Once owned by Beatrix Potter, Penny Hill Farm is reached via Doctor Bridge, one of the prettiest spots on the River Esk.

Still a working farm, it is now owned by the National Trust and their main business is Herdwick Sheep, with lambing taking place during the month of April.

From the front door and all the windows at Penny Hill Farm Cottage are uninterrupted views of the Lake District fells. The front door leads to an open plan sitting room, dining and kitchen area.  The kitchen is small but fully furnished with large fridge-freezer, microwave, electric cooker, and plenty of storage space. There is a dining area for four and a sofa in the sitting room area. There is Sky TV (basic package) and a video player with a selection of videos to choose from. The bathroom is also downstairs and has shower, toilet and sink.  Upstairs is a double bedroom and a bunk bedroom.  There is a discount for couples.

The cottage is warm and cosy with oil powered central heating. All heating and bed linen is included in the price. You do need to bring your own towels. Electricity for lights and the cooker is run from a meter which takes £1. Generally speaking you should expect to use £1 electricity per day.

Surrounding the farm are hundreds of walks, either on the fells or along the banks of the River Esk, which flows from Scafell at the top of the valley down to the estuary at Ravenglass, an old fishing village complete with a ruined Roman bath-house! The river has natural pools for swimming and is a popular place for canoeing and for fishing. The famous Ravenglass & Eskdale Miniature Railway runs along the valley, its steam trains leisurely making the seven mile journey down to the sea.

Eskdale has five pubs in total, the nearest (the Woolpack Inn) being only five minutes walk from Penny Hill Farm.  Brook House Inn and the Boot Inn are a 25 minute walk away.