Earsdon Cottage

You'll arrive to find Earsdon Cottage already set up for you. Electricity, heating, bed linen, towels and wifi are all included, along with initial fuel for the woodburner. The kitchen is properly equipped—electric range, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge and microwave—so you can cook what you want rather than relying on takeaways. Two bedrooms sleep four: a kingsize and a double. There's a bathroom with both bath and walk-in shower, and a living room where the woodburner takes centre stage. The cottage retains original stone and beams from its 1684 origins, now paired with comfortable furniture and soft furnishings throughout.

The property sits in a quiet village in the Northern Fells, with an enclosed lawned garden and patio where you can sit outside. On-site parking and a bike store are available. One dog is welcome at no extra cost. The location works well if you want to explore the quieter side of the Lake District—the Northern Fells tend to draw fewer visitors than the south. Bassenthwaite Lake is five minutes' drive away; Keswick and Cockermouth are twenty minutes; and Borrowdale, Derwent Water, Whinlatter Forest and Ullswater are all within easy reach. No smoking indoors.