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Windrush
Windrush lies in a quiet cul - de - sac a few hundred yards from the village centre. Very well furnished, as recognised by the Visit England 4 Star Gold award, the cottage offers guests comfortable accommodation, along with all the benefits of village amenities and a fantastic landscape to explore. From your door step you have one of a our most beautiful lakes, a rugged mountain range, plenty of activities on, in and around the water, along with pubs, cafes, shops and a micro bewery - perfect.
The entrance opens into a hall off which is the bright airy sitting room, with deep sofas and French doors opening out onto the raised deck.
The kitchen is very spacious and well equipped, perfect for preparing meals to serve in the adjoining dining room, with table, sofa and again opening out to the deck area. Off this room is a utility - laundry room and shower room.
Upstairs are the four bedrooms, each decorated and furnished with thought to comfort. There are two doubles, one twin and one bunk bedroom, also the bathroom with bath, overhead shower, hand basin and WC.
The deck overlooks a good sized garden, backing onto the little village primary school. It is perfect for children to play and adults to wine and dine on a summer evening.
For me, the perfect combination of excellent comfort, a village location and a superb landscape makes this super property ideal for family holidays and gatherings of friends for celebration and relaxation.
The Location
Coniston village sits in the very heart of the Lake District at the northwest tip of Coniston Water, sheltered in the lea of the Coniston mountain range. Radiating from the stone bridge, spanning Church Beck, the four main streets are a bustling community with a fine church, shops, a post office, cafes, a local brewery and five good pubs.
This is a village with much to do, the location perfect for outdoor pursuits; climbing, walking, cycling and water sport holidays. On all points of the compass there are trails, leafy forest paths, tracks and lake shores to explore, and you need travel very little to find a new and exciting landscape.
Coniston Water is one the most people friendly lakes, with much of the shore and the whole lake open to the public. Famous as the backdrop and inspiration for Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons and Sir Malcolm and Donald Campbell's world speed attempts, its wooded and grassy banks, along with the craggy coves and the deep clear water offer a habitat to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Here pike, trout, perch and ancient char thrive along with swans, heron, ducks, woodpeckers and owls to name a few and recently there has been a re-introduction of red kites. Red squirrels are abundant as are wild red deer and badger, and, perhaps best of all, is the return of otters to Coniston.
At the boating centre you can hire rowing boats, sailing dinghies, kayaks and canoes or my favourite, the small motorboats, perfect for a day out exploring the hidden bays and wooded coves. The Centre also hires mountain bikes and electric bikes to help get you around the lanes and up onto the fells.
Still at the Boating Centre, you can hop aboard one of the Coniston Launches with regular trips down the lake, stopping at various landing points including Brantwood, home of John Ruskin where, along with the Jumping Jenny restaurant, it makes for a good day out discovering the culture and work of the Pre Raphaelites and the Art and Crafts Movement.
For a romantic trip on the water you can board the famous Steam yacht ‘Gondola’. A beautiful rebuilt steam powered craft that will transport you back to an era of greater peace and tranquility. The yacht can be hired for large private parties, or maybe splash out for just the two of you as a grand gesture. Finally, the lake offers more simple pursuits: fishing, swimming or simply finding a nice spot for a picnic and enjoying a magnificent view.
For walking, climbing and mountain biking the choice is huge, with the whole of the mountain range to explore. The Old Man of Coniston stands at 2635 feet and is very popular, offering various well-marked paths to the summit. If you only go part way the view will be spectacular, the pint in the pub on your return all the more delicious.
From the village one of my favourite paths takes you deep into the old Coppermines Valley, with its beck and waterfalls. At the head of the valley you carry on to discover the hidden tarns set on the lower slopes of the mountain.
There are plenty of low level walks and cycle trails. On the east side of Coniston water lies the Grizedale Forest. A massive working woodland, it is crisscrossed with paths and tracks for walking and mountain biking. The Forest is big into arts, commissioning fabulous statues and installations throughout. It is well worth driving via Hawkshead, around to the visitor center for a forest map and information to get the best from your day out.
After all that exploring drink and sustenance will be in order. The village has five pubs and a number of cafes. The Black Bull on the bridge is the oldest and an old favourite, but to ring the changes you can try the Ship Inn, the Sun Hotel, the Crown and the Yewdale or maybe a dainty cocktail at Harrys Bar.
Guest Reviews
A wonderful cottage in a beautiful location.
C from Newcastle.
Another fantastic stay at Windrush - our fourth visit.
B from Liverpool.
What a great place to stay, this property has it all.
K from Birmingham.
A lovely home with wonderful views.
J from Surrey.
As regular self caterers we must say this is the best house for a holiday ever, great position, very homely with every bit of equipment / comfort possible.
C from Hampshire.
"Compliments on the well appointed, lovely house. We have very much enjoyed our stay here."
B from Australia.
This is our third visit to Windrush. Enough said!
K from Manchester.
"Very impressed with everything. Just perfect for what we needed."
W from Dunbar.
We've stayed in many cottages in this area but can say this is one of the best (if not the best) in terms of comfort, equipment and location.
G family from Leicester.
This is one of our most relaxing holidays. The house is very well equipped and located in a beautiful location.
H from Teeside.
Fabulous house, big enough for a family with 6 kids! Nice safe garden and lots of easy-ish walks for little legs.
D from Hampshire.
Top draw accommodation. Very pleased with the property. Excellent standard.
J from Bolton.
Fantastic place. Certainly among the best so far. Great location, great ambience. It's got all the equipment (top quality) even to bake a cake!
S from Peterborough.
Thanks for a fantastic stay in such a gorgeous house. You really have thought of everything - can't fault it.
L from Manchester.
Cottage is not only well located, but very comfortable and incredibly well equipped. Felt very much at home very quickly. Will definitely be back and will recommend.
A from Dundee.
We've had an amazing time. Looking out of the living room window, the view was fantastic. The house has everything you need and plenty of games to keep the little ones happy.
W family from Oxford.
We have had the most idyllic Christmas in this beautiful family orientated house. Cooking Christmas dinner in such a well equipped kitchen was a doddle….. a home from home.
T family from Loughborough.
After a terrible journey in the snow we finally arrived in one piece and seeing the cottage made it all worthwhile. We have had a fantastic week; it was lovely to see the Lake District in the snow. The cottage is welcoming, warm and cosy and very well equipped.
J from Lincolnshire.
Arrived with snow everywhere - looked stunning. We have enjoyed our stay at Windrush very much - everything you want is here.
E from Surrey.
A wonderful house in a beautiful location. A very happy family time.
J from Aberdeen.
"Welcoming cottage in a convenient location. Near to shops and pubs! Dog and child friendly. Really gorgeous views. Spacious rooms. Home from home. Unforgettable holiday."
W family from Worcestershire.
John and Clare,
It has been a while since my wife, Patricia, left Coniston and returned to our home in Jamaica Plain, MA, but we still have fond memories of our stay there and of Windrush.
It could not have been a better vacation for all of us. The cottage was perfect, Mr. Goodship was gracious and understanding when the clothes washer failed.
We thank you for making all of this possible and for the very organized and informative manner in which you handled the communications with us.
Everyone in our party wants to return to Coniston, and we will be sure to contact you for any further stays we will have in the Lake District.
Best regards to you both,
George and Patricia Pray
Local Areas Of Interest
Coniston Village
Windrush Inventory
Nearest Amenities
Coniston Village
Coniston Tourist Information Centre - All you need for info on the area.
Grocers, Co-op, Butcher.
Coniston Boating Centre – For boat and bike hire, launch and steamer trips. The Bluebird Cafe.
Summit Treks for outdoor adventure, courses, kit and hire.
Meadowdore Cafe - Run by Frances Hall perfect for the Mega breakfast before hitting the fells.
Harry’s Wine Bar - Breakfast, Pasta, coffee, steaks, wine, local ale & cocktails.
Pubs & Inns - The Black Bull Inn and Coniston Brewing Company for Bluebird Bitter - The Ship Inn - The Sun Hotel - The Crown - The Yewdale Hotel
Ruskin Museum – For info on Ruskin and Coniston including Donald Campbell.
East of Lake Road
Plenty of bays and coves to swim, fish and picnic
Brantwood - Explore Ruskins house and gardens combined with a good lunch on the terrace overlooking the lake at Jumping Jennys cafe.
Torver
Church House Inn - Great pub serving great cuisine (Good Food Guide 2010)
Grizedale Forest - great day out for hiking or mountan biking - Maps and bike hire available at the visitor centre.
Go-Ape - At the Grizedale Forest - Mad wild fun in a tree top adventure with breathtaking scenery, tree-top wires, crossings and wind-in-your-face zip wires - finished off with a dose of people in search of their inner Tarzan.
Access Statement