A spacious, Lake District character property in a magical rural location; gazing down the Troutbeck Valley with country pubs nearby and a short drive to both Ambleside and Windermere. Gara Garthe is a prime example of traditional 17th century Lakeland, pretty as a whitewashed picture in its delightful gardens and sympathetically refurbished to provide luxurious self-catering accommodation - with many original features.

With Farrow & Ball colours, Laura Ashley furnishings and sumptuous bedrooms, the place is made to relax. The gardens are delightful, with endless hide & seek for the kids, an old barn for bike storage, along with furnished patio and summerhouse for that al fresco moment. Enter through the back door, with flagged floor to the cloakroom / WC. Farmhouse kitchen / breakfast room with 'king post' beam dividing the room plus LCD TV. Stunning living room with open fire, window seats, oak beams and cosy furnishings. Elegant dining room with Victorian fireplace, seating 10. Upstairs to 5 stylish bedrooms; 2 king-size, 2 double and 1 twin. Luxurious bathrooms include one with a superb roll top traditional standing bath. Perfect large group property with luxury and style.

The Troutbeck Valley is an idyllic quiet location, not far from the vibrant villages of Windermere and Ambleside (on the shores of Lake Windermere). It sits at the start of the dramatic Kirkstone Pass road, which eventually leads to Ullswater. The valley is known for its peaceful atmosphere, with a scattering of traditional Lakeland cottages, a small shop, a lovely church and two excellent country pubs; The Mortal Man and the Queens Head. In nearby Windermere you'll find an excellent Booths supermarket, a range of local shops and several cafes, pubs and restaurants to choose from. A mile down to the Lake and Bowness village, and you'll find even more. The bustling village boasts plenty of family attractions, such as the World of Beatrix Potter, hire boats on the lake, mini golf on 'The Glebe' and of course the Windermere Lake steamers. There's the Royalty Cinema and the Old Laundry Theatre for rainy day entertainment, and Windermere Golf Club is just a short drive out of Bowness village. The same distance to your west is Ambleside, on Lake Windermere's northern shores. The village is a must during your stay and offers plenty more in the way of acclaimed Lake District restaurants and tempting local food. Windermere steamers stop here at Waterhead.

The small Lakeland village of Troutbeck can be found between its more famous neighbours Windermere and Ambleside, close by the Kirkstone Pass. A mixture of houses, cottages and farms, the village is scattered along a narrow lane bordered by a drystone wall. Many of these buildings date back to the 17th Century with features such as mullioned windows and heavy cylindrical chimneys and the northern end boasts its own 17th century inn. Close by, the bustling towns of Windermere and Ambleside are popular with visitors, providing a range of amenities to suit all tastes. Lake Windermere offers boat trips, including the lakeside ferry to the Lakeside Aquarium and Grizedale Forest Park. The ‘Windermere Steamboat Museum’ displays a fascinating collection of boats whilst children will enjoy the ‘World of Beatrix Potter’ in Bowness, where technology brings her characters to life. Within easy reach of destinations such as Coniston Water, Kendal, Keswick and the Lakeland Mountains, Troutbeck is ideally situated for exploring all that the region has to offer.

Accommodation