Hawkhow

Approached by private drive from the lakeside road, Hawkhow occupies an amazing site overlooking Ullswater. It stands in nearly four acres of secluded sloping woodland grounds, with Mossdale Beck cascading through the gardens creating the sound of falling water. The well-loved house is full of many original features and the layout is such that most of the rooms have incredible views across the Lake to Place Fell beyond. The rooms are arranged around the large hallway with its imposing oak staircase, guarded at the foot by the Hawk of Hawkhow. The kitchen with four-oven Aga sits next to the dining room with a picture window looking straight out onto the Lake. You will never tire of the ever-changing view or the constant stream of visitors from birds, to rabbits, to red squirrels and even the odd deer! The spacious sitting room has a large open fire as well as a pool table, jigsaw table and a games table to keep you occupied. A smaller snug with wood burning stove provides additional space for those who want to escape somewhere quieter. Upstairs there are five bedrooms sleeping ten (two Superking, one semi-SuperKing, two twins). The house is served by two bathrooms (one with shower, one with bath) as well as a separate shower room and downstairs cloakroom. The property will be prepared ready for your arrival with freshly laundered bed linen and bath towels supplied for your stay. We have provided a selection of games and puzzles to keep you entertained inside (and the optional use of a TV and Xbox One) as well as books, maps and guides to help you plan your activities outside. There is ample parking on-site. Guests also have shared use of the extensive gardens and grounds, including the sauna. Please note that the garden is steep with drop-offs in places, it has a number of steps and paths that can be extremely slippery, as well as running water courses, ponds and bridges. As well as having Ullswater on your doorstep for sailing, kayaking and wild swimming, there are a number of fabulous walks and bicycle rides that can be started from the house without ever needing to get into your car. Keen walkers can even start the climb to Helvellyn by walking up the garden to join recognised footpaths. Glenridding is a beautiful 15 minute walk along the Lake and provides a number of cafes, pubs and shops as well as access to the famous Ullswater Steamers. A slightly longer walk along the Lake in the opposite direction will take you past Glencoyne Bay, the inspiration for William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ poem, to the popular Aira Force waterfall and trails maintained by the National Trust. Nestled in the grounds overlooking Ullswater and surrounded by stunning scenery, Hawkhow Estate is an idyllic rural escape and an ideal base for exploring the wonders of the Lake District. It was commissioned in the 1920s by a shipping magnate from the North East of England as a family holiday home. Hawkhow was built in the Arts and Crafts style of the time and still retains many of its original features as well as a comfortable home-from-home feel. With its uninterrupted views over the Lake, it is the perfect place to unwind and escape from the stresses of modern life. .Hawkhow Cottage was originally designed to house the large battery required for storing electricity generated by a pioneering hydroelectric scheme as well as providing accommodation for staff serving in the main house. The cottage has recently been extended and refurbished to provide luxurious holiday accommodation. With the reintroduction of a hydroelectric scheme and fresh water filtration system, the beck cascading through the estate provides a sustainable source of energy and water to the properties. This helps to minimise our impact on the environment and provides you with a slice of eco-friendly paradise! The estate's extensive gardens and grounds are available for you to share. Sit and enjoy the ever-changing view of the Lake or wander along the many paths to explore the local flora and fauna, maybe even spotting the resident red squirrels. Relax in the wood-fired sauna and cool off in the fresh water plunge pool if you are feeling brave! There are barbecue areas behind the cottage and within the formal garden as well as a wild woodland area with firepit for an informal evening under the stars. And if the weather is inclement, the gardens and views can still be enjoyed from the comfort of the Glass House. For keen walkers, footpaths to Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike, Aira Force and even Helvellyn can be accessed directly from the grounds. As well as having Ullswater on your doorstep for sailing, kayaking and wild swimming, there are a number of fabulous walks and bicycle rides that can be started from the cottage without ever needing to get into your car. Keen walkers can even start the climb to Helvellyn by walking up the garden to join recognised footpaths. Glenridding is a beautiful 15 minute walk along the Lake and provides a number of cafes, pubs and shops as well as access to the famous Ullswater Steamers. A slightly longer walk along the Lake in the opposite direction will take you past Glencoyne Bay, the inspiration for William Wordsworth’s ‘Daffodils’ poem, to the popular Aira Force waterfall and trails maintained by the National Trust. There is a bus stop at the bottom of the drive on route 508 between Penrith and Windermere.