Holiday homes & rentals in Cartmel

Cartmel accommodations position you in a medieval village that centres on its famous 800-year-old priory. Surrounded by rolling fields of immense beauty, Cartmel cottages are some of the most atmospheric in Cumbria.

From medieval to modern

Wander through the medieval village, past 16th- and 18th-century structures and welcoming inns. Then step back 800 years in time as you cross the threshold of Cartmel Priory, a sacred place surrounded by stories. Built by the famous monks of Lindisfarne, the priory was one of a handful to have survived the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s. With a vibrant music programme and an engaged community, the priory is a dynamic place of worship and song to this day.

Next, visit Holker Hall and Gardens, the spectacular stately home of the Cavendish family. Set on 18,000 acres of Cumbria countryside, fanning out into the Lakeland Hills, the house is over 400 years old and houses grand antiques, remarkable artworks, and important original manuscripts. Amid these reminders of its Elizabethan origins, it hosts modern-day events such as the Holker Garden Festival and Chilli Fest, which draw thousands to the estate's award-winning gardens.

This bore doesn't bore

You can also watch the bore from Jack Scout, a lofty perch for warblers, blackbirds, and those looking to catch the last of the sun's rays. Kids love beachcombing and scrambling over the rocks to the Giant's Seat. This stately seat looks out on panoramas of coastline and ocean. Even little ones will feel regal enthroned in this spot.

Meanwhile, nearby Grubbins Wood Nature Reserve is a superb place to spot wildlife, with songbirds and other species passing by on their migration to warmer climes. Sheep and cattle also graze this picturesque piece of coastal land.

Alternatively, spend a day at the Activity Hub, a family-run activity centre that offers fun for visitors of all ages. Whether you fancy trying your hand at some archery or touring the region on a mountain bike, you're sure to find plenty of opportunities here.

Into the wild

With Lakeland Segway, you can discover the secrets of the softly undulating hills surrounding your cottage. A twenty-minute training session is followed by glides through the stunning grounds and nearby parkland.

Come and discover Arnside & Silverdale, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Watch the fluttering of thousands of brightly coloured butterflies for which this limestone grassland is famous. You can also take cycling tours of the coastline overlooking Morecambe Bay. From the summit of Arnside Knott, take in views of the idyllic Lake District. About once a month, the Arnside Bore funnels down the Kent Estuary and crashes impressively on the shore. Your family will never forget this natural marvel.

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