Hacket Forge

Summary

Hacket Forge is a beautiful 17th Century luxury Lakeland cottage nestled in an idyllic setting by the banks of the River Brathay and set amongst an acre of gorgeous gardens and tranquil woodland. It lies just a few minutes easy walk outside the pretty village of Little Langdale and sleeps up to 8 people; 6 in the main cottage, Hacket Forge, and 2 in the attached self-contained apartment, Brathay Loft. Taken together, it provides the perfect Lakeland retreat for friends and family get-togethers.

The Cottage

The front door of the Cottage opens onto a spacious dining room with a fine antique oak table set with eight chairs and is headed with a wood burner over which hangs a beautiful oil painting. There is a comfy sofa for relaxing whilst listening to music on the CD/iPod docking station, and it has windows on both sides of the room, one affording views over the front garden and the other to the rear over the rockery above the river. From this room, one can enter the cosy sitting room with another wood burner nestled underneath a huge old mantle stone. Here there are more comfy sofas, HD TV, DVD and plenty of books and games to while away those lazy evenings. Windows on both sides of the room provide lots of light and more lovely views.

From the rear of the dining room, there is a short hallway leading to the back of the Cottage where there is the kitchen and the slate stairs. The kitchen overlooks the river, is fully fitted with ample storage and work space, equipped throughout with new quality appliances including microwave, dishwasher, oven and hob, and has a large stainless steel fridge/freezer. There is also a set of French doors that lead to a highlight of the cottage which is a stunning outside decked area with luxury seating and set over the river for outside dining. The Utility Room can be reached through the kitchen or from an outside door to the side of the property and it provides a washing machine and tumble dryer, useful washing and drying space, places for leaving muddy boots and a separate WC.

Also downstairs, accessed from the dining room through a small hallway, is a double bedroom room with a king-size antique brass bedstead, high-quality mattress, and slate tiled ensuite shower room.

The fabulous original stone and slate staircase leads to the carpeted upstairs where there is a double bedroom and a large twin room, both with lovely antique iron and brass bedsteads and high-quality mattresses. The stylish main bathroom is also upstairs, complete with bath and separate large shower cubicle.

Brathay Loft

Brathay Loft is a self contained apartment, decorated to the same high standards as the cottage, and is on the first floor of the property. It is accessed from the outside up original stone steps to its own front door. Inside it comprises a very spacious open-plan lounge /fully equipped kitchen diner with oak beamed ceiling, wood burner, HD TV and DVD player. There is a large window overlooking the garden and river and out towards the Wetherlam and Swirl How fells. The cosy double bedroom, with a beautiful brass bedstead, overlooks the river, and there is a separate wet room with shower, sink and WC.

The Gardens

Outside, the gardens and woodland will captivate you. There is an outdoor dining table set in the pretty front garden, lovely picnic spots in the meadow by the river and numerous other seating areas. There are rope swings for the youngsters (and young at heart) and several hundred metres of river frontage with a series of gentle cascades and pools that are at most times deep enough for swimming, or at least dipping in a toe – the perfect recovery after a hard day on the fells. From the upstream end of the garden, guests can access a public footpath which leads out on to the fells or down to the waterfalls at Colwith Force. And for views, the fells of Wetherlam and Swirl How to peep through the woods to provide a final touch of magnificence.

The cottage is set well back from the road and is accessed down its own dry stone walled driveway to a small courtyard between the cottage and a storage shed that is able to accommodate five or six bikes. Beyond this there is parking for three cars and there are also two private parking lay-bys up on the road for use by guests.

Location

Whether you are looking for long hikes on the fells, or shorter, lower level walks in the valley, Hacket Forge is the ideal starting point for exploring this beautiful area. The property is within easy walking distance of Colwith Force, Tilberthwaite Ghyll, Wetherlam and surrounding fells, Slaters Bridge, Tarn Hows and the Langdale Pikes. Indeed, there is such an abundance of beguiling scenery, tarns, mountains and becks to explore straight from your door that once you have arrived you shouldn’t need to use your car at all! For those who fancy a stroll around the shops and cafes of Lakeland towns and villages, Ambleside, Coniston, Hawkeshead and Grasmere are within five miles.

Boat rides on the Lakes, water sports, fishing and riding are within easy reach, and the nearest pub - the lovely Three Shires Inn, serving bar and restaurant meals - is a few minutes' walk from the cottage.

For more information please call on 01539 437417.

Rates: Prices on application
Maximum of 8 people.
Children are welcome. Families with young children need to be careful of the river.
No smoking. Pets are allowed.
Off street parking.
Wi-Fi/internet access.

Please note that map locations may be approximate.