Brookhaven

Silloth lies ten minutes' drive away, a working coastal town with cafés, bars, an ice cream shop and a motorcycle museum worth an hour or two. The Solway Firth itself stretches across your view—Scottish hills visible on clear days, and on winter evenings, the aurora borealis sometimes colours the sky pink and green. Walking distance gets you to the water's edge; the wider region offers fell walks, beaches and the kind of quiet that comes with rural Cumbria.

Brookhaven occupies the upper floor of a larger building and sleeps four across two bedrooms. The master has a king bed and a recliner positioned to make use of the western views; the second bedroom has a double. A living room with seating for all, a dining table for four, and a kitchen that is fully equipped mean you can settle in properly or cook as much as you like. Electricity, bed linen and towels are included. There is no smoking inside.

The cottage suits couples or small families after a few days away from busier parts of the coast. Sunsets here are the main event—a Smart TV sits in the living room largely unwatched.