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

Force Mill Barn

Force Mill barn is one of a group of buildings collectively known as Force Mill, which sit by the Grizedale Beck between Coniston Water and Windermere, on the southern edge of the Grizedale Forest and a mile from the village of Satterthwaite in the heart of the Lake District National Park. As the name implies, it is here that a gentle beck turns into a powerful force, with a cascading waterfall, where in the past it would have been harnessed to drive the mill.

One of two conversions created from a huge bank built barn, Force Mill Barn shares its location with the original mill house and a further private cottage.

You enter into a small hallway, off which is the double bedroom, with a huge king sized bed. Adjacent is the bathroom with bath, basin and WC and, down a flight of stairs, you have a further shower room.

Back to the hall and up the stairs to the open plan living space with a high pitched ceiling.

Designed by the owners for easy living you have a kitchen to one end where you can rustle up your favorite Jamie dish; a central dining table to load with good food, eat and talk and, finally, the sitting area with big plump sofas to curl up on, relax, read a book or watch the ultra mod flat screen TV.

I really like this barn, the layout contemporary, the spaces working well, conducive for an easy relaxed holiday, all of which I am sure will please those that stay.

The Location

Force Mill lies pretty much equidistant between Coniston Water to the west and Lake Windermere to the east, where the Rusland Valley joins the southern borders of the Grizedale Forest, a vast area of ancient woodland and commercial plantation under the care of the Forestry Commission. 

The forest chiefs have made huge creative efforts in conservation and diversity turning this mighty woodland into a fantastic recreational area and open air art gallery, where hundreds of sculptural pieces can be found in and around the forest, along with many way marked tracks and trails offering various levels of effort and distance, including provision for disabled visitors with the introduction of the tarmaced “Ridding Wood Trail”.

At the heart of the forest is the visitor centre. This is the best place to start, picking up maps and information to get the most from your day in the woodland. There is an information desk, shop, cafe, exhibition rooms, galleries, bike hire and a children’s play area. A well defined map will show the many trails for both walking and mountain bikes. 

The big hike is to follow the Silurian Way. Nine and a half miles long the walk takes you through both sides of the valley, taking in deep forest glades and climbing to higher view points. On route you will see most of the sculptures and is estimated to take about five hours, so a packed lunch is a good idea. Many trails are open to mountain bikes where you can either bring your own or hire cycles from Grizedale Mountain Bikes. 

For those who require a bit more adventure then you must 'Go Ape'. Well established as a firm favourite, ‘Go Ape’ is aerial trekking high above the forest floor where you swing through the trees, cross rope bridges and scramble nets, ending on a huge wind in your face zip wire ride. 

The nearest village is Satterthwaite, about a mile up the road on the way to the Grizedale centre. A sleepy little place there is a decent pub, The Eagles Head, serving good beer, pub grub and hosting the occasional festival and live music events.

Carry on past the Visitor centre over fell, and you come to little village of Hawkshead. Timber framed buildings make up this popular village with four good pubs and a host of souvenir shops of which the Hawkshead relish company is well worth a visit.

East lies Coniston Water. Perhaps the more people friendly of the big lakes in the south it is overshadowed by the mighty Old man Of Coniston. At the boating centre you can hire row, sail and motor powered boats, or take a trip on a steamer or launch. There is plenty of open shoreline where you can fish, swim or simply enjoy a picnic on a grassy bank.

Between the frorest and the lake you can fill your days with plenty of walking and activities,however the whole of the National Park is within easy reach so ther will never be a dull moment, never a new view to see and all with the perfect cottage to return home to after your days exploration.

Local Areas Of Interest

The Grizedale Forest
Coniston Village
Coniston Water & Mountain
Hawkshead

 

 

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