Mallards Reach - Highly Recommended

Mallards Reach, Cartmel

Mallards Reach
Accommodation
in/near Newby Bridge, Cumbria (inc. Lake District),
England North West

Recommendation added: 21/06/2006 10:14
By: BAW123 (YSUK rating +47)

BAW123 has been thanked 1 times for this contribution

"Mallards Reach is a self-catering chalet / cabin style accomodation on a private site located in Cartmel, Cumbria. This is within the Southern region of the Lake District National Park.

The accomodation itself sleeps up six people in three bedrooms - a double, a twin and bunk beds. Each room is a comfortable size and well decorated, and bed linen is supplied.
The living area is divided into three areas. There is a well equiped kitchen that has a fridge freezer, an oven, hob and grill, and a microwave. As a nice touch, upon arrival we found that basics such as a pint of milk, tea and coffee were supplied so that we could have a nice cuppa following our long drive.
The main living area is very comfortable, with a three seater settee and two large chairs facing the gas fire, television and dvd player and overlooking the pond through the large opening patio doors. In the evening, we were finding that the sun shining into the room created a really nice, warm atmosphere.
Adjacent to the living area is the dining table and six chairs. Once again, this has an amazing view overlooking the pond outside.

The patio doors open out onto a beautiful slate patio and grass area, complete with pond and stream. This area has a couple of sun chairs, and a wooden table and chairs. It really is so relaxing sitting there as the sun goes down, listening to the trickle of the stream.
As you may have guessed from the name, “Mallards Reach”, this pond is also very popular with the ducks, who often come up onto the patio. Over the course of the week, we got very familiar with the ducks, and gave them names according to their traits and personalities, (such as “Wagglebottom” and “The Three Amigos” who always went round as a trio).
Obviously staying next to a pond can be fantastic, but visitors with young children will need to keep a careful eye on them for obvious safety reasons. Another caution is that water ultimately can attract mosquitos. It may be an idea to take a mosquito repellant candle if you are planning on sitting out in the garden area.

There is also a very nice size bathroom, that has a large bath and shower.

The lodge is very nicely furnished, and is heated in the event the weather turns colder.

Being a private estate, there are certain rules and considerations to follow, but these are to ensure that everyone who visits and lives there has a pleasant experience.

Mallards Reach is ideal for visitors to the Lake District. As I have been recommending it to my friends and family, I have described it as “in the middle of nowhere, but 15 minutes to everywhere”, and this just about sums it up. The nearest village is Cartmel, a sleepy and pleasant community that wakes up when it hosts horse racing events. There are fantastic public houses including The Kings Arms and some small shops.
About 3 miles down the road is the larger town of Grange-over-Sands, which is a Edwardian and Victorian seaside town overlooking Morcombe Bay.
Heading in the other direction along the A590 you come to Newby Bridge. This is set at the southernmost point of Lake Windermere, and from this point you reach all the popular attractions and sites, including Windermere, Barrow and Dalton.
There really is so much to see and do in this area that you will be challenged to fit everything in within a week. Visitors should definitely pay a visit to the South Lakes Wild Animal Park and Grizedale Forest (both of which I have recommended on this site).

We really did have a fantastic week at Mallards Reach, and can highly recommend it to anyone considering visiting the South Lakes area. Accomodation for a week starts at £300 (depending on when you visit), and shorter breaks are available. When you consider that this location sleeps up to six people, you could be looking at as little as £50 for a seven night stay, which is excellent value for a place of this quality and location."