An estate of bliss in Lingholm: Enjoy the Lake District peace and tranquillity that inspired some of our greatest writers

FROM the minute the engine was switched off, the peace and tranquillity of Lingholm brought a smile to the face.

What made the smile even bigger was the knowledge that the engine would barely be switched on again over the long weekend. No need.

Fancy a stroll in some of the Lake District’s most gorgeous scenery? It’s all around you in the beautiful gardens of the estate.

A boat trip? Dreamy Derwent Water is at the foot of those gardens.

Tackle one of the most popular walks? Cat Bells is on the doorstep.

Want a cosy pub? The Farmers Arms with its warm welcome, homely food and cold beers is just a 15-minute stroll away in Portinscale.

But all of that lay ahead. First up was appreciating what the new owners have done to this splendid Victorian house, much loved by Beatrix Potter.

Built in 1873, it’s grade II listed and every bit of work has been done not just sympathetically, but to the highest standard.

There are now 11 top quality holiday properties, from two-bedroom apartments in the main house to six bedrooms in the other houses and cottages, many pet-friendly.

So, no matter how big your party you can cosy up in classy comfort.

We were in Borrowdale, tucked up in the eaves. It’ll sleep four in the two bedrooms, with dormer windows looking out over the sweeping lawns.

And from the big, open-plan lounge and dining room, the panorama that made us ooh and aah was the lake itself. And we loved the little kitchen breakfast bar at a window with those views, especially with dew on the ground, blue skies and powder puff clouds rolling softly over the hilltops.

Everything had a touch of luxury about it, from the gorgeous bathroom with the little window in the shower cubicle to the fancily-fitted kitchen.

But convenient though it was to cook up a meal, there was no need as there’s a popular cafe with fine fare and large portions – hence the feeling we better walk a bit of it off.

At just 451 metres Cat Bells is one of the most iconic Lake District fells and certainly one of the most visited.

It’s regarded as one of the easiest and as novices in this hillwalking lark it was just the right side of challenging.

The views across Derwent Water made the scrambles and the slight – OK, more than slight – bit of puffing worthwhile.

And the following day we were off to explore it on Keswick Launches (keswick-launch.co.uk).

You can take the full 50-minute round trip or hop on and off at any of the eight jetties – the skill with which the skippers slew expertly and quickly into each was to be admired.

The one at Lingholm is under repair but it was just a few minutes’ walk through the woods to the Hawse End jetty.

We hopped off for a while at Keswick – the nearest town to Lingholm – and spent a pleasant few hours wandering round.

On market day, you’ll find stalls packed with tasty treats and everything the Lakes walker could need. And at Fultons Lakes Jewellery Works, we saw craftsmen creating fine pieces in their workshop.

Back at Lingholm, we learned more of the Potter connection. She stayed 10 times and worked in an attic studio just across the landing from Borrowdale.

In the gardens which brought her so much inspiration there was another sight to delight – alpaca walking! Kids had beaming smiles and adults who’d become kids again we’re equally smiley as they led these gorgeous creatures on hour-long adventures.

But there was one attraction we felt it was worth getting back behind the wheel again.

Honister Slate Mine (honister.com) at the head of the pass, was a mere 20 minutes away and we’d booked one of the fascinating 90-minute tours.

Deep underground, engaging guide Donald, whose mining family goes back three generations, shared the history of the centuries-old mine.

It may now just have a handful of miners and a tourism focus, not 150 tough-as-nails souls as in its heyday, but Honister, like Lingholm, has adapted splendidly.