The Tranquil Otter is an ideal place to simply relax and do as much or as little as you fancy. With the delivery service from Tesco and the local Indian you really do not have to venture very far if you don't want to. Lodges are all by the lake and south facing so, if the Cumbria weather is kind, you might even get a tan!

Each self catering lodge has a spacious decking making it the ideal place to relax, read, bird watch, paint, indulge in photography or simply doze at the lakeside. All this makes the Tranquil Otter a perfect relaxing holiday destination.

We have a superb health & beauty service available in the comfort and privacy of your own self catering lodge that gets great reviews. For more details about the range of treatments available call us.  Book early to avoid disappointment.

If you fancy the luxury of having a pool all to yourself then try nearby Longbrugh pool, bookable by the hour.

If you are looking to relax and chill out then the Tranquil Otter's peaceful lakeside lodges are for you.

For the more energetic there is great walking and cycling. We would be delighted to lend maps and suggest a variety of routes for all enthusiasm and ability levels! There are particularly good routes in the northern Lake District, along Hadrian's wall, Dumfries and Galloway and from the Settle to Carlisle Railway. Walking favourites include Blencathra and Skiddaw, Grisedale Pike, Buttermere Valley, Borrowdale, Criffel and Gelt Wood.

There are some delightful cycling routes locally and we have bikes you can hire.

Want to try riding? Speak to Danni at Boustead Hill Equestrian Centre about taking a lesson or going for a hack near the Solway. You could also take a swim in a private pool at Longburgh. Whatever you decide there is plenty to do when at The Tranquil Otter.

There are a number of activity centres which provide a wide variety of activities ranging from quad bikes to canoeing, abseiling to archery and clay pigeon shooting. Go Ape at Whinlatter is reported to be excellent!

For the really adventurous there is a microlight flight from Carlisle Airport which takes you around North Cumbria. Discounts available for residents. For the trip of a lifetime it is sometimes possible to arrange a 3 hour flight across the mountains of the Lake District!

In terms of eating out there is a variety of local pubs which do good pub food.

Our favourite is The Royal Oak at West Curthwaite (CA7 8BG) tel: 01228 710 219, which has a bar and restaurant and is very popular; you will need book in advance.

The closest eatery is The Royal Oak Inn, Moorhouse (CA5 6EZ) run by Nick and Charlotte, open for food most days, if you are planning to eat out whilst you are at the Tranquil Otter then please contact the Royal Oak Inn by e-mail using this link.

There is also the Joiners Arms at Newton Arlosh, (CA7 5ET) tel: 01697 351470, offering traditional food with a twist. With a pool table and darts and the restaurant is very popular, so once again book in advance to be sure of a meal.

The local favourite for traditional fayre is The Wellington Inn in Great Orton about two miles away tel: 01228 710775.

If you fancy taking your four legged friend with you then give The Greyhound at Burgh-by-Sands a try, tel: 01228 576 579 (CA5 6AN). Dogs are allowed in the bar and it is half way between Edward 1 Monument and The Tranquil Otter.

The Hope and Anchor at Port Carlisle (CA7 5BU) tel: 016973 51460 is very dog friendly with wheel chair accessible bar and restaurant. Great for that Sunday lunch followed by a walk on the Solway.

If what you fancy is a cream tea then visit Orton Grange Farm Shop and Cafe 01228 711410 , which uses locally sourced food for its ploughman's lunch, cakes and sandwiches. Their made on the premises ice cream is well reknowned locally.

The Teza Restaurant (CA1 1RP) is a welcome change from the average curry house fare. tel: 01228 525111

There is also a wide selection of restaurants in Carlisle including the outstanding Number 10, La Pergola Italian Restaurant, Alexandros Greek Restaurant and Davids, as well as some local eateries on Bank Street and Devonshire Street and the usual suspects such as Pizza Express on Lowther Street, Carlisle.

There are numerous takeaways of all types in Carlisle. Botchergate Tandoori on 01228 546953 and Golden Pheasant (Chinese) 01228 818111 are two that deliver to The Tranquil Otter.

For something a little different for lunch there is the outstanding Village Bakery at Melmerby near Penrith. The journey to the bakery is a feast in itself. The Highhead Sculpture Valley and cafe or Larch Cottage Nursuries Restaurant are also a great visit.

However if you prefer to have a quiet meal in and want to try locally sourced meat then Mulhollands in Great Orton (CA5 6NA) is the place for you. Meat can be ordered in advance by telephoning Jimmy Mulholland on 01228 710298.

There is an endless list of activities available for families in the area. On site there is the lake path ideal for a walk or cycle.

Nearby there is a private swimming pool that may be hired by the hour (also a public swimming pool in Carlisle). In Carlisle there is wonderful castle as well as the award winning Tullie House Museum and Settle to Carlisle railway.

A short drive away there is Walby Farm Park, Trotters animal experience, Ostrich World, Sheepdog centre, Highhead Sculpture Valley, Maryport Aquarium, Riding (lessons and trekking), Hadrian's Wall, Talkin Tarn Country Park, New Mills Trout Farm. Rained off or on an evening there is Ten Pin bowling, a multiplex cinema, Laser Quest and Cyber Quest (Carlisle) and Go Karting.

Other ideas include the Rheged Centre, Grizedale Forest (sculpture trail, Go Ape and forestry centre), Ravenglass steam railway, Muncaster Castle (Fantastic owl collection) combined with Wrynose Pass... spectacular... or the Lake Steamers on Ullswater and Derwent Water.

Finally a little further afield but manageable in a day, South Lakes Wildlife Park, Mabie Farm Park (Dumfries), Beamish, Wetheriggs Pottery, Sellafield visitor centre, Beatrix Potter (Windermere) or Nent Head mine (Alston).

We are short of National Trust properties in the area however there is plenty to of history, gardens and culture to satisfy!

• Carlisle Castle is outstanding
• Carlisle Cathedral
• Citadel and West walls in Carlisle
• Hadrian's Wall and the various visitor centres
• Lanercost Priory
• Tullie House Museum
• Guided Tours around Carlisle (via tourist office)
• Port Carlisle and the old rail embankment
• Dalemain Historic House and Gardens
• Levens Hall
• Threave Garden (National Trust Scotland)
• Broughton House and Garden
• Nenthead Mines
• Alston
• Gretna Green
• Thomas Carlyle's Birthplace
• UpFront Gallery
• Brougham Castle
• Muncaster Castle
• Hutton-in-the-Forest woodland walk
• Acorn Bank Gardens and Water Mill
• Edinburgh (100 miles) and
• Glasgow (120 miles) are also just about manageable in a day

Locally there is the site itself with a delightful walk around the lake. Also local is Finglandrigg Nature Reserve (English Nature), Campfield Marsh and Solway Firth (outstanding birdlife). Close by is the western course of Hadrian's Wall.

The Northern Lakes (Buttermere Valley, Borrowdale, Derwent Water, Ullswater and Mungrisdale) half an hour's drive away offer some of the most spectacular scenery around.

There is an observation point for Osprey at Bassenthwaite and for Golden Eagles at Haweswater.

Carlisle is a great shopping centre and people come from miles around to shop there. Gretna Gateway Factory Shopping Village is well worth a visit for discounted designer gear.

The famous Newcastle Metro Centre (1½ hours), K Village at Kendal and the market towns of Penrith and Cockermouth are also not too far away.

Finally there are numerous markets at Penrith, Silloth and Carlisle Race Course etc (details from tourist information).

If you fancy something a bit different to try here are some suggestions!

The local flight school does a tandem Micro Light flight down the Solway and over The Tranquil Otter. Discounts for residents. Feeling flush? The full monty microlyte flight around the Lake District mountains is a trip of a lifetime!

Fly fishing tuition is available from Cumbria Fly Fishing (circa £25 per hour for up to 2 people with all equipment provided).

Other suggestions include

• Go Ape (Whinlatter and Grizedale Forests)
• Clay Pigeon Shooting at Green Quarries (10% discount for TTO guests)
• Carlisle Races
• Larch Cottage Nurseries and Restaurant (Nr Penrith)
• Jennings Brewery Tour (Cockermouth)
• Greystoke Castle Estate (quadbikes etc)
• The Adventure Co (quad bikes, abseiling etc)
• Patterdale Hall (sailing, canoeing, abseiling)
• Howtown Activity centre
• Park Foot Pony Trekking
• Rookin House Equestrian and Activity centre
• Sockbridge Pony Trekking
• Outward Bound at Ullswater (famous ropes course and zip wire!)

Local buses run past the end of our drive but be warned they are infrequent and hence good planning is required.

For a taxi to and from Carlisle try Barry Haden on 07766 700020. www.carlisletaxi.co.uk

Carlisle Rail Station offers good rail links to anywhere in the region including the west coast of Cumbria, Penrith and Kendal, Carlisle to Settle, Newcastle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The nearest airport links are currently Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool and Manchester.