Dandelion & Hoglet Holiday Cottages are a newly converted barn, each with one bedroom, in its own private garden and hot tub. Situated in a quiet location at the end of a country lane, with delightful Cumbrian views, it is a perfect and peaceful getaway for two.
Finalists in the Cumbrian Tourism Awards and The Times Coolest Cottages 2023. These cottages have been awarded 5 star GOLD.
Think of an English country cottage. You’re probably imagining a pretty cottage garden, roses over the door and accommodation that’s designed for relaxing with views over rolling, green countryside. Dandelion and Hoglet Cottages could be that idyllic remote retreat for your next luxury break. This tranquil retreat is nestled between two World Heritage Sites, the Lake District and Hadrian’s wall. The Scottish Borders are a stone throw away.
Set in the rural hamlet of Flanders, near Dalston, Dandelion Cottage spaciously accommodates 2 people who desire peace & quiet, with a spot of luxury & indulgence.
Enter Dandelion Cottage and you will be lead into a spacious and delightful open plan living area with a patio door leading to a private cottage garden courtyard with hot tub.
Guests can relax in front of the glorious wood burning stove which will keep you warm and cosy even on the coldest nights with Freeview Smart TV and Wifi.
There is a well equipped kitchen and utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer. There is a downstairs toilet.
A modern oak staircase leads to a spacious luxury bedroom. The floor to ceiling window has idyllic views over the Cumbrian countryside where guests can relax and watch a variety of wildlife. The 6 foot super kingsize bed is the centrepiece where you can relax within crisp Egyptian cotton bedding. An en-suite contemporary shower room adds that little bit of extra luxury.
If Dandelion Cottage is not available on your chosen dates please take a look at its sister Hoglet Cottage.
Dandelion Cottage is about 3 minutes drive from the M6 and 1.5 miles from the village of Dalston.
Places to visit in Cumbria. Dandelion & Hoglet cottages are in easy reach of the attractions and history of the Eden Valley, Lake District National Park and the Solway Coast and there’s Dalston on your doorstep
Places to visit in Cumbria, the Eden Valley and the stunning Lake District
Dandelion and Hoglet Cottages are in such a great location for exploring Cumbria that it’s hard to choose the best places to visit.
For the traditionalists, there’s Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum at Grasmere, John Ruskin’s lake-side Brantwood House near Coniston and many Beatrix Potter attractions and highlights in and around South Lakeland.
Members of the National Trust have a huge selection of properties to choose from – Wordsworth’s Birthplace at Cockermouth is not as well-known as some while Acorn Bank near Temple Sowerby in the Eden Valley has a working mill, woodland walks and a famous herb garden.
Outdoor highlights in the Eden Valley and the Lake District National Park
For walkers, centres like Keswick, Ullswater and Caldbeck are a short drive away, opening up the fells around Derwentwater, the Helvellyn range and what’s known locally as the Back o’ Skiddaw. If you’ve never bagged a Wainwright, there are plenty of these Lake District peaks to choose from. The Cumbrian Way footpath also passes through Dalston so its gentler footpaths are on your doorstep.
Cyclists have plenty of options here too. The lanes and tracks around Dandelion and Hoglet are quiet and worth exploring, as are the various routes in and around the Eden Valley and the quieter rides north and west of Carlisle, looking out to the Solway Coast. The Coast to Coast cycle route heads from the Eden Valley into the North Pennines nearby and various Sustrans cycle ways criss cross Cumbria.
Most routes can be planned out to have great tea rooms or pubs at the end of your day too.
For the more energetic, Whinlatter Forest (near Keswick) has graded mountain bike trails as well as a Go Ape high ropes attraction and Honister Slate Mine (between Buttermere and Derwentwater) has a Via Ferrata for those with nerves of steel.
What to See and Do in Carlisle, the UK’s Great Border City
Carlisle has an amazing history and you can feel its heritage as you walk around. The castle, cathedral and remnants of the Border City’s walls are the obvious attractions but there are also plenty of hidden gems like Tullie House to explore.
The Castle is an English Heritage property and also home to Cumbria’s Museum of Military Life. There’s been a fortification on the site for nine centuries and Carlisle Castle was still a working fortress in living memory so there’s plenty of history to explore.
Carlisle Cathedral and its surrounding grounds are a peaceful haven in the centre of Carlisle. The Cathedral was founded as an Augustinian priory, became a cathedral in 1133 and is one of the smallest of England's ancient cathedrals.
Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery is home to the city’s heritage whether that is its art collection, Cumbria’s natural history archives or 2000 years of history, from the Romans to the railways. Tullie House holds regular events and special exhibitions and has a great café and shop too.
Carlisle has Bitts Park at its centre and the Cathedral’s grounds. There are also several hidden public gardens where you can have a break and take in the history and atmosphere of England’s Great Border City.
Finally, Carlisle Race Course hosts regular National Hunt and flat racing meetings and, on race days (and evenings), is alive with a great atmosphere. Access is easy from Dandelion and Hoglet Cottages as the Race Course is just a couple of miles up the road on the same side of Carlisle.
Where to eat in Carlisle
If you want a meal or a night out in nearby Dalston or Carlisle then Kathreen and Mike have a few favourite restaurants and bars to recommend. The Bridge End in Dalston is a local favourite, as is The Royal Oak Inn, a short drive away at Curthwaite. And if you’re looking for some Italian romance to add to your break, Casa Romana on Warwick Road in Carlisle has wonderful food and a great atmosphere.
“We went for a lovely meal at The Last Zebra in Carlisle, which we would highly recommend and also used Steve at Metro Taxis for the journey.” Rob
“The cottage is close to Carlisle (15 minutes). We enjoyed a lovely Greek meal at Alexandros (would recommend to anyone wanting a tasty meal and a break from cooking!) and 40 minutes to Keswick. Had a great 3 nights here, would definitely try to come back in future!” Joanne
Cumbria is known for great food and drink and there are excellent options for stocking up if you’re self-catering at Dandelion or Hoglet Cottages.
Cranston’s is a Cumbrian institution with a foundation in wonderful local meat but with two local shops that make the most of all the other delights such as cheeses, pies, puddings, cakes, preserves and fresh greengrocery. There’s a Cranston’s in the centre of Carlisle on Fisher Street and then an amazing Food Hall out of town on the A595 at Great Orton – highly recommended.
Out and about on the outskirts
There are several attractions on the outskirts of Carlisle that are well worth a visit.
Out near Carlisle Lake District Airport there’s the Solway Aviation Museum, an independent treasure trove of fascinating stories and amazing artefacts for anyone interested in the history of planes and aeronautical engineering.
The nearby market town of Brampton has plenty of independent shops, a great antiques and collectables centre and one of those hidden gems that make a short break worthwhile. St Martin’s Church contains some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the UK. Designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and made in the William Morris studio, Pevsner described it as a ‘remarkable building, the windows glowing with gem-stone colours’.
If you love Arts & Crafts, St Martin’s is well worth seeing and so is the village of Wreay, just a short distance over the fields from Dandelion and Hoglet Cottages. Sarah Losh is celebrated in the village with a small heritage centre and her most well-known work, St Mary’s Church with its unique interior.
If the wildlife around the cottages has inspired you, Talkin Tarn and Watchtree Nature Reserve are a short drive out of the city with gentle walks and plenty of bird and other wildlife to enjoy.
Last but not least, the Railway City doesn’t just have the West Coast mainline or the local commuter lines coming into Carlisle’s impressive station. The Settle to Carlisle railway is recognised as one of the most picturesque lines in England, passing through the glorious countryside of the Yorkshire Dales and Eden Valley. If you want a day out from Carlisle with no stress and no driving, this could be just the ticket!
