Two traditional Lakeland holiday cottages, spectacularly situated on this working hill farm. The cottages offer guests a completely unique, away-from-it-all experience amidst stunning scenery and the opportunity to see farm life at close quarters.
The Hartsop Hall Estate is situated in the midst of some of the most majestic fells in the Lake District, at the foot of the Kirkstone Pass, close to Brotherswater and Ullswater. The landscape is dominated by the peaks of Hart Crag, Dove Crag and High Hartsop Dodd, sheltering the valley land and the entrance to beautiful Dovedale, with its tumbling waterfalls.
Hartsop Hall is a 16 th Century Grade I listed building of great historical significance, owned by the National Trust. It is an important valley-head farm. The house itself contains many fascinating features, such as priest holes - and if you speak very nicely to the farmer, he'll be pleased to show you! There are various outlying barns on the estate, all examples of vernacular Lake District constructions of the 16 th and 17 th centuries, featuring cruck frames, bank barns, etc. Hartsop Hall is a working farm of some 3000 acres, with a flock of 800 predominantly Swaledale sheep, and a herd of 30 Aberdeen Angus beef suckler cows and their followers.
If walking is your pleasure, there are so many options of walks from the door, you may never bother to use your car during your stay. However, despite the seclusion of the location, it is only six miles to Ambleside (outdoor clothing shops, restaurants, cinema), thus very central for exploring more of the Lake District by car if you choose.
The Two Cottages: Caudale Beck and Dovedale, are both idyllically situated on the farm, offering a...
truly "off the beaten track" living experience. These Patterdale holiday cottages are both approached by stony farm tracks; there is no passing traffic.
Caudale Beck: The entrance porch (hooks for outdoor clothes) leads into the beamed farmhouse kitchen with oil-fired Rayburn, electric hob, microwave, usual cupboards, large pine dining table and chairs. Leading off the kitchen is the old pantry, providing a spacious utility room, with a large larder fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, dryer, iron and ironing board, drying space, and plenty of useful cool shelf space.
From the kitchen a door leads directly into the lovely oak-beamed lounge, with its open fire, comfy sofas, TV (via FreeSat)and DVD player. There is also a separate dining room, furnished in antique pine, which makes a very quiet study area, if needed.
An inner hall (more hanging space) leads to the wide staircase and big landing above, where doors lead to all four bedrooms - two singles and two spacious king-sized doubles. The family bathroom is big, with bath, hand basin and WC, and lovely views up to Middle Dodd.
Outside the farmhouse is a small paved area for sitting out or barbecues (BBQ not provided), and beyond that, plenty of hard standing for car parking.
Dovedale Cottage: The big farmhouse kitchen has recently been refurbished, and a blocked-up door reinstated to give access to the garden. This is a spacious dining kitchen, well equipped and comfortably furnished, and boasting a new electric range cooker. In addition to plentiful cupboards, there is a dishwasher, washing machine, tumble drier and big fridge-freezer.
The comfortable lounge next door enjoys views in both directions. There are three two-seater settees, open fire and television (via FreeSat). Stairs lead to the first floor from this room.
Also on the ground floor is a newly-converted single bedroom with spacious en-suite shower room, containing basin and WC. These facilities have been specially created to accommodate disabled guests using wheelchairs with reasonable dexterity and those who cannot manage the stairs. There is a small step up to the shower area, and a seat in the shower.
When not needed as a bedroom, this room makes an attractive study area or additional lounge. It is a light and airy room, with a half-glazed door also giving direct access to the garden.
On the first floor are three big bedrooms, all with king-size beds (one of which can be converted to twin beds, on request). There is a family bathroom, and all the rooms have wonderful views.
The furnishings are traditional, mostly antique pine, as appropriate to the character and style of the cottage. Dovedale benefits from newly-installed oil-fired central heating, and fuel for the open fire is provided. Outside the cottage, accessed from the kitchen, is a charming garden with plenty of sitting-out room and space for barbecues. There is ample parking in the farmyard outside the front door, or to the side of the property.