Your Home Away From Home
2 Bedroom Self-Catering Accommodation
Lerwick, Shetland
Up to 6 people
Free Wifi
Lerwick, Shetland
Up to 6 people
Free Wifi
Our family friendly property is here waiting for you, your family and friends. Our accommodation is close to Lerwick harbour and central amenities.
Hansel Cottage provides a very well equipped base from which to explore Lerwick and the stunning scenery and amazing wildlife of the Shetland Islands. Relax in front of the stove, watch the peat or logs burn, enjoy a glass of wine and recount the day’s adventures as you sit back and relax in the tastefully appointed rooms. Hansel, Old Norse for a promise, promises you a comfortable stay and a warm welcome from owners Averill and Graham. Born and bred in Lerwick, they are the ideal hosts, passionate about Shetland with a wealth of local knowledge. Both have been involved with a local walking group for many years, have led and researched walks and put together walking articles for a local magazine. Graham is a qualified Scottish Tour Guide, Green Badge, and Averill has completed World Host training. Graham holds a BELA certificate. Both can offer suggestions for special places to visit, things to see and do and can give you an insight into the hidden corners of Shetland. They are planning a new venture “Exploring Shetland” offering guided walks and tours. Get in touch for more information.
Our aim is to make your stay in Shetland enjoyable and relaxing. We hope that you will find Hansel Cottage comfortable and welcoming.
Averill & Graham, Your Hosts
Holiday Home in Shetland
About Us
We both grew up in Lerwick and still live there with our three children. We love living in Shetland and have a wide knowledge of the islands, their history and culture. In December 2015 we fell in love with this cottage and decided to buy it as a hansel for our children’s future and as a business venture to provide accommodation for visitors to Shetland. Our aim is to share our love of Shetland with you and to invite you to rent our house, enjoy its homely atmosphere and use it as a base from which you can explore Lerwick and the rest of Shetland.
We are both involved in local sightseeing activities. We have both researched and planned walks for a local walking group, Graham is an experienced walk leader, and recently qualified as a Scottish Tour Guides Green Badge Guide. Averill has written articles about walking in Shetland, has in the past worked in the Tourist Information Office and Shetland Museum. She also speaks French. We would be delighted to share our local knowledge with you.
Averill & Graham
“Shetland is a rugged and beautiful place at any time of the year and in any weather: a friendly community where no one is really a stranger for long”.
Averill & Graham, Your Hosts
What do you get?
About Our Accommodation
Charming Victorian Cottage
About Our Self Catering Property
This charming Victorian cottage, built around 1860 by Lerwick merchant Robert Sinclair, offers comfortable accommodation in a quiet, residential and very central location in Lerwick. Situated in a secluded lane, the cottage can sleep up to 6 people. Furniture is good quality and both bedrooms are carpeted. Our two bedrooms have been set up to provide family accommodation or accommodation for groups: the larger room has a double and single bed, the smaller one, two single beds. Both bedrooms are fitted with blackout blinds. We can provide a fold out bed if requested. Parking is usually available on the street immediately behind the cottage.
Hansel Cottage retains much of its original charm and character, the stairs are quite steep being typical of an old house, but has all the modern conveniences you will need, including free Wifi and a 32” smart TV with DVD player. All the rooms are surprisingly spacious. The kitchen is equipped to a high standard and includes a washer-dryer and microwave. We provide a small welcome pack of local bread, butter, milk, jam and coffee, sourced from Scoop Wholefoods and Blyde Welcome. There is a bathroom upstairs with an electric shower over the bath and an additional walk in shower room downstairs with a mains shower. We provide complimentary toiletries sourced from The Shetland Soap Company. Heating is provided by radiators using hot water from a local waste to energy plant and a multi-fuel stove. We provide a small supply of logs and peats for your use. What better than relaxing in front of a real fire after a busy day out? The public rooms have exposed wooden floors and small windows set in thick walls, giving a snug feel. There is a small south/west facing private garden with outdoor furniture, a portable barbecue and a clothes line. There is also a shed where you can store bikes.
*subject to availability and size of group
Information
Amenities
Free WiFi
BT wifi available throughout the house.
Free Parking
There is free parking on the one-way street immediately behind our property. There are also other options nearby.
Bedroom Comforts
Each bedroom has modern bedding and comfortable beds with wooden slats. Modern pine furniture.
Dishwasher
Small but perfect for those days when you don’t want to wash up.
Washer & Dryer
Perfect for washing clothes after a busy day out.
Multi fuel stove
Complimentary basket of logs and peats to ensure a cosy ambience.
Check-in & Check-out
The cottage will be available from 14:00 hrs on the first day of hire and must be vacated by 10:00 hrs on the final day of the hire.
Condition of HIre
The hired self catering property shall be used solely for holiday purposes unless otherwise agreed in writing by the owners. The hirer must vacate the cottage at the termination of the hire…
Discover
2 Bedrooms
Surprisingly spacious and well presented dual aspect bedrooms.
Bedrooms
Bathroom
Shower Room
Bedroom 1
Spacious bedroom with modern furnishings, built-in wardrobe and two windows, both with blackout blinds. Space for a cot.
- Triple/Family room
- One Double and One Single Bed
- Hair dryer
- Chair
- Radiator
Bedroom 2
Good sized twin room with modern furnishings, two windows both with blackout blinds.
- 2 x Single Beds
- Good sized wardrobe
- Hair dryer
- Chair
- Radiator
Dining Kitchen
Original wooden flooring, modern appliances, including dishwasher, washer-dryer, microwave and electric cooker.
- Wide range of utensils
- Modern crockery
- Cafetiere and teapot
- Radio
- Multi-fuel stove
- Walk-in mains shower
- Radiator
Sitting Room
Comfortable and inviting room with electric fire, Smart TV, selection of books and games.
- Rocking chair
- Two faux leather sofas
- Dual aspect with venetian blinds
- Radiator
Holiday Home in Shetland
Check Availability
Our prices start at £85 per unit per night depending on time of year. Our minimum stay is 3 nights. If you have any questions or want to ask about stair gates, high chair or travel cot, please use our ‘contact us section’ at the foot of this website. Please check our availability in the check-in / check-out boxes provided below our reviews.
Have a Question?
Get in Touch
Information
About Shetland
Shetland: TV drama, ponies, knitting, music festivals or wildlife, take your pick. Situated as far north as you can go in the UK, yet enjoying a temperate climate thanks to the Gulf Stream, this archipelago of around 100 islands has been attractive to visitors and adventurers for thousands of years. From the earliest Stone Age settlers through Viking raiders and settlers, Dutch fishermen, German traders, Victorian naturalists, scientists and philanthropists, right up to the present day, travellers have discovered an irresistible way of life, a friendly open community and a rugged, yet beautiful landscape.
Shetland: 60 degrees north, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the North Sea, a place of “white nights” or “simmer dim” and aurora borealis or “mirrie dancers”, of wild storms and tempestuous seas, calm days and enormous skies, the islands are a paradise for naturalists, geologists, walkers and those who just want to get away from it all. In Shetland you can get away from it all, but you can also enjoy modern amenities. Take time to sit back and soak up the atmospheric local culture, with its Norse and Scottish roots, chill out to traditional or contemporary music sessions, explore the rich archaeology and history or just get out and about in the fresh air and marvel at the rich variety of flora and fauna and the stunning geology (Shetland is a member of the European Geoparks Network). The islands’ geology covers around 3 billion years and is more diverse then any similarly sized area in Europe.
Local Info
What To Do In Lerwick
Named Leirvik (muddy bay) by the Vikings, the town dates from the 17th century and is Shetland’s capital. It is a lively town with lots to see and do, all within walking distance of Hansel Cottage.
Breiwick Bay is just 2 minutes’ walk from Hansel Cottage. Here you can take a walk into the historic town centre round the Knab promontory with its practice golf course and walled cliff top path. The route affords fantastic views west over the town and south towards Mousa and passes torpedo tubes from WWII guarding the harbour entrance. As you enter the “south end”, with its iconic lodberries (houses and landing stages built out into the sea by Lerwick’s first merchants), look out for the lodberry that became the fictional home of Detective Jimmy Perez in the TV drama, Shetland.
A stone’s throw from Hansel Cottage is the Hillhead, lanes lead down from here to “the street” (Commercial Street) where there are shops, cafes and eateries. Three minutes’ walk from our cottage is the Market Cross and the Tourist Information office, nearby is the famous Lounge Bar, where local musicians are often found playing sessions with visitors. From the Market Cross you can wander along the harbour front to the Shetland Museum with its excellent restaurant and Mareel with its café bar and cinema.
Clickimin Broch, an iron-age fort situated on a loch to the west of the old town, is only 10-15 minutes away on foot. A charming coastal path (4 minutes’ walk from our cottage) is a fine way to get there. On the way you will very likely see seals, and if you are lucky otters. Why not stop at Fjara a lovely café bistro next to Tescos supermarket before you visit the broch. Nearby is the Clickimin Leisure Centre and indoor swimming pool, with water flumes and river ride and health/fitness suite.
If you come to Shetland for Up Helly Aa in January, Hansel Cottage stands in a prime position to view the impressive “light up” and to follow the procession down through the streets. The Galley sits at the end of the Hillhead next to Clairmont Place and the “guizers” gather there from early evening.
History and Heritage
Shetland is rich in archaeological, geological and historical sites. The natural environment is stunning and there are many beautiful beaches, burns and cliff scenery to enjoy. Enjoy the freedom to roam, the fresh air and learn about our amazing history. People have been coming to Shetland for centuries and many have left traces of their time here. Placenames are littered with Norse roots from the time when Shetland was part of the Viking Kingdom. Not until 1469 did Shetland become part of Scotland. From then the Scottish influences played a part. Shetland was also part of the Hanseatic League and played a role in both World Wars.
Sight Seeing
Make sure your bucket list includes the cliffs at Eshaness, Ronas Hill (our highest), the beach at St Nininan’s a stunning sand tombolo leading the Isle named after St Ninian famous as the place where a hoard of silver was found in 1958; Jarlshof and Old Scatness two fascinating archaeological sites; the Burn of Lunklett with its beautiful waterfall; Hermaness Nature Reserve and our most northerly island of Unst; Shetland ponies, roaming free; long sea inlets known as voes; stunning sunsets and the cliffs of Noss, home to thousands of sea birds.
Adventure
Fancy some wild swimming, sea kayaking, or sailing; they are all possible in Shetland. You can also go hill walking, or cliff climbing, diving or take a jet ski adventure. Camping is popular as is glamping. Exploring sea caves is increasingly popular.
Restaurants & Bars
There is a wide variety of eating places in Shetland and you can sample fresh local produce, seafood and meat, as well as French cuisine, Thai, Nepalese, Indian and Chinese food. There are restaurants, takeaways and bistro style eateries. Fish and chips are always available, and Shetland boasts a number of pubs and hotels with fine dining.
Entertainment
Lerwick has a wonderful music and cinema venue (Mareel), a top-class museum, pubs and a nightclub. Local music can be heard in pubs, such as the Lounge and at Islesburgh Community Centre throughout the summer months. On Sundays local communities often host Sunday teas or car boot sales during the summer. There are various festivals throughout the year, starting with Up Helly Aa, The Fiery Sessions, Shetland Folk Festival, Wool Week, the Accordion and Fiddle Festival, Wordplay, Screenplay and various other events which attract people to the isles.
Day Trips
Take a boat trip round Noss, or to the island of Mousa, home of wildlife and the world renowned Mousa broch, go at night and witness the Storm Petrels returning to their nests from being at sea, go otter or Orca watching with one of our naturalists (best to book well in advance) or take a tour with a local tour guide and see the hidden gems of Shetland. You will always find something to do.
Visit Shetland
Book Now
Our property can get booked up fast. Please check for availablity.
FERRY OR PLANE
Travel to Shetland
Shetland is remote from the hustle and bustle, but easy to reach either by nightly ferry crossings from Aberdeen or daily flights from a number of Scottish airports. The ferry arrives in Lerwick itself, while flights arrive at Sumburgh airport 25 miles south of Lerwick. Travel around the islands is hassle free with a good network of roads and inter island ferries linking the mainland to the other islands.
Sumburgh is a scenic airport surrounded on two sides by breathtakingly beautiful sandy beaches. Close by is Jarlshof, a multi-period archaeological site of national importance.
The drive north to Lerwick will take you past good agricultural land, unspoilt beaches and scattered townships. Take a short detour and visit St Ninian’s Isle beach, one of the most dramatic tombolos in Europe. Continue on the main road north passing the island of Mousa with its famous Iron Age broch, the best preserved anywhere. Arriving in Lerwick, you will find a picturesque town and a busy harbour sheltered by the island of Bressay to the East.
Arriving by sea, the Northlink ferry slips into port around 7.30 a.m. and you will enjoy splendid views of Lerwick with its lanes and lodberries rising from the water. In 1263, King Harald of Norway’s fleet anchored here. Later in the 17th century it was the turn of Dutch fishing fleets which came annually to pursue herring fishing and trade with the islanders. Lerwick Town Hall stands proud and prominent and down on the waterfront sits Mareel, a modern cinema/music venue and the Shetland Museum, telling the history of these remarkable islands.
What our visitors say
Testimonials
We know your choice of holiday accommodation in Shetland is very important to you and we invite your feedback if you visit Hansel Cottage. We have a Visitor’s book, a one page feedback form for your comments and a journal where we would love you to write down any special memories or experiences you have had during your visit to our islands. All of these will help “make” the visit for future guests and will help us to constantly improve our service to our guests.