If you like birds then a trip to Leighton Moss should not be missed.
3rd September 2019Less than an hour’s drive south to Silverdale, on Morecambe Bay is one of the RSPB’s best reserves which boasts a rich diversity of wildlife and has the largest reed bed in north-west England. Home to otters, bearded tits, marsh harriers, egrets and red deer. There are many hides in the reed beds and you - read more
Our Favourite Local Viewpoint
20th May 2019There is a lovely 45 minute circuit from Hart Barn and Willow Cottage which gains a little height to reach our favourite bench overlooking Brotherswater. Leave the cottages and head out towards the A592, turning right before the big white house. This roads leads past some farm buildings and eventually becomes a stone track which - read more
Catch the roar of the red deer
29th October 2018October is the perfect time to walk to Martindale to witness the incredible gathering of red deer. It is one of the best places in Cumbria to see red deer and we are fortunate to have it on our doorstep. A herd has been present here for over 300 years. An ancient deer forest is - read more
Ullswater Way
10th July 2018On our doorstep is The Ullswater Way – a new 21 mile walking route around Ullswater in the Lake District. The route can be walked in either direction and from any starting point and you don’t have to walk the 21 miles in one go if you link with the excellent service provided by the - read more
Have you spotted our flycatchers?
2nd July 2018In the garden of Willow Cottage and Hart Barn our guests are enjoying watching spotted flycatchers flitting in and out of their rather intriguingly positioned nest. We went away on holiday to find that upon our return we had very close neighbours. The nest, an exquisite little scrape of grass is tucked behind some ancient - read more
A Panorama of Patterdale from Stone Cottage
2nd July 2018Taken in the heat of June 2018 the video shows the fabulous almost 240 degree panorama that guests enjoy from the front of Stone Cottage. As you scan the video starts with Deepdale Park in the foreground, then the peak of Hartsop Dodd appears, followed by Grey Crag’s distinctive grey shale slopes, then Slinger Wood - read more
A Stroll Around Brotherswater – 2 and 3/4 miles. Time: 1 hour
30th May 2018Although all of our cottages are surrounded by lofty peaks, there are many walks that don’t require sherpas and oxygen – from gentle strolls to slightly longer walks which often use ancient paths that connect the many farms and hamlets in the valley. One of our favourite evening strolls from Hartsop is to “do a lap” of Brotherswater, the small - read more
Helvellyn – Britain’s Favourite Walk is on Our Doorstep
8th March 2018ITV asked around 8000 people to vote for their favourite walk and Helvellyn came top of the list. Situated in the Patterdale valley within a couple of miles of our properties this is a great walk, but even if you don’t fancy the vertiginous Striding Edge you can take a gentler walk along the Grisedale - read more
Red Squirrels Return
12th July 2017Our guests last week were in for a treat when a young red squirrel appeared on our bird feeder.! Richard zoomed off to The Birds Bistro in Penruddock for a supply of Italian hazlenuts and rapidly cleaned and attached our old squirrel feeder (last used over 5 years ago) – however Squirrel Nutkin is not - read more
