Nearby
The Lake District and Cumbria is renowned for fabulous walks, outstanding natural beauty - where the mountains and fells meet the lakes, glorious gardens, fascinating buildings, and amazing history. Many sites are owned by the National Trust or English Heritage. It’s an impossible task to capture everything that the Lake District has to offer so here are some personal highlights in close proximity to Swangs. There is a jam-packed folder of ‘PLACES TO VISIT’ in the cottage that gives further details on these attractions as well as many more.
View from the front of Swangs
Local Mountains and Walks: Swangs cottage offers fantastic walks right on its doorstep through Lowick Common, Lowick and Sparkbridge. Lowick Beacon (a five minute walk away) offers spectacular views across Coniston Man mountain range, Wetherlam and Hellvelyn in the distance as well as the beautiful Crake Valley. The whole of the Lake District is within easy reach with the Old Man Range, Tarn Hows, Hawkshead, Windermere, Grasmere, Bowness, Broughton-in-Furness all close by..
Coniston Water
Coniston Water and Coniston: This beautiful lake is just a 5 minute drive with lots of sheltered bays which are ideal for picnics and swimming. A ferry runs regularly from the Lake Jetty to Brantwood home to John Ruskin. The spectacular lakeside position makes Brantwood one of the most beautifully situated houses in the Lake District. 6 miles along the shore of Lake Coniston brings you to the small town of Coniston which is surrounded by spectacular scenery and offers many country walks, including the climb to the top of Coniston Old Man from where on a clear day you can see the whole of South Lakeland
Dow Crag from the Old Man
Lake District: Swangs Cottage is perfectly located to enjoy the Lake District National Park and learn more about the historic figures that loved and lived the life including: William Wordsworth (Dove Cottage, Rydal Water, Hawkshead and Cockermouth); John Ruskin (Brantwood); Beatrix Potter (Hill Top Farm in Sawrey, World of Beatrix Potter); Arthur Ransome (author of Swallows and Amazons, set east of the River Crake); and Alfred Wainwright.
Lakeland Real Ale Pubs: Swangs Cottage is situated less than 1 minutes walk from the 14th century Farmers Arms and less than 4 minutes walk from the Royal Oak in Spark Bridge. Both offer local ales and excellent food.
The Langdales from Elterwater
Ulverston: Picturesque market town (4 miles from Swangs) with cobbled streets lined with fascinating buildings predominantly built in the 18th and 19th centuries. Also famous as the birthplace of Stan Laurel and the Laurel and Hardy museum. Ulverston’s landmark,on top of the Hoad Hill, is a copy of the original Eddystone Lighthouse in memory of Sir John Barrow. John Barrow wrote a book about the Mutiny on the Bounty and also discovered the Bearing Straits. From the Hoad there are great views in all directions. Ulverston is the nearest railway station and there is a Booths Supermarket here.
The Haverthwaite Steam Railway: is only 3 miles from Swangs and passes through 4 miles of beautiful Lakeland scenery before connecting with the famous Windermere Lake cruise ships at Lakeside, here you can sail to Bowness or Ambleside, 2 quaint old English towns on the shores of the lake.
Swinside Stone Circle
Swinside stone circle: 55 stones are set in a ninety foot diameter circle on the fringes of Black Combe.
Holker Hall: Home to Lord and Lady Cavendish, Holker Hall can trace its foundations back to the early 16th century, but was largely rebuilt in 1871. The Holker Hall Estate with it’s historic buildings, spectacular views and beautiful gardens is well worth a visit. Furthermore, it also houses the Lakeland Motor Museum with an extensive collection of vehicles. The vehicles include Sir Donald Cambell's own sports car and a full size replica of the famous Blue Bird speed boat.
Muncaster Castle
Furness Abbey: is one of the greatest Cistercian foundations in the country being over 700 years old and is located in a peaceful valley just outside of Barrow-in-Furness. Neighbouring the ruins of Furness Abbey is the Abbey House Hotel, built in 1914 by Sir Edwin Lutyens, famous as the architect of New Delhi. The original sandstone mansion was the home and guesthouse of Commander Craven, Chairman of Vickers Shipbuilding.
Muncaster Castle: 20 miles north of Swangs is Muncaster castle with its extensive gardens and also the world famous narrow gauge railway known as "L'aal Ratty".