Holiday cottages for rent in the Lake District and Cumbria:

Lake District Holiday Cottage accommodation available all year round

The English Lake District in Cumbria is one of the country's most popular holiday areas -  much of this hilly region of north-west England falls within the National Park area, with its exhilarating combination of mountains and lakes. Calm and beautiful in the summer, it develops a special charm in the autumn and winter, and so is worth visiting at any time of the year.

The Lake District is ideal for those who enjoy walking, with Scafell Peak, at 3210 ft being the highest mountain in the country.   Helvellyn is of course also popular and universally known, and offers either a leisurely stroll or a more challenge opportunity to test one's skills, depending upon which direction is selected.

Boat trips on one of the lakes is another enjoyable way to see the area.

Castlerigg Stone Circle is near Keswick - this is an ancient circle of standing stones set in a natural amphitheatre of hills and peaks. The circle can  be reached from the village. Long Meg and Her Daughters is another famous stone circle, which is near Little Salkeld. Legend has it that the stones were once witches who were petrified by a wizard.

Hadrian's Wall is now a World Heritage Site, having once been a  barrier built by the Romans to keep out  the Scottish tribes - the Wall reaches from  Carlisle in the west, to the mouth of the River Tyne in the east. A good section of Wall to visit is the remains of the Roman camp at  Birdoswald. Historical finds from the Wall can also be seen at the Museum in Carlisle. Carlisle was fought over by Scots and English over the centuries. The Castle Castle was built around the site of an eleventh century Norman keep, and the cathedral includes some superb medieval stained glass.

The village of Ireby itself has a fascinating history, and Old Saddlers Cottage provides an ideal holiday home from which to explore this area of outstanding beauty.

Old Saddlers Cottage at Ireby, Keswick - available to holidays throughout the year