The Tranquil Otter The Lough House, Thurstonfield, Carlisle CA5 6HB, UK

Discover The Tranquil Otter, Luxury Lodges Lake District a private nature reserve with one amazing log cabin and seven lodges all south-facing with fabulous views across the lake.

Fully furnished, a home from home, each lodge gives you the freedom to enjoy your holiday in a way that suits you.

Each lodge is complete with a private lakeside hottub, part-sunk into the deck for your convenience. Open to the skies, ideal for star gazing at night.

Our five-star log cabin and lodges are landscaped around the shore of the Lough with natural screening, giving you privacy when out on the deck and using the hot tub.

At the Tranquil Otter we want to ensure that all our guests enjoy their stay with us. All our lodges and woods are wheelchair accessible. Each lodge has an accessible bathroom and we can provide shower stools.

The walk around the lake and through the woods is wheelchair accessible. We have an on-site mobility scooter which is available to our guests for exploring the woods. Four of our lodges are rated under the National Accessible Scheme “NAS”. You can find out more about these ratings and compare the wheelchair accessibility of each lodge below.

PRE-ARRIVAL

We have tried to provide information in this access statement without repeating that provided elsewhere on our website. Each lodge has its own page providing information and a picture gallery. You can book by email, phone or online. Additional information can be requested by post if preferred.
You may not be able to book the lodge online if some of the dates you require are showing red. You may also not be able to book if your arrival day is not Monday or Friday. In such instances please email us and we can send you more information that will enable you to book at your leisure. Please note we are not able to take card payments over the phone.

TRAVELLING TO THE TRANQUIL OTTER BY TRAIN

The nearest railway station is Carlisle which is five miles and about 15 minutes by car. There are regular direct trains from London (3hours 20min), Birmingham (2hours 45min), Manchester, Glasgow (1hour 30min), Edinburgh (1 hour 30min) and Newcastle (1 hour) to Carlisle. Phone 08457 484950 for times or see www.networkrail.co.uk.

We have made arrangements with a local Taxi firm that provides an accessible taxi service. Direct arrangements can be made with Barry Haden on 07766 700 020.

ARRIVAL AND PARKING FACILITIES

Check in is from 4pm to 6pm and check-out is before 10am on departure day. A limited number of earlier and later check in times are available and charges may apply.

A week before your arrival we send you an email asking you of your expected time of arrival.

Once guests reach the site, there is a sign to reception and a bell by which to alert us of your arrival. The lodge nearest to the notice board is Alder, followed by Buzzard, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Egret, Fieldfare, Gadwall and Heron.

On arrival, guests are greeted personally and given a full tour of the lodge and its facilities with an opportunity to ask for more detail, if the matter is not covered specifically in this access statement.

There is dedicated car parking near each lodge with room for unloading and manoeuvring. We’d be happy to assist in unloading.

The car park is flat and level and there is a wooden ramp to each lodge. There is continuous rail to the entrance of each lodge. There is no covered walkway.

The main entrance from the car park leads into the hallway or kitchen area.

All lodges have level thresholds throughout including access to the deck from the lounge. The deck is next to the Lough with fabulous views across the lake.

All lodges except Alder are on single level. Alder has an accessible bedroom downstairs and a further bedroom upstairs.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT OUR LODGES

Access statement for the Tranquil Otter five star lodge. Each lodge has:

• Doors that are at least 76cm wide
• A single key for external doors; which can be opened from inside lodge without a key
• Wetroom with wheelchair accessible shower
• Spacious open plan dining and lounge area with patio doors opening out onto the deck
• Gated lakeside deck with table and chairs and lounger
• Hot tub sunk into deck
• Internet access
• Bath/shower seat is available on request
• Toilet seat raiser and frame combined is available on request
• Mobility scooter is available during your stay

PUBLIC AREAS – GENERAL (INTERNAL)

• All lodges, except Alder, are single storey and made of wood with wooden floor boards.
• Alder has an accessible bedroom and bathroom downstairs.
• The entrance to each lodge has a door mat.
• There is someone on site between 9 AM and 6PM Monday and Friday.
• There is someone available by email 9am to 4pm on other days except Sunday.
• Each lodge has a folder that provides details of how to access help and further information during guests’ stay.
• The telephone reception at the site is generally poor.
• Well behaved dogs are welcome in the lodges by prior arrangement.

PUBLIC AREAS – WC

There are no public WC facilities.

RESTAURANT / DINING ROOM, BAR & LOUNGES, TAKE AWAY & CAFE

All units have a folder that provides information on restaurants; take away providers and local cafes.

LAUNDRY

There a laundry service available, details are provided in the Guest handbook.

SHOP

There is a local butcher/shop two miles away in Great Orton and a Cranston’s five miles away. Details of supermarkets are provided in the Guest handbook.

TREATMENT ROOM

Health & Beauty treatments are available in-lodge. Details of this service are provided in the pre-arrival letter.

LEISURE FACILITIES

• There is a private swimming pool available for hire two miles away in Longburgh; details are available in the Guest handbook.
• Guests can hire bicycles from a local company, the bicycles can be booked online – we recommend booking ahead of your arrival.
• Each lodge has a boat for guests’ private use. There is an opportunity to learn to fly-fish, shoot, swim and have guided tours locally.

OUTDOOR FACILITIES

The Tranquil Otter is a nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. Guests can walk around the site (one-mile perimeter walk). There are opportunities to stop by the weir, kingfisher viewing point and at the bird hide. Guests who have limited mobility can, and frequently do, make use of the mobility buggy available for their use.

CONFERENCE & MEETING ROOMS, BANQUETING, CLUBS, ENTERTAINMENT

Not Available

BEDROOMS

Not Available

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• All units are No Smoking. Smoking is permitted on the external decks.
• We welcome a maximum of two well behaved medium size dogs by prior arrangement.
• There are two exits from each lodge, through the main door to the car parking area or through the French doors in the lounge to the picnic area.