Grizedale  |  North East Shore - Coniston Water

Grizedale Cottage

Grizedale Cottage is one of a group of six adjoining or adjacent privately owned holiday cottages, about 1.5 miles walk to village and located on the north east side of Coniston Water, with each cottage having the added benefit of sharing private lake shore and jetties.) Grizedale is one of 3 adjoining holiday cottages located on the North East tip of Coniston Water. Along with 2 other adjacent holiday properties and a row of traditional stone outbuildings, the cottages are set around a triangular courtyard on a small country estate and enjoy access to the estates private lake shore and jetties.

This area was much favored by such literary lights as Tennyson, Turner and later Arthur Ransome, author of the much loved childrens series of novels The Swallows & Amazons. Each drew inspiration from the surrounds where the views give a deep sense of the power and beauty of the Lake District landscape. 

Today each cottage offers guests the perfect destination set in one of the finest locations in the central Lake District, where the view is filled by the high peaks of Coniston’s mountain range, reflected in deep waters.

Surrounding the cottages are beautiful gardens and lakeland countryside and although the grounds are mainly open and shared there is plenty of space to find a private, quiet spot. A meadow sweeps down to the lake shore where there are three jetties, and for a small fee guests may moor their own boats or those hired from the Coniston Boating Centre. With eight hundred yards of shore to explore and the whole lake to muck about on, in and by, you have the ideal recipe for the perfect Lakeland holiday.

Grizedale is one of the three adjoining cottages, created from an old 18th century stable  set around the central courtyard. Shared with Wetherlam, you have a large, peaceful and shady garden area in which to relax, and enjoy the spectacular view. The short walk across the meadow brings you to the lake shore and the private jetties.

You step into a cosy sitting room with a welcoming open fire, a plump sofa and arm chair, nice furnishings, and with a gentle light spilling into the room from the deep set windows.

The kitchen is well equipped, light and airy and just the right size for dining.

Upstairs are two comfortable double bedrooms, with the master double offering an extra single bed.

The bathroom has a bath with an overhead shower, hand basin and W.C.

With a large peaceful garden, wonderful views, and the freedom and pleasure of the lake shore, all combine to make the perfect lake district holiday - come - enjoy.

All in all Grizedale Cottage will offer the perfect holiday, offering guests that rare element of fine accommodation, views of our magnificent mountains, private lake access and all set in the heart of Cumbrias Lake District.

Boat Mooring - Use Of Lakeside

• Guests may bring their own craft to a
  maximum of 26ft. The jetties lie across a
  meadow.
• Jetty fee for boats and dinghies £25 to include 4x4 tow if required.
• Please include any fees when you send the booking form.
• Canoes, windsurfers etc no charge.
• For boat hire - Coniston Boating Centre Tel 015394 41366
• PLEASE NOTE - To preserve the peace of all estate properties; the facilities, grounds and lakeside are strictly for use of resident guests.
• Use of all facilities is at the guests' own risk.

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.

Owners Raffle - Reserve this property for any date in 2012 and you will be entered into the owners raffle for a short break holiday at Tinkler Beck Cottage - For details click here

Local Areas Of Interest