Picture yourself waking to the sound of a natural stream flowing past your window, stepping out onto a stone terrace with coffee in hand as morning mist lifts from the ancient woodland surrounding your private 1.75-acre estate. Red squirrels dart between centuries-old trees while deer graze at the edge of your sweeping lawns, and beyond, the dramatic peaks of the Lake District rise against an ever-changing sky. This is life at this 16th-century stone cottage in Miterdale Forest, where history, nature, and modern comfort converge to create an extraordinary vacation home experience in one of England's most celebrated landscapes. Dating back over 400 years, this detached country cottage sits in exceptional privacy on the edge of Eskdale, just minutes from the trailhead to Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. For those seeking a second home that offers both profound tranquility and adventure at the doorstep, this property delivers a rare combination of authentic historic character and contemporary amenities, all within the protected beauty of the Lake District National Park. The cottage tells a story spanning centuries, from its origins serving the Lords of Irton Manor to generations of Cumberland yeoman farmers who worked this land. Today, thoughtful restoration honors this heritage while ensuring every modern comfort international vacation home owners expect. Exposed ceiling timbers, inglenook fireplaces, and traditional stonework remain intact, complemented by underfloor heating, double glazing, and high-speed Starlink broadband reaching 220Mbps, making this an ideal retreat whether you seek digital disconnection or need to stay connected for remote work between hikes. The heart of the home is the main lounge, where an inglenook fireplace houses a wood-burning stove that becomes the gathering place on crisp autumn evenings and winter weekends. Original exposed timbers cross the ceiling, framing windows that capture sweeping views across Lakeland fells, with Muncaster and Birker Fell visible in the distance. Underfloor wood heating ensures warmth throughout, while doorways flow naturally to the dining room and farmhouse kitchen, creating spaces perfect for entertaining extended family or friends who join you for walking holidays. The dining room offers dual aspect windows that flood the space with natural light, showcasing the dramatic landscape that changes with seasons and weather. Solid wood floorboards and exposed ceiling timbers maintain the cottage's rustic authenticity while providing an elegant setting for long dinners featuring local Cumbrian lamb, fresh-caught trout from nearby rivers, or produce from farmers' markets in nearby villages. The kitchen balances period charm with practicality, fitted with traditional Belfast sink, wooden work surfaces, and space for a range cooker, while Velux windows bring additional light for morning breakfast preparations before setting out on fell walks. Four bedrooms across two floors provide flexible accommodation for family gatherings, multi-generational holidays, or hosting guests. The principal bedroom occupies a generous space with triple aspect windows offering stunning woodland and fell views, creating a serene retreat where you wake to birdsong and landscape vistas that shift with changing light. A second double bedroom includes en-suite facilities and storage, while a third bedroom overlooks the countryside with wooden flooring that maintains the property's character throughout. Ground floor accommodation includes a fourth bedroom with garden access, ideal for guests with mobility considerations or as a workspace for creative pursuits inspired by the surrounding beauty. Two bathrooms serve the property, including a traditional family bathroom with roll-top bath and a ground-floor shower room with rainfall shower, both finished with attention to period-appropriate details while ensuring modern functionality. The grounds truly distinguish this property as an exceptional vacation home investment. Approximately 1.75 acres encompass sweeping lawns, stone-edged terraces at multiple levels, established gardens with mature planting, and mixed woodland that merges seamlessly with Miterdale Forest. A raised patio provides an elevated vantage point for morning coffee or evening aperitifs, with panoramic views across fells that glow golden in sunset light. The natural stream running along the boundary creates soothing background sound and attracts abundant wildlife, from red squirrels and deer to diverse bird species including woodpeckers, nuthatches, and occasional visits from buzzards soaring overhead. A highlight for entertaining is the charming summer house affectionately known as The Cubben Arms, a unique social space equipped with power and bar facilities. This becomes the perfect venue for gathering friends after walking expeditions, hosting summer barbecues, or simply enjoying crisp evening air with a glass of wine while sharing stories of the day's adventures. The woodland setting provides natural privacy while creating an enchanting atmosphere that captures the magic of Lake District living. Practical considerations for international vacation home owners are thoroughly addressed. A private gated driveway offers parking for multiple vehicles, essential when hosting guests or accommodating family members arriving for holidays. A detached double garage with electricity provides secure storage for outdoor equipment, bicycles, kayaks, or seasonal items. Oil central heating ensures efficient warmth during cooler months, while double glazing throughout maintains comfort and reduces energy costs. Water supply comes from a local spring, gravity-fed and filtered for purity, connecting you directly to the natural environment. Private drainage via septic tank provides independence from municipal systems. The property currently operates successfully as a holiday let, demonstrating proven income potential for owners seeking rental revenue during periods when not personally occupying the property. The Lake District vacation rental market remains robust, with strong demand from domestic and international visitors seeking authentic countryside experiences. Management companies in the area can handle bookings, maintenance, and guest services, making this a viable investment for international buyers seeking both personal enjoyment and financial return. Location advantages extend beyond the immediate property. Direct access to walking routes from your doorstep includes the path to Scafell Pike, allowing you to summit England's highest peak without driving to trailheads crowded with day visitors. The surrounding Miterdale and Eskdale valleys offer gentler walks through ancient woodland, beside streams, and across open fells where you might walk for hours encountering only sheep and the occasional fellow rambler. Nearby attractions include the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, a heritage steam railway perfect for family outings, and the Roman Bath House at Ravenglass, one of the tallest surviving Roman structures in Britain. The coast lies just a short drive away, with the expansive sands of Drigg Beach and the picturesque harbor village of Ravenglass offering seaside contrast to fell landscapes. The market town of Whitehaven provides comprehensive shopping, dining, and cultural attractions including the Beacon Museum and Georgian harbor, while Windermere and Ambleside, centers of Lake District tourism, lie within comfortable driving distance for occasions when you desire more extensive amenities or dining options. Seasonal rhythms in this location create ever-changing vacation experiences. Spring brings carpets of bluebells through the woodland, lambing season across surrounding farms, and lengthening days perfect for extended walking expeditions. Summer offers the longest days, outdoor swimming in lake tarns, evening light lasting until late, and the famous Lake District weather patterns that create dramatic skies photographers travel continents to capture. Autumn transforms the landscape into russets and golds, with bracken turning copper across fellsides and opportunities for foraging mushrooms in the woodland. Winter brings possibilities of snow-capped peaks, cozy evenings beside the wood-burning stove, and the special quietness that descends when tourism diminishes and you have the landscape more completely to yourself. The local food culture celebrates Cumbrian heritage, with nearby establishments serving traditional dishes alongside contemporary cuisine utilizing regional ingredients. Cumberland sausage, Herdwick lamb, locally caught fish, artisan cheeses from valley dairies, and craft beers from microbreweries throughout the region create a culinary landscape as distinctive as the physical terrain. Farmers' markets provide opportunities to stock your kitchen with seasonal produce, homemade preserves, and baked goods, connecting you to the agricultural traditions that shaped this landscape. For international buyers, the Lake District offers accessible investment with stable property values in a region of enduring appeal. England's planning protections ensure the landscape remains unspoiled, while national park status preserves the environment that makes this area so desirable. Legal considerations for purchasing UK property are straightforward for international buyers, with no restrictions on foreign ownership. Experienced solicitors familiar with international transactions can guide the purchase process, while local estate management services provide oversight when owners are abroad. Climate patterns bring the famous Lakeland weather that creates the lush green landscape and dramatic atmospheric conditions. Rainfall nourishes the woodland and gardens, ensuring vibrant vegetation and full streams year-round, while breaks between showers create spectacular light effects across fells and valleys. Layered clothing and quality outdoor gear make any weather manageable, and locals embrace the philosophy that there's no bad weather, only inadequate preparation, allowing outdoor enjoyment throughout the year. Transportation access balances remoteness with connectivity. Carlisle lies approximately 45 miles north, offering main line rail connections to London, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, with journey times to London around 3.5 hours by train. Manchester Airport, serving international destinations, lies roughly 90 miles south, reachable in about two hours by car. The property's Starlink internet connection ensures you remain connected despite the rural setting, accommodating remote work requirements or simply staying in touch with home while enjoying your English countryside retreat. Investment perspective recognizes both personal enjoyment and financial considerations. Lake District properties in private, scenic locations with historic character command premium values and maintain strong appeal to buyers seeking authentic rural experiences. Current operation as successful holiday let demonstrates rental demand, with potential gross yields competitive for the vacation rental market. Properties of this character and setting rarely become available, as owners typically retain them across generations, recognizing their unique combination of attributes cannot easily be replicated. Key features include 16th-century detached stone cottage with over 400 years of documented history, four bedrooms across two floors with flexible ground-floor accommodation, two bathrooms including en-suite facilities, approximately 1.75 acres of private grounds including woodland, sweeping lawns, stone terraces at multiple levels, established gardens with mature planting, natural stream along boundary attracting abundant wildlife, summer house with power and bar perfect for entertaining, private gated driveway with parking for multiple vehicles, detached double garage with electricity, direct access to Scafell Pike walking route from property, oil central heating with underfloor wood heating, double glazing throughout, high-speed Starlink broadband up to 220Mbps, spring-fed water supply with filtration system, private drainage via septic tank, proven holiday let income potential with strong rental history, exceptional privacy in edge-of-woodland setting within Lake District National Park. This property offers international buyers seeking vacation homes a rare opportunity to own a piece of English heritage in one of the world's most celebrated landscapes. Whether your vision includes family holidays exploring fells and valleys, retirement retreat immersed in nature, creative sanctuary for writing or artistic pursuits, or investment property generating rental income while appreciating in value, this 16th-century cottage provides the setting and amenities to fulfill multiple purposes. The combination of authentic historic character, modern comfort, extensive private grounds, and access to outdoor adventures creates a vacation home that delivers profound satisfaction beyond simple property ownership. Contact Homestra today to arrange a private viewing and discover how this exceptional Lake District country home can become your gateway to English countryside living, where centuries of history meet contemporary vacation home comfort in one of Europe's most treasured natural landscapes.
