Fido Family Friendly Places

Located in the small hamlet of Hartley, approximately 1 mile from the popular Cumbrian town of Kirkby Stephen, this charming cottage, originally a brewery and inn, offers welcoming, comfortable accommodation ideal for couples or a small family who enjoy exploring, walking or cycling in stunning countryside. The Yorkshire Dales National Park, Upper Eden Valley and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are all right on the doorstep, and it is also within easy reach of the Lake District National Park. Dating back to the 1700s, the cottage, which is attached to the main house, has retained lots of lovely character features, which include exposed stone work on the stairs and a fantastic spacious bedroom with beams and galleried area. These traditional features are combined with all the contemporary comforts one expects from a holiday home, such as Wi-Fi, a well-equipped kitchen and contemporary bathroom with bath and separate shower cubicle. There is also a useful vestibule area where you can store outdoor clothing and boots.
Once a traditional farming and quarrying village, Hartley is a quiet place to stay, and the main sound you will hear is the babbling beck which runs through the village to the front of the cottage. The remains of the 12th-century castle can be seen on the hill which overlooks the village and on the summit of Hartley Fell are the mysterious ’Nine Standards’, a line of nine standing stones. Situated on the Coast to Coast footpath, the cottage is perfect for walkers. There is a variety of walks on offer to suit all abilities from a quiet riverside walk or a stroll along the railway lines to more challenging fell walks. The Eden Viaducts footpath starts in Hartley and the Howgill Fells are within easy reach, as are the North Pennines. The area is also great for cycling, with Kirkby Stephen on the C2C (Sea to Sea) Cycle Route. Other routes nearby include the W2W (Walney to Wear) coast to coast route and the Lakes and Dales Loop. There is an electric bike hire shop in the village and normal bike hire in Kirkby Stephen, or should you wish to bring your own bikes, storage is available on-site. Other popular activities available locally include golf and fishing. The popular ’Walkers are Welcome’ town of Kirkby Stephen is just 1 mile away and there is a footpath which will take just over 5 minutes to walk into town. Here you will find a good selection of shops, pubs, cafés and eateries as well as a couple of supermarkets, and there is a weekly market held on Mondays. The town also has a heritage centre and train station which is on the famous Settle-Carlisle line. In addition to its stunning scenery the area is also rich in culture and heritage and there are castles at Brough and Pendragon, both of which are free to visit. Shops and restaurants 1½ miles, pub 1 mile.

Orrest Howe is situated up the famous Orrest Head walk in Windermere, set in a beautiful woodland garden. You can enjoy sitting out on one of the many seating areas or end your day relaxing in the hot tub whilst taking in the local scenery.
This detached five bedroom property is a mixture of modern living combined with the period features of a Lakeland house, with two living rooms, plus plenty of room for dining, and a big modern fitted kitchen, including a large wine chiller, perfect for your party of up to ten. With three of the bedrooms en-suite, a family bathroom with a shower over the bath, plus an extra two separate toilets, your comfort levels are really catered for. There are views onto the front garden from four of the bedrooms which also look out over the tree tops onto Windermere.
With bars, restaurants and shops within an easy walk from the front door you will find your stay very relaxing. Alternatively just a few steps and you can head on up Orrest Head for a bracing walk and take in even more of what the Lake District has to show you! Shop, pub and restaurant 250 yards.