Swinside Cottage is a one-bedroom stone cottage in the hamlet of Stair, sitting at the foot of Catbells in the unspoilt Newlands Valley, Lake District. One of five former mill workers' cottages, it holds a 4-star tourist board rating and has a customer rating of 4.7 from 59 reviews. Guests return again and again one visitor has stayed eight times.

The Newlands Valley is quiet and largely undeveloped. Walks start from the front door across low-level valley paths or straight up onto the fells. You can walk 1.5 miles to catch the Hawse End ferry across Derwentwater to Keswick. The Swinside Inn is half a mile away on foot.

The cottage sleeps 2 guests in one king-size bedroom with original beamed ceilings. The newly fitted bathroom has a bath with shower over. The open-plan living space has a large bay window, log burner and open fire. The kitchen has a dishwasher, electric oven and combination microwave.

Keswick is a 15-minute drive with Theatre by the Lake, the Pencil Museum and Derwentwater. Castlerigg Stone Circle is 3 miles from Keswick. The Newlands Valley Activity Centre offers ghyll scrambling and kayaking nearby.

Swinside Cottage suits couples and solo travellers who want proper walking country with a comfortable base. Peaceful evenings, birdlife, beck sounds and mountain views make this one worth booking early.