This cottage is a wonderfully quirky gem of a cottage in the centre of the Eskdale valley. It has three bedrooms and a games room which can be converted into a king-size en-suite fourth bedroom if your group requires it. It has a wonderful conservatory, large deck and lovely garden to enjoy the stunning views. Should you wish to make the most of the fabulous cycling on or off road around Eskdale there’s bike storage in the house.
Sleeping six to eight, it's just a stone’s throw from the crystal clear River Esk with a host of wonderful walks for all abilities straight from the door. A perfect holiday home for those with children with two specially built bunks that are ideal for making dens, not only that but the famous ‘Laal Ratty’ narrow gauge steam engine can be hailed from just 200 metres away. Alternatively you can just relax in the conservatory with a glass of wine and soak up the stunning views of this most tranquil and picturesque Lake District valley.
Don’t get too comfortable indoors though as the garden has many nooks and crannies to explore and Eskdale’s breathtaking dark skies make stargazing from the deck an absolute must on a cold clear night. The valley also boasts five pubs offering fabulous food and real ales and a beer festival every June.
The walking opportunities that Eskdale offers are beyond compare. From Lakeland’s mightiest fell tops to low level riverside ambles, woodland trails, Japanese gardens and Roman forts - it’s all accessible from this stunning location. In short this cottage is perfectly placed for you to enjoy this unspoilt and magical valley.
On arrival, you'll enter the hallway from which you go can go through to the games room which has table football and a small pool table. This room has slate flooring with underfloor heating, an en-suite shower room and cupboard with washer/dryer. Should you wish for this room to be made up as a king-size bedroom instead please inform us before your stay. When it is being used as a bedroom the games tables are packed away. The ground floor also has a bike store/drying room for muddy boots and bikes, it also makes a great bedroom for your pooches should you be bringing them along.
The kitchen/diner is well equipped with microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, double electric oven and induction hobs. For the musical among you, there's a piano to keep you entertained. It also has a large dining table around which to sit and chat about the events of your Eskdale day.
Beyond the kitchen you'll find the beautiful conservatory where you can sit and soak up the magnificent south-facing views all the way up the valley to Harter Fell. You can enjoy a morning cuppa while watching the sun rise over the fells or an evening glass of wine taking in the sunset towards the coast; it really is the most wonderful spot to relax in.
Open wooden stairs from the kitchen lead to the first floor which has the comfortable living room. It has high ceilings, exposed beams and simply gorgeous views from all three windows. The corner armchair is a great place to watch the garden's birdlife. It also has a gas stove-style fire for those winter nights where snuggling up is the best option. There is a TV, DVD player and a selection of books and board games to keep the family amused.
Through the upstairs hall, you'll find the modern bathroom which has a shower enclosure and a lovely large bath to soak away those muscles after long walks. Beyond this are the three bedrooms. First is the bunk room, this has two bunks; one mid sleeper and one high sleeper, under which you can make a great den for hiding from parents! After this there is the king-size bedroom and the double room. All are comfortably furnished with built in wardrobes.
Outside the multi-level garden has a wealth of places to enjoy the views. Immediately outside the conservatory is a high raised deck which is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor meals in stunning surroundings. In the bottom garden there are more nooks and crannies to enjoy the views in the shade of the large oak trees. There is also a small playhouse which can double up as a bird hide for bird watchers. Along the side of the house is a patio which is a wonderful place to soak up evening sun with a glass of wine.