Swallows and Amazons starts filming in the Lakes

Holidaymakers in the Lake District could be bumping into Dan Stevens while he’s filming family-favourite Swallows and Amazons this summer.

The Downton Abbey star is playing ‘Captain Flint’ – Nancy and Peggy’s Uncle Jim – in the film, which starts shooting in early July.

Families looking for their own Lake District adventure can – if they’re quick – find a Lakeland holiday home through Cumbrian Cottages, the market leader with around 900 hand-picked properties across the region, including:

There are just a couple of peak season weeks available at Fisherbeck Nest, where wonderful views of Coniston Water – where Peel Island was the inspiration for Wild Cat Island in the book – coupled with 17th century beams and sloping floors make for an apartment with bags of character.  Sleeping four, remaining summer weeks range from £570 to £670.

Newly-featured Mell Fell is available throughout the school holidays, and also comes with jaw-dropping views of lake and fells – in this case Ullswater.  One of several recently-created holiday homes at the imposing Wreay Mansions, this first-floor apartment has Georgian proportions and four-star comforts, sleeps four and costs from £505 to £575 for a week this summer.

Less Swallows and Amazons and more Dan Stevens film-star pad is Beetholm; from the outside a Lakeland stone ‘cottage’ five minutes’ walk from Keswick, but inside a shiny, 21st century house for eight people.  The architect-designed house with high-spec fixtures and fittings includes a fabulous kitchen and ‘relaxation room’ with 40 inch TV and drinks fridge. This is one for families with children aged eight and over.  Seven nights’ rental this summer costs £1930.

Harbour Pictures – the team behind Brit-flick hits Calendar Girls and Kinky Boots – has reconnoitred locations on and around Coniston and Windermere, the two lakes which Arthur Ransome re-imagined as the backdrop for his classic adventure books.

For more information, visit cumbrian-cottages.co.uk.