Joe’s Cottage

Joe's Cottage works well for two couples, a family of four, or friends wanting their own space in the countryside. The ground floor has a living and dining room with a woodburner and Smart TV, plus a kitchen fitted with an electric oven, hob, dishwasher and microwave. Upstairs there are two bedrooms—one with a king bed, the other with a zip-and-link arrangement that can be two singles or one king. The bathroom has a bath and separate shower cubicle. Bed linen and towels are provided, heating is included, and Wi-Fi keeps you connected when you need it.

The back garden is the real draw: a hot tub for four sits on a deck with seating and garden furniture, and there's an enclosed patio area with lawn beyond. A pub lies within a mile. You get parking for one car, a bike store, and a private outhouse with a washing machine. One dog stays free. The cottage sits in Staffield, a hamlet in the Eden Valley near Penrith, surrounded by quiet lanes and walking country. Lake District attractions and Penrith's market town are both within reach. There is a step down into the garden, and smoking is not permitted.