Insider tips....

Now that the lighter evenings are here, it is much easier to get out in the evening and with my husband off for the two weeks, we were finally able to get out.  With the lovely, albeit cold, dry conditions it was perfect for walking the fells.  Now is the ideal time to hit the Lakes and avoiding the crowds.

Why would you need to go anywhere else when this is the view from the window?

Most of our guest tend to use the guide books and follow the well-known paths like Catbells. Which, an hour's drive, is a brilliant little hill and well worth its money but of course it is very popular.  

You really don’t have to go far from Coal Yeat to find somewhere nice and quiet to sit in the sun and watch the world go by.  Even in the busiest times of the year, it is still easy to find some places in the Lake District to be alone and to find peace and quiet.  We are at the quiet, undiscovered edge of the Southern Lakes and have some fantastic hidden gems, like the Duddon Valley, only a short drive.  Take a look at http://www.western-lakedistrict.co.uk/blog for some tips for the stunningly secluded western lakes.

We still have some availability in May and June, but July and August are almost full.  We have some great offers on remaining dates including 10% off the remaining August week 10-17 if you mention this blog!

I am frequently asked, “What’s your favourite place?” although tempting to answer, “You have to go and find your own.”, I do always share!!

My favourite two places within everyone's reach and only 15mins from Coal Yeat are:

Beacon Tarn

An easy walk but with stunning views looking down over Coniston Water

The east side of Consiton

Just beyond Nibthwaite is a perfect bay for paddling, swimming and BBQ

Exactly what it says on the tin.........

We get great comments in the Guest Book here at Coal Yeat.  Some guests are kind enough to take the time to review online using tripadvisor or the letting sites websites.  However, although we all use them, not many people have the time nor inclination to write reviews once home.

I am not pushy and do not like to badger guests on their return to write a review, so I thought instead I'd start to include a extracts from the guest books to prove that we are 'exactly what we say on the tin'!!

Tethera's guest book (couldn't get to the recent one as guests are in!):

Here's what they say about Tyan:

Spring has sprung

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

It's been a long time coming.  After the wet winter, came the snow.  This delayed the spring somewhat, but with the lighter mornings and the slight warmth in the air, it's now definitely SPRING.

There’s no surer sign of this than scores of sunny yellow daffodils blanketing the countryside and the lambs leaping in the beautiful green countryside.  You don't have to head to Ullswater to spot the same daffodils that inspired Wordsworth’s famous poem more than 200 years ago.  Here at Coal Yeat we have over 50 different varieties of daffodils.  Finally they are all flowering at once to provide a dazzling display. If you prefer to witness the subtle, native miniature daffodils, these are still flowering abundance in the deciduous woods and untamed banks of the becks and rivers.  Just down the fell road from Coal Yeat you'll find stunning examples or why not enjoy a walk along the banks of the lake and maybe you too will be inspired!  

Springtime is a wonderful time to visit the Lake District. Just as the natural world reawakens after the winter break, the Lake District as an attractions once again comes alive with a host of activities.  Most of the attractions are up and running to the full summer programme and there really is something for everyone.  

For me the best spectacle of the spring are the lambs.  One of the first things you should do on a visit to Coal Yeat is walk through the beautiful green  countryside and watch the cute little lambs, joyfully playing together in the spring sunshine.  A drive out will reveal Cumbria is essentially one huge springtime nursery for lambs and calves. Herdwick, the distinctive Lakeland breed of sheep, have black lambs that then fade to chocolate brown and eventually to grey as they age. They’re usually over a year old before they are mature enough to eat but their mixed diet and long natural lifestyle produces a meat so rich and tender that it has become a national delicacy.

A first this year is our first batch of 100% Coal Yeat chicks.  Neville the cockerel has been busy and Missy a lovely attentive mum.  Despite all the odds - a fox attack and a ruffled nest, we have two little chicks.  We are all very proud, my daughters especially! (photos to follow - in fact I may dedicate a blog)

With many of our guests, especially the younger ones, Coal Yeat has become synonymous with nature - animals especially. We have Pigs, Hens, Cats, Dogs and Guinea Fowl.  The Guinea Fowl, a native South African bird, are the source of much amusement to the guests.  The run free and love nothing more than chasing each other. They been called everything from Turkeys to Quail to Peacocks.   The hens on the other hand have forgotten they are hens and are constantly vying for human attention, loving nothing more than a stroke and some food, often trying to get in the cottages!!  The pigs are fascinating to watch and love any vege treats - no compost bins here, just the pigs! 

Here is a photo from the guest book from guests commenting on the animal attractions:

Within an instant the body-warmers will be banished and the bluebells will bloom.............. best get booking quick while we still have some room!!

Sat Nav error

Sat navs may have revolutionised the driving experience, meaning we can find our way around unfamiliar places with minimum effort – but occasionally the computer doesn't know best.  

Don't get stuck in the mud

 

When coming to Coal Yeat, contrary to our advice, guests, delivery drivers and home shopping drivers are still preferring the directions of a dumb machine over their own common sense. Whichever GPS system you are using, please don't follow it blindly.  

Any GPS Sat Nav you buy will have mistakes and unfortunately most show a public footpath as the road to Coal Yeat - it's not!! 

The farmer has started to charge to pull you out

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the sign posts indicating the track to be a 'public footpath', the five-bar gate indicating that the road should not be used and even a Sat Nav error sign a fair few motorists have persevered and had to be rescued by farmers with tractors after becoming stuck in the mud.

I do warn guests with the confirmation and have even taken photos which accompany the directions to avoid this increasing problem.

So please take a look at the pictures and stay on the road!!  The farmer has actually started to charge to pull them out of his field as it's too frequent an occurrence.  Please don't be the next person to be lead on a merry dance by the computer.

Do not turn left down the track.

It's very easy with the comprehensive directions which accompany the booking details.  

Do not drive down this track or go through the gate

Scorchio.......

OK - so you shouldn't position in the direct sun 

!!

For seven days solid we have had temperatures soar into the mid twenties, dawn to dusk sunshine and not breath of wind. Our current guests never left the estate - I've dusted down the sunloungers and cleaned out the BBQ's and they are now in heaven.  As they said "why share the sun with the crowds in Coniston, when we have paradise here".  When it's like this, there is nothing more perfect than wasting time in our Lakeland holiday cottages here at Coal Yeat Farm.

I can't believe that it's only the end of March, and already I've applied the suncream and we've had our evening meal in the garden twice - beats last years record already!!

The daffodils of which there are over 50 varieties planted in front of the holiday cottages, have suddenly all bloomed at once this week - soon the vibrant yellow will be taken over by the blues.  Come mid April its bluebell time in the woods of the Furness Peninsular, and the trees slowly come into full leaf. The lakeland colours are so fresh and verdant in May and when the rhododendrons and azaleas come into full flower it's a spectacle not to miss

Our two Coal Yeat Holiday Cottages have recently welcomed some annual visitors who stay out in the paddocks well away, but in view from the self catering cottages the pedigree rare breed British Saddleback pigs. They camp out in the fields providing free range pig entertainment for all our guests.

Other annual visitors to Coal Yeat Farm include a cuckoo, swallows and martins, suckler cows with their calves and the sheep and lambs. These join the residential owls, falcons and other birds of prey and the passing buzzards which often glide past. And we must not forget the Skylarks singing a joyful welcome overhead.

All out holiday cottages are provided with a dedicated barbecue area and full barbecue facilities. The smoke from grilling saddleback sausages and burgers have certainly been hanging over these Lake District self catering cottages this weekend. Wish you were here?

We still have some availability for the early summer , please give Emma a call on 07887731553 to check availability.

From the visitors book

After getting a wee bit lost on the fell road we made it here - and were greeted with caramel shortbread, thank you. Absolutely gorgeous cottage and surrounding countryside, we were lucky enough to have scorching weather and most of the time sunbathing and barbecuing in the wee garden. Thank you again for such beautiful and well equipped accommodation. We will recommend it x

A note from Tethera guests

We get lots of lovely comments in the guest books, but it's much appreciated when guests take the time to write on their return home.  Our guests in Tethera braved the weather and had a fantastic time here in early February.  They even sent a photo, which I'll share with you all - just to prove what you see on the web site is what you get in real life!!

"Hi Emma,

Just a quick note to say that we really enjoyed staying in Tethera. We were warm and cosy with everything we could need.

I'm sure you've got plenty of photo's like this one but the view on Monday morning was simply stunning.

When we next feel like a break you'll be the first people we call and we'll certainly recommend you to our friends.

Best Wishes

Steve, Maggie and Tinker"

Offers

OFFERS~OFFERS~OFFERS~OFFERS

REMAINING 2022 DATES

Free Night Offer (Arrivals Between)

Name (shows to booker) Free Night Offer Details Stay 3 nights and get the cheapest 1 night(s) free Arrivals Between From 01 Nov 2022 to 16 Dec 2022 (inclusive)  Valid for arrivals on ANY day of the week Applicable Unittypes: Tethera can be sold on this offer Tyan can be sold on this offer YAN can be sold on this offer Methera can be sold on this offer Additional Durations: Stay 4 nights and get the cheapest 1 night(s) free Stay 5 nights and get the cheapest 1 night(s) free

 OTHER COTTAGES~OTHER COTTAGES

I also look after a different cottage in Lowick - 2 miles from Coal Yeat

For Beckside Cottage, a lovely family home sleeping 6 in three bedrooms (one ensuite).  Great garden, fantastic kitchen, piano and wifi

See www.holidaylettings.co.uk/183249