WITH Lakeland’s third highest peak, Skiddaw, towering above, and its most northerly lake on the doorstep, Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges is an exclusive holiday park in an idyllic setting, in one of Cumbria’s most gloriously unspoilt areas.

The Bellamy Gold Award park offers a range of luxury holiday lodges set in secluded woodland in an elevated position on the edge of Bassenthwaite Lake, recently designated a National Nature Reserve.

The lake is home to a rare species of fish and to a great variety of wildfowl and other birds (including Ospreys) and Red squirrels, which live along its shores. Dinghies, canoes and rowing boats can be launched from the park’s own jetty.

Rental lodges at Bassenthwaite are two or three-bedroomed, centrally heated and double-glazed, with extensively equipped kitchens, colour televisions and CD players. Each has French doors leading to a private timber patio complete with gas barbecue to help you make the most of idyllic summer evenings. You can also own your own lodge on the park, with show homes and vacant pitches available.

As well as watersports on the lake and walking the local hills, there are equestrian, cycling, tennis and golf facilities nearby, and the park is roughly equidistant from the lovely towns of Cockermouth and Keswick.

The latter hosts a series of festivals through the year, including films, walking, jazz, beer, literature and, of course, the Mountain Festival. There is also an annual Victorian Christmas Fayre.
Those looking for less active pursuits will find attractions nearby such as the famous Cumberland Pencil Museum, the Cars of the Stars Museum, and the brand new James Bond Museum. There are also Stone Age remains and the Whinlatter Forest Park, with its Heritage and Visitor Centre.

FOR SALE

At the time of writing homes available for sale are a New 2 bed Prestige lodge at £175,000 and a previously owned 3 bed at £76,950

CONTACT

Bassenthwaite Lakeside Lodges, Scarness, Bassenthwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 4QZ. Tel: 0845 4565276 or 017687 76641. Email: enquiries@bll.ac. Website: www.bll.ac

• Ground rent is £3,893.20pa
• Gas is LPG and electricity is metered and billed by the park
• There is an age restriction; children welcome
• No all male or female parties
• Pets permitted


This review was published in the Holiday Lodge & Parks Guide 2010, available with the April 2010 issue of Park & Holiday Homes. To order the latest issue please click here