Whether returning from a day of walking, hiking or biking amongst the fantastic Lakeland scenery, this beautiful home from home offers the ideal place to relax and unwind.
This wonderfully spacious, homely three-bedroom property has ample room for six people to relax and socialise. All the rooms are large and light, comfortably furnished and well equipped; the owners have tried to anticipate your every need to ensure you want for nothing during your stay. The roomy lounge is perfect for relaxing at the end of the day whether you wish to sit and chat over a glass of wine or just chill out in front of the TV. The bedrooms are large but cosy and most of the rooms benefit from typical Lakeland views over Portinscale village to the beautiful fells beyond. Enjoy the fresh air in the sheltered enclosed garden at the front of the cottage perfect for dining alfresco in the summer whilst relaxing to the sound of birdsong.
Being located in the heart of traditional Portinscale means this cottage has an ideal location for getting out and about to explore both the immediate and wider area. Portinscale offers a choice of places to eat and drink with a traditional pub a short walk away plus a hotel, bar and restaurant just a 100-metre stroll. Even closer to hand (just downstairs!) is a tearoom and restaurant. Run by the cottage's owners, this popular eatery allows you to treat yourself to breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea from a wide menu: perfect when you don’t feel like cooking your own meals. Walk from the door into Keswick or through the pastoral splendour of Newlands Valley, lovely little Cat Bells is a worthy target for any expedition and within easy reach. A short walk takes you to the shores of Derwentwater, this stunning lake is deservedly popular, but it is still possible to find a quiet spot to sit, enjoy the view and feel the peace around through you.
The wider area around Portinscale offers a spectacular range of walks; low level lakeside, river and rural paths a plenty and enough fell walks to fill at least two weeks within a short drive. Skiddaw is the easiest of the four Lakeland fells over 3,000ft and weather permitting your climb will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Lake District and right across to Scotland. At 1,234ft Walla Crag overlooks Derwentwater and offers panoramic views of the lake and surrounding fells, a definite 10 out of 10 in value for effort. Cyclists can challenge themselves on Whinlatter, Honister and Newlands Passes to Buttermere or try the off-road tracks at Whinlatter. Those looking for less strenuous pursuits can explore Mirehouse and its rambling gardens, take a cruise on Derwentwater or take in a show at the ever-popular Theatre by the Lake. Keswick has a myriad of places to eat and a good range of independent shops to browse; then why not wander down to the boat landings for beautiful views and an ice cream.
As a spacious, sociable and welcoming base from which to explore this unique area, this cottage is hard to beat.
A gate leads into the enclosed garden and the entrance to the cottage where a sheep ornament is ready to welcome you. Inside the front door the stairs lead up from the hall but turn right to find the utility room, king-size bedroom and bathroom.
To the right is a large bedroom with a king-size bed, the window overlooks the front garden with glimpses of Clough Head and the top of Walla Crag over the houses to tempt you out. If you like lazy mornings, evenings or just want some peace from the rest of the family a TV with Freeview is perfectly positioned for viewing from the bed. Bedside tables, wardrobe and chest of drawers provide plenty of storage and there is also a handy full-length mirror in this comfortable bedroom.
Next to the bedroom a modern fully tiled family bathroom offers ample space with a shower attachment on the bath and sink on vanity unit. A heated towel rail means however long you soak in the bath your towel will be warm and snuggly when you get out.
Also off the hallway the utility room contains a washing machine, tumble dryer and coat hooks, there are also dog towels available for those canine rub-downs at the end of a great walk.
Up the stairs and past the shelves of elephants, there is also a set of Wainwright guides here to borrow for walk ideas or just to enjoy these beautifully illustrated books. Straight ahead at the top is a twin bedroom with vaulted ceiling, bedside table and skylight.
To the right is a bright and exceptionally spacious double bedroom; an indulgent and relaxing room complete with en-suite shower room and a lovely space for relaxing in. Enjoy the vista over the village to the fells, those in view include Clough Head, Walla Crag and Bleaberry fell, or lie in bed and enjoy a view of the stars through the skylight. The vaulted ceilings add to the feeling of space and calm in this light room, take some time out and relax on the three-seat sofa by the window. Storage can be found in the bedside table drawers with ample hanging space in the double wardrobe and there is also full-length mirror. Off to the left is a fully tiled en-suite shower room with heated towel rail, the luxury shower has a large fixed rain head as well as the usual moveable head for a properly refreshing shower.
Turn left from the stairs up another step into a welcoming and comfortable living room; dual aspect with a vaulted ceiling this is a lovely big light room. Two two-seat sofas and a three-seat sofa gather round a coffee table on a deep pile rug, perfect for social evenings or getting together to watch a film on the large Freeview TV with DVD player. A modern electric fire provides additional cosiness for winter evenings. Bookshelves around the room hold a range of maps, travel books and popular fiction plus DVDs, games and more elephants! The windows offer more inspiration for walkers, artists and photographers with views of Skiddaw one way and the Helvellyn and Bleaberry Fell ridges the other.
An open archway leads off the living room to the kitchen/dining room completing the lovely sociable living space. The dining table seats six in the carpeted dining area whilst at the other end of the room a large modern kitchen is arranged around a rug; two skylights bring in plenty of light. The well-equipped kitchen contains a dishwasher, electric oven, gas hob, cooker hood, microwave, fridge, freezer and toaster.
Back down the stairs and out through the front door your outside space is a fully enclosed paved garden with chairs and table to allow six people to dine alfresco in comfort. A range of planters with trees, shrubs and flowers dot the garden and there is a view to over the rooftops of the houses opposite to Bleaberry Fell. Bike storage is available in the shed tucked around the corner.