2 hours drive from Manchester, 3 hours from Birmingham, 5 hours from London. Deep in the heart of the Lake District National Park, in the picturesque village of Boot, nestling in the delightful valley of Eskdale beneath England's highest mountains.
The cottages are set beside a beautiful 17th century packhorse bridge and the tumbling Whillan Beck in the pretty village of Boot, in the delightful Eskdale valley, Lake District. We are secluded but not isolated and form an integral part of the village with its 2 welcoming Inns just 50 yards and 150 yards away. There is stunning Lake District scenery all around and many of England's best walks on our doorstep.
John Ruskin wrote of Eskdale as the 'Gateway to Paradise' whilst Alfred Wainwright, the famous Lakeland author, described Eskdale as a 'perfect Arcadia in the hills - the finest of all valleys.'
This is the heart of the Lake District National Park with the highest, deepest, steepest, and oldest! Within walking distance are Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, dramatic Wastwater, its deepest lake, Hardknott Pass, its steepest road, and Boot Mill, its oldest working water mill. It is a very special area for walkers with many of the finest walks in England on the doorstep.
Boot Village
Bridge End Farm Cottages are in the village of Boot. It is one of the Lake District's 'scenic hamlets', nestling beneath mighty Scafell, and despite having only some 20 to 30 residents boasts a church, post office, craft shop, corn mill museum and two traditional Inns. The village is secluded but not isolated.
Our 2 village pubs, The Boot Inn (formerly The Burnmoor) and Brook House Inn are only 50 and 150 yards away, and there are a further 3 pubs in the valley - The Woolpack, King George IV and Bower House. They are all within a pleasant walk or 5 minutes' drive of Boot and serve good food and Cumberland Ales. Imagine returning from a long day on the fells to a well-earned pint of real ale and hearty meal in front of a roaring log fire on a crisp winter evening or in the beer garden on a warm summer evening!
Eskdale Mill just over the packhorse bridge from Bridge End Farm is England's oldest working twin-wheel corn mill on the site of a Roman mill. Take a trip back in time to a museum like no other. It is on our doorstep and we thoroughly recommend a visit.
Boot Post Office & Village Shop is just a few yards away; they do great bacon butties in the morning or sandwiches to take away. For a more complete grocery service, the Eskdale Stores 5 minutes away in Eskdale Green provide an excellent selection of organic food and local produce including the famous Woodall's Cumberland sausages.
St Catherine's Church is just a few minutes' stroll away, beside the River Esk and Stepping Stones. It has a beautiful position and some fascinating old grave stones.
Hardknott Pass is England's steepest road and a great drive in good weather conditions. Less than halfway up on the Eskdale side is the well-preserved Hardknott Roman Fort. This is an absolute 'must' visit and the views are breathtaking whatever the weather, especially from just beyond the northwest gate.
The Ravenglass and Eskdale narrow gauge steam railway is one of England's most beautiful train journeys and it has its terminus just ¼ mile from our Cottages. This is a very popular attraction and a great day out for all the family.
Muncaster Castle was voted best tourist attraction in England in 2004. It lies at the gateway to Eskdale, easily accessed by car or the steam railway and a short walk. It is 800 years old, full of interesting features, is supposedly haunted, has spectacular and colourful gardens, and is the major rescue centre for the World Owl Trust with many rare and beautiful owls.
Rivers, Waterfalls, Lakes and Tarns
You are never far from water in the Eskdale valley. The tumbling Whillan Beck runs through our garden. The majestic River Esk dominates the valley - cascades, rock pools, ancient packhorse bridges and many footpaths are found along its route.
Stanley Ghyll waterfall has often been described as 'Lakeland's loveliest' and is only a short walk from Boot. Birker Force and Cam Spout are two other notable waterfalls in the valley.
There are many enjoyable walks from Boot which pass by beautiful lakes and tarns such as, Blea Tarn, Eel Tarn, Stoney Tarn, Burnmoor Tarn, Devoke Water and of course, the Lake District's most dramatic of all, Wastwater, where imposing mountains descend steeply into England's deepest lake.
Walking
Get 'far from the madding crowd' in this tranquil corner of the Lakes. For the more active, you can go straight from the cottage door, hike up England's highest mountains and enjoy not using the car all week. Away from Scafell Pike, you will virtually have the fells, moors, rivers and waterfalls to yourself for most of the year.
