Dovecot Cottage

ID: S366284

  • Bedrooms 1
  • ・ Sleeps 2
  • ・ Pets 1

Snaptrip says

Dovecot Cottage in Ambleside is a charming and characterful property, praised for its scenic and peaceful location. Guests enjoyed the proximity to local walks and the town of Grasmere. The cottage's unique features and cozy atmosphere were highlights, along with sightings of red squirrels. Some guests noted the quirkiness of the layout and the steep stairs, which may not suit everyone.

Guests that stayed at this property said

Most guests found the cottage clean and well-presented, though there were a few mentions of areas for improvement, such as dust on stairs and spider webs in corners. The overall impression is positive, but attention to detail could enhance the experience.

The location is highly praised for its beauty, tranquility, and convenience for local walks and amenities. The proximity to Grasmere and the presence of wildlife like red squirrels added to the appeal.

Guests found the cottage cozy and the bed comfortable, with a well-thought-out interior. However, some guests experienced issues with low ceilings and the physicality of using the bath, which affected the comfort level for taller individuals or those with mobility issues.

The cottage is well-equipped, with a wood-burning stove and a well-stocked kitchen. However, there were concerns about maintenance issues such as leaks and heating noise. The steep and sometimes slippery stairs were also noted.

While guests appreciated the custom carpentry and the property's charm, there were no specific mentions of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, a score cannot be provided.

About this property

Find a quirky hidden gem nestled in the charming village of Grasmere, famous for being shortlisted by Hollywood moguls as one of the properties for Bilbo Baggins' house in the popular Lord of the Rings franchise. This one-of-a-kind listed building is perfect for a unique romantic retreat among stunning countryside landscapes throughout the Lake District. Make your way through lush greenery comprising tall trees, spacious lawn and a lovely private seating area right outside the property, the perfect spot to indulge in the idyllic surroundings with your other half as you sip on a glass of wine, there’s also exterior stair access to the first-floor bedroom within the cottage. Feel automatically at home as you step foot into this eccentric abode, resembling the inside of a yacht through intimate oak beams, tile floors and interesting recess cubby holes. Settle in for the night, snuggling up in front of the toasty woodburning stove as you grab a blanket and hop on the plush sofa for a quiet film night. Resting behind is a gorgeous dining table where you can tuck into a tasty meal during a memorable candlelit evening date night, prepared from the well-equipped kitchen, offering all the amenities needed for your stay. The bedroom is the star of this property, featuring the original dovecote entrance into a wood-filled space, with sloped ceilings and modest bedroom space where you can cosy up with your other half on a frosty winter’s night. Treat yourself to a luxurious soak in the Victorian-style roll top bath, a perfect way to start a lazy Sunday morning before venturing out to the delightful surrounding areas of Grasmere and the Lake District. Grasmere is one of the few places in the UK where you can still find red squirrels and you can often spot these delightful creatures when staying at the cottage. The owners support the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group with a donation for every week the cottage is booked. The village centre is just a short stroll away, home to several handy shops and local pubs where you can take a break from the kitchen and dine out for some hearty pub grub. Adventurers will delight in the chance to challenge themselves to a climb up Fairfield Peak, reaching 873 metres of height, this stunt is not for the light-hearted, however there’s also an array of leisurely walking trails if preferred. Those looking for a chilled-out day of exploration can discover Alcock Tarn, an easier route with rewarding panoramic views of breath-taking landscapes. Spend a day rowing a boat on Grasmere Lake, take amazing pictures at Loughrigg Fell, or be wowed by the views from Silver How. Easedale Valley is a charming spot to relax on a Sunday afternoon, offering the chance to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day or enjoy a winter ramble in the frost around Rydal Water. Dovecot Cottage is a beautiful cottage filled with quirky features, ideal for a romantic escape to the lakes.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere needs to include The Grasmere Gingerbread shop, where the Wilson family have been making gingerbread for over 60 years. Also in the village are a number of shops, pubs, a church which dates back to the 13th century and Grasmere Lake, plus Grasmere Sports takes place every August, where you can watch participants compete in a variety of sports, including Cumberland Wrestling. Just five miles away is the town of Ambleside and Lake Winderemere where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and the 17th century Bridge House, which is one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District. Cruises, boat trips and watersports can all be enjoyed on Lake Windermere and the towns of Windermere and Keswick are also within driving distance. Grasmere is a wonderful base for your Lake District retreat.

Accommodation

One double bedroom.

Bathroom with roll top bath, basin and WC.

Kitchen.

Living room/diner with woodburning stove (wood can be purchased from the village).
Gas central heating and woodburning stove.

Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge, TV with Freeview and DVD, and WiFi (shared with Fir Tree Cottage).

Gas and electricity included in rent.

Bed linen and towels included in rent.

Off-road parking for one car.

Outdoor access to lawned areas, terrace and seating.

Shared laundry facilities in outbuilding.

One well-behaved pet allowed.

Sorry, no smoking.

Nearby points of interest

  • Hayes Garden World Ambleside
  • Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead
  • Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
  • The World of Beatrix Potter
  • Lake District National Park
  • Lake Windermere
  • Esthwaite Water
  • Lodore Falls
  • Wastwater Lake
  • Church of St Olaf

Reviews (28)

  • David

    Really comfortable bed and such a beautiful view. The cleanliness wasn't quite there (some food bits in dish drainer) but otherwise wonderful! Such a peaceful location.

  • Steve

    The facilities that have been fitted into a very compact space are excellent, and the property is well fitted out - the custom carpentry is very impressive! The kitchen has everything that could be needed, with the single exception of a rolling pin (I used a wine bottle). Both the bathroom and the bedroom suffer from very low ceilings. The photos in the listing do show both rooms as they are, but it's difficult to get an idea of just how little headroom there is from the images. It's not possible to sit up in bed and have a cup of tea, for instance, as the ceiling is too low. The bed is very comfortable though. In the bathroom the only oart of the room which allows a normal sized adult to stand up is the strip between the door and the toilet - other than that bending over is required - an inconvenience when using the sink. When we arrived there was a cleaning welcome pack - nice idea, but not well executed. It had dishwasher tablets (there is no dishwasher) and bin bags that were far too big for the small pedal bin in the kitchen, and no washing up liquid. This was rectified with a trip to the co-op, but the contractors doing the servicing were clearly not paying attention. Also there was one roll of tolet paper provided - this is not enough for two people, for a week. It was a nice touch to put up some festive decorations, we appreciated it. Although we came prepared as we have a log burner at home, it would also be a nice touch to have an initial supply of kindling & logs for at least one night. The information pack with local walks was very useful and got us to do some walks we wouldn't otherwise have attempted. But why in the list of pubs & restaurants is there no mention of the Swan? It's the nearest & we had a very good Christmas dinner there!

  • Stephen

    Booked again for next year.

Join for free to get access to exclusive prices on thousands of properties.

Login to see

  • Discounts exclusive to members
  • Save & share your favourite properties
  • See your previously viewed properties

Sign up to see

Login to see

  • Discounts exclusive to members
  • Save & share your favourite properties
  • See your previously viewed properties

Did you mean {{ suggestedEmail }}?

or

Already a member login here

Not a member?

By entering my email address, I agree to Snaptrip's Terms of service, Privacy policy and to receive email updates, news, & offers from Snaptrip.

Welcome, member discounts are now available.

Your browser is out of date and we can't guarantee a consistent experience when using our site. Please consider updating or switching. More info on browser support