The Cow House is a unique stone-built holiday cottage dating back to the 1800s offering accommodation for two guests seeking to be at the heart of rural England, resting between the wonders of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales National Park - Westmorland Dales Extension.

This property offers excitement in every direction, the local village of Shap being just over a mile away, offering you the most idyllic of bases. It sits at 1000 feet above sea level, in the grounds of a former upland hill farm, which was built in the 16th Century.

Park up beside the property and admire the beauty of your natural surroundings overlooking the surrounding fells, before venturing into the equally impressive open-plan living space.

Light up the wood burning stove and raise a toast to your romantic retreat, the Sky TV offering a lovely way to while away the hour while dinner simmers on the hob.

The kitchen area is home to a good range of quality utensils, Conran china, and appliances including an electric oven and halogen hob, microwave, fridge and dishwasher, while the handy utility also hosts a freezer and a washing machine!

The cottage exudes character in every inch, with its original wooden beams and exposed stone walls creating a rustic feel, while the luxurious decor provides a contemporary country feel.

Move along the hallway and cosy up beneath the Egyptian cotton linen and feather duvet of the super-king-sized bed, a TV found in here too for those relaxed mornings, as well as being served by an impressive bathroom boasting both a bath and a walk-in shower, so you can choose how best to prepare for your day.

Begin your days amidst the fresh countryside breeze out on the decking, before pulling on your walking boots and taking a steady ramble onto the immediate fells or the villages of Shap or Crosby Ravensworth, with its ancient church and community –owned pub. Resting within the Eden district of Cumbria, there's plenty of upland scenic splendour to explore all around the area, with fine wildlife such as Red Squirrel, Buzzard and Red deer. Shap village boasts a good range of amenities to assist you on your self-catered stay including a general grocery shop, a newsagent/Post Office and a prize-winning Chip Shop.

Shap also benefits from an outdoor swimming pool open in summer for those seeking water sports, while the wonderful Lake Windermere can also be found just a scenic drive away where you can find a plethora of activities such as kayaking, canoeing, raft building and much more; it's well-worth the journey particularly with the popular peak of Claife Heights being found in close reach too.

Only 5 miles to the east is Appleby in Westmorland, an ancient market town on the R.Eden, with a fine castle, cafes, an indoor swimming pool and excellent local shops such as two butchers, the best greengrocer plus a hardware store to die for. To the south of the Cow House in Orton, you can not only walk part of the Coast to Coast long distance walking route but refresh and warm up in the Chocolate Factory afterwards.

5 miles north of the Cow House, at Clifton is the George and Dragon pub, which uses fresh produce from the Lowther estate with Lowther Castle very close by. 5 miles north of that is the fine large market town of Penrith, with a plethora of independent, local shops such as bookshops, well established delis, crafts and material shops.

For adventure closer to the cottage, take a stroll around the beautiful Haweswater Reservoir, or venture over to Ullswater where you can enjoy a trip on one of its eco-friendly Steamers to get the best views of these scenic waters, with the Aira Force Waterfall and nature trails sitting on the banks of the water too.

Explore either of the surrounding National Parks for an unforgettable day out, perfect for walking, cycling, horse riding and wildlife watching, or spend your days exploring the surrounding wonders of Ambleside, Kendal and beyond.

With so much to see and do on its doorstep, The Cow House is a truly splendid choice for your escape to Cumbria.

Shap is a linear village sitting within the isolated dales of the Eden district, Cumbria. The village is home to a selection of shops, a Post Office, pubs, a swimming pool and a memorial park, while the nearby Shap Abbey makes a wonderful walking route amidst the River Lowther. Visit the beautiful Lake District National Park for walking and cycling aplenty, as well as Ambleside, Windermere and Kendal all being well-worth visiting.

Accommodation