Bassenthwaite Village benefits from numerous walks, many starting from the house, including the famous Skiddaw! Locally, is
Dodd wood, with a choice of four walking trails that will take you deep into the woodland, where red squirrels are a common sight, and to the top of Dodd Summit for views across the fells and Bassenthwaite Lake - the only true lake in the Lake District.
Two miles away from the cottage, at the tip of Bassenthwaite Lake, is the popular
Lakes Distillery, where Lakes Gin, Lakes Single Malt Whisky and Lakes Vodka are made. Tours and tasting sessions are available for the adults. For more family-friendly attractions, the
Lake District Wildlife Park at Armathwaite is next-door to the distillery.
The popular tourist town of Keswick, with a theatre, cinema, twice-weekly market and many restaurants, cafes and pubs is just 7-miles away. 15 minutes in the other direction is Cockermouth, the oldest town in Cumbria, where you will find Wordsworth House and Garden (National Trust), Jennings Brewery and a wide range of independent shops.
The is a bus stop in the village centre with Saturday runs to Keswick, Caldbeck and Carlisle. Alternatively, the bus stop on the main A591 (0.2-miles from the cottage) has more frequent routes to the same villages, operating 7-days a week.