Exuding character, quirk and charm, this abode is great for get togethers in the rural Lake District with wood burners and an inviting sauna suite welcoming you home after adventures in the Kentmere Valley.
If you are looking for a secluded, quiet cottage with fabulous walking right from the door then look no further than characterful this lovely holiday property. Surrounded by farmland and fells in the beautiful Kentmere valley this is a perfect location to get away from it all - and the views are beautiful in all directions. Sleeping eight people in four bedrooms, one with a roll-top bath, this spacious cottage is full of original features and quirky corners. Choose from two contrasting living rooms, a cosy, low ceilinged snug or a big double height room converted from a barn, both have log-burners for cosy evenings around the fire. The kitchen is bright and well equipped with a large slate topped island unit and an Aga. There is a bathroom and a shower room plus a beautifully finished spa area with sauna, shower, basin and seating - true luxury.
Outside the large garden wraps right around the house with areas of lawn, shrubs, trees and wilder areas to explore, the patio at the back of the cottage has seating and a firepit perfect for BBQs. Seek out the bench at the front of the cottage which is a lovely spot from which to spend some quiet time enjoying the view down the valley. Kentmere is a peaceful valley and there are plenty of opportunities to get out on foot or on two wheels to explore the valley and it's surrounding fells. Footpaths lead up the valley to Kentmere reservoir and down the valley towards Staveley as well as many routes heading up to the higher and lower fells.
Heading out of the valley there is plenty to do for all the family. Staveley Mill Yard caters for all tastes being home to a brewery, an artisan bakery and an ice cream parlour and the pretty village of Staveley also has a station giving access to Kendal and Windermere. Kendal is a historic market town with a great range of independent shops whilst Windermere is the gateway to the lake of the same name. Windermere offers lots of opportunities for getting out on the water, from the large Lake Cruisers linking the many attractions around the lake to rowing boats, canoes and small motor boats for hire for private expeditions. The southern Lake District, western Yorkshire Dales and the enigmatic coastline of Morecombe Bay are all yours to explore.
Entering the cottage from the gravel driveway, you pass into a large practical porch with slate floor and a bench all the way round beneath plenty of coat hooks, so there is lots of room for everyone to get coats and boots on and off. From here a door to the right leads through into the converted barn section of the property.
This large living-dining room has double height vaulted ceilings with exposed roof timbers. The big windows in this room let in loads of light and offer beautiful views south over the Kentmere Valley, while rough-plastered walls and exposed stone reflect the building's history. A two-seater sofa and two armchairs gather around the wood burner, creating an atmospheric and comfortable place for you to sit back and relax.
At the far end of the room - conveniently close to the kitchen door - is a dining table for eight.
The kitchen looks over the garden and is large and bright with a slate flooring and exposed ceiling beams. Built-in units surround an Aga, fridge/freezer and a lovely double Belfast sink. There's plenty of worktop space, too, as well as a dishwasher and a microwave. The piece de resistance is a big island unit with beautiful slate top. This divides the kitchen area from a second dining space with a table for six and doors that lead out onto the patio.
A narrow, windy corridor leads out of the kitchen down two steps and into the snug, which can also be reached via a stable door and two steps down from the living-dining area. The snug is a traditional room with low beamed ceiling, thick walls, and a lovely stone fireplace with wood burner. This is a really cosy spot during the evenings and during the day you will appreciate the dual aspect windows that offer stunning rural views. Two two-seater sofas and an armchair face the fireplace and there are occasional tables, a desk, and a selection of books and DVDs. The TV has a DVD player and there are lots of bits and bobs on show around the room, to give it a really homey feel.
From the corner of the snug you'll head on a voyage of discovery as you go up four rough stone steps and then back down the other side to reach a large and light king-size bedroom. Dual aspect windows look out on the gardens, fields and fells, and in the morning you'll wake to the sound of birdsong (and perhaps the odd sheep!). There are bedside tables, a full length mirror, three chairs and the beautifully tactile bed. The rough plaster painted walls and beam connect this bright room with its history. The icing on the cake is the roll-top bath from which you can enjoy views of the surrounding fells.
From the corridor, there are a further six narrow stone steps leading up to a small landing area. To the left is a twin bedroom with antique brass beds. Peaceful and quiet, this dual aspect room really shows it's age with the sloping floor.
The second bedroom here is a cosy room with super-king-size bed, bedside tables, two chairs, chest of drawers, and built-in wardrobe. This room also features a sloping, floor so watch your step as you head over to the window to make the most of the beautiful views down the Kentmere Valley - so relaxing!
The final room up here is a bright shower room with stripped floorboards and tiled walls. The large walk-in shower enjoys a view over the garden and there is a heated towel radiator, sink and WC
Through the living-dining room, you can access a flight of stairs that runs up to a galleried landing in the second part of the first floor. The landing is a stunning spot from which to admire the roof timbers of the converted barn. A door leads to a twin bedroom with vaulted ceiling that comes down low on one side of the room. This bright, cosy room has bedside tables and a chest of drawers and enjoys views south over the valley.
Back downstairs, there is a utility room with sink, washing machine and tumble dryer. There is also a second, beautifully tiled bathroom with bath, built-in sink and WC
Last but definitely not least is the sauna: this is a luxurious suite with shower, sink and seating in a stunning tiled spa. The sauna is a good size with a small window giving natural light through a very thick wall. What a place to turn to for relaxation at the end of a busy day!
Outside at the front of the cottage is parking for several vehicles on the driveway. Beyond this, the garden wraps right around the cottage with different lawned areas divided by shrubs and trees. Wild in places, all you can hear is birdsong, streams flowing down the fells, and the wind in the trees - true tranquillity! At the back of the cottage a patio offers the perfect opportunity for al fresco evenings with an outdoor fireplace, BBQ and seating. At the front of the cottage a well positioned bench on an area of grass offers a perfect view south down the Kentmere Valley, the ideal spot for some quiet contemplation.