Hardknott Cottage in Lake District National Park, Cumbria

Hardknott Cottage Self-Catering

There’s a real romance to this stone cottage. A former byre, it’s stood on this land for 500 years and you can feel the history the moment you walk through the door. The owners have kept the layout much as it was when it was built, with the galleried bedroom created out of the former storage area that overlooked the byre. With thick walls of pink granite and lofty ceilings, it makes a dreamy bolthole for two or a young family. The location is hiking heaven, with the wonders of the Lake District on your doorstep. Days can be spent roaming some of the UK’s most dazzling scenery – much of which can be accessed on foot from the cottage. In the evenings, we can picture you sitting in the grassy paddock with a glass of something bubbly, looking out over the fells as the stars come out to play.

Home truths:
*There’s a fold-out bed suitable for a child and a cot available on request
*This is a remote location, so you’ll need a car to get about