Luxury lakeside lodges for sale in Cumbria

The chance to buy seven luxury self-catering lodges plus a large family home that all overlook a private, 20-acre lake has arisen in Cumbria.

Knight Frank's northern hotel and leisure department is seeking offers in excess of £2m for the profitable and easy-to-run Tranquil Otter business, which was set up in 1998 when current owners Richard and Wendy Wise bought a small bungalow and six log cabin-style holiday lodges set in 30 acres of wood and grazing land.

They have since upgraded all the lodges to four- and five-star standard, added a seventh lodge, and replaced the bungalow with an oak-framed, four-bedroom house designed by architect Roderick James.

The Tranquil Otter is near the North Cumbrian village of Thurstonfield and within easy reach of Lake District and Northumberland national parks, Hadrian's Wall and Carlisle.

Both the house and the lodges overlook a 20-acre lake, Thurstonfield Lough, whose important to breeding and wintering birds has made it a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

There are two four-star (or ‘cosy') lodges which can each sleep up to four people and five luxury five-star lodges that can each accommodate between two to six people.

Each has lake frontage with lakeside decking, outdoor furniture and its own rowing boat.

Basic facilities include full double glazing, gas central heating, fully-equipped kitchens, and TVs with DVD. The luxury lodges also offer dishwashers and either a hot tub on the lakeside deck or a sauna and whirlpool indoors.

There is plenty of scope to add more lodges and a dedicated spa or leisure facility, subject to planning permission.

The home, Lough House, is set apart from the lodges, and has its own gardens, boat house and driveway.

By Angela Frewin