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Ducklings Retreat

Aynsome Manor Park lies a half mile from the beautiful village of Cartmel. Located on the Cartmel Peninsular, surrounded by rolling hills that tumble down to the coast, the village is picture perfect, with ancient buildings, an impressive medieval priory, a towering arch and a sweet, clear river all centred on the village square, along with a selection of fine pubs and restaurants. 

Ducklings Retreat is one of a group of adjoining apartments and cottages that flank a small shared courtyard. The building was formerly the old mill and is separate from the main park, which offers privately owned lodges.

From the shared courtyard you enter a communal hall, where stairs lead up to the first floor and the property.

The main living area is open plan. The sitting room is beautifully furnished with two large armchairs, perfect to tuck up in with the latest best seller or take in a movie on the wide screen.

The kitchen area is well planned and fitted, perfect to rustle up your favourite dish.

The bedroom is very comfortable and well furnished promising sweet dreams. The bathroom is all chrome and tiles with bath, overhead shower, basin and WC.

The area around the duck pond is for all to share. Here you can sit with a drink on a warm summer night and watch the coming and goings of pond life.

All in all, this is a very relaxing and romantic little apartment, perfect for couples.

 

The Location

Cartmel is one of Cumbrias finest and unique villages. Set on the Cartmel Peninsular and surrounded by rolling hills that tumble down to the coast it is picture perfect. With ancient buildings, an impressive medieval priory, a towering arch and a sweet clear river along with the smallest National Hunt race course, this is a lively village centred on a sunny square with a great choice of pubs and fine restaurants.

There are good local walks, notable is Hampsfell and Eggerslack wood, a limestone fell and ancient woodland where the summit gives panoramic views of the Morecambe Bay and the Lake District Mountains, and in spring the woodland is carpeted in a host of bluebells.

The village is a maze of narrow streets lined by lime-washed and stone architecture, with the village square entered by a bridge on one side and under a monastic arch on the other. The Priory is a magnificent building and well worth a visit to see the architecture.

For shopping there is the Cartmel Village Store in the square, and in Unsworth's Yard you have Cartmel Cheeses and The Bread Shed along with The Red Pepper & Hot Wines shop. Each Friday the village holds a food market with many local producers setting up their stalls. Along with the foodie outlets there is The Larch Tree selling quailty gifts and clothing and Chamberlain’s Gifts  offering a range of delightful gifts and is supplier of life size sheep and animals for Cartmel-Shepy Village.

Cartmel has four decent pubs, The Cavendish Arms, The Royal Oak, Pig & Whistle and The Kings Arms. For something a little special you must try Simon Rogan's Michelin awarded L'Enclume, one of Cumbrias finest restaurants. Another good option is Rogan's wine bar, set by the river it is very relaxed and with excellent cuisine. 

Come bank holidays the village buzzes with arrival of race day. Owned by The Holker Hall Estate the course is on the edge of the village and as well as the racing there is a carnival along with many other attractions.

Grange over Sands lies about a mile over the fell. This pretty Edwardian village overlooks the bay and you will find an excellent grocer, Higginson's famous butchers, two bakers and local stores. About five miles to the east is Kendal, south lakes main town which offers a variety of good shopping with stores, supermarkets and farmers markets, along with dining and a good cultural scene with art galleries, theatre and cinema and makes for a good day out.

A mile out of the village is Cark in Cartmel and Holker Hall, a magnificent country house open to the public with beautiful gardens and a food hall.

A little further afield you have the coast where you can explore the edges of the bay. For me one of the finest walks in the Lake District is to set out along the shore from Arnside, over to the south side of the bay. Ahead of you stretch miles of silver sand, and as the tide comes in the view is spectacular. It must be noted that the sands are hazardous, but providing you keep to the shoreline the walk is fine.  

About eight miles north of the village, clustered at the foot of Windermere lake, lies Newby Bridge, Lakeside and Fell Foot, the National Trusts parkland. Here you will find a couple of good inns, the Swan at Newby Bridge and, a mile further on, the Lakeside Hotel. From this latter you can hop on a steamer for a trip on the lake, which winds its way for ten miles into the central fells, passing on the way Bowness, Sawrey and finishing at the Waterhead terminus near Ambleside. At Fell Foot you can moor boats and hire row and sailing craft or simply swim and picnic by the shore. From Newby Bridge you can head north, through the Furness Fells, to explore the greater national park.

Over to the west lies Coniston Water, and in between the two great lakes is the Grizedale Forest, a day out in itself for walking or mountain biking. Beyond this lies the central massif of the Langdales for some high level walking and climbing.

 

Guest Reviews

Dear Steve and Janine,
"What a fabulous place you have, beautifully decorated with everything we needed for a week away
It's such a luxury to come away and find a place that has all the things you need, along with a perfect location and a nice cycle to the village.
We are stealing a bit of your style. After falling for the ducks we have our own Herbie to take home, along with stick toffee puddings and Higginson's pies.
All the very best."
Sarah & Mike 

Dear Steve and Janine
"We've enjoyed a wonderful few nights in your gorgeous apartment. The thought which has gone into decorating is evident with many lovely little touches which were much appreciated. 
We stayed in one night to cook and were very impressed with how well equipped your kitchen is - and how BIG your wine glasses are!
On our other two nights we ate at Rogan's Wine Bar, returning the second night after enjoying waht we thought was possibly the best meal ever - we thoroughly recommend it to your future guests."
Lindsay & Andrew

Local Areas Of Interest

Cartmel
Cartmel Peninsular - The Morecambe Bay
Grange Over Sands
Newby Bridge To Bouth
Kendal
The Lyth & Winster Valleys

 

 

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