The third largest county in England, Cumbria, can be found on the north-west coast bordering Scotland to the north, Northumberland and Durham to the east and Lancashire and Yorkshire to the south. It is home to the world renowned Lake District and its landscapes consist of scenic lakes and green lowlands, to windswept moors and coastal plains to the west. Because of its natural surroundings it is an ideal place for outdoor activities and the county maintains a family friendly atmosphere. Read more
Hilltop is an idyllic cottage in a picturesque location in the Yorkshire Dales National Park with fantastic views. The owners have sympathetically updated the period cottage to make it comfortable for modern visitors while still retaining original features and character. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms, and there are lots of lovely walks and bike rides in the area. The cottage is within walking distance of the friendly village pub and just a few miles from Kirkby Lonsdale. The Lake District National Park and Bowland Forest are also easy to reach.
A 17th Century holiday cottage located in a peaceful position amongst beautiful countryside just three miles from the Cumbrian cobbled village of Dent in the Yorkshire Dales and within easy reach of the Lake District. Ideal for walking, relaxing or visiting the areas many attractions and with a fire for winter nights and pretty garden with glorious views, it is the perfect place to escape away from it all and relax. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Surrounded by breathtaking views and gorgeous countryside, this charming 17th century farmhouse is a true gem. Perfectly combining character with modern day comforts, the owners of Hill House have created a cosy and welcoming holiday cottage in the beautiful Upper Eden valley. Hill House is located in the small village of Winton, just a 30 minute walk to the traditional market town of Kirkby Stephen. Explore a new footpath each day or enjoy meandering around the picturesque towns and villages. With the North Pennines and Yorkshire Dales on your doorstep, and the Lake District just a stone's throw away, there are endless opportunities for exploring this stunning part of the world.
Harry's Barn lets you experience all the peace and serenity of the beautiful Cumbrian countryside without feeling isolated. The stone holiday cottage, which dates back around 200 years, has been upgraded and modernised to offer 4-Star Gold (Visit England) standard accommodation in the lovely village of Maulds Meaburn, in the Eden Valley and the Lake District National Park. The dog-friendly cottage has a large garden and is ideal for couples or families with children over the age of five. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Cockermouth is as charming as any of England's market towns with a weekly market, an excellent array of eateries, and attractions that include Wordsworth House. It sits on the River Derwent and is the starting point for fantastic walks and bike rides, being just over the border of the Lake District National Park and close to beaches and forests. Walking, mountain biking, fishing and sailing are only a few of the many wonderful ways to have fun when you stay at Kia Ora - a lovely holiday cottage about a mile from the centre of town and within walking distance of places to eat, drink and shop. The dog-friendly cottage sleeps up to four people in two bedrooms and is perfect for couples, families and friends.
A delightful dog friendly holiday cottage with wonderful views perfectly placed near to the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale where the stunning Lake District meets the rolling Yorkshire Dales. Ideal for walkers or anyone wanting to discover the many attractions of Lancashire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
Take time out from busy lives and spend time with your favourite person in this lovely retreat cottage. Hoglet Cottage is in the tranquil hamlet of Flanders, a mile and a half from Dalston village and within easy reach of Carlisle. The Lake District National Park, Solway Coast and Scottish Borders are within a short drive. There is a wealth of attractions and outdoor activities to enjoy, including fell-walking, sailing and mountain biking. Hoglet Cottage has been designed and furnished with couples in mind, boasting a luxurious standard of accommodation and a private garden with an outdoor hot tub.
Dandelion Cottage is a dreamy rural holiday cottage where couples can relax in luxury against the beauty of the Cumbrian countryside. It's four miles from Carlisle and a short drive from the Lake District National Park, Solway Coast, Hadrian's Wall and the Scottish border. This quiet area is the perfect place for fell walking, climbing, mountain biking and road cycling, with historic houses, gardens and lakes for variety. The spacious one-bedroom barn conversion has a super-kingsized bed, a huge ensuite, and a private landscaped garden with a covered hot tub.
A delightful holiday cottage providing a peaceful rural retreat for couples. Surrounded by the stunning scenery of the beautiful Howgills Fells, Bluebell Cottage is close to Sedbergh in the Yorkshire Dales but also close to the Lake District National Park so plenty of attractions within easy reach. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Stylish and well presented throughout, this charming self-catering apartment for four lies in a tranquil corner of historic Alston, nestling amongst the magnificent hills of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Perfect for walkers and those who want to explore the area’s many attractions (including the nearby Lakes and Yorkshire Dales), Millstream Apartment is close to open countryside but only 5 minutes‘ walk to shops and pubs. 4 Star Gold. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Sowerberry Apartment is one of three holiday cottages sitting in a tranquil position within the historic town of Alston with pubs and interesting shops within 5 minutes walk, and open countryside just around the corner. Located in the North Pennines AONB with superb walking and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. 4 Star Gold. Tourist board rating: 4 Star Gold
Sleeping sixteen guests (or twenty using sofa beds), this large 18th Century self-catering retreat is just perfect for large groups, and is located midway between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks. Full of country charm, Fawcett Mill beautifully combines fabulous original features such as a Rayburn range and log fire, with modern comforts including a sauna, seven bedrooms and internet access ensuring the whole party can relax in comfort. Affording a picturesque setting with water falls and a stream running through the grounds, this welcoming holiday rental for large groups is just perfect for walking, cycling, relaxing and catching up with friends and family.
Tucked away on a peaceful lane a short walk from the centre of High Casterton (with pub) and just 1.5 miles (20 minute walk) from cosmopolitan Kirkby Lonsdale with a great choice of pubs and shops, Norwood Cottage is a fantastic holiday home for couples or families who love spectacular scenery, great food and plenty of variety. There is good access to both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, with fantastic sights like Cragg Hill, Dentdale and Levens Hall all nearby. The flexible layout accommodates four people in two bedrooms, with the second bedroom being able to be configured as either a double or a twin, depending on your needs.
Camellia Cottage is in the wonderful North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, close to the border with Northumberland and within reach of the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. It's a spacious period stone holiday cottage sympathetically modernised to accommodate eight people in four bedrooms with two bathrooms. The layout works well for families and friends, including those with children and dogs. The opportunities for walking, mountain biking and cycling are endless. You can climb mountains, go caving, ride a horse, or simply sit in the garden and drink in the incredible views.
Cranmore House is a beautiful holiday cottage in Cumbria, close to the Northumberland border in the heart of the North Pennines. It dates from the 1600s and is full of period charm and wonderfully welcoming and comfortable throughout. There is space for six people to sleep in three bedrooms with a flexible layout that works well for families and friends. Children and well-behaved dogs love the huge garden and fantastic walks from the door. The cottage is in Nenthead, on the famous C2C cycle route and within easy reach of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.
Chapel Cottage is a wonderful holiday home in a beautiful location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines and within easy reach of the Lake District. It sleeps six people in three bedrooms and is furnished to a very high standard to be welcoming for families and friends, including those with children and dogs. Winton Common and the village pub are 100 metres from the door, with more amenities just over a mile away in the market town of Kirkby Stephen. It's a fantastic area for walking, cycling and mountain biking, with lots of sights and attractions to enjoy all year round.
Isaac’s Byre is a charming barn conversion sitting in the heart of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Renovated to a high standard, this versatile self-catering holiday cottage is eco-friendly, dog friendly and has a ground floor bedroom and bathroom. Sleeping six guests in three bedrooms with three bathrooms it is perfect for couples, friends or families looking for a peaceful rural retreat. Embrace action packed days exploring this beautiful landscape, or simply enjoy fantastic walks and stunning scenery from your front door.
Warton is the Clarke Kent of holiday locations. On the surface, it's a seemingly normal village with excellent pubs, cafes and shops, but its location makes it a holiday superhero. Within an easy drive, you can be strolling around the coast of Morecambe Bay, sailing on Windermere, hiking through the fells or climbing a mountain. The Stables is a delightful stone holiday cottage on a quiet street in the village, a short walk from all the action with a walled courtyard garden and space to sleep six people in three bedrooms (or seven with the use of a sofa bed). Families, couples and friends love it here because it's relaxed without being boring, with lots to see and do throughout the year.
Tucked away on the outskirts of Silverdale, this Cumbrian cottage is ideally located for walking and cycling not only through the Silverdale and Arnside Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty but also the Forest of Bowland AONB and the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Park. If that's not enough space for you, Morecambe Bay is only a few miles away, giving you the potential to alternate days at the seaside with fell walking, climbing mountains and exploring charming towns and villages with the odd stately home thrown in for good measure. Virginia Cottage is a beautiful Victorian cottage in a quiet location. Its spacious master bedroom is ideal for couples, while the second bedroom can accommodate a third adult, teenager, or older child.
The Farmhouse at Street Farm is perfect for large groups sleeping up to 15 guests. Stylish and beautifully presented, this luxury holiday home is ideal for catching up with friends or celebrating a special occasion with family. Sitting within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the farmhouse is a 10-minute stroll through meadows to the Fat Lamb Inn and just over half an hour's drive to the Lake District National Park. Fantastic opportunities for outdoor adventure on the doorstep and an abundance of opportunities for day trips out.
The Lake District and the Lake District National Park are far and away the highlight of Cumbria itself. They have served as inspiration to numerous writers, painters and artists and have been featured heavily in television and film. With an area of 885 square miles, the Lake District has a diverse range of natural sights including narrow valleys, oak woodlands which are filled with wildlife native to the area and, of course, tranquil waterways and lakes.
Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England at 978 meters and falls within the county limits. It forms a part of what is known as the Southern Fells, a dramatic range of mountains and hills, and on top of Scafell Pike you can see as far away as the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and Snowdonia in Wales. The habitat of the area is characterised with heather, bogs, brackens and moorland to give it an altogether histrionic appearance.
There are various trails and walks around the county too. The Pennine Way comes through Cumbria and is a 267 mile walk in total that starts from Kirk Yetholm in Scotland and finishes up in Derbyshire with a significant portion running through Cumbria itself. Cumbria Way is another well-known scenic walk and goes through rolling farmlands, mountain views, old market towns as well as enchanting valleys to provide an all-round experience of the county.
The main historical site is Hadrian's Wall which was built by the Romans and Cumbria hosts the longest visible stretch of the wall that is still intact. Indeed, the county is a Roman historian's paradise as it hosts the tallest Roman structure in England – Ravenglass Bath House – and there are various museums that offer a captivating glimpse into Roman Britain and how the local area changed over this period.
Adventure lovers can take part in the multitude of outside pursuits that are on offer. The Lake District National Park offers sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking as well as rock climbing and the makeup of the environment makes Cumbria the perfect place for outdoor activities. Combined with the rural and dramatic landscapes is the urban sprawl of Carlisle with its modern shopping facilities and lively nightlife; along with the West Cumbrian coastline with its golden sands and rich industrial history. Indeed, Cumbria is home to some unique culinary delights such as sticky toffee pudding, Grasmere Gingerbread, the Cumberland sausage and, of course, Kendal Mint Cake - a county that truly caters for all tastes.
The perception of windswept and desolate moors only paints half the picture of an extensive county like Cumbria. In between the picturesque landscapes and ancient history lie bustling towns and cities to provide an exciting and varied experience for all those who visit.
