Sunnywood, Staveley

With stunning views all the way up the Kentmere Valley, three elevated entertaining spaces and a sunny garden and orchard filled with damson and apple trees…escape the hustle and bustle and experience the essence of Lakeland tranquillity, at Sunnywood.

The space

Welcome

Nestled along a quiet country lane from Staveley, the holiday begins before you even arrive at your destination, passing over a stone bridge towards Elph Howe.

Clearly marked gated access marks your arrival at Sunnywood, with access from both Elph Howe Lane and Kentmere Road, where there is ample parking on the driveway for four cars.

A true character cottage, brimming with Lakeland charm, Sunnywood once served the 19th century bobbin mill as workers’ cottages. Once the mill foreman’s home, Sunnywood is more spacious than your traditional Lakeland cottage, as it is two cottages merged to create one large home.

Step inside onto the traditional tiled porch, where an Art Deco hallstand offers a place for umbrellas and walking poles, to a backdrop of William Morris wallpaper. Coat hooks are set on the side wall, while a Lloyd Loom tub chair offers a place to rest and remove muddy boots. Natural light flows in through three arched windows, presenting views out to the garden.

As you move through the home, sense the warmth and welcome, in the traditional yet eclectic décor.

To the right of the entrance, original slate flooring covers the dining room floor. A spacious room perfect for gathering with the family after a day on the fells or paddleboarding on the lake. Off the dining room, a handy utility room with washer and dryer opens to the private walled courtyard, perfect for drying laundry hosing of bikes or the dog or to hang out wet suits and swimming costumes.

Off the dining room, there is a boot room, handy for toys and suitcases, with access through to the downstairs shower room with its on demand walk-in shower– ideal when rinsing off the dust from a day cycling the country lanes of the Kentmere Valley.

Feeling peckish? Across from the dining room, the spacious kitchen is equipped with all the essentials needed to feed the family after another active day adventuring in the Lake District. Appliances include a gas hob, double oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and sink. A breakfast bar in here lends a sociable element for casual dining and chit chat as meals are prepared.

After dinner, relax in the cosy sitting room, with its original Art Deco fireplace and open fireplace issuing abundant warmth in the wintertime. Carpeted underfoot, a built-in cupboard contains games and entertainment. Snuggle up and watch a movie on the Smart TV.

Connecting to this sitting room is a second sitting room, where verdant views of the garden greet you instantly through the windows. Pause on the window seat and soak up the serenity of your surroundings, with views of both birds frequenting the feeders in the mature rhododendron tree, and up the fell opposite. In wintertime, the open fireplace delivers warmth and cheer; take a moment to admire the ammonites embedded in the original Art Deco surround. Another fitted cupboard opens to reveal its stash of rainy-day, after-dinner games.

A home with great flow, a glazed door delivers you back into the entrance hall, completing an easy loop of the home – perfect for families with younger children.

A quirky trait of Sunnywood’s blending of two cottages is that it retains two staircases, a source of much joy for children and lending to ample opportunity for games of hide and seek.

When bedtime beckons, each bedroom at Sunnywood offers its own innate perks. A peaceful single bedroom frames window-seat views out over the garden – handy for separating out a cot and with easy access up to the family bathroom, where a large P-shaped bath contains overhead shower. The emersion heater ensures a constant flow of hot water. There is also a wash basin with storage above and below and a WC.

Across from the bathroom a king-size bedroom is bright and cheerful, with natural light flowing in through another deep set window, where views extend out to the fell.

Next door another light and bright king-size bedroom offers views over the fell from its window seat. An original fire (no longer in use) adds character and ambience. Sneak a peek at the storage area tucked to one side, which also features a wash basin.

Perfect for children, or groups of friends, a sizeable bedroom to the rear is furnished with two bunk beds. This bedroom also has its own wash basin and views out over the garden and orchard to the rear.

Quintessential Lakeland Garden

Outside, experience all the joys of a traditional old Lakeland garden, framed by woodland at the back.

Saturated in sunshine, the garden is full of different areas to experience and enjoy.

Experience the views over the Kentmere Valley from the three elevated entertaining areas. Note the bench seats in the barbecue area, crafted from the wood of the last remaining monkey puzzle tree in the Kentmere Valley.

The fantastic level lawn is primed for a game of petanque or simply watching the children as they cartwheel around and play games. Live the country life and explore the large orchard filled with apple and damson trees that burst into fragrant flower in springtime, heavy with fruit later in the season. A large open field, currently left as a meadow attracts an abundance of wildlife. Indulge children’s curiosity in the natural world by keeping count of the many birds, voles and elusive deer. Lift warm flat rocks in the summertime to discover a snoozing slow worm or perhaps catch sight of the rare red squirrel.

Take a blanket and lie in the comfortable shade of the orchard with a large platter of charcuterie, or feast alfresco at the rectory table at end of day with a large glass of wine. On warm days why not enjoy a dip in the beck across the road?

Undercroft storage in the walled courtyard provides space for bikes, whilst paths have been mowed into the meadow grass for the evening stroll to the garden bench for a glass of wine to watch the sun go down.

Out and about

Enjoy the prolific walks available directly from the back of Sunnywood or directly along the farm track to the village of Staveley. Walk to Elph Howe Road, up the hill to the pretty pack horse bridge and waterfalls. From here you can continue up to Skeggles Water, a delightful tarn nestled in the middle of rippling grasses. Notch up your peaks with a circuit of the Kentmere Horseshoe. For something a little different, anglers can head to The Kentmere Trout Fishery - just up the road. The River Kent runs past over the road brimming with small trout, whilst the Ghyll Head Reservoir is another great day out for trout fishing, only 15 minutes away through Crook.

Staveley recreation park has recently reopened after an extensive renovation, within sight of the beer garden by the crook of the river of The Eagle and Child pub.

Treat the children to ice cream from Kimi’s Gelato. The vibrant village of Staveley is also home to The Hawkshead Brewery, Wilf’s Cafe and More Bakery - all nestled within Mill Yard. Why not savour a sourdough pizza, available from More Bakery on a Friday and Saturday evening?

On the gateway to the Lake District, all the lakes, fells and waterfalls of the region await. Why not stock up on outdoor gear at Wheelbase or one of the other outdoor shops in Staveley’s Mill Yard?

Whatever you choose to do during your stay at Sunnywood, return home to the warmth, welcome and comfort both outdoors and in at this charming, characterful, spacious Lakeland cottage. Kick off your shoes and reconnect – with nature, and each other.