Location
2 Whitemoss Tarn Cottages is centrally located in the Lake District, in a peaceful yet accessible location above Grasmere village, set back from a dead-end road.
If you want to be active, you can walk, run, cycle or swim to your heart's content, all from the front door of the cottage. Bikes can be stored in the cellar or locked up at the rear.
If you want to relax, you can sit outside the front door, which catches sun for the most of the day. Birds visit feeders and a red squirrel is often seen in the huge oak tree that is almost at eye level from the master bedroom window.
White Moss, a rocky lump jutting out between Rydal and Grasmere lakes, feels almost private and offers wonderful views of the lakes and fells. We love taking a morning coffee or evening drink out here.
It is very much possible to have a car-free holiday, travelling by train and then bus or taxi. You could fill a week just exploring on foot, or you can catch the bus 10 minutes from the cottage to explore further afield.
If you want to be active, you can walk, run, cycle or swim to your heart's content, all from the front door of the cottage. Bikes can be stored in the cellar or locked up at the rear.
If you want to relax, you can sit outside the front door, which catches sun for the most of the day. Birds visit feeders and a red squirrel is often seen in the huge oak tree that is almost at eye level from the master bedroom window.
White Moss, a rocky lump jutting out between Rydal and Grasmere lakes, feels almost private and offers wonderful views of the lakes and fells. We love taking a morning coffee or evening drink out here.
It is very much possible to have a car-free holiday, travelling by train and then bus or taxi. You could fill a week just exploring on foot, or you can catch the bus 10 minutes from the cottage to explore further afield.
Great walks from the front door
- The cottage is right on the famous 'Coffin Trail' connecting Wordsworth's houses of Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount
- Low-level walks around the lakes of Grasmere and Rydal Water
- Easy but rewarding fells like Loughrigg, Silver Howe and Helm Crag ('The Lion and The Lamb')
- Full mountain days around the Fairfield Horseshoe, ascending Helvellyn, or conquering the Langdale Pikes. There's about 40 Wainwright summits that could be bagged from the cottage on foot alone.
Access to all the Lakes has to offer
- Wild swimming in Grasmere or Rydal Lakes, both just a short walk away. We are close to the southern end of Grasmere which offers the best access to the water and some lovely woodland beaches.
- Cycling Lakeland's fearsome passes, or even trying the full Fred Whitton Challenge route which begins and ends in Grasmere.
- Climbing and scrambling in the Langdale Valley (8 miles)
- Mountain bike trails at Grizedale (14 miles) and Whinlatter (16 miles)
- Hike up England's biggest mountain - Scafell Pike - from Borrowdale (45 mins drive) or Langdale (25 mins drive)
And if you need a relaxing day
- The Wordsworth Museum at Dove Cottage is 10 minutes walk away
- Cafes, restaurants, pubs - and a great gallery and book shop - in Grasmere (1 mile)
- Shops, restaurants, cinema and live music in Ambleside (3 miles)
- The famous Pencil Museum in Keswick (25 mins drive)
Getting to the cottage
- car: 40 mins from M6 junction 36. There is a dedicated parking area. Use postcode LA22 9SF for satnav. There is detailed information on getting here in our guest information: www.2tarncottages.co.uk/information.html#gettinghere
- train: Windermere station is a bus or taxi ride away. 3hr 15min train journey from London Euston, changing at Oxenholme.
- coach: National Express coaches stop 15 minutes from the cottage, it is then a steep walk up from the main road on the paved road.
Accessibility
There is a parking area with one space designated to our cottage. You will need to carry or roll your bags about 30 metres from car to cottage, it is not possible to pull a car right up to the front door.
There is a steep section of road 150m before you reach the cottage. In very icy/snowy weather, this can become dangerous to drive on (this generally only occurs for a few days each year, if at all). In these circumstances we usually choose to park our car at the pond below the steep section of road, or even down by the main road, and walk the short distance up the hill to the cottage. We love being at the cottage in wintry conditions, but please be aware of the possibility of slightly adventurous access if you are coming in winter.
There is a steep section of road 150m before you reach the cottage. In very icy/snowy weather, this can become dangerous to drive on (this generally only occurs for a few days each year, if at all). In these circumstances we usually choose to park our car at the pond below the steep section of road, or even down by the main road, and walk the short distance up the hill to the cottage. We love being at the cottage in wintry conditions, but please be aware of the possibility of slightly adventurous access if you are coming in winter.
