Guests say
Orchard House in Ambleside is a spacious and well-equipped property with stunning views, ideal for large groups and families. Guests appreciate the peaceful location, quality fixtures, and the traditional Lakeland feel. The property's hilltop position offers beautiful vistas but may challenge those with mobility issues. Some minor maintenance issues were noted, but overall, guests had enjoyable stays and would return.
Guests consistently described the property as clean, with one mentioning hotel-standard laundered bedlinen and towels. Only one review mentioned it was not as spotless as usual, indicating a generally high standard of cleanliness.
The property's location is highly praised for its views and proximity to Ambleside and local walks. However, the steep climb to the property is noted as a potential issue for some guests.
The majority of guests found the property comfortable, with spacious rooms and quality furnishings. A few guests mentioned squeaky floors and bed ends being problematic for taller individuals, but overall comfort was rated highly.
Facilities are generally well-regarded, with a well-equipped kitchen and comfortable living spaces. Some guests reported minor maintenance issues like beeping smoke alarms, intermittent TV connection, and a desire for better balcony furniture.
While guests were satisfied with the property's amenities, there were no specific mentions of gifts or extra thoughtful touches provided by the hosts. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the thoughtfulness category accurately.
About this property
Orchard House enjoys a particularly fine location right on the edge of the village at the end of a quiet lane and provides a light, spacious and high quality retreat in any season. The detached property is one of two built in the divided grounds of a former Lakeland residence - there is no passing traffic and yet you are handy for all the village facilities.
There are numerous walks from the door including over Wansfell to Troutbeck, Loughrigg Fell, Rydal Mount and the Coffin route to Grasmere, and the lovely paths to Low and High Sweden Bridges and beyond onto Low Pike and the Fairfield Horseshoe or Red Screes. Ambleside centre is within walking distance for all your local shopping plus a host of eating places to suit every taste and pocket.
Orchard House is set in almost three acres of grounds on various levels with woodland and a stream, which attracts a wide variety of birds and wildlife. Paths lead to a higher-level private meadow from where you can enjoy exceptional views over Ambleside to Lake Windermere and the fells beyond.
Accommodation: Built to take advantage of the fine views with the main living accommodation upstairs the interior has been carefully planned with every thought for your holiday comfort. Steps to covered entrance porch and then into main hallway. The three ground floor bedrooms are - master double en-suite with king-sized bed (bath, handheld shower, basin and wc) and two spacious twin rooms. Main family bathroom has bath, separate shower, basin and wc. Ground floor laundry. Upstairs there is a further spacious double bedded room with king-size bed. Additional shower room (shower, basin and wc).
The main living area on the first floor features a huge and attractive dining/kitchen with two windows and double doors leading through to the family sitting room (flat screen TV with Sky Freeview, DVD, video, log burning stove and free wi-fi). Door to south facing balcony. Further spacious second sitting room is ideal for quiet relaxation and also has its own balcony (mini hi-fi/CD/radio).
The property has a lovely bright and welcoming feel with quality oak floors throughout enhanced with rugs, stylish furnishings and a high degree of comfort. Mature trees around the house allow seasonal views and there are fine distant vistas from the top of the garden.
Outside: The grounds extend to around three acres as described above. Plenty of space for sitting outside with garden table and chairs provided. Ample parking in the drive for 2/3 cars. Secure bike storage in garage by request. Approx. half a mile down the hill to Ambleside village centre.
Lying at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, Ambleside makes a superb base for touring the central Lakes, with Grasmere and the Langdale Valley just a short drive away. There is plenty to do here - cruises, boat trips and watersports on Lake Windermere itself and numerous shops, restaurants and pubs in the village to suit all tastes. On the lakeside at Waterhead, the parkland offers lovely views down the lake and a short stretch of beach, whilst a walk in the other direction, following Stock Ghyll through woodland, will bring you to the entrancing waterfall of Stock Ghyll Force. Along with the Lake and the great walking on offer, Ambleside is also famous for its annual rushbearing ceremony and the diminutive 17th century “Bridge House” - one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District and now the National Trust Information Centre.
Accommodation
4 bedrooms: 1 x Ground floor King Size with ensuite, 2 x Ground floor twin 1 x King size
Property heating: Gas, other heating sources: Open Fire.
1 oven of type: electric.
Hobs.
Microwave.
Freezer.
Fridge.
Washing machine.
Tumble Dryer.
TV.
DVD Player.
Wi-Fi included.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Highchair and travel cot available at this property.
Parking.
1 x Garden.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop within 0.39 miles.
Pub within 0.26 miles
Nearby points of interest
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
- The World of Beatrix Potter
- Lakes Aquarium
- Lake District National Park
- Lake Windermere
- Esthwaite Water
- Lodore Falls
- Church of St Olaf
Reviews (18)
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Emrys
The location of the house is excellent. One can walk to the town centre in a few minutes, and also walk out of the house onto paths into the surrounding hills. The kitchen is well equipped and large enough for 8 people to eat in. The main living room is a pleasant communal space. It took us some time to work out how to turn the fire on in the living room. And although we thought we'd worked out how to control the central heating, it seemed to revert to 'Auto' which meant that it was cold in the morning downstairs. This could have been our incompetence. Even so, 7:45 a.m. seems late for the central heating to come. I'd suggest 6 a.m. to make sure the house is comfortable when people get up. Our one criticism is that the house was not well supplied with basic items. Even though we were just staying for one week we had to buy toilet paper, paper towel, dish washing liquid, dishwasher capsules, as well as herbs, spices, sugar, etc. There weren't even enough garbage bags for the week. I don't expect to be provided with a week's supply of coffee for 8 people. But given how much we were paying (over $2,500 for one week), I think it's fair to expect these things to be fully provided. Regarding the kitchen, it would be good if there was a well-stocked herb and spice rack, along with things like baking powder, sugar, etc.. It's annoying to have to buy items that on will use very little of, and given the rental fee it seems a bit stingy for these not to be provided. Since we were all coming here from abroad, we couldn't bring such items from home. Other rental places also provide a few teabags and biscuits as a kind of welcome so that you can have a cup of on arrival, which would have been nice.. These points are intended as a suggestions to the owners. To say it again, we had a lovely week here; the house is clean, spacious, well-equipped, comfortable, and in a fabulous location.
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Emrys
The location of the house is excellent. One can walk to the town centre in a few minutes, and also walk out of the house onto paths into the surrounding hills. The kitchen is well equipped and large enough for 8 people to eat in. The main living room is a pleasant communal space. It took us some time to work out how to turn the fire on in the living room. And although we thought we'd worked out how to control the central heating, it seemed to revert to 'Auto' which meant that it was cold in the morning downstairs. This could have been our incompetence. Even so, 7:45 a.m. seems late for the central heating to come. I'd suggest 6 a.m. to make sure the house is comfortable when people get up. Our one criticism is that the house was not well supplied with basic items. Even though we were just staying for one week we had to buy toilet paper, paper towel, dish washing liquid, dishwasher capsules, as well as herbs, spices, sugar, etc. There weren't even enough garbage bags for the week. I don't expect to be provided with a week's supply of coffee for 8 people. But given how much we were paying (over $2,500 for one week), I think it's fair to expect these things to be fully provided. Regarding the kitchen, it would be good if there was a well-stocked herb and spice rack, along with things like baking powder, sugar, etc.. It's annoying to have to buy items that on will use very little of, and given the rental fee it seems a bit stingy for these not to be provided. Since we were all coming here from abroad, we couldn't bring such items from home. Other rental places also provide a few teabags and biscuits as a kind of welcome so that you can have a cup of on arrival, which would have been nice.. These points are intended as a suggestions to the owners. To say it again, we had a lovely week here; the house is clean, spacious, well-equipped, comfortable, and in a fabulous location.
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Hazel
We have stayed at Orchard House many times over the years so it's a bit like coming home. It is a beautiful, well equipped house for the three generations of my family. Situated at the top of quite a steep walk up the hill from Ambleside, but with walks from the door and parking for up to three cars. We set up a trail camera this year and recorded foxes, badgers and many different types of bird. There is a (restricted) view across Ambleside to Lake Windermere from this wonderful, peaceful location.