A few minutes' drive or a delightful walk from the shores of Ullswater, in the pretty village of Dacre, Boxtree is a beautifully restored, two bedroom, 18th century farmer's cottage.
This delightful cottage is packed full of quality, charm and character.
With two pretty ensuite bedrooms, a cosy lounge, family dining room, cottage kitchen and sun room all complemented by a pretty cottage garden and patio, Boxtree is a real treat and the perfect place to enjoy the peace and quiet of the Lake District.
Dacre is a delightful Cumbrian village which is steeped in history and houses a 14th century castle and a church which is home to the mysterious Dacre bears.
The village has an 18th century pub, The Horse & Farrier where you can enjoy a pint and a meal after a day out exploring.
Dacre is just 7 miles from Penrith which links straight to the motorway and also just 14 miles to Keswick the popular Lakeland market town with a great array of cafes, bars and restaurants and of course the popular, award winning, twice weekly market and great local shops.
Ullswater is on your footsteps from here, enjoying a trip on one of the traditional steamers or enjoying the spectacle of the famous Aira Force Waterfall.
==Accommodation in detail
From the parking area, visitors enter through the rear door of the cottage.
The cottage is furnished to a high standard throughout and nowhere more so than in the cosy sitting room with relaxing sofas and armchairs.
The welcoming log burning stove is the focal point of the room and is a welcome treat on a winter evening as you relax in front of the TV.
Original oak beams, pretty cottage window and stone niches all add to the charm.
The shaker style kitchen is well equipped with everything you could need and includes an electric hob and oven, dishwasher and washing machine.
Dinner can be served in the adjoining dining room with antique farmhouse dining table making it the ideal spot for dinner with friends or a leisurely family breakfast.
To the rear of the cottage the sun room overlooks the pretty cottage garden and is a lovely spot to relax with a good book or the weekend papers.
A useful cloak room and drying room provide plenty of space for all your outdoor gear and there is the extra convenience of a downstairs WC.
Choose from two bedrooms; the master bedroom features a vaulted beam ceiling, feature wrought iron bed and traditional antique furniture and is complemented by a spacious ensuite bathroom with feature roll top bath.
The second bedroom can be presented as either a charming double room with superking bed or twin beds (please specify when booking) and offers a smart ensuite shower room.
To the rear of the cottage there is a pretty south west facing cottage garden with patio area and garden furniture and to the side of the cottage there is private parking for two cars.
The lockable stone outhouse offers secure storage for mountain bikes and outdoor equipment.
Location
Dacre is a small hamlet close to the popular village of Pooley Bridge at the northernmost tip of Ullswater.
The latter has a selection of village pubs, cafes and shops for the visitors and is popular all year round.
The area has a huge selection of footpaths, bridleways and there are walks for all and it is a popular area for mountain biking.
Travelling from the central Lakes over the stunning Kirkstone Pass you will drop down into the beautiful glacial carved landscapes surrounding Ullswater, with many quaint villages along its shore line.
The areas around the lake provide the perfect place for a restful and relaxed self-catering holiday, with plenty of opportunity for walking, exploring and getting out on the Lake.
At the southern end of the Lake you will find Glenridding, a popular little village and an excellent base to explore plentiful challenging peaks but especially Helvellyn and Striding Edge.
Ullswater is thought by many to be the most beautiful of all the lakes in the northern Lake District, being a serpentine body of water snaking a nine mile course under the lea of magnificent fells, woodland and mountain.
Much of the lake, its shore and surrounding fells are accessible for visitors to explore, where you will find some of the finest walks and water activities, along with the amenities of the lakeside villages.
One of the best walks in the National Park is the trail that runs along the eastern shores of Ullswater.
Explored from the southern end of the lake, dominated by Place Fell, St Sunday Cragg, and Fairfield, you take the path from Glenridding over to the east side of the water.
You will be able to ramble all day with a magnificent view always in your sight.
For the return journey, board the steamboat from Howtown or Pooley Bridge back to Glenridding.
For those who like getting up high, there are some of the best mountains and fells on your doorstep, the most famous being Helvellyn and the precipitous Striding Edge.
A gentler walk is Aira Force, probably the most famous of the Lake District waterfalls.
The main force falls some 70ft below a stone footbridge - so don't forget your camera.
Getting on the water is easy.
You can take a boat cruise on one of the five beautiful steamers in the Ullswater Steamer fleet.
They run the boats from Glenridding, with piers also at Pooley Bridge and Howtown.
It's a great way to see the lake from a different perspective and well worth taking a camera.
Boat hire is readily available, both at Glenridding and Pooley Bridge, where you have a varied selection of craft on offer including kayaks, sailing boats and little motorboats, along with hire of fishing tackle and licenses.
Further afield you have Keswick the main town of the north lakes, a bustling market town set between the peaks of Skiddaw and the gentle beauty of Derwentwater.
An all year round town there are good shops, a host of restaurants and cafes, along with museums, a theatre, cinema and leisure centre.
A major attraction for your canine friend is Podgy Paws pet shop, where you can stock up on goodies for your furry companions.
At the lake you can take a boat trip or hire one for yourself and explore the shoreline and little bays.
For more information on Keswick and its attractions see our links.
The market towns of Penrith and Alston lie to the North West on the edge of the Eden Valley and are well worth a visit.
The A591 winds its way from Keswick to Grasmere and on to Ambleside and from there branching off to Coniston and such delights as the Langdale Valley and Hawkshead.
