When travel restrictions are lifted around the world, the UK has something very special to offer visitors. Birkdale House, in the Lake District, is now open to guests. This luxury self-catering property is located on the private Matson Ground Estate a five-minute stroll away from Bowness-on-Windermere. A must-visit town with plenty of character.
Sleeping up to 10 people, the impressive Victorian residence dates back to 1881 and is situated in 470 hectares of private countryside. Only the Cumbrian sheep as neighbors! Climb Brant Fell for sensational panoramic views of Lake Windermere and the Lake District fells beyond.
The tree-lined approach to the building adds grandeur and builds excitement during the drive up to the grand house itself. Despite being secluded, it is just minutes from the popular tourist town of Bowness-on Windermere. Step inside and Birkdale House radiates grown-up luxury and understated elegance, but with a few fun surprises for all ages.
Dine ins and lie ins
The traditional family dining room has a large characterful dining table that can easily seat 12. With spectacular views of the gardens and a fire for the winter months, it sets the tone wonderfully for meal-times. The decor is very tasteful, with the right personality to create a good level of ambiance. Floral wallpaper adorns the walls, while some of the owner’s very own artworks can be found throughout the house.
You can make use of the fully equipped kitchen to cook your own dishes or go to local restaurants for a nice takeaway. The other option is to hire your very own chef to come and prepare a delicious meal for you instead. This is perfect for any special occasion you may be celebrating.
There is one more option and that’s the barbecue outside. Not just any barbecue, but a Big Green Egg, which can also be used as a pizza oven. There is a table outside if the weather permits, with a fire pit beside it if you choose to stay out under the twinkling of the stars.
Upstairs you’ll find five double bedrooms that have been individually designed with a mix of custom-made furniture and family antiques. All rooms have cosy White Company robes and have been named after original fields forming part of the estate. In Goosemire, arguably the master bedroom, huge original windows flood in light and reveal quite spectacular views of the Lake District fells and Lake Windermere.
Class and sophistication
From the cosy snug and charming drawing room, to the cavernous downstairs hideaway, Birkdale House oozes class and sophistication. For lovers of design, Birkdale House is a must-visit if only for the artwork alone. Every room throws up something new from quirky discoveries snapped up at graduate art fairs to more classic pieces painted by local artists.
Reflecting the rural Lakeland location, Herdwick wool and tweed is another recurring theme throughout the house; from the luxurious Herdwick curtains in the snug to the Herdwick blinds in the bathrooms.
The downstairs hideaway is home to a cinema room, ideal to spend some quality time together watching a movie. It used to be a conventional cellar before being transformed and now features a 75” screen and a state-of-the-art surround sound system. There’s plenty of room on the giant sofa and the scene is set with 1950s B-movie sci-fi posters on walls. As well as the cinema room, the downstairs social area also includes table football and a pool table for added fun.
In addition to the downstairs fun area, the ground floor has two luxurious living areas to relax in. The light and airy drawing room overlooks the gardens and features two high-end sofas along with a number of stylishly upholstered chairs. Meanwhile the snug at the end of the long hallway is more intimate and the perfect getaway for some downtime with a good book.
TinTin II
Birkdale House also offers the opportunity to rent out a luxury motorboat called TinTin II, which is moored on Lake Windermere. The lake is 10.5 miles long and 65 metres deep, and TinTin II covers the length of it in a morning, making it a really enjoyable way to start the day and sightsee from a unique point. The skipper is a knowledgeable local man named Steve who’s worked on the lake most of his life. Pepper him with questions and he’ll know the answer to them all.
He’ll take you past ‘millionaires row’, where some luxury properties on the waterfront are owned by some famous names. Other houses have quirky facts attributed to them too, such as Broad Leys, which was built in the 1840s and was the first house in Britain to have bay windows.
From the Victorian viewing station at Claiffe Heights to Wray Castle via Belle Isle, where a house built in the 1770s ended up perishing in a mysterious fire in the 1990s, the trip out on Windermere with Tintin II is highly recommended. You can be dropped off anywhere you choose for lunch – there are plenty of delightful spots along the waterfront. Storrs Hall is a luxury hotel offering afternoon tea, which is a popular choice.
Tailormade experience
Additional services, ‘Tailormade For You’, are available to book offering everything from private chefs to unique family experiences in the Lake District, while a bespoke hamper will include lots of welcome treats for guests.
Birkdale House is easily accessible with plenty of secure parking as well as a Pod Point charging point for electric vehicles. It’s available for short breaks as well as week-long stays and is the perfect place to disappear to for secluded, romantic escapes or special celebrations with family and friends.
Dogs are also welcome with dog beds, dog bowls and treats provided. Short breaks start from £3675 and week-long stays from £4900, so from just £140 per couple/room per night. Sign up to their newsletter for news and offers, including a subscriber’s discount on stays this year.
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BirkdaleHouse – Book
Address:
Helm Road,
Windermere LA23 2NN, Great Britain
