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The Garden and Grounds

 

With its pretty garden, riverside walk, summer house, large wooded field and private shoreline, Sunny Bank Mill offers the ideal place to relax and unwind.

The Garden

The garden is beautifully planted for all seasons. The sheltered south west facing lawn catches the sun all day, but if a breeze is up the summerhouse provides a perfect place to sit and read. Stroll alongside the beck, watching out for the occasional heron or otter - more often a stray mallard or the ubiquitous dipper.

 

Cut up to the field leading down to the lake (3-4 minutes easy level walk from the house to shore); this is a great place for children and dogs to let off steam. Sit and admire the lake then take a circular route and return the other side of the trees, walking up the grassy lane past the back of the house. Finally settle down to drinks and a barbecue on the patio.

 

There is off-road parking for 6-7 cars – walk across the footbridge to reach the house.  There is a 7kW car charge point with a Type 2 socket.

The Lake

Sunny Bank Mill occupies a stunning location on the quiet western shore of Coniston Water. We have our own jetty and a shallow stony shore from which you can launch your own boat or hire our rowing boat and Canadian canoe. From the jetty you can see right up the lake to the central fells; across the lake are the wooded slopes of Grizedale Forest.

 

"Wild Cat Island" of Swallows and Amazons fame (and featured in the 2016 Swallows and Amazons film) is a 15 minute row away. It's a great place to explore with secret harbours, trees to climb, wild honeysuckle and rocks where you can stretch out and sunbathe on a warm day. On cooler days, take a thermos and enjoy a hot drink while you're there. 

Boats and bikes

Our rowing boat and 3 Canadian canoes are available to rent for the duration of your stay. Taking 3-4 people each they will open up a new dimension to your holiday, providing hours of fun. You will be able to explore the banks of Coniston Water, cross over to the far shore and land on Peel Island – great for games of hide-and-seek! The boats are stored down at the water’s edge and can be easily launched into shallow water from the stony beach. Oars, paddles and buoyancy aids in a variety of sizes are all provided. Please note that no training can be given and guests hiring the boats are expected to be fully competent on the water. You are also welcome to bring your own boats.

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In addition to numerous local bridleways and off-road cycle routes, Grizedale forest across the lake offers a fantastic variety of mountain biking experiences, from the gentle to the adrenaline-charged North Face trail.

Secure covered storage for your bikes is available at Sunny Bank Mill (please let us know in advance) or hire bikes for the day or half-day at Grizedale.

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