Guests say
The Thistles in Windermere is a well-regarded holiday cottage, praised for its cleanliness, convenient location with parking, and homely comfort. Guests appreciate the elegant decor, thoughtful touches like flowers and treats, and the well-equipped kitchen. Some minor maintenance issues were noted, but overall, the property is highly recommended for a pleasant stay.
Guests consistently report that the property is very clean, with multiple reviews highlighting the high standard of cleanliness throughout the cottage.
The location is highly praised for its convenience, proximity to amenities, and the added bonus of an allocated parking space, which is considered extremely valuable.
The property is described as comfortable, with spacious storage, comfortable beds, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. However, some guests experienced issues with a shower tray overflow and a banging window during high winds.
Facilities are generally well-received, with a well-equipped kitchen and thoughtful extras. However, points are deducted for the inconveniently placed microwave, unusable freezer due to ice build-up, a non-working fire, and a minor issue with a clock battery.
The owners are commended for their thoughtfulness, providing extra touches such as flowers and a treat tray. While these are greatly appreciated, it should be noted that such gifts are not guaranteed for every stay.
About this property
The Thistles is a delightful stone-built mid-terrace holiday home, resting in the heart of the picture-perfect town of Bowness-on-Windermere, a stone's throw from the glistening waters of Lake Windermere. A charming stone-fronted holiday home lovingly renovated to a high standard, The Thistles makes an excellent base for a group of up to six seeking a rural retreat to Cumbria and the Lake District National Park. Remove any coats and shoes as you step into the hallway and make yourself at home; move through the corridor and unwind with your feet up in front of the television in the sitting room, with the glow of the gas fire gently warming the room in the cooler months. When stomachs start to rumble, head through to the well-equipped kitchen to rustle up a hearty meal with the use of the electric oven and hob. Uncork a bottle of wine and gather together with your loved ones at the dining table to indulge, or make the most of your countryside setting and venture outside to enjoy a spot of lunch on the patio. Two well-presented bedrooms can be found settled alongside a shower room on the first floor; choose to snuggle up under the covers of the king-size, or catch your rest in the sumptuous double bedroom. If you'd prefer an intimate escape, a further double and a single bedroom are positioned on the second floor, serviced by a stylish bathroom for those who would prefer to indulge in a soak after an action-packed day. Enjoying a central location within the bustling town of Bowness-on-Windermere, there's a wealth of amenities set a short walk from your doorstep; tuck into a hearty meal or a crisp pint of ale with a pit-stop at The Westmorland Inn, indulge in a delectable dessert at the ChoccoBar Hot Chocolate House, or head to the local butchers to stock up on fresh, locally sourced produce. Literary buffs will delight with a visit to the famed World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, offering a fascinating insight into the mind of Beatrix Potter, whilst the spectacular 70ft waterfall of Stock Ghyll Force is a sight not to be missed. There's an exciting selection of watersports opportunities available on Lake Windermere, such as kayaking or paddle boarding, or for a more leisurely experience, board a lake cruise and sail across to Ambleside or Lakeside. The market town of Kendal is set within easy reach, home to Kendal Museum, a well-kept 18-hole golf course and a bustling high street, whilst those looking for a more peaceful afternoon can traverse the rolling countryside of the Lake District National Park. Make memories that will last a lifetime with a retreat to The Thistles.
The vibrant twin towns of Bowness and Windermere hold enduring appeal for visitors to the Lake District National Park, with each providing a range of nearby attractions, amenities, cinema, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. A variety of boat trips and boat hire are available from Windermere Lake Cruises in Bowness to Brockhole, Ambleside and Lakeside (at the southern end of the lake where the Lakeside Aquarium and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway are situated). The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction and the Old Laundry Theatre are 1.5 miles away. Orrest Head, where Alfred Wainwright was inspired to write his series of iconic guidebooks, is a 30-minute walk to enjoy the spectacular panorama of far-reaching views over the lake and surrounding fells. Brockhole, which offers high wire tree top experiences, is three miles away, and the historic villages of Grasmere, Ambleside and Troutbeck are a short drive away. There is also a variety of watersports on offer for the more energetic at marine centres along the lake. The area is ideally situated for exploring all that this region has to offer, whether by foot, bike, car, railway or bus; and is within easy reach of attractions such as the spectacular Langdales, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top House at Far Sawrey, Coniston, Grizedale Forest Park, with its delightful walks and famous outdoor sculptures, mountain biking and 'Go-Ape' adventure park, Ullswater, Kendal, Keswick, stone circles, Roman forts and England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
Accommodation
Over four floors.
Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 2 x double, 1 x second-floor single.
Second-floor bathroom with bath, handheld shower, basin and WC.
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Lower-ground-floor utility with iron and board.
Dining room with flame-effect gas fire.
Sitting room with gas fire
Gas central heating.
Electric oven and hob, kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine.
TV, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for 1 car.
Enclosed rear patio with furniture.
Sorry, no pets and no smoking.
Shop 0.3 miles, pub 0.2 miles, Lake Windermere 0.5 miles.
Note: Sorry, no children under 5
Nearby points of interest
- The World of Beatrix Potter
- Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
- Beatrix Potter Gallery, Hawkshead
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Lakes Aquarium
- Lakeland Motor Museum
- Lake District National Park
- Lake Windermere
- Esthwaite Water
Reviews (6)
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Allison
Some small changes had been made since our last stay but were greatly appreciated. Fresh flowers and welcome treats also very much appreciated. It's a beautiful home away from home in the lakes so we will definitely return again.Very well equipped and furnished to a very high standard. Just one thing to note and it is really minor so in no way impacted our stay,there was no battery in the living room clock. Thank you again for another lovely week,we will be back.
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Liz
Couple of negatives were, the shower tray kept overflowing which meant we had to switch the shower off multiple times during a shower, may be due to blockage? Fire in dining room did not work, other half thinks the batteries may need replacing on the actual fire⦠lastly we experienced some high winds during our visit and the front bedroom window banged all night, not sure if anything could be done about this but thought it was constructive feedback, apart from this was a great stay, great location and just what we were looking for
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Angela
With its elegant decor and tasteful interior, this lovely home was warm and welcoming from the moment we stepped through the door. The owners seemed to have anticipated and provided everything we could possibly need, from a well equipped kitchen, spacious storage and comfortable beds, to the thoughtful extra touches such as the flowers and treat tray. It was sparklingly clean throughout and the welcome pack covered everything we needed to make our stay so enjoyable. Highly recommended.