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Rossendale House
Owners James and Rachel Bartholomew have refurbished this two bedroom cottage to the highest standard, work which is reflected in the Visit England higher award of five stars. James is an accomplished artist and member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists and a member of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art, where along with tasteful decor and furnishings you will find in the cottage a selection of his fine prints and paintings. To see more of James's work visit his web site at www.jamesbartholomew.co.uk/
The cottage lies on the edge of the village, a few minutes walk to the central square. From the lane, large double gates open into the private courtyard where you can park two cars and enjoy the patio garden. Enter via the scullery, where you have laundry facilities and plenty of space for boots, bits and bobs.
From the scullery you step into a good sized dining room. There is a large table, a real flame gas fire and a big comfy leather sofa and a flat screen TV, all perfect for gathering and dining with friends or family. Off the dining room is a very well fitted kitchen with excellent units, granite work tops and a Britannia range cooker with double oven and gas hobs.
From the dining room you also access the main hall across which lies your sitting room. Large sofas, a huge bean bag, a big wide screen TV and a real flame gas fire to give atmosphere in winter, along with French doors where you can spill out into the patio garden, all combine to make the perfect space to relax whatever time of year you decide to visit.
Back to the main hall and stair lead up to the first floor landing. Here you have a very comfortable double bedroom which lies next to the main bathroom, with bath, hand shower, separate shower cubicle, basin and WC. This can be accessed from the master bedroom and made en-suite. There is also a lovely twin bedroom with its own en-suite shower room with basin and WC.
For me this is a perfect retreat for couples or small families offering first class accommodation, easy living all with the added benefits of the excellent wining and dining that Cartmel has to offer.
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 lively village is centred on a sunny square to gather and sit, or wine and dine in one of the many inns or 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 where in spring the woodland is carpeted in 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. Once a month 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. On the prom there are nice gardens to stroll and in summer the prom hosts an outdoor art market. Finaly Grange offers two golf clubs, both set in quite delightful countryside.
About fifteen 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, on the 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 the 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.
Local Areas Of Interest
Cartmel
Rossendale House Inventory
Nearest Amenities
Cartmel for -
Pubs and Resturants
l'Enclume
Rogans Wine Bar
The Cavendish Arms
The Royal Oak
Pig & Whistle
The Kings Arms
Cartmel Village Shop, home of the sticky toffee pudding
Cartmel Racecourse - See website for race days
Cartmel Priory
Cartmel Village Website For latest events, attractions and venues.
Cartmel Farmers Market
Cartmelsurgery.co.uk
Tel 015395 36366 Doctors Milligan and Lovatt and Primary Healthcare Team on Haggs Lane in Cartmel village
Grange over Sands 1 mile for -
Shops
Co-Op, Spar, Post Office, Banks, Chemist, The Veg Shack, 2 Bakers, Vet
Stewart Higgginson's Butchers
Hazlemere Cafe & Bakery
Grange Bakery
Grange Golf Club
Grange Fell Golf Club
Grange Prom Art Last Sunday in the month April - September
Cark 1 mile for -
Engine Inn Pub CAMRA winner 2011
Spar Shop
Holker Hall beautiful gardens and house along with food hall and cafe.
Newby Bridge, Lakeside and Finsthwaite 7 miles for -
Lakeside Hotel
Windermere Lake Cruises
Lakes Aquarium
Lakeland Motor Museum
Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway
Fell Foot Park National Trust gardens and lake shore
Kendal 15 miles for -
Shops, resturants, arts, cinema
Abbot Hall Art Gallery
The Brewery Arts Centre
The Museum Of Lakeland Life
Booths supermarket
M&S Kendal
Kendal Farmers Market last Friday in the month
Ulverston 10 miles for -
Booths supermarket , shops, arts and crafts, a market on Thursdays and Saturdays (local farmers).