Maplehurst

Step into Maplehurst and you find yourself in a stone cottage set back from the road, with parking and a sitting room that centres on a working wood-burning stove. The layout is straightforward: an open-plan living and dining space with original oak beams, then two bedrooms upstairs, each with its own bathroom attached. The first bedroom has a large walk-in shower; the second offers a bath as well as a separate shower room. Both are furnished with Egyptian cotton sheets and smart TVs. Electricity, WiFi, bed linen and towels are all included, so you arrive to a ready house.

The second bedroom can be arranged as either a double or two singles, making the cottage work equally well for two couples, a family of four, or smaller groups. One bathroom has a deep soak tub positioned to catch views of the surrounding land. The cottage is heated throughout and sits in open countryside within reach of Keswick and its lakes, fells and attractions—close enough for a day out but far enough for peace and quiet. No smoking is permitted inside. Arrival is after 3pm and checkout before 10am.