Guests say
Walla Crag, Royal Oak House in Keswick offers a comfortable and well-equipped stay with a convenient location close to the town centre. Guests appreciate the property's amenities, including a comfortable bed and a terrace for sunny days. While some guests have suggested improvements such as a smart TV and updated sofas, the property generally receives praise for its comfort and facilities.
Cleanliness has been highlighted as an issue, with reports of cobwebs, mould, and a general lack of thorough cleaning. This suggests a need for significant improvement in this area.
The location is highly praised for its proximity to the town centre and amenities, making it an ideal base for exploring Keswick.
The comfort of the property is well-regarded, particularly the comfortable bed and the terrace. However, suggestions for updated sofas indicate room for enhancement.
Facilities are generally good, with a well-equipped apartment appreciated by guests. Recommendations for a better quality or smart TV have been noted.
There is no mention of gifts or additional thoughtful touches provided by the host, so it is not possible to assess this category.
About this property
Walla Crag is a two-bedroom contemporary first-floor apartment in the market town of Keswick in Cumbria. The apartment is a relaxing central base for couples or families wishing to explore the Lake District National Park. It is located in the heart of a Grade II listed building, formerly a coaching inn frequented by poets and writers such as Coleridge, Tennyson and Wordsworth. On the first floor, you will find a king-sized bedroom, with en-suite shower room, and a twin bedroom with its own dressing area. Make your way up to the open-plan second floor, where you can rustle up a meal in the well-equipped kitchen ready to enjoy at the dining table for four. After dinner, why not savour the last of the day’s sunshine with your favourite tipple out on your very own private terrace? There are even fleecy blankets for those cooler evenings. Walla Crag has an extensive collection of books, DVDs and board games to entertain you after a day exploring the fells, shops or cafes in and around Keswick. Get acquainted with your new surroundings, where right on your doorstep you will find a delightful selection of pubs, cafes and restaurants, including the Lakes Bar & Bistro and The Square Orange Café, as well as well-stocked convenience stores for picking up any last-minute essentials. The budding historians in your party can delve into the town’s history at the Keswick Museum and Derwent Pencil Museum, whilst those seeking something more adventurous can visit the Keswick Adventure Centre where you can embark on trips to do ghyll scrambling, canyoning, and paddleboarding. Other activities within the town include the Puzzling Place, the scenic Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail and the excellent Keswick Golf Course. Derwent Water rests nearby and offers ample watersporting activities, including canoeing and sailing, as well bushcraft and the enchanting Theatre By the Lake for those wanting to catch a live performance. Wildlife enthusiasts will delight at the expansive Bassenthwaite Lake National Nature Reserve which rests nearby, as well at the popular Lake District Wildlife Park where you can meet over 100 species of exotic animals. However, you choose to spend your time in the Lake District, be sure to choose Walla Crag as your base.
If you're looking for a place to relax and unwind in the north of the Lake District, Keswick is your best bet. Miniature golf, excellent parks, the world-famous Theatre by the Lake, a charming movie theatre, the Pencil Museum, a climbing wall, fishing, and excellent mountain biking are all available in the town, which is located just a short walk from the beautiful Derwentwater lake at the head of the stunning Borrowdale Valley. Newlands Valley, located between Braithwaite and Buttermere, and Bassenthwaite Lake, a magnificent lake, are just a short drive away.
Accommodation
First-floor apartment.
Two bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin.
Second-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Second-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining and sitting area
Gas central heating.
Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, heated clothes airer, dishwasher.
TV, DVD player, Bluetooth speaker, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair available.
Off-road parking for 1 medium-sized car in a private car park across the road (100m approx).
Second-floor terrace with patio and furniture.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop and pub 0.1 miles.
Note: The property entrance is accessed via one flight of stairs (or lift) but there are a few more steps on the landing and a flight of stairs within the apartment, please take care.
Nearby points of interest
- Derwent Pencil Museum
- Catbells Lakeland Walk
- Wastwater Alpaca Trekking
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Lodore Falls
- Buttermere Lake
- Scale Force waterfall
- Wastwater Lake
- Church of St Olaf
Reviews (6)
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Kathryn
Having a parking space available is also very helpful, however I have a big car so was not able to fit through the two metal posts to get to the parking place. On the whole the apartment was clean but we did move the coffee table slightly and there was cheerios and mud underneath. The TV did not work at all - I understand it's not the be all and end all but we were staying four days and stayed in on a night to eat, no channels worked at all (admittedly we did not call the number given as did not class it as an emergency) but felt had to leave it in review for future bookings to come prepared. Beds and sofas are comfy, everything else we needed was there (we did have to buy more toilet roll- but that's minor)
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Kate
Old dusty cobwebs on the kitchen walls and throughout, cobweb laden lampshades, mouldy grout around the bath, dirty scum lines in the toilet (clearly never seen any bleach for a long time!). A filthy pot brush with God knows what stuck to the bristles, which I threw away, toilet brushes that should be replaced on a regular basis, a dirty glass in the cupboard. There were also old dusty cobwebs been the curtains, i doubtbthe place has evervseen a clothband polish for months. To be honest, I didn't fancy using any if the crockery or cutlery with washing it. We first came in June 2021 and the place was spotless clearly standards of cleanliness appearI to have gone out of the window now covid is a distant memory, which is a shame because it is letting the property owner down. They could really do with updating the sofas, they are starting to look tired. We would love to stay here again next year but would hope that the levels of cleanliness will have improved.
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Stephen
Everything else is perfect