This is a beautiful place from which to enjoy a northern Lake District break. This spacious comfortable cottage, sleeping up to four people, is ideally placed to make the most of this stunning area. Nestled in a hamlet at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake, this impressive holiday home is a warm and welcoming cottage for up to four people with absolutely stunning views. Incredibly well named, this place offers a perch that would delight any bird of prey with its wide panorama of fields, fells and water. In fact, you might struggle to tear yourself away from the breakfast table as you enjoy the ever changing view! If you're more of a night owl, you can stand in the front drive when the moon is but a sliver in the sky, and the dark night reveals countless stars and sometimes even the Milky Way.
The walking in the area is second to none with a wealth of walks from high peaks such as Skiddaw and Grisedale to smaller but no less rewarding rambles such as Sale Fell all within easy reach. You’re also only 25 minutes away from spectacular Crummock Water and Buttermere in Borrowdale, and the rewilded valley of Ennerdale Water with its beautiful woodland walks. At this cottage, you are very close to the edge of Whinlatter Forest, a real mountain forest park with adventures aplenty on offer including a multitude of cycle trails, an excellent children’s play area, a high ropes course and excellent cafe. If something gentle is to your taste, you could enjoy a stately turn around the grounds of nearby Mirehouse, a beautiful historic house with literary connections whose gardens stretch from Dodd Wood to Bassenthwaite Lake. Bassenthwaite has become famous in recent years for their successful osprey programme. It has resulted in the first pair of wild ospreys to breed in the Lake District for over 150 years; you might be lucky enough to see one of these majestic birds from the living room of the property as they hunt in the lake nearby.
The property lies in an enviable position between Cockermouth and Keswick, with the village of Lorton and the Jaws of Borrowdale a short distance away. Only a walk away are The Lakes Distillery with its tours and fine dining bistro, and the local pub which is a traditional Lakeland pub and restaurant with rooms. Cockermouth is an attractive Georgian town with a wide range of independent shops, a thriving art and folk music scene and excellent places to eat and drink. Why not take a look around Wordsworth’s childhood home or enjoy a tour and tasting at Jennings Brewery? Nearby Keswick has so much to offer from shops, museums and eateries to sight-seeing, adventure centres and festivals. The shores of Derwentwater and the Theatre by the Lake are just a 5-minute walk from the centre of the town. Why not check what's on at the recently restored art deco Alhambra Cinema? Whatever you enjoy, this property is perfectly placed to enjoy all the delights of the northern Lake District.
On arrival at the cottage, you have an entrance hall from which there is a drying room with plenty of room for coats and muddy boots, and a laundry with washer and dryer. There's also a handy downstairs loo off the hall. The staircase then leads up to the light modern kitchen. This room has an airy gallery feel about it as it has stylish lighting and several windows looking out on to the garden and surrounding woods. It's very well equipped with dishwasher, microwave, fan oven and induction hob.
The light, spacious living/dining room is a delight. This room is blessed with a huge window opening up a stunning panorama over the lovely garden towards the fells of Skiddaw and Binsey, as well as beautiful Bassenthwaite Lake. For bird-watchers, winter bird feeders bring a wide variety of native birds and seasonal migrants into the garden. In the summer at dusk, when the swallows and swifts have taken up roosts at the farm, bats can be seen in high-speed aerobatics over the garden. Whatever the weather, this magnificent view has something to offer. The room has fresh, thoughtful decor with local artwork, a large oak dining table, a comfy sofa with two armchairs and a cosy wood burner with a supply of well-seasoned hardwood fuel. There is a large television with Freeview along with a DVD and VHS player. The owner has thoughtfully left a selection of holiday reading, discs and tapes as well as board games to while away evenings. That said, you might be perfectly well entertained with the stunning view; it's certainly hard to tear yourself away! Even at night there is plenty to see, with the dark night yielding amazing views of the stars.
Off this room are the two beautifully furnished bedrooms. The main bedroom has a king-size bed and the second has a super-king bed which can be made up as twins if that's preferable. The calm, light colour scheme continues through both rooms with some lovely examples of local artwork on the walls and both rooms look out on to the trees around the driveway. The owner has put up nest boxes and of course an owl box here and the visiting bird and bat life is varied.
Outside, the enclosed garden is a lovely spot for outdoor dining. Catching the morning sun, it has mature trees and shrubs and once again is blessed with many birds visiting. It, of course, has that majestic view over to Skiddaw which makes it a wonderful place to enjoy a glass of wine as the sunset light lands on the mountains.
Fancy a game of table tennis? A games room is set up in one of the garages outside your front door. There are benches with cushions, and log tables for your drinks. To add to the atmosphere, old snow and sports equipment are lit up by fairy lights around the walls. The remote is hanging up inside the hallway, so it's easy to open up. Have fun!