No1 Silverbank Press

We thought you might like to see what the press and some of our guests say about No 1 Silverbank.

Press on the link to read the full article where possible.

Voted no 1 of the most glamorous places to stay in the UK
RED magazine



No 1 Silverbank, it seems, isn't a cottage at all, but rather a private boutique hotel cunningly disguised as a cottage.
Owen Sheers - The Guardian

 

Step inside and you're transported to classy "Elle Decoration" territory.
Isabel Choat - The Guardian

 

Stylish holiday cottages are hard to find, but new bed on the block No 1 Silverbank combines contemporary luxury with cosy styling and a breathtaking location on the side of a mountain.

Amanda Morison - The Guardian

 

Like a location for a Red magazine shoot
Red Magazine

 

Christmas taken its toll? Then a hideaway cottage in Coniston, in the Lake District, could be the cure

 

The ravishingly simple interior is superbly finished; cream walls in the big, open-plan living room contrast with beams and glossy oak floorboards. Bedrooms, too, are understatedly luxurious, with big sleigh beds and magical views.
www.special-escapes.co.uk

 

Full articles

After The Prelude

In the bicentennial year of Wordsworth's The Prelude, poet Owen Sheers revisits the landscape that provided the backdrop and inspiration for the autobiographical epic

Saturday May 21, 2005
The Guardian

Wordsworth is setting out his stall here, revealing his perception of nature not simply as an object, but rather as an alive, active ingredient, reacting with his imagination. It's a perspective that's eloquently illustrated when I pull into No 1 Silverbank, the cottage I've hired in the village of Coniston. I approach the front door, a hulking rocky outcrop rearing up behind the house. It's proximity makes it seem like a massive sentry guarding the cottage, badged with yellow gorse bushes, its epaulettes of boulders and trees cast in a whisky and water light.

After such a greeting, stepping inside the cottage is a surprise. In contrast to the grandeur and rawness of the nature outside, I find myself in a low-ceilinged, wood fired, cosy and elegant interior; No 1 Silverbank, it seems, isn't a cottage at all, but rather a private boutique hotel, complete with roll-top baths, acres of crisp bedding and Aveda products, cunningly disguised as a cottage. This I find, is one of the pleasures of visiting the Lakes in the 21st century. The muscular landscape, the imposing hills, haven't changed since Wordsworth's day, but the level of luxury and variety of activities certainly has.

 

Modern romance

Stunning locations and stylish interiors - Isabel Choat looks at the new face of country cottages

Saturday March 5, 2005
The Guardian

No 1 Silverbank, Cumbria

On the outside, No 1 Silverbank looks like a million other sweet rural cottages, but step inside and you're transported to classy "Elle Decoration" territory. The end terrace of three, dating back to the 1750s, it has lost none of its rustic charm but owners Antony Hext, an interior designer, and Fay Gorman, a fashion stylist, were ruthless about chucking out the chintz when they restored it last year. Out went the "old-fashioned, typical country cottage interior", in came glossy oak floors, dark brown leather furniture, a roll-top bath, Aveda toiletries, a French sleigh bed and a double-sized Smeg range. The result? A clean, unfussy but cosy interior.

The view across the fell from the private walled garden is spectacular, and the Old Man Mountain, a bluebell forest, waterfalls and old copper mines are nearby. Coniston is a five-minute walk away, so no arguments about who's driving to the pub - of which The Black Bull and the Sun Inn are favourites. This Easter, there's a new addition - Harry's, the village's first trendy bar. If you're staying in, you can pre-order home-cooked meals to be left in the freezer or, for a treat, arrange for a chef and waitress to prepare and serve a three-course meal in the cottage (£150 plus £30 a head).

020-7704 9071, no1silverbank.com. From £400 per weekend (three nights), £450 per week, low season. Sleeps 2-6.

 

Hearth warming

Amanda Morison pulls up an armchair to a real log fire in hotels, inns and cottages that offer a genuinely cosy winter atmosphere

Saturday December 11, 2004
The Guardian

No 1 Silverbank, nr Coniston, Cumbria
Stylish holiday cottages are hard to find, but new bed on the block No 1 Silverbank combines contemporary luxury with cosy styling and a breathtaking location on the side of a mountain, within a five-minute walk of the Lakeland village of Coniston. Bedrooms are kitted out with wooden sleigh beds and Shaker-style furniture; one has stable doors leading to the garden and a roll-top bath. Centre of the action is a huge beamed sitting room with log fire - just help yourself from the cottage's log store.
·020-7704 9071, No 1 Silverbank, Three nights from £400 self-catering; sleeps five/six.

 

 

A tiny lane ends in a terrace of three cottages, dazzling white against the backdrop of the fells. This is a marvellously peaceful place (birds, sheep and the occasional badger) and the starry nights are unforgettable. The cottage is 200 years old, it has been gutted, then transformed. The ravishingly simple interior is superbly finished; cream walls in the big, open-plan living room contrast with beams and glossy oak floorboards, rich brown leather mixes with cream canvas chairs. At the centre is a wooden spiral staircase. Bedrooms, too, are understatedly luxurious, with big sleigh beds and magical views. One has a tiny, angled stable door, another a freestanding roll-top bath beside a minuscule window overlooking a big garden. Everything feels generous, including the Shaker-style kitchen so lavishly equipped. You’re welcomed with flowers, homemade fudge, Aveda toiletries and other goodies: Fay and Antony ensure every detail of your stay is perfect.

www.special-escapes.co.uk

 

 

 

 

Guest comments..

 

Magical! We knew as soon as we arrived we’d have a wonderful time.

The house is perfect- Everything has been thought of. The quality and finish of the work is faultless and the design is beautiful. We’d like to live here forever!

Rebecca, Mathew, Jean & Archie
London & Harrogate

 

 

Simply stunning!

Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful home. The attention to detail and quality of furnishings really make this a special place. We would love to come back.

Maureen Glynn & Elaine Turner
Manchester

 

 

What a find! Can’t believe how lucky we are to have found this amazing hideaway.

Beautiful cottage with amazing little extras

Great company and an extra special 30 th Birthday celebration. Thank you so much for arranging the dinner party and the boat trip both ‘fabulous’ helped make our stay. Looking forward to coming back already x

Gillian Fulton & friends
Glasgow

 

 

Absolutely stunning cottage, Thank you for the privilege of experiencing such luxury. Even the weather has been superb allowing us to walk and enjoy the wonderful views.

Treasured memories for years to come of a great holiday with my cousin and her friend. The wine, fudge and all the ‘goodies’ greatly appreciated. Wonderful!

Paula & Trevor Turner
Albany , Auckland,
New Zealand

 

 

 

Great welcome and what a fabulous cottage. Great walks, some good and bad weather, but a fantastic log fire, DVD and CD collection to come home too.

You feel really spoilt staying here- ‘lovely bed linen, fantastic starry nights’ will defiantly be back…x

Carrie and Pauline
Worcester

 

 

Fantastic cottage- Thank you for the high chair, cot and teddy. Very child friendly. Lovely to have Lucy’s food on arrival. Very relaxing. Many thanks

Kath, Ivan
Chris and Ben
Newcastle

 

 

I loved staying at No 1 Silverbank. It’s a lovely cosy cottage with lovely views from the windows. I really enjoyed my stay.

Claudia Towle Aged 14
Nottingham