Warm, funny, self-deprecating, Lynn adores her gorgeous garden and her guests equally, giving you her undivided attention. Her highly personal house has lavender-blue woodwork, odd chairs full of personality, windows that each frame a different, glorious view: the whole effect is fresh, simple and thoroughly country. She is artistic, has lived here all her life, knows the best fishing and walking spots, and may join you in a dip in the lake across the road. Breakfast is a treat, with homemade bread, jams and organic cereals, herbal teas for every cure. In the calm of whitewashed walls, the house breathes through wooden floors, antiques, fresh wild flowers, log fires. The pretty mixed-size bedrooms have enchanting river views and robes for the corridor run to the bathroom; the walls of the huge dining room carry musical instruments, seascapes, boats and baskets (poets, artists and musicians all gather here). An impossibly cute courtyard leads to the beautifully natural gardens; paths wind past fragrant azaleas, an organic veg patch, wild rocky outcrops to bluebell woods and a well-earned hammock. Peace at its best.
We spent 4 lovely days at the Anglers Return. Our host Lynn really took care of us and gave us a lot of great advice to visit the area.