Located in a secluded spot in the Bassenthwaite meadowlands below Skiddaw and just seven miles from Keswick, Mireside Farmhouse is a unique combination of rural tradition and modern comforts. The solid stone house is a 17th century listed building which rigorous National Park Authority standards maintain fully in character, to the extent of preserving some charming peculiarities. The interior has been tastefully furnished in a modern style. It is carpeted throughout, with the exception of a beautiful sandstone floor in the kitchen and a rugged slate floor in the boot room. Externally there is a traditional farmyard and a large garden with a small stream running through it.

Quality Cumbria Recognition – Mireside is equipped and maintained to the standards required to achieve this quality recognition from the Cumbrian Tourist Board. The code of conduct specifies minimum standards for the quality, cleanliness and provision of guest facilities. The last inspection was in November 2008 and we make every effort to exceed all of the minimum standards.

Living Area - The kitchen/diner and lounge are one large area. The lounge has comfortable sofa's for eight, a woodburner and flat screen TV with DVD player. There is an additional, separate, lounge with sofa's and another flat screen TV. In the dining area, a large pine farmhouse table seats 8 comfortably. The kitchen is equipped with a large fridge with separate freezer compartment, a dishwasher, a fan assisted oven, a microwave and a full sized hob plus all the usual utensils and a plentiful supply of crockery & cutlery.

Bedrooms - Three twin and one double all upstairs. All rooms are bright and well lit. There is space for a cot in the double and one of the twin rooms.

Bathrooms - A spacious shower room with w.c. downstairs and a bathroom with shower and w.c upstairs.

Boot Room - Perfect for boots and drying clothes. The room is equipped with a Belfast sink, a washing machine and a tumble dryer.

Heating - Oil fired central heating with radiators to all rooms. There is a wood burner in the lounge giving warmth and adding to the atmosphere.

Telephone - The telephone will accept incoming calls and local calls can be made free. The number is 017687 76717.

Outside - The yard and buildings all belong to the house. There is lighting in the adjoining barn and the large barn at the rear where cars and boats can be stored. The large garden is cut regularly and benches and tables and a barbecue are provided. A small stream runs at the bottom of the garden and the view to Skiddaw is beautiful.

Pets - We welcome one pet on the understanding that it does not enter the bedrooms and that the gardens are left clean for children to play.

Shops - Mireside is roughly equidistant from Keswick and Cockermouth. The latter is a pleasant market town with a good range of shops and several small supermarkets including Sainsburys. It also has less traffic congestion in the busy season. 'Booths' is Keswicks largest supermarket and is very good. Fresh bread, newspapers and other basics are sold at the local village shop. The opening hours vary according to the season and the shop closes from the end of October to March.

Pubs and Food - The very popular "Sun" in Bassenthwaite which is open all day and serves good food and Jennnings beer is about 1.5 miles and a 20-25 minute walk from the house. Cockermouth has a good selection of restaurants and pubs and there are numerous places to eat in the surrounding villages.

Walks - 'The Cumbrian' magazine contains many good walks and we have compiled a booklet containing most of them from the last couple of years. Locally there is a visitor centre with a variety of short walks at Whinlatter. Dodd Wood, opposite Mirehouse on the way to Keswick, has routes in the woods. Mirehouse also has a play area for children and has previously won the national title as ‘the best property to visit for families' in a poll of visitors to country houses. From Mireside you can walk to Bassenthwaite Lake.

Buses - The Bus Stop is at the Crossroads about half a mile away. The X4 runs every two hours to both Keswick and Cockermouth. The 554 operates three times daily between Carlisle and Keswick and the 73A operates on Saturdays from Bassenthwaite to Keswick. Timetables are in the house.

Golf - Keswick, Workington Silloth and Cockermouth clubs. All are very good courses. Cockermouth, the closest, is short, very interesting and a good walk on the fells. Silloth is the best of the lot and is a tough links course.

Swimming - Keswick has a 'leisure pool' with a wave machine and water slide. A conventional pool can be found in Cockermouth and it is possible to buy day tickets to the leisure centres at Castle Inn and Armathwaite Hall.

Many Happy Returns - Many visitors return to Mireside, some quite regularly. The visitors book is testament to a lot of enjoyment the house and location provides. Please come and see Mireside for yourself!