Liz - verified booking

"Our second visit to this cottage and hopefully not our last. This is a well equipped and comfortable cottage that feels like somewhere you could live all year rather than a rental. It is well furnished, with comfy beds and good quality bedlinen, but not so smart you are afraid to touch anything. The heating is good and the open fire provides a cheerful focal point.The location is superb with stunning views from the back of the house over Skiddaw and the surrounding fells (weather permitting). You get this panorama from the roll top bath; perfect with a glass of wine and some bubbles. It is semi detached but after that the nearest building is the Overwater Hotel, so it feels quite remote. However the access road is fine and it is only a short drive to the main road from Keswick to Cockermouth. If you are lucky red squirrels and woodpeckers come to the garden but that depends on a regular supply of feed (we were unlucky this trip but the feed bins needed replenishing). There are plenty of things to do and places to eat within a reasonable distance. The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite was our favourite, with a quick stroll round the nature reserve to work up an appetite.There were a few (minor?) niggles this visit. There was clearly a problem with the dustbin collection; the bin was overflowing, with side waste bags including dirty nappies, when we arrived and not collected as scheduled during our visit. I reported it to council but if it continues it needs to be addressed by the letting agent. There is also an issue with the upstairs shower, which drains so slowly even a short shower threatens an overflow. I didn't feel the housekeeping was quite as good this visit; the fridges, washing machine and dishwasher all smelled stale and one fridge hadn't been wiped out while the other needed the little freezer defrosting. There were no bin bags (yet plenty of foil and cling film) and the kitchen waste bin hadn't been lined, no spare loo roll and no toilet cleaner upstairs, despite a request in the book to use a particular brand. I feel these basics should be provided as standard in all cottages. The containers of nuts and bird food were empty yet the owners want you to feed the wildlife. Perhaps on our last visit this had been left by the previous occupant but if the squirrels aren't fed they won't return.None of the above seriously affected our enjoyment and even the weather didn't dampen our spirits; as we left we were discussing what we might do next time we visit!"

Paul - verified booking

"Stayed in Threlkheld before so I knew what to expect. There are 2 pubs. The horse and farrier do excellent food and you can take your dogs in. But it’s very popular so you need to call in advance. The accommodation is very basic, but it has everything you need for your stay. There was even complimentary tea, coffee and milk. Along with washing up liquid etc... the owners kindly let us take a second dog but you need to enquire before you book. Our dogs are fairly small so would be different if you had large dogs. The building itself is very old and the floors and walls are uneven. This added to the overall experience and even though on the main through road it was very quiet. My only niggle was that the windows are old and not very draft proof. This was fairly uncomfortable sitting in the living room. We counter acted this by having the log fire on. There are fantastic views of Blencathra from the landing window and some good walks from Threlkeld. Overall, I’d be happy to return here as it is a great base to explore the lakes - but ideally, you do need a car as there are no shops. Keswick being the closest approximately 4 miles away."

Kathleen - verified booking

"Beautiful situation just below Wansfell. Amazing amount of wildlife came to the back garden after we filled the bird feeders woodpecker, nuthatch, bullfinch and Jay amongst the many visitors. Two beautiful grey squirrels came and fed regularly and two country rats? made there way every day to feed amongst the birds on the ground. They seemed to be quite happy on the ground with all the small birds. They seemed to be living outside the garden because we watched them disappear over the back. One day we were going out and opened the front door to see a doe gazing in at us then she just calmly walked away over the next garden. Hill up to bungalow was quite steep especially carrying shopping. Only downside was when we arrived the oven door was hanging off and we went into Windermere on Sunday but letting office was closed so had to go back the next day. they rectified the ovendoor very quickly, it was repaired when we returned to bungalow along with a pair of oven gloves which had been missing. Could have been cleaner. Weather was quite wet and it was nice to return to a warm bolthole."

Liz - verified booking

"This is a very comfortable and well located property, with fabulous views at the rear over Skiddaw (you get this view from the bathtub too!) You can reach Kendal and Cockermouth in about 15-20 minutes for groceries and there are places to eat out nearer. The garden is a haven for wildlife including woodpeckers and red squirrels and perfect for an evening BBQ or a glass of wine on the patio if the weather permits. We were lucky as it was mostly sunny and bright. Inside it is warm, light, comfortable and unpretentious. there are lots of thoughtful touches. Bed linen and towels were excellent quality. Had expected the downstairs loo and shower-room to be adjacent; they are not as the latter is off the utility. Also the sunroom is really an extension of the sitting room so no good if you want a separate room and some privacy. There is no mobile signal. None of these things detracted from our holiday or the excellence of the property. We found plenty to do in the area and would certainly consider a return visit. Highly recommend."

Confirmed guest - verified booking

"Whilst we enjoyed our holiday we think that with a few improvements to the cottage, it could be great and well worth the 4 stars it portrays to be. Firstly we noticed the floors were still wet from where the floors had been cleaned but nothing else seemed to have been. From the amount of cobwebs and spiders around the house, we presume it hadn't been dusted for sometime and had to clear these ourselves. We noticed light bulbs weren't working - perhaps these should be checked at change over. The double bed is very small and the pillows very uncomfortable. We ended up sleeping in the twin which wouldn't have been our first choice for sleeping arrangements. A guide to some local walks wouldnt go a miss as although braithwaite is only a 20 minute walk away, it is through a forest which has some tricky paths and not really suitable to walking in darkness. (Say after dinner from the pub) That said the kitchen and living room are very nice and well equipped."