Following in the footsteps of its most famous inhabitant, children's author Beatrix Potter, Jackie Craft enjoys the charms of Lingholm Estate in the Lake District

IT is difficult not to fall under the spell of Lingholm Estate. It lies on the western shore of Derwent Water near Keswick, in the midst of 35 acres of garden and woods, and surrounded by fells. It is also the place where children’s author Beatrix Potter spent nine happy summers and was the source of inspiration for her much-loved illustrated tales.

These attractions were not immediately revealed as we drove along the wooded approach to the estate under the cover of darkness with a fine Lakeland drizzle falling. The first portent of what we could expect became apparent as the imposing 19th century mansion with gothic-style windows and tall round chimneys – our accommodation for the weekend – suddenly came into view.

Much has been said by previous visitors about the peace and tranquility of Lingholm Estate and the silence was the first thing we noticed. Nothing stirred – you could have heard a leaf fall.

Our two-bedroomed self-contained apartment – one of six in the main house – under the eaves on the second floor provided me, my mother and son with comfortable accommodation. It has been recently upgraded to include a luxurious bathroom with underfloor heating and a deep stand-alone bath, while a slit window discovered during the work provides a unique outlook for the separate shower.

Our top-floor windows gave out on a black vista: the absence of light pollution meant we couldn't differentiate between sky and land, only the occasional farmhouse light twinkling in the distance indicating any sign of life.

The morning revealed a different story. Breathtaking views over Derwent Water and the surrounding snow-capped fells were visible from every window – Castlerigg to the east and Cat Bells to the south. These really were rooms with a view.

The house was built in 1873 by architect Alfred Waterhouse, and the estate also includes five self-contained houses/cottages sleeping up to 12 people in the biggest one, Rosetrees. The current owners, the Seymour family, bought the estate in 2013, since when they have been sympathetically renovating it in a £1m re-development project. This included the opening last year of a stunning new café, the Lingholm Kitchen, located in the centre of the grounds and open also to the public, where we enjoyed a hearty breakfast.

My son declared his breakfast of eggy bread drizzled with maple syrup and served with crispy bacon “the best ever”, while I was delighted to find a “proper” vegetarian cooked breakfast complete with halloumi, fried potatoes, poached eggs and even baby leaf spinach. None of us needed to eat for the rest of the day.

The café, which also has a gift shop selling pottery, cards and books, overlooks an octagonal walled garden, which has been created on the site of the original Victorian garden featured in Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Fans of the famous author (it was the 150th anniversary of her birth last year) will delight in the gallery of illustrated boards around the vegetable and flower borders, depicting the history of her association with Lingholm Estate.

The estate is perfectly situated for easy access to a number of visitor attractions, including the attractive market town of Keswick, which is only a 35-minute walk away, and boasts several outdoor shops, tearooms and restaurants, as well as an outdoor market selling a range of local products, which is open on Saturdays.

For walkers, Cat Bells can be reached on foot from the estate. The 451-metre fell offers spectacular views over Derwent Water and is over easy terrain, making it suitable for all members of the family.

The Forestry Commission’s Whinlatter Forest is a three-mile drive west of Keswick and offers numerous walks with superb panoramic views over Bassenthwaite Lake and a visitor centre with a range of activities for children. In summer, visitors can watch live pictures of the famous ospreys, which have nested on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake since 2001, via a camera trained on their nest. These stunning birds of prey have a five-foot wingspan and perform aerial displays over the area during their courtship.

New to the estate is a wooden jetty, which was built last year, from which visitors can catch the Keswick Launch. We booked a sightseeing cruise (£10.25 for adults and £5.15 for children) round the lake, stopping off at Lodore at the south end, where we walked up to Lodore Falls, a spectacular cascade of water dropping 100 feet over boulders, before continuing to Keswick for a welcome cup of tea and cake.

Our stay included complimentary passes to the Armathwaite Hall Spa, which on this occasion we did not have time to use. But that, along with the many charms still to be discovered at this magical place, is just another reason, why we will have to come back another time.

Fact box

Lingholm Estate (Seymour family)

Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5TZ; E:stay@thelingholmestate.co.uk; T: 01768-774238

Directions: Junction 40 on M6, A66 to Keswick, turning off for Portinscale.

Nearby attractions: Forestry Commission’s Whinlatter Visitor Centre with walks in wood and Go Ape (tree top adventure for all the family). Keswick with range of artisan and outdoor shops; outdoor market on Saturdays; art galleries; and tearooms/restaurants. Numerous walks, including Cat Bells (451m).