For
some, school days are fondly looked back on as the best time of their lives. For
others, the very mention of school is enough to bring back feelings of fear,
dread and a sense of overwhelming relief that those days are well and truly
over. Whether you loved or loathed your years in the classroom, a lesson in the
Lake District promises to encompass something everyone will enjoy.
As
one of the UK’s most attractive and popular holiday hotspots, the stunning
national park attracts around 15 million visitors each year, all eager to
explore its unrivalled natural beauty.
So
why not brush up on your geography and explore the rugged fells, imposing
mountains, dramatic sweeping coastline, historic sites and, of course, the
tranquil lakes of this beautiful region.
Awash
with a wealth of outdoor opportunities, visitors can make the most of this natural
playground and indulge in a P.E. lesson with a difference. There is a whole
host of adventurous pursuits to take part in, from adrenalin-fuelled
activities, including climbing, gorge scrambling and water skiing, to more
leisurely endeavours, such as walking and cycling, or kayaking on the lake.
Aside
from the great outdoors, the region is also famed for its literary connections,
with authors William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and John Ruskin
all taking inspiration from the scenic landscape. Visitors can brush up on their
literary knowledge and soak up some culture with a lesson in English Literature
at the many literary themed sites around the lake. Popular sites include the
World of Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth House and Garden and the Armitt Museum and
Library.
With
so much to see and do, it’s the perfect destination to escape to. So rally the
troops and get the gang together for a revitalising break at one of these
magnificent converted school houses.
Beautifully
furnished and with plenty of space for the whole family or a group of friends –
and not a teacher in sight – these luxury properties will make you want to stay
long after the school bell rings.
1 School Cottages (CC126108)
Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere and Staveley
Nestled
between Windermere and Ambleside, this rustic school cottage enjoys a peaceful
location just off the beaten track. This cosy property was formerly the head
master’s house, but has since been transformed into a spacious and comfortable
holiday home. Complete with traditional style furnishings and décor lends the
cottage an old-worldly charm and enjoys superb views towards Coniston Old Man
and the Langdales. During their stay here, guests can enjoy the very best of
the Lake District with easy access to Windermere, Ambleside and the lovely
village of Staveley, often referred to as the Gateway to the Lakes. As well as
a wealth of walking routes and fun to be had on the lake, visitors can explore
the village of Troutbeck which is home to a public swimming pool, shops and
traditional pubs.
Waitby School (CC131123)
Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen, Kirby Lonsdale and South
East Cumbria

Built
on Waitby Fell in 1680, this former school stands proudly alone and occupies
uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. While Waitby is said to be
have been an ancient market town with its own castle, chapel and cemetery,
traces of these are now no longer to be seen. Yet the school building remains,
having been purchased by a local family and lovingly restored into a luxurious
holiday accommodation. Many of the original features have been retained,
including the wooden panelling, the outside boy’s lavatory and the school bell,
while a host of new state of the art fixtures and fittings help give this
property a more modern feel. Located in Cumbria’s south east, between the Lake
District and the Yorkshire Dales, guests can keep busy outdoors and enjoy a
wealth of picturesque riverside and country walks around the area.
Barton School House (ICK)
Pooley Bridge, Ullswater

Quietly
tucked away close to the magnificent Ullswater lake, this former Victorian
school building has been beautifully transformed into a stylish, single-storey
holiday home, complete with its original bell-tower. Excellent walking routes
to the high fells and the lakeside are right on the doorstep, but for those
less inclined to don their walking boots, the dramatic Lakeland scenery can
also be enjoyed by steam boat. The property is ideally located for guests to
enjoy the many outdoor pursuits in the lakes, from climbing, hang-gliding and
horse riding, to an array of water sports. Thanks to its easy access to Ullswater,
the Lake District’s second largest lake at a huge nine miles long, visitors can
take in the dramatic mountain scenery and the rolling green fields and woodland
hugging the shoreline.