This detached slate cottage was formerly the stables of an Edwardian country estate. The well-loved, three-bedroom cottage is set in pleasant woodland, visited by a variety of bird and wildlife. Situated at Brown Howe near Water Yeat in the south west of Coniston Water, there is direct lake access and views to Beacon Fell, where the beautiful Beacon Tarn can be reached within hour.
What makes this cottage stand out from the rest is its private pathway with right of access to Coniston Water, a 5-minute dog-friendly walk (bring your wellies!) to a private swimming beach shared with residents on the estate. Made famous by Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons, Peel Island (known as 'Wild Cat Island' in the story) lies around 1km from the beach. With its secret harbour and accessibility by kayak or canoe, it makes for the perfect adventure for Swallows and Amazons fans of all ages.
Water Yeat is a small hamlet towards the southern end of the lake. It is a serene and remote location with no shops or pub and just a few other buildings. A few miles down the road from the cottage at Torver are two popular pubs, one a family owned pub with a deli and shop attached. There are several good pubs in Coniston and a pub on the A590 to Lowick.
The cottage itself sleeps six people across three bedrooms. Functional and cosy, it's perfect for families who are looking for a cosy cottage to use as a launch pad into the southern Lake District.
The 19th-century cottage has a right of access to a private ( though shared with the other properties on the estate) lakeside swimming beach, perfect for dogs and supervised children. Pull on your wellies and pack a picnic, the perfect way to spend a day.
The entrance to the cottage is via the front and into a hallway. Here you'll find plenty of space to store boots and coats, with even more space available in the handy ground floor WC. The hall leads to the living room, which features a large wood burner, two cosy sofas, an armchair, as well as a dining table for six guests. Character is gleaned from the old wooden beams and feature corner fireplace. A Smart TV with FreeSat is available, so don't forget to bring your Netflix login. The dining table is positioned in the large window, which looks out onto the cobbled courtyard.
The kitchen can be found at the back of the cottage, with the sink overlooking the rear patio - the perfect spot for a peaceful moment watching the visiting birdlife. The well-equipped kitchen contains an electric oven, four-ring gas hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, washer/dryer and breakfast table. The back door leads out from the kitchen to the lovely patio area, where a BBQ is provided for guests. Views are of the surrounding woodland.
Upstairs on the first floor are the three bedrooms and bathrooms. The master bedroom, which overlooks the cobbled courtyard, has a double bed and en-suite containing a walk-in shower and WC. The other two bedrooms are twins, each containing two single beds. Both twin rooms have lovely views over the surrounding woodland, perfect for retiring back to bed with a cup of tea. The family bathroom has a WC, sink, and shower over the bath.
The cottage is set in sloping woodland, which is ideal for young explorers. While the area is mostly enclosed, dogs with a will to escape will be able to do so! There is a paved area with seating in which to have a BBQ. While there is no secure shelter, bikes can be locked away out of sight (bring your own locks) and the only passers-by will be guests and residents from the handful of cottages that share the same courtyard. There is space for two cars to park next to the courtyard entrance (which is where cars should remain as a courtesy to other residents once unloading has taken place). Part of the woodland was severely hit by storms in late 2021, causing fallen trees and damaged pathways which will take a while to repair. Guests are still able to access much of the woodland, but care must be taken.