A welcoming, three-bedroom cottage, perfect for six guests and a dog, set within a former barn in the tranquil, scenic village of Deanscales, 4 miles from Cockermouth.
This delightful 18th-century converted barn is furnished in a modern country style. It is suitable for families and dog lovers, with an enclosed garden to the rear and views over the fields toward the Western fells. Dual aspect views mean that the cottage is flooded with light on sunny days and, in colder weather, a roaring wood burner simply adds to the cosy feel of this holiday home. The cottage is in the tiny village of Deanscales, which is situated just under a mile from the fringes of the Lake District National Park.
Red squirrels, a variety of birdlife and a flock of sheep - who love being fussed over - all add to the quiet charm of the cottage. A local pub is a ten-minute walk from the cottage which is dog friendly and serves good food. A shallow beck that runs under a small stone bridge is a minute's walk away and is perfect to take young children paddling or to wash off dirty doggy paws. Along the quiet lane is the Straw Bale House (can you guess what it's constructed with...?), built by eco builder Brian Waite, who also played a part in creating the Aston Martin that won the 1959 Le Mans 24 hours. On that note, if you're interested in motorsport, FIA WRC champions M-Sport are a few minutes' drive away in Dovenby and tours of the state-of-the-art factory are available to the public.
While Deanscales village is off the beaten tourist track, the charming towns, stunning lakes and epic mountains that make the Lake District's reputation are all within easy reach. The lovely market town of Cockermouth, the home of William Wordsworth, is just a seven-minute drive away; Keswick, with it's theatre, cinema and outdoor shops, is 20 minutes drive; St Bees Head Heritage Coast is half-an-hour away; Crummock, Loweswater, Bassenthwaite and Derwentwater are the nearest lakes; with Scafell Pike (the highest mountain in England), Skiddaw and the Western Fells - including Wainwright's favourite, Haystacks - are all within easy driving distance.
Entry to the cottage is through a vestibule, where muddy shoes and coats can be be left to dry out. From here, the vestibule opens out to a cosy living room with double aspect views to the front and rear of the small lane and the garden and fields respectively. A wood burner and a basket of logs for guests to use is situated in a charming light-studded fireplace next to the piano. A three-seater sofa and two comfy armchairs provide the means to relax in front of the fire and Freeview TV with DVD. Two window seats are scattered with homely soft furnishings, on which guests can sit as the sun streams through the windows.
Like the living room, the kitchen has a dual aspect and a third window seat to the front of the cottage. This is a real country kitchen and the social hub of the cottage, with a dining table that seats six people. An electric oven with with four ring electric hob, a large freestanding fridge with freezer shelf, microwave and washing machine (there is a washing line in the garden) all make for a fully functioning kitchen.
Upstairs are the three bedrooms and the bathroom. Two of the bedrooms contain double beds and large wardrobes. One with a view to the front and one with a view to the rear. The third bedrom boasts two twin beds and chest of drawers. The bathroom features a large bath with a shower over, wash basin and WC.
There is plenty of parking at the front of the property, either in the parking spaces opposite the cottage or on the quiet lane outside the small front garden. The lawned back garden can be accessed from the road and is fully enclosed. The gate only reaches to about hip height, so it won't keep in larger dogs or determined young children, so supervision may be necessary. Views of the fields from a wrought iron table and chairs can be enjoyed from the back garden.