Snaptrip says
Braeside is a spacious and comfortable cottage with a beautiful garden and stunning views, situated in a great location with local amenities and pubs nearby. Guests have enjoyed the property's ample space and the surrounding area's attractions. However, some have noted issues with cleanliness and maintenance that need addressing.
Guests that stayed at this property said
Several reviews mention cleanliness issues, including dust, cobwebs, and unclean kitchenware. Some guests had to clean upon arrival, which suggests a need for improvement in this area.
The location is highly praised for its stunning views, proximity to local attractions, and good amenities, making it an excellent base for exploring the Lake District.
The cottage is described as spacious and comfortable, with a lovely garden and cosy pub nearby. However, some guests experienced issues with heating and drafty windows, slightly affecting the comfort level.
Facilities are generally well-received, with a well-equipped kitchen and games room. However, maintenance issues with heating, plumbing, and electrical appliances have been reported, indicating room for improvement.
There is insufficient information regarding thoughtful touches such as gifts, and therefore this category cannot be scored. No reviews mention gifts or special attention from the hosts.
About this property
Braeside is an attractive, detached and thoughtfully-presented modern property situated in the peaceful hamlet of Torver in the Lake District National Park. This property is in a superb location as the generous gardens and a small paddock to the rear back onto countryside, which is framed by the dramatic Old Man of Coniston giving glorious views. On the ground floor, accessed from the double height hallway, are two contemporary bathrooms and two bedrooms, one of which has French doors onto the delightful garden. There are stairs taking you up to the open plan sitting room with comfortable leather settees, ample seating and a woodburner to enjoy on winter evenings after a busy day. The dining area is towards the back of the property and has French doors into the garden and five steps take you to the well-equipped kitchen and utility room. On the second floor there are two large bedrooms which provide flexible sleeping arrangements as both have a double and a single bed. Torver is well served by a small bakery and two pubs serving real ales and good food, one of which is a mere 50 metres away. Coniston is just two miles away with its busy hub at the centre and from here you can view Coniston Lake by enjoying a trip on the Steam Yacht Gondola or if feeling active try sailing or hire a canoe. This area is a joy for cyclists with numerous routes available including the local Grizedale Forest. For walking and hiking you are spoilt for choice, whatever your ability, with trails leading from the door up Walna Scar and from the Old Man of Coniston to the nearby fells of Dow Cragg, Yewdale and Brin which all have breathtaking scenery. You also have the attractive villages of Hawkshead, Ambleside and the Landale Valley all within easy reach. Return at the end of the day to this ideally located cottage and take in the bird song, evening sun and have an alfresco drink on the superb patio before wandering in the lovely and peaceful landscaped garden. This is an ideal tranquil spot that is convenient for local amenities making it an ideal choice for your Lake District holiday year round.
The small hamlet of Torver peacefully rests amidst some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery and provides a welcoming 14th century inn and a 19th century church, built on the site of an ancient chapel. Renowned as one of Wordsworth's favourite haunts, today its known locally as a starting point for exploring the local fells and the Duddon Valley and offers a superb base for exploring nearby Hawkshead, Ambleside and Windermere. Excellent walking, mountain biking, climbing and watersports opportunities are available locally on Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam and the lovely woodland trails at Grizedale Forest.
Accommodation
Over three floors.
Four bedrooms: 1 x ground floor king-size double, 1 x ground floor adult bunks, 2 x second floor family room with 1 double and 1 single.
Ground floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Ground floor shower room with shower, basin and WC.
Second floor basin and WC.
First floor kitchen.
First floor utility.
First floor sitting room with woodburning stove and dining area.
Oil central heating with woodburning stove.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge and freezer compartment, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, radio, WiFi.
Fuel, power and starter pack for stove included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair on request.
Off road parking for 2 cars, roadside parking for 2 cars.
Lockable bike storage.
Tiered garden with decked area and furniture.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop and pub 2 mins walk.
Note: There are steps in the garden.
Note: The kitchen, utility and sitting room are on the first floor.
Nearby points of interest
- Esthwaite Water
- Lake District National Park
- Lake Windermere
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
- Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead
- Lakeland Motor Museum
- Lakes Aquarium
- The World of Beatrix Potter
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
Reviews (29)
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Sarah
Lots of room for all 9 of us. Kitchen had plenty of crockery and utensils. Comfy beds, cozy sitting room with log burner and dining table for us all to sit round. Great location. Did a walk from Braeside and ended up at the nearby Wilsonâs Arms - delicious chips!
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Karin
The laminate floor in the upstairs bedroom is terrible. Huge gaps between the panels, can be painful underfoot if you slip into the gaps. The BBQ was not useable at all, this is a highlight for some people. Nothing a bit of paint and silicone canât fix.
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John
However on closer inspection it had only been cleaned where you could see - so the carpets (which need a good steam clean) only hoovered around furniture so build up of thick dust in corners of all rooms. Although the pillow cases/sheets/duvet covers were clean they covered a multitude of worn dirty stained pillows, ripped duvets and mattress protectors. We know this as we stayed 2weeks and asked for a change of bed linen that we would change ourselves. Although the bath/toilets/sinks were clean the shower door seal in the bathroom is thick with green mould and the dust build up behind the fixtures had been there a while. The bins in bathrooms had not been cleaned in fact the one in the upstairs washroom needed emptying (horrible) and all needed antibac wiping. There were no cleaning materials under the sink other than a sponge and 2 jay cloths, & only one tea towel ( to last a week) so for the first hour on arrival I had to do a quick clean with bought cleaners (which Iâve left for the next lot of visitors to use, I also bought a pan scrubber) all bedrooms were thick with dust in corners. There was only one pillow per person on the beds, fortunately some of our party brought their own so we were able to share what was available. I found one dust covered pillow flung on the floor of a cupboard in the first floor bedroom and another in a similar state in the downstairs double room wardrobe. Also old dust covered woollen blankets stuffed in the airing cupboard and downstairs wardrobe. Obviously over a couple of days 8 people make a bit of a mess crumb wise and debris wise eg leaves, grass, bit of mud but there wasnât even a brush to clean up. I did find a dustpan & brush so it was a hands and knees job everyday. The oven was a disgrace - thick with fat/grease and I feel it isnât up to a visitor to start cleaning a stove. Cushion covers could do with a wash too. Just to add insult to injury one of our party mislaid a precious ring (which was found) so we all set to looking for it which meant pulling chest of drawers away from walls and apart from yearsâ worth of dust, broken pencils, old lipsticks behind every one, we found a âvapeâ behind the chest of draws in the childrenâs bunk bedroom. Oh and lots of lightbulbs need replacing and the ones in the utility room cupboard didnât fit. Itâs such a shame as the house is so lovely, comfortable and spacious for 8 people and we had a really good holiday but itâs a shabby, tired place and just needs a bit of TLC. Perhaps a quick visit from Sykes & housekeeping may do the trick and speak to whoever owns it. I took pics of pillows,duvet & green mouldy shower screen seal and will send them if you want to see them. This isnât so much a complaint as suggestions to rectify things, and to be honest it wouldnât cost too much to to put things right. When you spend a few thousand pounds you expect at least the standard you have at home and weâve stayed in Sykes/Lakelovers properties for many years -this was well below par.