The Annex

The Annex is a self-contained cottage on the edge of Aglionby, a small village in rural Cumberland. You arrive into an open-plan ground floor where living, dining and kitchen flow together—a practical setup with comfortable sofas, a wood-burning stove, and a kitchen equipped for real cooking: electric cooker, microwave, fridge-freezer, washing machine and tumble dryer. Upstairs is a double bedroom and ensuite shower. The property is yours alone, with parking for two cars on site and a bike store if you're planning to explore by cycle. There are steps in the grounds.

Essentials like electricity, bed linen, towels and wi-fi are included. The cottage sits within easy reach of the M6, making it a useful base for several directions: south to the Lake District's mountains and lakes; north across the Scottish border; or east to Hadrian's Wall and its chain of Roman sites. Carlisle, with its medieval cathedral and castle, is under an hour away. The location works equally well if you simply want a quiet break in the Cumbrian countryside without ambitious days out. No smoking inside.