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With walks on bridleways and footpaths right from the door, you have many immediate choices, some with easy gradients, others more demanding. The whole hillside behind the house has numerous walks all through outstanding scenery. There is a small wood 5 minutes walk away with lovely wild flowers which has been designated SSSI status, but please remember to keep to the path. From the cottage it's possible to follow the bridal path around Whitbarrow Scar into the Winster valley and from there and enjoy a drink or meal at the Masons Arms. Many other fine walks await you in the Lyth and Winster valleys.
High above The Peat House stands Whitbarrow Scar, with its exceptional limestone pavement. As there are now only about 2,600 hectares of limestone pavement remaining in the UK, it has been designated as a National Nature Reserve. It's well worth walking to the top of Whitbarrow Scar to the highest point, called the Lords Seat (photo above). From here you can enjoy breathtaking views across Morecambe Bay and the Kent estuary to the south, the Lyth and Winster valleys lie below on either side and you can see hills and peaks in all directions - the Langdale Pikes, the Old Man of Coniston and the Howgills are all visible. Whitbarrow Scar is made up of limestone pavement, grassland and juniper scrub. In mid summer it's good for butterflies including high brown, pearl bordered, and dark green fritillaries.
The view above is from the top of Gummers Howe looking down onto Lake Windermere. It's about 5 miles from the cottage and you can park nearby. Do make time to make the short walk to the top as the views over the lake and fells are well worth the effort.
With quiet roads in the Lyth and Winster valleys there are plenty of safe tarmac roads and rough tracks to cycle. Although there are some hills to contend with you can enjoy the ride down on the other side!
We have a profusion of birds around the cottage - You may even hear the woodpeckers up in the wood and you will hear owls at night. As the evening draws in you should see the bats emerging from nearby houses and barns (sorry - we don't have any). If you are lucky and quiet, you may see the red deer in the wood whilst walking
There is a leisure centre with swimming baths and fitness equipment in Kendal and at Troutbeck Bridge (mid way between Windermere and Ambleside).
The Lyth Valley Hotel - our local pub and restaurant just 10 minutes walk by road or bridal path, good restaurant food and a nice bar.
Two miles away in Crosthwaite the Punch Bowl has both a very good selection of local beers and an excellent restaurant with a fine reputation. It has just been voted Michelin Pub of the Year!
For those who would like a wide choice of real ales and lagers the Masons Arms at Strawberry Bank is just 10 mins away by car and has many on offer and is our favourite! They also serve really good food and you can sit outside and enjoy wonderful views of the Winster Valley or book a table in their excellent restaurant.
Hare & Hounds
Just before the Mason's Arms in Bowland Bridge is the Hare & Hounds which serves food in the bar but also has a large restaurant area.
There is a great deal of information available about the Lake District on the Web. We have listed here a number of links to either specific attractions or organisations which have good web sites.
Cumbria Tourist Board Lake District National Park National Trust
Windermere Lake Cruises Wild Animal Park Aquarium of the Lakes Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway
Theatre by the Lake Ullswater Steamers Wordsworth
Holker Hall @ Motor Museum Steamboat Museum
In Windermere, Ambleside and Ulverston there are many attractions to visit and things to do - all within a short drive by car.
Ambleside has a lovely little cinema, Zeffirellis, where you can book a combined meal and film package, click below for their web site. Or try the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal which boasts a modern cinema.
Outdoor Activity Adventures
If you need some fresh ideas or local knowledge this company will help you plan and book a wide range of outdoor activities and it's commission free!
http://www.destinationcumbria.co.uk/index.cfm
Balloon flights
We can highly recommend taking a balloon flight with High Adventure Balloon Flights who provide flights over Windermere which frequently pass over the Peat House and land in the Lyth Valley.
http://www.high-adventure.co.uk
In Bowland Bridge, about 8 minutes drive, there is a Post Office and store. The farm shop near the cottage opens Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. offering vegetables and fruit. In Windermere there is a Booths supermarket which is very similar to Waitrose and a Tesco Express in Bowness which is open from 6am to 11pm. Further away in Kendal there is a large Asda and a Morrisons supermarket. The nearest large Tesco is in Carnforth, you can also order on line deliveries to the Peat House from Tesco.
Home Page Interior and Decking Area Rates & Availability Booking Form & Information