Oozing with traditional features, this three-bedroom farmhouse is perfectly situated to explore the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines.
This alluring holiday property is a 17th-century, Grade II-listed, traditional farmhouse that has been updated and restored to a high level to create a delightful and charming cottage. Shap is located conveniently just off Junction 39 of the M6 motorway approximately half way between Penrith and Kendal. Nestled snugly between the Lake District and The Yorkshire Dales National Parks, the village is a stone’s throw from either depending on your whim. The Howgills are nearby and Shap offers extensive lesser-known local walks and mountain bike options on its doorstep including Wainwright’s famous Coast-to-Coast walk that passes through the village.
The cottage has been sympathetically renovated and retains exposed beams and window seats along with many other original features but all updated with a lighter, more open and airy decorative style. It has three bedrooms, one with an en suite and walk in shower, and can sleep up to five people.
Downstairs is open plan with leather sofas nestled around a log burner placed in a stunning original feature fireplace. Guests can move easily from the dining table to the fireside with that extra glass of wine.
The village has a number of pubs and a small co-operative shop/ off-licence all within a few hundred metres.
On entering the cottage you find yourself in the open plan space of the downstairs living area with the kitchen on the left and a relaxed seating area with wood burner set in the original fireplace on the right. Many features of the old farmhouse are still visible, including the 'spice cabinet' in the far wall, window seats and a former doorway that now houses the guests’ library shelves. There has been endless speculation about the 'clay pipe smoking gentleman' prominently carved on the fireplace lintel....I guess we will never know the real history behind him but he's a great piece of history in this characterful cottage.
Although undoubtedly a beautiful Grade II-listed limestone building, the cottage has been comprehensively updated to the highest standards with all the modern conveniences you would expect. The kitchen has an electric oven/ grill with ceramic hob, dishwasher and fitted fridge/freezer. The slate-floored utility room has a drying rack, sink, microwave and washing machine. A Smart TV and Wi-Fi are also provided for guests to use. If you wish to bring expensive road bikes, storage is available within the cottage under the stairs for two clean bikes.
Moving up the stairs you transition from the oiled oak floor to the floor boards of Shap’s former Methodist chapel, which were painstakingly recycled for the cottage’s restoration. All the upstairs rooms also retain their window seats and their high ceilings show partially exposed oak beams. The feeling of space here, along with the light and airy decoration, contrasts well with the original features of the property and reflects the Scandinavian origins of one of the owners. The master bedroom has a Super King bed and is lightened by a glass wall set opposite a sky-light. This room also offers a walk in shower in its en-suite bathroom.
There are two additional bedrooms and a shared bathroom all of which open around the upstairs landing area. The larger bedroom looks out of the front of the cottage and has a king-size bed, chest of drawers and full size wardrobe. Incidentally, a print of a wonderful painting of the cottage by a well-known Yorkshire landscape artist can be found on the wall in this room. The third and final bedroom looks out of the rear of the cottage and comprises a full size single bed along with a 'gentlemen’s wardrobe' and other furnishings. The main family bathroom has a bath with an incorporated shower and screen, wash basin and WC.
The courtyard outside provides a partially sheltered seating area in addition to the cottage’s original well. It is possible to look down the well and you will still see moving water, but it has been covered with a screen for obvious safety reasons. The courtyard has cottage garden style borders with shrubs, a few berry and fruit trees and some herbs in pots – help yourself to anything edible (best to double check if you're not sure) if it is available during your visit.
The Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks are both within a very short walking distance of opposing edges of the village (1.5 miles either side) and can be reached without a car. More well- known areas of the Lake District or Dales are within a short car drive or a bike ride. The village has a number of pubs and at least two serve food. Additionally the local chippy is a regional legend and, quite rightly, boasts a number of national awards.