The Great Strickland Hideaway

Rooms

You enter the house via the back garden, which is cottage-style with beds, shrubs and a gravelled lawn. The conservatory looks out over the greenery and has a sofa and a couple of armchairs for relaxing when it’s not quite warm enough to be outside. Continue through to the kitchen, painted a handsome green. A cute window seat with a whimsical sign marks this nook as the ‘naughty corner’, which made us smile. The cottage dining room, adjoining the kitchen, has a table seating 4-5, and next door is the living room, with a sink-into-me sofa and a couple of armchairs, plus a fireplace and a TV with Netflix.

Up the wonky stairs (mind your head), there is a family bathroom and three bedrooms: one twin, one double and a single. All retain the original doors but are painted in a more contemporary black-and-white colour scheme, with exposed black floorboards and jute rugs. You'll find plenty of cupboard space in the master bedroom, and baskets and hangers in the twin. The single room has a small chest of drawers.

The bathroom isn't the most luxurious, and with only one loo for five it might be busy, but there is a shower over the bath and plenty of hot water.

Features include:

• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Hairdryer
• Toiletries
• Tumble dryer
• Washing machine
• WiFi
• Wood-burner

Eating

The smart, forest-green kitchen has all you need to self-cater in style. The big range oven is perfect for cooking family meals, and a microwave is hidden in a cupboard. The nearest shops are in Penrith (a 15-minute drive), where you can choose from Booths, M&S, Aldi or Morrisons. The cottage is well stocked with tea, coffee and milk on arrival, plus lots of spices and condiments. Dishwasher tablets are supplied, too.

We headed out into the village to sample The Strickland Arms for dinner, where we enjoyed hearty portions and the most excellent homemade pies. There are lots of other great places to eat nearby, too, including the intriguing Larch Cottage, an Italian cafe in a very elegant garden centre.

Features include:

• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Restaurants nearby
• Toaster

Activities

• This is an ideal area for hiking, so pull on your walking boots and bag a couple of Wainwrights. There are also some suggested walks from the cottage if you're after a more leisurely stroll
  
• Biking - take your own or hire bikes locally
  
• Sailing - you are closest to Ullswater, where there are lots of water-based activities
  
• Near Ullswater is Aira Force waterfall, a 65-foot drop past ferns and rocks; there are lots of woodland walking trails around here
  
• Swimming - in the lakes or in the outdoor pools at Shap (10km) and Askham (6km)
  
• For relaxation and to ease those muscles, try the spa at Another Place (18km) or the treatments and classes at The Health Barn Askham (6km)
  
• Explore the dramatic ruins and gardens of Lowther Castle, where there's an adventure playground that's great for kids (5km)
  
• Try climbing at Kong in Keswick (38km)
  
• Acorn Bank National Trust is not too far away and has a busy cafe and lovely gardens (13km)

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Climbing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Horse riding
• Kayaking
• Plantlife / flora
• Quad biking
• Sailing
• Shopping / markets
• SUP
• Swimming
• Well being

Kids

This cottage makes a great base for families wanting to explore the Lakes. It sleeps five, is equipped with Netflix, and has a garden, but watch out for those wonky steps with toddlers.

Best for:

Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

There is a twin room and a single room, and a baby cot is available to borrow. All rooms share a family bathroom which has a shower over the bath.

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Great Strickland Hideaway is in a sleepy village near Penrith in the Lake District. It's close to the M6 and the famous Tebay services.

By Car:
A car is essential, both to get here and to get around while you're here (unless you bring all provisions and intend to just stay put). The cottage has a parking space for one car, though it's quite tight.

By Train:
You can take the train to Penrith or Carlisle and pick up a hire car at the station.

By Air:
Newcastle and Manchester are the closest airports.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.