Located in the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, this haven for four is ideally placed for exploring Ravenglass, the coastline and Lakeland countryside.
Nestled in the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park lies this elegant haven of a cottage for four. Retaining its Victorian character features while having been brought lovingly into the 21st century with stylish decor, thoughtfully chosen art and high-spec appliances, this spacious semi-detached cottage makes a lovely base to explore the charming village of Ravenglass and its unspoiled surroundings. As well having some of the best fell walking available nearby, it's also a paradise for rail enthusiasts, bird watchers, art and history lovers alike.
The cottage is a truly special little place with a rich seam of history running through it and a gentle atmosphere all of its own. Evidence of its Roman heritage is just a short walk away from the cottage in the form of a well-preserved Roman bathhouse. It's famous these days as being the starting point for the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway, locally known as the La'al Ratty: a wonderful narrow gauge steam railway which winds its way from the coast up to the foot of the mighty fells at Boot. Guests at this property can give a wave to these wonderful heritage locomotives as they puff over the bridge nearby. Or better still, pop over the road and catch the train yourself. The village also boasts several eateries offering locally sourced food and real ales as well as a cafe and playground at the Ratty station. The cottage is also situated very close to Muncaster Castle; a historic (and legend has it, haunted) gem with beautiful grounds and events going on throughout the year. The gardens are a must see when the rhododendrons, azaleas or bluebells are flowering.
The glorious valleys of Wasdale and Eskdale are nearby with a world of fell walking to be enjoyed, from the mighty Scafells, the highest mountains in England, to lower level peaks such as Irton Pike and Muncaster Fell that all the family can enjoy. The coastline is a natural treasure trove with dunes to explore and a wealth of visiting birdlife. Cyclists are extremely well catered for with a vast choice of off-road options for mountain bikers, a coastal cycleway and some of the most iconic mountain passes in the country for the road cyclists among you. There are also golf courses for all tastes nearby, from challenging windswept links golf at Seascale and Silecroft to Muncaster's own nine-hole parkland gem just down the road. You might just find that Ravenglass casts its bygone era spell over you and you'd rather just enjoy the gentle bustle of village life from the vantage point of this welcoming and comfortable cottage.
Sleeping four people in two beautifully appointed bedrooms and boasting plenty of relaxing space, this Victorian semi-detached cottage makes an ideal base to explore this quietly unspoiled area of the Lake District. The owners have deployed a practised eye for decor using a subtle palette of colours, well chosen local art and vibrant textiles to give the house a welcoming and luxurious feel throughout.
Guests arrive to the rear of the property and enter straight into the well-equipped kitchen. It's a lovely sociable space for cooking with wooden units, a handsome Rangemaster double fan oven with five gas hobs, a large fridge/freezer, dishwasher, microwave and all the crockery and cookware you will need for your stay. The owners have thought this space through well with a breakfast table for more sociable food prep or just to enjoy a morning cuppa while perusing maps to help plan your day's adventures. Moving through from here is the bright front entrance hall. It boasts a lovely Victorian tiled floor and there's plenty of space here to leave your coats, muddy boots and sandy sandals you'll be using on your days out.
Off this main hall is the elegant living room; it has two deep comfy sofas, sumptuous cushions, a Smart TV, CD player and a gorgeous wood burner for gathering around on chilly evenings. Also off the entrance hall is the dining room. With a large dining table seating six, a decorative fireplace and a helpful map of the area it's a great space to linger after dinner to discuss your Lake District days.
Moving upstairs, past the lovely stained glass mid-landing window, to the bedroom accommodation. The delightful king-size bedroom has a romantic iron bed frame as well as a wardrobe and chest of drawers for storage. The twin bedroom offers flexible accommodation with zip-and-link beds that can be made up as a super-king-size bed if you'd rather (please advise on booking if you require this). It has a chest of drawers, a wardrobe and a lovely blue colour scheme with textiles echoing its coastal environment. The bathroom here on the first floor has a beautiful freestanding cast iron bath with shower attachment as well as a separate mixer shower with drencher head in a curved enclosure. Perfect for soaking away aching muscles after long fell walks.
Outside the house is a delightful front garden a lawn and patio with space for outdoor dining or enjoying a sunny morning cuppa or an evening glass of wine. You can enjoy the view to the sands of the estuary or you can even watch the comings and goings of the wonderful La'al Ratty, a narrow gauge steam railway whose terminus lies across the road. To the back of the cottage are outbuildings which have been extensively renovated and house a utility area with drying space, a washing machine, tumble dryer, ground floor WC and wash basin. There's also plenty of lockable space here to put bikes or kayaks if you are bringing them along to make the most of the wonderful natural surroundings.