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.

Derwent Lea is 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.

Derwent Lea is surrounded by a lovely garden, in which children and pets can play in safety.

The lounge looks out at the wonderful view, and is comfortably furnished with a coal fire, colour television and video.

The fitted kitchen is well equipped, with built-in electric cooker, microwave, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, washing machine and tumble drier and of course all the usual kitchen equipment.

The dining room shares the fabulous view, and eight of you can eat here in comfort.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms. The master bedroom has a double bed and again looks out on that view. There is also another room with a double bed. The third room has twin beds and the fourth, a set of full sized bunks.

Sheets and duvets are provided throughout, but you do need to bring your own towels.

The bathroom features bath, shower, washbasin and WC and a very useful airing cupboard. A second washroom downstairs has a WC and washbasin.

There are also a cot, high chair and iron.

Heating: Oil fired central heating keeps the whole house snug even in deepest Winter. The price includes oil, electricity, coal and linen.