Within Arm’s Reach...

A short five-minute drive (or an hour’s walk if you’re feeling up to it) will take you to Longtown which offers a bakery, florist, post office, traditional butchers, cafes and convenience stores. Just 10 miles away, the historic city of Carlisle offers a selection of shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and a cinema complex, as well as visitor attractions like the Castle, Cathedral and Racecourse.

There’s a reason that Carlisle is dubbed ‘historic’, and that’s mainly because of the Roman influence! Visit intriguing locations such as Birdoswald, where you can see actual segments of Hadrian’s Wall itself, or take a hike along the length of its remains and tread the path that Romans once walked. There is even an entire fortress to step foot into, Carlisle Castle... At the heart of the border city of Carlisle, it features an interesting walk around the very walls that held Jacobite and Scottish prisoners, including Mary Queen of Scots! Being rebuilt and reused numerous times, this citadel is now also home to a modern Military Museum that holds an interesting expedition of wartime stories and artefacts.

The peaceful Talkin Tarn is a 10 thousand-year-old glacial lake and country park located just outside of Brampton, only 20 minutes from our retreat. This is a tranquil 1.3 mile walk, which is suitable for wheelchairs and has its own cafe and parking.

The ruins of Hermitage Castle also lay nearby, where history is filled with intrigue, murder, torture and treason. This awesome, eerie ruin has plenty of tales to tell, thanks to its role as “the guardhouse of the bloodiest valley in Britain.

Just less than an hour away, you can find yourself in Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park, Kielder Forest - the largest expanse of dark night sky in the whole of Europe, and in fact, one of the largest in the world. Here, you can camp out in the wilderness or find its very own astronomical observatory to admire the pristine skies (a stargazer’s idea of heaven); and if you’re lucky, you may even catch sight of the red squirrels and osprey that reside there.

Exploring Further Afield...

Cumbria is undoubtedly famous for boasting the stunning scenery of the Lake District, and rightfully so! This dazzling collection of glacial ribbon lakes and rugged mountains, fells and countryside walks makes for a mesmerising visit that you will never forget...

If you want to travel somewhere off the beaten track, there are 214 Wainwright Walks to explore the Cumbrian fells which will keep you occupied every time you return - with summits dotted all over the region, you’ll have to see how many hills you can bag!

Visit iconic locations such as Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, or experience a remarkable cruise across Ullswater (arguably one of Britain’s most beautiful lakes) on a steam-powered vessel to explore the region from a new perspective. You’ll also find a number of museums, galleries, gardens and ruins, as well as extraordinary stone circles, summits and a fair share of nature reserves to keep any keen adventurer busy around the area.

But if you’re looking for an all-weather interactive experience to escape the rain, why not take a trip to the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness-on-Windermere? This award-winning attraction brings to life the works of Beatrix Potter and her enchanting stories, featuring the favourite characters from her famous books, with a family atmosphere and friendly cafe. For an extra addition to your literary adventure, visit the Wordsworth House and discover where William Wordsworth once crafted his incredible 18th-century romantic poet.

Step into Scotland with a drive to Grey Mare’s Tail in Moffat, Dumfries (around 1 hour from us); a stunning scenic hike up a 60-metre hanging valley waterfall, and concludes with a breathtaking view around Loch Skeen. Definitely recommended for nature enthusiasts or those seeking to give their boots something to do!

And let’s not forget the all-important food venues… With a plethora of choices from tasty pub grub and bistro bites in every city, town and village to Michelin star finesse with a Cumbrian touch - you can see some of our local recommendations right here.