Few houses in the Lake District offer a more wholesome stay than this cute cottage in a dinky village near Penrith. We simply dropped off the M6 motorway, wound down a few country roads, and then found ourselves in Great Strickland, where the Eden Valley fans out to the east, and the famous Lakes lie to the west. The village itself has just a pub and a clutch of houses, among which lies this charming stone cottage, adorned with big sash windows and climbing plants. Opposite is a little village green and a red post box: a quintessentially English scene.
The cottage is a neat blend of old and new: rooms have original beams and stone walls, but monochrome colour schemes and easy chairs give them a fresh and contemporary look. A fireplace warms the living room, a forest-green kitchen is the heart of the house, and a bright conservatory looks out over the cottage garden, perfect for sunny days. Upstairs, three bedrooms (double, twin and a single) accommodate up to five. We stayed as a family (with dog included) and found this a warm and inviting place to come back to after days out hiking and biking around the Lakes - Ullswater is the closest. And when the weather wasn’t so friendly, a stock of games and TV with all the channels kept us entertained. For a family break with natural beauty on the doorstep, you won’t find a better base.
Highs
- Warm, cosy, ancient stone cottage with lots of mod cons - WiFi, Netflix, Google Nest
- Super comfy beds in all three bedrooms
- A convenient location for exploring the Lake District but also the lesser-known (and less busy) but equally pretty Eden Valley
- A snug village pub is just a minutes' walk away and serves excellent pies
- Good for families and dogs - there's a twin room and a single room, plus a pebbled back garden
Lows
- Low ceilings and uneven stairs show the true age of the cottage
- There is only one loo, shared by all three bedrooms, and it's not quite as high spec as the rest of the house
- Some road noise but it's not a busy village
Best time to go
Any time of year - just make sure you have the right clothes. It's a cosy hideaway in winter, and if you're lucky you might get snow. Or come for fabulous autumn colours, fresh spring walking, or dreamy summer days on the lake. We particularly love May - the landscape is super green, and there are often blue skies, plus fewer tourists than in the height of summer.
Our top tips
Do make sure you explore the Eden Valley, which is particularly quiet compared to the busier Lakes. There are lots of lovely hikes around Lacy's Cave, and Long Meg and Her Daughters is an intriguing stone circle that's worth a visit.
- Country Cottage
- 3 bedrooms
- Self-catering (pub walkable)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car essential
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
Rooms
You enter the house via the back garden, which is cottage-style with beds, shrubs and a gravelled lawn. The conservatory looks out over the greenery and has a sofa and a couple of armchairs for relaxing when it’s not quite warm enough to be outside. Continue through to the kitchen, painted a handsome green. A cute window seat with a whimsical sign marks this nook as the ‘naughty corner’, which made us smile. The cottage dining room, adjoining the kitchen, has a table seating 4-5, and next door is the living room, with a sink-into-me sofa and a couple of armchairs, plus a fireplace and a TV with Netflix.
Up the wonky stairs (mind your head), there is a family bathroom and three bedrooms: one twin, one double and a single. All retain the original doors but are painted in a more contemporary black-and-white colour scheme, with exposed black floorboards and jute rugs. You'll find plenty of cupboard space in the master bedroom, and baskets and hangers in the twin. The single room has a small chest of drawers.
The bathroom isn't the most luxurious, and with only one loo for five it might be busy, but there is a shower over the bath and plenty of hot water.
Features include:
- Central heating
- Coffee / tea making
- Hairdryer
- Toiletries
- Tumble dryer
- Washing machine
- WiFi
- Wood-burner
Eating
The smart, forest-green kitchen has all you need to self-cater in style. The big range oven is perfect for cooking family meals, and a microwave is hidden in a cupboard. The nearest shops are in Penrith (a 15-minute drive), where you can choose from Booths, M&S, Aldi or Morrisons. The cottage is well stocked with tea, coffee and milk on arrival, plus lots of spices and condiments. Dishwasher tablets are supplied, too.
We headed out into the village to sample The Strickland Arms for dinner, where we enjoyed hearty portions and the most excellent homemade pies. There are lots of other great places to eat nearby, too, including the intriguing Larch Cottage, an Italian cafe in a very elegant garden centre.
Features include:
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
Activities
- This is an ideal area for hiking, so pull on your walking boots and bag a couple of Wainwrights. There are also some suggested walks from the cottage if you're after a more leisurely stroll
- Biking - take your own or hire bikes locally
- Sailing - you are closest to Ullswater, where there are lots of water-based activities
- Near Ullswater is Aira Force waterfall, a 65-foot drop past ferns and rocks; there are lots of woodland walking trails around here
- Swimming - in the lakes or in the outdoor pools at Shap (10km) and Askham (6km)
- For relaxation and to ease those muscles, try the spa at Another Place (18km) or the treatments and classes at The Health Barn Askham (6km)
- Explore the dramatic ruins and gardens of Lowther Castle, where there's an adventure playground that's great for kids (5km)
- Try climbing at Kong in Keswick (38km)
- Acorn Bank National Trust is not too far away and has a busy cafe and lovely gardens (13km)
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Plantlife / flora
- Quad biking
- Sailing
- Shopping / markets
- SUP
- Swimming
- Well being
Kids
This cottage makes a great base for families wanting to explore the Lakes. It sleeps five, is equipped with Netflix, and has a garden, but watch out for those wonky steps with toddlers.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
There is a twin room and a single room, and a baby cot is available to borrow. All rooms share a family bathroom which has a shower over the bath.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
- Baby cot
- High chair
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Kids Activities nearby:
- Playground in the village
- The Rheged Centre has a cinema, exhibitions and events (12km)
- Abbott Lodge Jersey Ice Cream farm (2.5km)
- Woodland adventure playground at Lowther Castle (5km)
- Rookin House for horse riding, quad biking, go-karting, clay pigeon shooting & more (25km)
Families Should Know:
There are uneven steps in the garden
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
The Great Strickland Hideaway is in a sleepy village near Penrith in the Lake District. It's close to the M6 and the famous Tebay services.
By Car:
A car is essential, both to get here and to get around while you're here (unless you bring all provisions and intend to just stay put). The cottage has a parking space for one car, though it's quite tight.
By Train:
You can take the train to Penrith or Carlisle and pick up a hire car at the station.
By Air:
Newcastle and Manchester are the closest airports.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- Newcastle Airport 126.0 km NCL
- Manchester Airport 166.0 km MAN
Other:
- Beach 70.0 km
- Shops 10.0 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape