Overview
This cosy cottage lies in the village of Bouth, noted for one of Cumbria's best pubs, The White Hart Inn. The location makes for easy exploration of the southern lakes and, to the south, Cartmel Village and the rolling meadows of the peninsulas and the south lakes coast.
The cottage lies at the heart of Bouth village, adjoining the pub, overlooking the little village green with its children's play area. The cottage owner and landlord of the White Hart Inn offers his guests a complimentary pint to convivially kick start their holiday.
Living Spaces
From the side entrance you step into the kitchen with its dining room area. Well equipped, you have a log-burning stove to add a little romance and atmosphere to the evening.
The sitting room is cosy, with an armchair and sofa set around another log-burner, perfect to curl up with a good book or take in a movie.
The rear hall area beyond the sitting room provides a laundry and cloakroom area, with the under stairs space a great favourite for dogs to curl up after a long day out.
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Upstairs and you have two very nice bedrooms, one a standard double the second a smaller 4' suitable for an adult or two children, with the main bathroom offering a whirlpool bath where you can relax tired limbs after a day on the fells.
This is a great cottage, perfect for a small family and ideal for a couple that wish for an easy holiday, where they can relax and enjoy a meal and drink after the day's explorations - Perfect.
The Location
Bouth lies four miles to the west of Lake Windermere, at the southern end of the Rusland Valley. Popular with visitors for a peaceful setting among low fell, it is away from the busy crowds, offering pretty local walks and cycle rides, where you can explore the country lanes and visit the deer park.
Adjoining the cottage is the excellent White Hart Inn. Warmly hosted by Nigel Barton, he offers one of the finest cellars of local ales along with robust pub grub, both served up by the glow of roaring log fires under a canopy of blackened oak beams. Nigel extends a complimentary 'welcome' drink at the bar to all his Hill View guests during their stay.
A short car ride brings you to the foot of Lake Windermere and the River Leven, where you will find the villages of Newby Bridge, Lakeside, Finsthwaite and Backbarrow, along with The National Trust's Fell Foot Park. Here there are gardens, a cafe and at the lake shore fishing, jetties for mooring and hiring rowing and sailing boats, along with a ferry crossing to Lakeside. Also, at Lakeside, steamers and launches leave for trips on the lake and can be used as a sort of waterbus to explore other areas. Also at Lakeside is the steam railway terminus and the Lakeland Aquarium. Nearby at Backbarrow is the famous Lakeland Motor Museum with over 30,000 exhibits.
From Finsthwaite a track leads up to Low & High Dam, one of my favourite small tarns, easy to get to and perfect for a picnic or paddle in summer.
For dining or a drink there are some good choices. The Lakeside Hotel overlooks the lake and offers a traditional bar serving local ale, a lounge bar and contemporary bistro, along with a more formal restaurant offering fine cuisine, perfect for celebration or just a little indulgence. At Newby Bridge you have the Swan Hotel, with its gardens overlooking the River Leven and offering a decent bar and bistro restaurant.
Head south down onto the Cartmel Peninsula and you have winding country lanes that lead to Morecambe Bay. The village of Grange over Sands overlooks the bay with a mile-long promenade. There are some excellent shops including Higginson's award-winning butchers, two bakers, a grocer and a host of little cafes and tearooms. Over the fell lies Cartmel, one of Cumbria's prettiest villages. Four pubs, Rogan's restaurant, the Michelin awarded L'Enclume, a huge Norman priory and a national hunt race course along with narrow streets and a little river make for the perfect village setting.
At Cark there is Holker Hall, a fine country house and gardens open to the public also offering a food hall with local produce. If you are still in the mood for more grand houses, then at the other end of the peninsula is Levens Hall a fine house built around 1590 and boasts one of the finest topiary gardens in the UK.
North from the cottage, up the Rusland valley, you come to the Grizedale Forest where you can purchase a map of the trails for both walking and mountain bikes. As you explore the forest you will come across fabulous sculptures, which are part of an ongoing art initiative sponsored by The Forestry Commission. North west lies Coniston Water and the Coniston mountain range, offering plenty of water activities and mountain trails to suit all abilities.
Please note there is a refundable £100 security deposit for this property payable closer to the start of your holiday.