well equipped with two full under-counter fan ovens, Neff ceramic hobs, a microwave, dishwasher, retro fridge/freezer and a Krupps coffee machine so don't forget your coffee pods! Of course there is all the cookware crockery and glassware you will need for your stay. Through to the back there is a stone floored porch-way with plenty of space for coats and muddy boots.
Off the main kitchen is the staggering formal dining room. A glorious, double height, light, galleried space with a dining table of baronial proportions it is a wonderful room for a special celebration meal or indeed for long post dinner conversations about your group's Cumbrian adventures. A staircase leads up to a gallery landing where the first of the beautiful bedrooms is situated. Remote from the other sleeping areas it is perfect for a couple who would like seclusion from the rest of the party. This stylish room has exposed beams, a king-size bed, two sash windows and a large wardrobe. Its spacious en-suite shower room has a wet-room style walk-in shower enclosure with mixer shower.
The sunroom lies just off the dining room which is a light-filled comfortable room with double doors, a sofa and rocking chairs. Perfect for enjoying a good book or looking out to the lawns and mature trees to the front of the house and seeing the comings and goings of the visiting birdlife.
Staying in the main 'older' section of the house and moving back through the kitchen/diner guests can find the downstairs WC alongside the utility room with washer and dryer. This corridor opens up into the beautiful main living area and library. This stunning room has a sandstone wall, exposed beams and a wonderful cosy wood burner. While relaxing in the sumptuous sofas and armchairs guests can choose between listening to the stereo, watching the TV or a DVD. Alternatively they can choose from one of the vast array of books in the library and commandeer the sofa in that side of the room to enjoy it in peace.
Moving upstairs to the two bedrooms in this wing of the house you first arrive at the master suite. This has a super-king-size upholstered bed (which can be made up as a twin should your party require), dual-aspect windows and a dressing table looking out over the lawns and mature gardens. Its spacious en-suite shower room doubles up as a dressing room with substantial fitted wardrobes an a large walk-in shower enclosure. The twin room on this floor also has zip-and-link beds so can be made up as a super-king-size bed if you would rather. The family bathroom for this wing has a double-ended, free-standing bath and a large wet-room style shower enclosure.
Going back to the newer wing of the house via the sunroom. The lovely second kitchen is ideal if you have two families wanting to strut their own culinary stuff so to speak; it is also well equipped with a large range oven with ceramic hobs and a fridge/freezer. From here you access the gorgeous living/dining area. This forms virtually the length of a former barn making stylish use of stunning exposed A beams and harnessing all the available light though multiple windows and double doors. The room has two deep modern sofas, a wood burner, a wall mounted television and a dining table for four. It's a wonderfully sociable room and it's particularly useful to have a second living area should you have teens or tweens who would like some socialising space to themselves. The double doors lead out onto the decked area to the rear of the house and open up stunning views all the way to the Lakeland fells. Also on this floor you can gain access to the garage which is ideal for storing bikes.
Moving upstairs in this wing you first arrive at a light open landing with floor-height arched window and armchair for a peaceful reading nook. Both of the bedrooms are stunning double height rooms with exposed beams, stylish lighting and elegant decor. The king-size en-suite bedroom on this landing has a lovely upholstered bedstead, large wardrobes, a dressing table and double doors with a beautiful Juliet balcony looking out over rolling fields to the Pennines. Its en-suite shower room is a wonderful light room with mixer shower and drencher head. The twin room has zip-and-link beds which can be made up as a super-king-size bed should you require, wardrobes, a dresser and a large window looking out over the wide-open fields. While the family bathroom has a double ended bath with over-bath drencher shower and a separate shower attachment.
The grounds of this wonderful cottage are no less magical than the interior with plenty of nooks and areas for you to explore. It has mature trees, large lawns, a courtyard, a sunken pond, a huge expanse of decking and quite simply the most staggering panoramic views of this area of northern England. To the west, best viewed from the decking, are the Lakeland fells. The iconic shape of Blencathra is most notable but you can also see the peaks of the four highest mountains in the country. Not many gardens can lay claim to this! Nearby the impressive sight of the Pennines, known as the spine of England, rears up from the fields to the east of the house. In fact Cross Fell is easily walkable from the door. You can even see the northern edge of the Howgills to the south. Added to this the cottage is right next door to Edensoaring, a gliding school. On good days these lovely aircraft silently circle this wide-open expanse making for great fun for little ones run around the grounds to spot and wave to them.