Howrah's Snow Picture - is that really snow?

View from Howrah's with white fell tops

and proof of little snow in Keswick

There was a lovely blue just above the fell tops

 

Britain’s 50 best cottages, beach houses and rural retreats | The Times

Britain’s 50 best cottages, beach houses and rural retreats

 

The Times yesterday published a list of Britain's 50 best and we are proud to announce that The Boathouse at Knotts End was featured on this list.

 

One of Britain's 50 best rural retreats

 

If your idea of a memorable holiday is relaxing on the most romantic lake in England then look no further, the Boathouse at Knotts End has it all: stunning scenery, 10 acres of woodland and fields and 300 feet of private lake frontage provide guests with seclusion and a real sense of getting away from it all. Knotts End is an ideal honeymoon hideaway and the perfect escape for two at any time of the year.

 

Should guests tire of the magnificent views, there is plenty to do: take out Knotts End's row boat, cool off with a dip in the lake, or explore the many walking opportunities just outside the front door. Numerous sailing clubs provide water sports activities and the many villages close by offer shops, tea rooms, restaurants and pubs.

 

The Boathouse offers spaciously designed open-plan accommodation furnished to an extremely high standard with Chinese and Indonesian antiques and handmade silks.

Boathouse at Knotts End Bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

For more information, photographs and to check the availability and prices, see our website.

Snow Has Arrived!

Snow pictures from around the UK and Lake District

 

Varying degrees of blanketing white cover

Light dusting on fell tops - some areas had less snow than others but everywhere nice and cold

Ice Skating on frozen Lakes

Fields of white powder

Snow steps leading to a crystal lake

Beautiful blue sky - white making the morning much brighter

 

Misty morning with the hint of promised sunshine later

The Howrahs pictures from this morning

 

Well this morning was a complete reversal of our current weather. Misty, frosty and very chilly. Mist was hanging about but not for long as the sun was trying to rise above the fells to give us a glorious day of sunshine, still a bit chilly mind but dry....

The next few days are meant to be like today so never a better time to book a short break in one of our cottages http://tinyurl.com/av7zvvj

 

 

Merry Christmas to all our Followers and Readers

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and hope you all have a wonderful festive time over the next 3 days.

 

If you do not celebrate Christmas, then we wish you a happy holiday.

 

 

From us all at

Cottage Holiday Group / Lakes Cottage Holidays

 

Victorian Christmas Fayre Pictures - Keswick

Keswick Victorian Christmas Fayre Pictures

 

Some pictures taken of the Keswick Victorian Fayre, the big feature was the reindeer parade from Keswick Rugby Club to Market Square, looks like it was very ough for the young reindeer.

 

 

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a festive season.

 

Snow in the Lake District!!

Snow has arrived in the Lakes!

Come and visit the snowy   Lake District!   See the beautiful snow capped mountains and relax and unwind in one of our cosy cottages!  Fantastic discounts and short breaks available

 We look forward to welcoming you to a

Lakes Cottage Holiday this Winter,

P.S. Snow is not guaranteed.

 

Christmas tree for snow leopards - by Marwell Wildlife

Christmas Tree For Snow Leopards

Video courtesy of Marwell Wildlife

These 3 snow leopard cubs joined in the festive spirit when a real Christmas tree was placed in the home. Although only 6 months old, they appear to be very curious about this addition to the foliage in their surroundings.

Mum Irina was the first to make sure it was safe, the cubs only investigated later in the afternoon. The 3 cubs names are Kitana, Kamala and Kadhir (they were named by public vote from 1,400 submitted names).

Enjoy the video.

Christmas Lights in Market Square - Keswick

Moot Hall makes a great site for attaching Christmas Lights - Keswick

Finally I have managed to get a picture of the Christmas Lights in Market Square in Keswick. Plagued by drizzle on the lens over the past few weeks, causing the pictures to blur, scaffolding or the market tents obstructing the views, today was my lucky day as I was able to get the picture on a dry evening with minimal obstructions.

This year Keswick has put more effort into their lights, not that they haven't in the past, but in the past the lights had been removed for days on end whilst trying to replace bulbs that blew, leaving gaps which spoilt the effect. Well done.

 

Cottage Holiday Group wishes you a happy and festive build up to Christmas 2012, have you seen our Christmas countdown clock, come count down with us!!

 

 

 

Invermay in Blairgowrie, Scotland - New Cottage

One of our latest cottage in Scotland - Invermay

A beautiful Victorian Villa re-invented to a very high standard as a holiday home for the 21st century with original features from the 1880s which have been cleverly blended with a modern twist to provide all the comforts of a modern family home mixed with vintage character.

 

A fully restored Victorian Villa, located in an area where there are many historic Castles and Palaces. Offers flexible accommodation with 3 comfortable bedrooms. The popular Cateran Trail starts in Blairgowrie, which is a circular 64 mile circular walk for moderate fitness levels. Trout fishing and golfing are also available almost from the doorstep.

Can sleep up to 9 guests with 3 bathrooms, this property is also pet friendly, you may want to look at the pictures of this cottage which will make your mouth water.

INVERMAY, Blairgowrie, Scotland

 

 

Website Updates

We have been busy making a small change to add some festive spirit to our website

We have updated our Christmas & New Year listing page on our websites, they now feel and look festive, want to build some festive spirit take a peek, you may see Father Christmas

For the Lakes and Cumbria Area

http://www.lakescottageholiday.co.uk/christmas_new_year_holidays.asp

 

For all the other areas of the UK

http://www.cottageholidaygroup.co.uk/christmas_new_year_holidays.asp
 

 

Morning Mist on the way to work

Picture of the Morning Mist - Portinscale

 

On my way to work, yes I have to work on a Sunday!! I know you are all so lucky.

 

Thought you might like to see just how beautiful the Lake District can be early in the morning on a crisp winter day. I was even treated to sunshine.

 

Today is turning out to be a fantastic day for a trip to the lakes, make sure to dress warmly as it is still quite nippy out.

 

Enjoy your day from the Cottage Holiday Group :-))

WHITE SNOW CAPPED FELLS

The past few days have seen the temperatures drop during the night which has resulted in snow capped fells all around the Lake District.

Here are a few pictures for you to see the beautiful effect this has on the landscape at the moment. It would appear that even the rain cannnot melt this snow and every morning there is a bit more coverage.

Can you guess which fells these are?

Hidden Gems in Western Lake District

Loweswater-Crummock

 

Picture courtesy of Easy Living

 

Autumn Morning in Ullswater - Picture worth a thousand words!!

What a fantastic picture, really captures the mood early morning on Ullswater, does it make you want to visit?

Picture courtesy of Ullswater Steamers.

ELTERWATER TO SKELWITH BRIDGE WALK

Picture taken about midway between Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge - A walk that is easy, for the whole family and also wheelchair friendly.

This walk would take ou about 30-45minutes depending on your pace. Starting at Elterwater you will follow the river on your right hand side eventually walking through a gate to the spot above in the picture. This is Elterwater and you would normally come across at leat a few ducks which you can feed, and if you are lucky you will see the swans as well, however do be careful if you decide to feed them as they will keeping approaching you until they are on top of you.

Continuing along this path you will come out in Skelwith Bridge, there is a nice tearoom here with a balcony which you can sit on an overlooks the river below. Sometimes there will be some robin, quite tame and will pick up te crumbs from the floor or tables. Being dog-friendly this is a little gem and can be used as a midway stop for either lunch or some tea and cakes. Also in the area is a slate workshop and you can see or order slate for all purposes, such as nameplates etc.

Just before you pass through the slate workshop area you will have passed a waterfall, there are steps and metal bridges you can use in order to get up close and personal. Do be careful as this can be slippery, but is well worth the stop to feel the power of the water. It is also extremely loud when up close and peronal with the waterfall.

You can then just retrace your steps and if thirsty or still hungry, you can stop at the hotel here for some local ales, beers or a plate of chips, everyone's favourite. A nice simple easy walk that gives you a real taste of Cumbria scenery. Location is Langdale area, which has some really nice cottages in the area with access to the more challenging walks in this area, like the Langdale Pike.

Just a quick laugh

I thought you might like a bit of a laugh, came across these pictures that were sent to me and wanted to share with you all.

This chap was going for GOLD for surfing, at least if it was an Olympic spot then he would certainly be in the running for a bravery GOLD. I have to wonder what happened next, it must have really hurt!!

Well, it appears that the animal kingdom are just as bad as the humans for obeying signs, however this kingfisher just wants to prove it's point!! (King of Fishing, perhaps).

Hope these keep you going at the start of the week, with all its highs and lows.