Bridgelands Cottage is situated in a secluded, peaceful position, up a cobbled lane in the heart of the small, unspoilt village of Cark-in-Cartmel, well away from roads.
Cartmel village is only 2 minutes drive north, Grange-Over-Sands and Lake Windermere are just 10 minutes away by car too.
The cottage is quietly located on the fringe of Cark-in-Cartmel village just 1½ miles south of the medieval village of Cartmel. Cark is lovely South Lakeland village that has been largely unaffected by tourism and has 2 village pubs, both serving food and both within 2 minutes walk of the cottage a ‘Londis’ convenience store, beauty salon and a rural train station on the spectacular coastal Lancaster to Barrow Lake District Peninsulas line.
A minute’s walk from the cottage brings you to a footpath that takes you from the centre of the village and along the narrow river Eea on its short, 10 minute journey from its source into Morecambe Bay.
The medieval village of Cartmel lies just 1½ miles north and is the oldest and most picturesque village in South Lakeland. The 12th century priory escaped destruction during the Dissolution of Henry VIII and remains one of the finest ecclesiastical buildings in the north of England. The ancient village square is home to 2 good pubs and is a lovely place to sit and enjoy a drink and watching the world go by. There are another 2 good pubs in the village also. After a couple of hours wandering around the priory and cobbled streets of Cartmel, it’s a welcome break and just a 20 minute stroll back through the woods to the peace and quite of Grange End Cottage.
Cartmel Valley, with its gentle and attractive, undulating landscape of lush green fields, rolling hills and Gulf Stream climate is home to our wonderful cottage from where you can easily access the whole of the Lake District, the Forrest of Bowland and the West Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Walkers can put away their car keys as there are dozens of walks from the door step with the ancient Cistercian Way passing through the village and linking up to all major walking routes in the Lake District.
Being located so close to the bay brings a milder climate than the rest of the Lake District and the valley is rarely affected by snow, however, when snow arrives elsewhere, it is only a short drive or walk uphill to view the snowy peaks of higher ground.
Just around the corner from the cottage is Holker Hall, Cumbria's premier stately home, the home of Lord & Lady Cavendish. Residents and visitors of the village are granted permission to walk around the extensive parklands stocked with herds of deer and rare breed cattle and sheep.
10 minutes drive north is the nostalgic Haverthwaite to Lakeside Steam Railway which connects you to the awaiting Windermere Lake steamers and cruise boats that travel the full 10 mile length of England’s longest lake, dropping you (for collection later of-course) at Waterhead or Bowness. The Aquarium of the Lakes, also at Lakeside, gives you a good idea what lurks in the water below!
Morecambe Bay, with its vast areas of sand and marshes is a popular haunt for bird watchers, as is nearby Leighton Moss bird sanctuary. The Bay and the Cumbrian coast are great for windsurfing, with clear winds from the south. Haverigg is a popular location for wakeboarding. You can go kayaking on calm lakes or coastal surf and if you like water sports with added adventure the Cumbrian coast is ideal for kite surfing.
Nearby Walney Island’s coastal nature reserves is a great place to roam and explore and Piel Island has it’s own King-a tradition handed to the landlord of the Ship Inn on this tiny island that gets cut off by the tide. Nearby Roa Island is home to Dave Myers of Hairy Biker fame.
There's so much to explore and every fell, every tarn, every mile of footpath has its own unique appeal and inhabitants. While the fells and lakes define the landscape there are more wonders of nature to see such as waterfalls. Aira Force at Ullswater is the best known, tumbling nearly 100 feet below a stone bridge. Dungeon Ghyll Force in the Langdale Valley so impressed Wordsworth he refers to it in ‘The Idle Shepherd-Boys'. Cautley Spout is a series of waterfalls with cascades falling over 600 feet, the highest in England and Scale Force the highest in the Lake District.
Golfers can enjoy a round at a choice of two nearby courses, and Cark railway station is a four minute walk away, offering many day trip destinations as it transports you along one of the most picturesque coastal railways in England.
The cottage is ideally situated for easy access to some of Cumbria’s finest historic houses and stately homes. Cumbria is lucky to have so many that also boast magnificent gardens, including the world famous Holker Hall just ½ a mile away, Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle just a 15 minute drive and Holehird near Windermere.
All the Beatrix Potter attractions are just a short drive away.
Walk, cycle, sail climb, ride, fly and cruise through the magnificent diversity of terrain and the many varied activities, from the gentle to the adrenaline-fuelled that this amazing area has to offer. The local area has an abundance of woodland walks as well as fell walking, coastal walks, cycle paths and quiet leafy lanes to explore. Whether your pleasure is the physical challenge of conquering one of England’s highest mountains or a stroll with someone you love through beautiful scenery, this landscape of ours will leave you on a natural high.
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