Smithy Cottage

Stainton is a small Westmorland village with a pub within walking distance and good road access to the M6, making it a practical base for the northern Lake District and Eden Valley. Smithy Cottage, an 18th-century property sympathetically updated, occupies a quiet spot near the village green. The cottage has a woodburner in the sitting room, two kingsize bedrooms upstairs, and a bathroom with bath and shower cubicle. The kitchen is equipped for self-catering, with an electric cooker, microwave, washing machine and fridge-freezer. Wi-Fi, heating, bed linen and towels are all included.

Outside, there is an enclosed front garden with seating and furniture, plus on-road parking. One dog stays free. The ground floor has a small step up to the entrance; there is also a split-level landing on the first floor. No smoking throughout. From here, Ullswater and Pooley Bridge lie a few miles south, with walking, cycling and water-based activities on offer. Keswick is a short drive away, Penrith about ten minutes, and the Lake District National Park has extensive trails and attractions including Hill Top, Dove Cottage and Go Ape.