Dog-friendly Romantic Breaks

Woodpecker Cottage is a handsome two bedroom cottage with hot tub situated in the beautiful open countryside on the northern fringes of the Lake District National Park. It is nestled in 23 acres of land which guests can enjoy, and is also close to the fell villages of Caldbeck, Hesket New Market and Uldale. The cottage is well placed to walk the tranquil northern fells or to visit the unspoilt Cumbrian coast, Carlisle and Hadrian’s Wall. The renowned Cumbrian village of Caldbeck with a pub, tea rooms and shop is nearby. Nearest beach 16 miles. Shop, pub and restaurant 2½ miles.
Woodpecker Cottage can be booked together with Nuthatch Cottage (CC119138), Treehouse Cabin (UK1087), Osprey Lodge (UK11317), Kestrel Cabin (UK1246), Farmhouse Cottage (UK1285), Safari Tent (UK1286), Barn Owl Bothy (UK1366), Skylark Lodge (UK1378), Curlew (UK1389), Lapwing (UK1390), Merlin’s Cabin (UK1391), Robins Lodge (UK13643) and Starling Lodge (UK31071) to accommodate up to 53 guests.

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.