lake district cottages : cumbria cottages                                   

Sleep 4/5 and 6

Braithwaite, Northern Lake District, Cumbria

£210 - £725

English Tourism Council 4 Stars

Highbridge Cottage and its neighbour High Bridge, in Braithwaite, near Keswick, are quiet and well-appointed ETC 4-star* cottages in the northern Lakes, with many beautiful walks right from their doorstep.  Braithwaite is the gateway to the north-western fells, and walkers can forget their cars for the whole week!  This lakeland holiday cottage forms part of a short terrace raised up above Coledale Beck, which flows gently past the forecourt.  The village has three pub/restaurants, two shops, and some very friendly people.  

Braithwaite, the village where the self-catering holiday cottage is located, is a walker's paradise in the northern Lakes.  Nestling at the foot of the Whinlatter pass, it acts as the gateway to the whole of the north-western chain of fells - the favourite part of the Lakeland fells for Wainwright, the sage of all Lakeland walkers, and he knew what he was talking about!  The village is also only two miles from Keswick, the capital of the northern Lakes, and five miles from Cockermouth, the birthplace of William Wordsworth - and, far more important in many people's eyes, home to the excellent local brew, Jennings!  And a pair of wild ospreys have started nesting and rearing their chicks just round the corner; you can watch them catch fish in Bassenthwaite Lake just a mile or so away.  

Braithwaite is a friendly place, offering a wide variety of amenities for visitors. The village shop is run by Mr and Mrs Hindmarch, who are very hospitable and provide most of the things needed over a holiday. You can order a newspaper, if you wish.  Ice creams at the end of a long walk are a popular option. 

Braithwaite has two pub/hotels, one hotel where you can eat, and a café, all within 400 yards.  The pub/hotels are the Coledale Inn and the Royal Oak, which you pass on the main road when you arrive.  Both the Royal Oak and the Coledale offer good pub grub, and the Coledale welcomes dogs.  You can also eat and drink at the Middle Ruddings hotel.  The café is part of the camp site, 200 yards past the Royal Oak on the right.  

• "This is the best appointed and best positioned cottage ever."
• "Very comfortable, very clean and well equipped cottage."
• "What an enjoyable time we have had staying in this very high standard, well equipped cottage. The setting is wonderful, so quiet and picturesque, who could ask for more?"
• "A very dog-friendly environment!"
• "A superb cottage in an excellent location."
• "We've stayed in many places over many years - as a cottage this is the best."