A holiday in a Troutbeck cottage promises the perfect ingredients for a truly relaxing break in the Lake District National Park.
The village links a string of small hamlets along a beautiful valley, midway between Windermere and Ambleside off the Kirkstone Pass. A Conservation Area, the atmosphere is sleepy, almost old-fashioned and many of the cottages and buildings boast charming architectural features like mullioned windows, cylindrical chimneys and exposed spinning galleries. Now in the hands of the National Trust, Troutbeck Park Farm was once the home of Beatrix Potter, where she bred flocks of Herdwick sheep.
One of the village's oldest properties, Townend House, is also protected by the Trust - a splendid 17th Century Yeoman's house, with stone mullioned windows, carved oak panelling and stone flagged floors. Another interesting old building is Jesus Church, renowned for its pre-Raphaelite, stained glass windows.
Park up your car and head out on foot, bike or horse along miles of footpaths and bridleways weaving through the valley. Try the Troutbeck Circuit, the Kentmere Round; look out for Lake Windermere occasionally on the horizon. And don't miss the Kirkstone Pass for amazing views across to Patterdale , Glenridding and Ullswater .
Expect to eat well in a Troutbeck cottage!
Choose from one of the fine dining gastro-pubs or enjoy a cosy night's supper sampling delicacies from the well-stocked village shop. And if you time your stay around Shrove Tuesday, enjoy food and fun at Troutbeck's annual Pancake Races!
Rest assured, when you book a Troutbeck cottage, you'll discover one of the quietest, prettiest spots in the Lake District.
If you still haven't found your perfect getaway, check out the full list of cottages in the Lake District. Or, explore this collection of holiday parks in the Lake District, which includes sites near to Troutbeck such as White Cross Bay.