The quirkiest holiday home in Britain has some very strange roommates
COUNTING sheep is the traditional method for getting to sleep, but in one Lake District holiday home the animal of choice is the horse.
The £300-a-night Stable Stays provides a unique opportunity to stay in a self-catering stable sleeping beside 17 Friesian horses and a Shetland pony.
Friesian horses are a breed from the Netherlands that are characterised by their black, muscular frame and thick mane.
Snuggle up with Mr JB, the resident miniature Shetland pony, who featured in the Netflix show ‘Jack Whitehall– Travels with my Father’ when the TV star stayed in 2021.
As well as Mr JB, meet the Friesian clan of 17 horses including Hannes, Hidde and Anja, four-time UK Breed Champion winner.
The listing reads: “You’ll be happy to know that the hay bed is strictly for your horse.
“You’ll find your fairy-lit stable equipped with luxury Egyptian cotton comfy double and single bunk bed, and there’s a mini kitchen and dining table where you can cook your own meal or book a take-away from the local two-Michelin star restaurant L’Enclume.
“You’ll also have your own en-suite wet room, complete with a refreshing shower and a portable eco-loo.
“Meanwhile, your equine companion is just next door… in a spacious, water-equipped stable with a see-through room divider, that means you’ll be able to keep each-other company for your entire stay.”
This unique stay sleeps three guests and comes with a dining table, mini kitchen with a fridge and microwave, an ensuite wet room and luxury grooming kit to interact with the horses.
“You can meet the rest of the farm’s equine gang by booking a one-to-one ‘Meet the Horses’ tour or opt for a carriage ride around the charming village.”
“There are plenty of luxuries on hand to help you get to know each-other a little better.
“These include scrumptious dinner and breakfast buckets for you to tempt your horsey companion with, and a top-quality grooming kit to keep them looking their best.”
The holiday let is in the village of Cartmel in Cumbria, which is famous for its 12th century Cartmel Priory.
Cartmel, which has been described as ‘One of the prettiest villages in all of Cumbria’ has a chocolate-box cottage feel and is home to an ancient racecourse.
The town is also famous for being the place where the sticky toffee pudding was invented, by Francis Coulson back in 1960 at the Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel.
This unique opportunity starts at £300 a night and is available to book at www.hostunusual.com