Essentially the farmhouse is a largely unmodernised traditional farmhouse, its oldie-worldie feel is comfortable and relaxing and engenders a feeling of stepping back in time. With four large double en-suite bedrooms, two wood burning stoves, a classic living farm kitchen, separate character dining room, which was the old salting room, and a comfortable, light living room, this is a special place to base yourself in the Western Lake District. Out of season, and for late bookings sometimes in season, we can be flexible on booking dates so can sometimes accommodate a shorter stay than seven nights, so please ask. There is plenty of parking available in the garden driveway.
You enter the house from the courtyard via a porch/boot room with plenty of space for coats, boots and walking paraphernalia. From there you enter the large well equipped traditional farm kitchen featuring wood burning cooker, with fridge freezer, washing machine and dishwasher, high level grill and oven with separate hob and microwave – and just to complete the picture a family sized kitchen table and chairs.
From there you move into the central stairwell that winds its way through the house, illuminated by an enormous window. The dining room is on the same level as the kitchen and is situated in the old larder and salting room – still containing the original sandstone trough that the farmers used to salt their meat, this room is built into a sloping site and thus has small windows.
On the first floor is the living room, with wood burning stove and sofas (now a little old!) from which to enjoy the last rays of the setting sun. There is a TV and DVD, Broadband from BT is available. This room also leads to a porch with separate access to the rear of the house where the tumble drier is kept.
Across the landing is the first bedroom, with kingsize bed where you can simply lie and watch Wasdale unfold before you. The en-suite full sized bathroom, which was the old family bathroom, and unmodernised, has a bath with shower over, toilet and wash hand basin. Guests should be aware this is an old fashioned bathroom but has been retained by the owners as it is deemed part of the character of this old property.
The second floor contains bedrooms two and three. Bedroom two, with kingsize double, has even better views of Wasdale and an en-suite containing bath with shower over, toilet and wash hand basin. Bedroom three has 2 separate single beds. The ensuite shower room has a quadrant shower cubicle, toilet and wash hand basin.
Bedroom four occupies the entire attic space converted into a spacious room with two large velux windows bathing it in light and providing – yet again – outstanding views of Wasdale. This is a twin bedded room, there is a futon for occasional use, and the en-suite bathroom contains a bath, toilet and wash hand basin.
The Farm House has oil fired central heating completing the comfort, yet the house still retains its essential character as an old Cumbrian building as many features have been retained in order not to lose the character of what is essentially a homely, spacious and relaxing house. Certainly, there may be uneven plaster-work and a well used patina around the house, so please don't expect sophistication! Most of our guests just love the house and have a relaxing holiday away from the stresses of modern life.
External
Outside there is ample off road parking and the Farm House has its own lawned area which is ideal for catching the afternoon sun. We advise guests to please not park in other owners allocated parking spaces. Garden furniture is available to make the most of this external space. Chairs are in the back porch and a table is kept in the garden shed.
Hallflat Farm welcomes well-behaved dogs; we charge £25 a week for each dog. Pet rules are below but we point out that some guests who prefer to have their pet with them in the sitting room may find this unsuitable. The area also has a wealth of walks suitable for dogs and most of the pubs in the area are dog friendly, including our local, the Bridge Inn.
Bookings
The Farm House bookings run from Friday to Friday and there is a no smoking policy. Prices are per week unless otherwise stated and include gas, electricity and bed linen but not towels. We can accommodate long weekends or mid-week breaks. Normally the farmhouse is let out for 8 guests, but sometimes with prior agreement we can take extra guests as there are two futons which can be made up as beds. For each additional person the charge is £20 per week/stay.
Walks
There are plenty of walks on public footpaths nearby, indeed a path crosses the garden and the field at the back of the house, this footpath goes to Santon. There are many walking books kept at the house for use by the guests.
Pet Rules
Please would pet owners adhere to the following:
In order to keep the house and garden at a high standard, and prevent causing a nuisance to other neighbours, we ask you to adhere to the following if you are bringing a pet:
House rules for pets
• Pets are not permitted on any furniture, ie sofas, beds etc even with covers applied, pets should remain in the ground floor area where there are hard floors (a pet gate is provided)
• Pets are not permitted to be left in the house or grounds unattended. There is a large garden at the farmhouse and your pet is welcome there, however, your pet should be kept on a lead in the communal areas (note there are four other homes on the farm) and certainly not be allowed to enter any other garden
• The interior and grounds of the farmhouse must be left in a clean undamaged condition, and we ask you ensure the gardens are checked thoroughly for dog mess, so that they are left clean for the next guests. Please ensure that you clear up after your pet and dispose on any waste, properly doubly wrapped, in the wheelie bin. All we ask is that you are meticulous in carrying out this duty, particularly as young children play in this garden area, and we trust you understand
• Pets must be clean and dry before entry to the house, we ask that you bring sufficient towels to dry and clean your pet before it enters the house even though it will be kept on the ground floor. There is a boot room and porch where dogs can be dried off
• Your pet must not cause any kind of nuisance to neighbours or be allowed to escape into the fields where there is livestock
• Your pet must be at least one year old at the time of your holiday
