The property
Benefitting from its elevated and secluded setting, Merlestead offers superb accommodation with lovely views to the hills of the north Lakes and Derwent Water, the “Queen Of The English Lakes”. Presented to a very high standard, with all the accommodation on the ground floor, Merlestead is ideal for friends and families looking for quality accommodation. It’s in a great location with excellent social space in beautiful surroundings, and conveniently located in one of the most desirable locations in the Lake District just a five minute drive from the popular market town of Keswick.
Merlestead combines modern family living, with a large open plan kitchen / dinner that extend to the rear of the house into the garden, a spacious lounge with lovely views and a cosy log burning stove, a choice of three bedrooms, two with ensuite bathrooms and a family shower room. A large garden wraps around the property with a choice of two patios and a small elevated decked terrace.
Merlestead offers great access to the stunning scenery of the north western Lake District with Derwent Water, Lake Bassenthwaite, Buttermere and Ullswater all within easy reach and offering a myriad of walks of all levels, mountain biking, and watersports. Keswick, with its award winning, twice weekly market is just a five minute drive from the cottage and this lovely town offers a great choice of restaurants, cosy pubs and local shops.
Please note that there is a small open stream that runs through the garden and parents of young children are respectfully asked not to leave children unaccompanied in the garden especially during or after heavy rain.
Accommodation in detail
A quiet, shared, driveway leads up to the gates of Merlstead, that open to a lovely garden that surrounds the house, which stands at the foot of Skiddaw, the Lake District’s fourth highest mountain. Steps from the driveway lead to the front door to this larger than average Lakeland bungalow.
A large and welcoming lounge offers plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views across the valley to the northern mountains, with glimpses of Cat Bells and Derwent Water. As evening falls relax in front of the cosy log burning stove and the large screen TV. To the rear of the cottage a large extension with vaulted ceiling has been added to create a fantastic, social kitchen with large family dining table, additional sitting area, a big breakfast bar, picture windows and french doors to the garden making this room the real heart of the home. The high quality kitchen is well equipped with four ring electric hob and double oven, large fridge, freezer, dishwasher and additional TV. To the side there is a large utility room with washing machine, tumble drier.
A hallway runs the length of the cottage linking the living accommodation to the three bedrooms. The two large bedrooms to the front of the property are both complemented by luxury ensuite shower rooms with shower over bath in the main bedroom & a walk in shower, basin and WC Both benefit from lovely views across the valley. Both have super king beds and one can be presented as either superking or twin beds (please specify when booking). The third bedroom, overlooking the garden, is presented as a pretty double room and has access a family shower room with shower cubicle, basin and WC and an additional WC.
A large, mature garden wraps around the house with large lawns, mature shrubs and trees. There is a choice of two patios, one with outdoor dining furniture and one with a picnic table. At the top of the garden there is a small decked are with bistro garden furniture – ideal for a drink on a summers evening. A small open stream flows through the rear of the garden which can flow very swiftly during and after heavy rain and parents of young children are, therefore, respectfully requested not to leave children unattended in the garden. A gate from the garden allows direct access to the fellside beyond. A lockable store is available for the secure storage of mountain bikes and outdoor gear.
The owners welcome up to two well behaved dogs. Private parking is available for three cars on the driveway.
Location
The village of Applethwaite makes an ideal base from which to explore. With footpaths heading off in every direction there is something for everyone. The path from the back garden provides access to Skiddaw and there are several less demanding paths to Latrigg, and Keswick is an easy 20 minute walk away by lovely country footpaths.
The nearby market town of Keswick is one of the Lake District’s most popular destinations. This friendly town hosts the very popular twice weekly market that has recently won the coveted “Best Outdoor Market” in the Great British Market Awards. Keswick also offers a fantastic array of shops offering everything from craft bakeries and local produce, antiques, crafts, outdoor clothing and much, much more.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat and drink, a week just won’t be long enough to sample the great range of pubs, restaurants, bistros, cafes and wine bars! For a great evening out why not visit the 100 year old Alhambra offering first class cinema entertainment in traditional surroundings or enjoy an evening at “the most beautiful and friendly theatre in Britain”, the 400 seat Theatre By The Lake on the shores of Derwentwater.
Enjoy a cruise on Derwentwater, walk onto the fells; - Cat Bells, Skiddaw, Coledale Horeshoe and Blencathra are all nearby; head underground at Honister Slate Mines or take the Via Ferrata challenge; enjoy mountain biking or follow the walking trails and Go Ape in Whinlatter Forest. For steam train enthusiasts there is the little train at Threlkeld Mining museum or the L’al Ratty which heads up into the hills from Ravenglass on the West Coast.
For day trips, Ullswater is a short drive away offering lake cruises, great walking and the beautiful Aira Force Waterfall and Buttermere and Crummock Water offer sublime scenery. Ashness Bridge and Surprise View, situated above the Borrowdale Valley, should not be missed and perhaps even a cup of tea and homemade cake in the unspoilt village of Watendlath. Shepherd’s Café at the foot of Shepherd’s Crag, a favourite venue for climbers, is a tearoom run on High Lodore farm serving delicious homemade lunches and teas, just 10 minutes walk from the launch jetty at Lodore and well worth a visit. For the Ladies in the party, a trip to the new Spa at Ladore Falls Hotel is a must.
