Book This Property   Availability   Price Guide   Image gallery   Google Map   Add To Favourites

No1 Park Gate Cottage

Set a half of a mile south from Coniston Village on the west side of Coniston Water, No1 Park Gate Cottage is perfect to both relax and enjoy as much as it is a good base to explore the local landscape with its lake, mountains, forest and fell.

Built around 1850 as the gate keepers cottage for the old coppermine rail line, No1 is the end terrace of three houses set back from the Coniston - Torver road.

The railway is long gone, but the old track way is used as a footpath to the village, about ten minutes walking, passing at the half way point the Ship Inn.

Approached by a short single-track lane, parking is at the rear of the cottage. From the little patio area at the front you step into an open plan sitting room, dining and kitchen space. A plump sofa and comfy armchair sit around a roaring open fire, all set on stone flags, under a canopy of timber beams, cosy for tucking up with a movie or a good book, play games or simply chat into the wee hours.

The kitchen area is well equipped to rustle up a light lunch or a hearty supper. From this end of the room a door leads out down a few steps to the parking area.

Up stairs to the first floor and you have the double bedroom, simple but spacious and comfortable. Here you also have the bathroom, with a corner bath, shower cubicle, WC and basin.

A further flight of stairs takes you on up to the attic bedroom with low pitched ceilings suitable for either adults or children

Outside, to the front of the cottage, is a little stone flagged patio with a garden seat, and up a few steps you have another small garden area surrounded by hedging with a garden table, chairs and barbecue.

With it setting in the very heart of the Lake District, the close proximity to the village and a host of local walks and activities along with the wider National Park easily explored, all combine to make the perfect little retreat for couples and small families alike.

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 four 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 Campbells'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 center you can hire rowing boats, sailing dinghies, kayaks and canoes or my favorite, the small motorboats, perfect for a day out exploring the hidden bays and wooded coves. The Center also hires mountain bikes and electric bikes to help get you around the lanes and up onto the fells.

Still at the Boating Center, 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 Crafts Movement.

For 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 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 favorite 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 in 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 Gizedale 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 favorite, 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.

Local Areas Of Interest

Coniston Village
Coniston Water & Mountain
Hawkshead
The Grizedale Forest
Tarn Hows

 

 

Search Availability

Choose the size of property:

Sleeps 2 - 3 Sleeps 4 - 5 Sleeps 6 - 7 Sleeps 8 Sleeps 9 plus Sleeps any Sleeps Coniston Collection Sleeps other areas Sleeps properties with lake access

Select holiday duration:

Duration3 day weekend 4 day midweek break 1 week break 2 week break 3 week break Christmas and New Year breaks

Choose start date:

Date

Allowing pets:    With WiFi:

Search By Property

Or Select a Property Below...1 Bridge Cottages2 Hodge Howe Cottages2 Kiln Houses3 Orlestone House4 Low House CottagesApple Tree BarnApt 5 - Cark HouseAsh CottageBank Barn - WreayBarrow HollinBarrow WifeBracken BarnBracken HoweBridge End CottageBrigg HouseCampbell ApartmentCarr Crag CottageCauseway HouseChapel CottageCrag CloseDeer HolmDeer How FarmDevonshire HouseDrakes CottageDucklings RetreatDucks HavenForce Mill BarnFoxglove CottageGable EndGarden HouseGrammar School HouseGrizedaleHay BarnHeathwaite CottageHeathwaite FarmHeron BeckHigh Kiln Bank CottageHill ViewHoney Pot CottageHorrock Wood FarmHow Head HouseHowe FarmKiln CottageLow Longthwaite FarmMeadowcroftMiddle BankMill EndMill House - CrossmichaelMillers LoftMoss BeckNanny Goat CottageNethercroftNibthwaite Grange StudioNo 1 Rose CottageNo 2 Rose CottageNo 3 Church ViewNo1 Park Gate CottageNook End FarmNook End Farm AnnexNook End Farm StudioNorth ViewPengennett - CappleriggRock CottageRose Cottage, LowickRossendale HouseShepherds NookSimpson Ground FarmhouseSomewhereTanderraTent Lodge CottageThe BothyThe CottageThe DairyThe Mews - CappleriggThe Old Police StationThe Peat HouseThree SpringsTinkler Beck CottageTinkler Beck FarmTom Crag BarnTop BankTownhead CottageTownhead HouseTownson Ground HouseUnderwoodWaterfall CottageWetherlamWharton BarnWheelhouse CottageWindrushWrensYew Tree Cottage