Welcoming Lake District rooms with lovely views

We are in the tranquil Western Lake District National Park close to the Coast to Coast bike route and with plenty of walking right from the door. Your comfortable ensuite bedroom and own breakfast / sitting room is upstairs so has gorgeous views across to woods and fells. The bedroom can be set up as two singles or one kingsize bed. We can provide a delicious basket of local and home-made food for a help-yourself- breakfast for £5 per person. There is parking and a garage for storing bikes. The Lake District National Park was granted UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017 and your accommodation makes an ideal base for exploring north-west Cumbria, or a peaceful location for a quiet retreat. Inside: Our front hallway has racks for shoes and boots - no outdoor shoes upstairs please. The shared stairs leads up to your rooms on the left and has its own lockable door. The bedroom has a comfortable kingsize bed or can be set as 2 singles which will be made up with fresh bedding . Towels are provided in the ensuite shower room along with soap. The adjoining private breakfast and sitting room is well equipped having a fridge , toaster, kettle, microwave and a mini hob. There is no oven, but you can arrange to pop a pizza or pie in our oven if you need to. There is a cafetière, crockery & cutlery, utensils and pans, plenty of storage space, tea, coffee and milk. If we've been making flapjack, you'll find some in the tin! There’s free Wi-fi, and there are plenty of local area maps, guides, books and board games for you to borrow during your stay. No TV! Phone reception is patchy, but can usually be found a few metres walk up the drive, depending on network. You can use our utility area downstairs which has a washer (washing powder provided), iron & ironing board, hanging space for drying clothes for and muddy walking boots and shoes. There is space in the garage for bikes and electric bikes can be charged overnight. Please note: Smoking / vaping is not permitted inside. Outside: I am slowly creating a wildlife friendly fruit and veg garden and in the surrounding fields, fells and woodland you may see deer, hares, red squirrels, foxes, hedgehogs, rabbits and a wide variety of bird life. The woods behind the cottage are home to woodpeckers, cuckoo and owls. In the spring and summer you will see the local farmers’ lambs and calves grazing in the fields. We face west and you are welcome to sit outside on our patio area and soak up the rays or watch the sun go down in the evening. The bedroom with ensuite and breakfast/sitting room area is for your private use. You are welcome to dry wet clothes in our Utility room and use the washing machine when we are at home. Both Graham and Debbie are around in the evenings to make you feel welcome and give suggestions of places to visit and explore. We love walking, climbing, cycling, orienteering, canoeing and have lived in west Cumbria for many years - so can suggest explorations on and off the beaten track. Debbie has a tried and tested knowledge of tea shops to follow up activities and enjoys local community events - just ask! We are usually at work in the daytime, and will make arrangements regarding keys so you can come and go when you want. Water Board Cottages are in a beautiful rural location. 15 minutes walk will take you through quiet woods to the shores of Crummock Water with level walks round both sides and crystal clear water for wild swimming! Several of the Western Wainwright fells can be climbed from the door and Buttermere valley with it's lake, local icecream and popular village is 15 minute drive away. The Slate mine at Honister Pass is an exciting excursion and the pass gives access to the Borrowdale valley and Keswick. The C2C Cycleway and the Lakes Loop is 2 minutes away and there is a choice of gentle valley circuits or challenging mountain passes for keen cyclists. Whinlatter Forest Centre (10 mins drive) has a variety of mountain bike routes, wildlife walking routes and cafe. Our local award winning pub, The Kirkstile Inn is 15mins walk up the valley. It has great food and you will usually need to book to be sure of a table. Down the valley 2 miles in Low Lorton is The Wheatsheaf also popular for food in the summer. The nearest shop for basics / emergency supplies is 2 miles down the valley at our favourite Lorton Village Shop ( 9am -5pm, closed Sunday). There are larger supermarkets (Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl - open: Mon to Sat, 8 - 8. Sun, 10 - 4) and independent bakers, greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers etc in Cockermouth. The nearest garage is on the A66 / A5086 roundabout, on the outskirts of Cockermouth. Nearest fast charge point for electric cars is Booths at Keswick. Ask us about charging overnight. The area is ideal for cycling and walking and is in the quieter North Western Lake District. Public transport is limited - Train to Penrith from north or south and then bus will take you to Keswick. Summer only bus from Keswick to Buttermere will drop you 10 mins from our door. Graham or Debbie may be able to help with transport from Keswick as we go to and from work. We can suggest a lift share website for longer journeys. We encourage everyone to minimise the amount of driving while here and enjoy the amazing places waiting to be discovered near at hand by biking or walking!