Let’s start wide and then narrow down… Yes, we’re in the Lake District, the most beautiful area of the country, with big mountains, delightful lakes and tarns, all the colourful history from the Ancient Britons with their stone circles, through the Romans with their forts and castles, to the Vikings and all those lovely place-names. And yes, there are hundreds of things to do: every sort of water sport; every sort of walk form the gentlest of strolls by the lake to the hardest of slogs up Scafell, or a hundred other mountains; loads of places to visit –castles, animal parks, narrow gauge railways, steam and mining museums, the Bassenthwaite Ospreys, Then there’s all those authors, -Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth, Coleridge and so on. But better than that, we’re very near Keswick, the jewel in the Lake District. A perfect town, between two lakes, -Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite. A town with all you could want, -cinema, a great theatre with a tremendous variety of shows, museums, art galleries, and the best outdoor equipment shopping centre in the country. Add in friendly pubs, where children are welcome, and bar meals good value; add in Lake Derwentwater, lapping at Keswick’s toes; add in the truly magnificent scenery, and there really can be nowhere better for a holiday.

And we have two lovely big houses just thirty yards apart in the hamlet of Applethwaite, a couple of miles out of Keswick. Near enough for all the action; far enough out to be deep country, with quiet lanes, walks all over the place, and no hustle and bustle to spoil the magnificent atmosphere and views. Applethwaite was by-passed long before by-passes were invented, and has been ever since. It nestles at the foot of mighty Skiddaw, a 3000’ mountain, facing due South and soaking up all the sun that’s going.

Orchard Barn is the big one, with six bedrooms, two sitting rooms, three bathrooms and a splendid kitchen where you can provide for the twelve people who can holiday here together. Derwent Lea is only slightly smaller, with four fine bedrooms, two reception rooms, a large kitchen and two bathrooms, and all you could want for eight people; so bring the family, bring the grand-parents, bring a few friends, and have the holiday of a lifetime. Outside there’s plenty of parking, and superb patios to sit out in the sun and put the world to rights. Inside, every window looks out on the most stunning views imaginable. Both are ETC three star premises, guaranteeing you good quality furnishings and standards, and we ourselves live nearby should any emergencies or problems arise.

So there it is; two lovely houses in a beautiful hamlet, just a couple of miles from Keswick, the prettiest town in the Lake District, -the best holiday location in the country. What are you waiting for?