There aren’t many places that really embrace the away-from-it-all feel of the deepest darkest Lake District, and this one is housed on an estate once owned by the son of William Wordsworth. Fields fringed by drystone walls and hillsides dotted with sheep are home to walking and cycling trails right from your doorstep. The River Rothay flows right past the garden where fairytale-esque stepping stones connect you to the other side of the bank. Following the riverside walk, you’ll end up in the pretty village of Ambleside in twenty minutes where shops and cafés abound and watersports on Lake Windermere are on offer. The home itself is an eco getaway, housed in a circular stone building designed to blend into the fells behind it. Make the most of countryside views from the terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows. The open living room, kitchen and dining room is flooded with light during the day and the high-spec kitchen is a cook’s dream. Plus, there’s underfloor heating and a wood-burning stove to keep things cosy warm. At sundown, there’s no better place than the furnished patio for a tipple or two as the sky streaks orange and pink.

Read more