Starling Murmurations

Starling Murmurations: Cumbria

Just a thirty-minute drive from the bustling market town of Kendal, retreat into rural isolation in this wonderfully remote farmland. As you’ll be busy exploring the Lake District’s striking scenery of rugged mountains, gentle hills, and the largest freshwater lakes in England, you’ll need a cosy cottage to return home to. Kick off your hiking boots and prepare for some unexpected, countryside luxury.

From the outside, this restored farmhouse is everything you’d imagine from a rustic home. We love the traditional masonry with chunky grey stones, a slated roof, and a dry stone wall around its perimeter. This continues inside, with a warm living space featuring carpeted floors – plus underfloor heating – solid hardwood furniture, tweed sofas, and a wood-burning stove. Of course a range cooker and sloped ceilings complete the look upstairs, as you explore the bedrooms through gorgeous barn-style doors. But tradition ends there.

Outside, after a barbecue on your private patio, head into the secret outhouse. In here you’ll find a full spa with its own dressing room, showers, sauna, and steam room. Or if you fancy a challenge, there’s also a games room with a pool table and darts. Rural luxury at its finest.

Home truths:
*The ground floor has underfloor heating throughout
*This home is set over two floors with stairs, plus the main bedroom has internal steps to its dressing area
*Four covered parking spots are available, with further on-site parking for another six cars
*The entrance to the home is completely private
*Your host provides a cot and high chair
*A starter pack of logs and kindling are provided
*There's no dedicated workspace, but plenty of laptop-friendly surfaces
*The communal leisure building houses the sauna, steam room, showers, and games room – this facility is next door (shared with Bretherdale Barn) but you can also book out a time slot for private use
*There is a separate drying room with spa towels at the sauna