Kirkbrae Cottage sleeps six in three bedrooms – two double and one twin. It has been awarded 4 stars for self-catering accommodation by the English Tourism Council for the quality and scope of its facilities.

When we were renovating the cottage, we went to great lengths to retain as many original features as possible, whilst making it into a comfortable modern day living space. With the exception of the dining/kitchen room, it has fitted carpets throughout, and this together with the gas-fired central heating system makes it warm and comfortable, even in the depths of winter.

Entering the cottage from the cobbles, you step into the Lounge with its exposed beams and its original sandstone and brick fireplace which now has a log effect living flame gas fire. There is a comfortable modern three piece suite and antique oak furniture, books, board games, digital TV with Freeview, video casette player and dvd player. To give a warm ‘cottagy’ atmosphere there is no overhead light. For reading, two modern halogen lights are available to position behind your chairs to give superb light direct on to your book. This is a very ‘atmospheric’ room, with a cosy yet spacious feel to it.

From the lounge, go up a short flight of stairs into what was the second original cottage, and you find yourself in the Dining/Kitchen room. The room has exposed beams and a quarry tiled floor. There is a door out into Conkey’s Court, effectively a back door. The original fireplace is still here, but is now blocked off and for decoration only. The centerpiece is the large ’farmhouse type’ table, and there is a low pine dresser with a cd/radio music centre, and lots of storage space. The kitchen is well equipped, with electric cooker, microwave, washer/drier, fridge/freezer and a good range of cooking utensils. In the dining room you will see the Visitors’ Book, and it is very gratifying for me, the owner, to see the nice things that people write there! Click here to see a selection of recent comments.

Now up four short steps to the floor that is above the lounge. This has the master bedroom, with windows looking out on to Kirkgate and across to All Saints Church. If you are late to rise on Sunday morning you may be awakened by the peal of bells from the church belfry! The room is very light and airy, and features exposed beams and the original eighteenth century wood paneling. The en-suite bathroom has a bath, wc and wash hand basin.

On the same floor a short corridor leads to the guest bathroom with wash hand basin, wc and shower.

Another short flight of stairs leads to the Double bedroom, with its quaint windows looking out into Conkeys Court.

Adjacent to this is the nice bright Twin bedded room, with a large Velux roof light. Look at the slope of the floor here, and see how the carpenter has had to adjust the legs on the beds!

Because of the attention to detail that we have been able to bring to the furnishing of the cottage, it retains a real ‘cottagy feel’ without the discomforts of years gone by, and is probably the top-rated of the self catering cottages in the Cockermouth region.
We have a no smoking and no pets policy.

View from master bedroom towards All Saints Church