The Mouse House - Self catering holiday cottage in Braithwaite, Nr Keswick, Cumbria, Lake District, England - Sleeps 2

Click any picture for photo gallery

The Mouse House is an idyllic retreat for up to two guests. Formerly a traditional Lakeland stone barn dating from the period when Rowling End was a farm, it has been sympathetically developed as a one bedroom cottage and in July 2009 it was awarded a 4-Star Quality in Tourism rating.

Lake Derwentwater is a pleasant fifteen minute walk away across the fields and from here you can catch a ferry to Keswick. The Mouse House provides the perfect starting point for a number of Lakeland walks and whether you are looking to explore the high fells, the lakes and valleys or simply wish to enjoy the stunning views, the house is ideally situated. Direct access to the fells and some of Wainwrights favourite walks - including Catbells, the Newlands Round and the Coledale Round can be enjoyed directly from house.

Dogs have always enhanced the owner's family’s enjoyment of walking and you are very welcome to bring your own dog to share your holiday with you.

Braithwaite Village is only three miles from The Mouse House with three pubs and a general store, and just one mile across the fields or down the lane there is the Swinside Inn which serves excellent food and drink.

Wainwright saw Newland’s greatest blessing as the undisturbed peace and freedom from mass tourism and commercialisation and today the valley continues to enjoy a relaxed way of life that in essence has not changed over the years. Rowling End itself was a working farm until the 1950s and the surrounding land still provides sheltered pasture for sheep and cattle from neighbouring farms.

Whilst The Mouse House is in a delightful secluded position, it is at the heart of the Northern Lakes and within easy distance of Borrowdale, Keswick, Derwentwater and Buttermere - whether by foot, car or bicycle.

For those new to walking in the Lakes, climbing Catbells (located directly opposite) is a must and offers magnificent views where on a clear day you can see the Solway Firth.

Much of the land surrounding The Mouse House is quite marshy and provides a haven for wildlife including buzzard and deer. You are also welcome to walk the fields at your own risk but need to be mindful of any livestock and leave the wildlife undisturbed.

There are plenty of things to do and see in this area to keep all ages amused, including: Honister slate mines; Borrowdale Go Ape; Braithwaite Keswick Climbing Wall; Whinlatter Forest; Cumberland pencil museum; The puzzling place; Newlands Adventure centre; Keswick Mire House; Keswick Trotters world of animals; Keswick Alhambra cinema; Keswick Launch ferry and Thronthwate Galleries.

For those who want to venture a little further afield, Penrith is twenty one miles, Carlisle thirty five miles and Workington is twenty miles.