Shamrock Cottage

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Located in the little village of Allithwaite, just 2 miles west of Grange-over-Sands. Our village is located at the southern end of the Cartmel Valley. It’s quiet without being remote and has a gentle pace of life. Our cottage is just 10 minutes drive to Lake Windermere, 5 minutes to Grange-over-Sands, whilst Kendal, Ulverston, Coniston, and Bowness-on-Windermere are all within 30 minutes drive. The spectacular and ever changing sands of Morecambe Bay are only a 30 minute walk from the cottage. Morecambe Bay is Britain’s largest tidal bay and being located so close to the bay brings a milder, drier climate than the rest of the Lake District. 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.

There are 2 good country pubs within 2 minute’s walk of the cottage, both of which serve good food and welcome families, walkers and are dog friendly too.

Our pretty village, Allithwaite is sparsely populated but in addition to the 2 pubs there is a convenience store and post office.

The medieval village of Cartmel lies just 1½ miles west 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 relax with a drink. There are also a further 2 good pubs in the village.

Cartmel Valley, with its gentle and attractive, undulating landscape of lush green fields, leafy lanes, rolling hills and milder, drier climate is a great location 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 and Cumbrian Coastal way passing through the village and linking up to all major walking routes in the Lake District.

Just around 2 miles from the cottage is Holker Hall, Cumbria's premier stately home, the home of Lord & Lady Cavendish. Here visitors can 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/Ambleside or Bowness-on-Windermere. The Lakes Aquarium, also at Lakeside, gives you a good idea what lurks in the water below!

The spectacular Morecambe Bay, with its vast areas of sand, marshes, sand dunes and stunning estuaries is a popular haunt for bird watchers, as is nearby Leighton Moss bird sanctuary and Walney Island, Britain’s 8th largest island. 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 also 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.

The Lake District is home to England's five highest mountains, England’s deepest lake, 2175 miles of footpaths, countless cycle trails, hills, valleys, rich woodlands and forests and a wealth of flora and fauna, Cumbria's rich, natural environment is geographically unique and the landscape is a real wonder of nature. Impressive peaks rise grandly, reflected in still waters. At their feet, intriguing valleys lay waiting to be explored. Undulating hills are lushly decorated with every shade of green, whilst wild moorland heather adds colour and texture to the fabric of the fells. Along the coast, sandstone cliffs meet sandy dunes, bathed by the ceaseless ebb and flow of the tide.

Shamrock Cottage is located close to many of the Lakes District’s top attractions yet still far enough away from the areas that can get crowded at peak times. The surrounding, unspoilt countryside is host to several interesting and unique South Lakeland villages with a host of great country pubs and fine gastronomic restaurants too. The area is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate makes this an ideal, year-round holiday destination.

The cottage has folders and books full of our favourite walks, places to visit, where to buy great local produce and crafts including local cheeses and farm made ice creams fresh from the farm along with details of all the best local attractions in this richly diverse area. We will also send all our guests an up to date list all our favourite pubs, restaurants, cafés and other great places to eat, drink and buy great local produce.

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 nearby Kents Bank railway station is a 10 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 with so many that also boast magnificent gardens, including the world famous Holker Hall just ½ a mile away. Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle and Holehird near Windermere are all just a 15 minute drive away.

All the Beatrix Potter and Peter Rabbit attractions are just a short drive away too.

Cartmel Valley is an ideal all year round destination and just about the only place that shuts down in winter is Holker Hall and gardens. These only close for a short time either side of Christmas but their café, restaurant and food hall remain open all year and only close for Christmas week.

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.