Guests say
Bull Pen is a well-equipped cottage in a picturesque location with comfortable beds and a swimming pool. Guests enjoyed the tranquillity, the local walks, and the additional activities available. Some guests encountered maintenance issues, but the property generally provided a homely and spacious environment for a pleasant stay.
The cleanliness received mixed reviews. Some guests reported a well-maintained environment, while others noted issues such as mould, cobwebs, and a poorly cleaned fridge. The presence of animal faeces outside was also mentioned, suggesting room for improvement in this area.
The location is highly praised for its beauty and tranquillity, offering great walks and a peaceful atmosphere. However, some guests found the narrow roads stressful to navigate, which slightly impacted their overall experience.
Comfort levels were generally high, with guests finding the beds very comfortable and the living spaces conducive to socialising. Some concerns were raised about heating and a cold room, but these were addressed by the staff.
Facilities like the swimming pool and games room were appreciated, but there were several complaints about maintenance issues such as leaks, broken fixtures, and inadequate hot water supply. The shop was found to be well-stocked but a bit pricey.
There is insufficient information to assess thoughtfulness as there are no mentions of gifts or special touches that would indicate the level of consideration for guests' experiences.
About this property
Hawkeshead 5.5 miles. This picturesque, detached lodge rests on the peaceful Graythwaite Estate, close to Hawkshead in the Lake District. Less than a mile from Windermere and with plenty of on-site facilities to take advantage of, Bull Pen is ideal for a group of family or friends wanting to get outdoors and explore the heart of the Lake District National Park. Enter the property into a spacious open-plan living room, with an inviting sitting room that has a choice of cosy furniture to relax onto, placed around the feature stone fireplace, housing a woodburning stove, as well as offering a TV so you can enjoy a film together. The large dining table can set the whole group and offers the perfect excuse to join together and enjoy a home-cooked meal, play a game or make plans for the upcoming days, while the kitchen is well equipped with all the appliances you will need to prepare delicious meals, as well as offering a breakfast bar, for an alternative seating arrangement. The property benefits from five spacious bedrooms, including a king-size double on the ground floor, with an en-suite shower room, ideal for any guests with mobility issues. Head up the staircase to the first floor, which is split into two corridors, accessed via three further steps up, where you will find a further four bedrooms consisting of a king-size double and three twins, suitable for a variety of groups, all of which are spacious and bright and offer ample storage space, while one of the twins rests under the eaves and has a lovely Velux window. There are two bathrooms to choose from; one with a shower over bath and the other has a walk-in shower and Velux window, both have heated towel rails for extra comfort. Outside, you will find ample off-road parking, as well as an enclosed courtyard with furniture, which can be accessed via the patio doors in the living room, and offers a peaceful spot to sit out and enjoy a morning coffee, soaking up your surroundings. Head off-site to enjoy stunning lakeside walks on the shores of Windermere, less than a mile away, while the village of Hawkshead is a short drive away and offers a selection of shops, cafés and restaurants. Visit Grizedale Forest and enjoy walking woodland trails, or for something more adventurous, take on the tree top adventure course. Bull Pen is a fantastic family-friendly property for a Lake District holiday.
The picturesque village of Hawkshead still retains the charm and character that so endeared it to its most famous residents - William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter. Cars are banned from the village, leaving visitors free to wander the wealth of tiny alleyways, thoroughfares, archways and courtyards between the whitewashed 17th Century houses. With stunning scenery and numerous attractions within easy touring distance, Hawkshead is in an ideal location at any time of the year.
Accommodation
Over two floors.
Five bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor king-size double with en-suite shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC, 1 x king-size double, 3 x twin.
Bathroom with shower over bath, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Open-plan living room with kitchen, dining and sitting room with woodburning stove
Electric heating.
2 x electric oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher.
TV and WiFi.
Shared use of estate facilities included indoor heated swimming pool and table tennis room (please bring your own racquets and balls).
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Logs can be purchased at the farm shop.
Travel cot and highchair available on request.
Off-road parking for 10 cars.
Enclosed patio garden with furniture.
Two well behaved pets welcome.
Sorry no smoking.
Shop 5.8 miles, pub 3.5 miles.
Graythwaite fishery is free for all guests and equipment can be hired locally, a small fee is applicable to keep your catch, rod fishing license required.
Please Note: Minimum 3 night stay.
Please Note: This property has a £600 Good Housekeeping Bond.
The swimming pool can be booked for 45 minute private sessions, All guests can pre-book up to a maximum of 3 swimming slots ( or 2 slots for short stays 2 and 3 nights ) 7 days prior to arrival by contacting estate@graythwaite.com
Nearby points of interest
- Lakes Aquarium
- Lakeland Motor Museum
- The World of Beatrix Potter
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
- Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Esthwaite Water
- Lake District National Park
- Lake Windermere
Reviews (11)
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Siobhan
Shop was handy, although a tad pricey. Great walks on the doorstep. Only thing that slightly dampened our spirit was the weather but that didnât stop us! Lots of exploring, waterfalls visited and paddleboarding experienced. We loved our stay and would love to come back again. Only point to recommend is that it would be handy to have basic cupboard staples to aid with cooking - surprised not to find any sugar or spices. And the enclosed patio area didnât have a gate on it so wasnât fully enclosed, which would have been handier for the dogs. Otherwise great stay had by all 9 of us! Thanks
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Joanne
Quite a-lot of mould in places around the windows because of condensation in particular one bathroom the shower curtain desperately needs replacing as it is covered in mould so we didnât use this shower. The toaster didnât work but we were provided with a new one straight away. The hot water tap in the kitchen is also dangerously hot. We did however overall love the cottage, the beds and towels were immaculate and the space extremely homely and spacious and no denying the location is brilliant and extremely picturesque.
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Kerry
Steps down to the cottage, then up into the cottage, up into a show half cubicles which was far too small, steps out onto the patio. No toiletry hangers within the show cubicle upstairs so trying to shower, bend down for bottles were near impossible in such a tiny space. Planters blocking disabled parking anywhere near the cottage front door, which had to be moved. 4 cars had punctures on the graythwaite estate!! Not very well maintained. Will not be recommending this holiday venue to anyone.