Crook Farm

Arriving at Crook Farm feels like coming home to my family. We love the huge farm kitchen, with its Aga and rocking chair, and the house feels spacious yet gently welcoming and comfortable. The children always ask to be lifted to the kitchen window so they can watch rabbits and squirrels in the garden, or the bluetits and chaffinches crowded around the feeders. Outside, there are old-fashioned flower borders under the front windows, lush grass and towering trees, as well as a lovely wild patch for hide and seek. In late spring, bluebells glow among the tree roots. After hiking over the rain-swept fells, we can ease our aching muscles in one of the farmhouse's three shower rooms, one of which has a bath. The rack over the Aga is handy for drying wet clothes, then we settle by the log fire in the lounge and toast marshmallows. Crook Farm is also well placed for exploring. A woodland footpath runs about a mile to beautiful Coniston Water, and a path from the back gate crosses the bracken and heather of the fell before eventually climbing Old Man, Torver's local mountain. Torver has a popular inn, The Wilson Arms, with a tiny shop attached. Coniston village is 2.5 miles by road and a little farther on foot. It has a Co-op, a garage with groceries and a post office, another grocery store with a butcher's counter, gift shops, places to eat, and shops for outdoor clothes and equipment. There's also a boat centre where you can hire various craft or catch a motor launch for a trip on the lake.