Dovecot Cottage

Rating
Sleeps 2
Bedrooms 1
Bathrooms 1
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews

1 Customer Review(s)

Mr Nixon
April 2021

“Your Sykes Experience How likely are you to recommend us?”

...

6 out of 10 Your Holiday Cottage Accuracy of the listing 2 out of 4 Cleanliness 2 out of 4 Comfort 1 out of 4 Facilities 1 out of 4 Your General Feedback How far did we go in exceeding your expectations? Failed to Meet Expectations (1 out of 3) Would you like to tell us anything else about this holiday? Good afternoon, Thank you for the email. Unfortunately, while the Lake District was, as always, perfect, Dovecot was not. You will note from my account the calls I made throughout the week. The aggregation and consequences of these made Dovecot a disappointment. To summarise: - boiler, fridge and plug sockets not working on arrival - temperature of the cottage 10 degrees. It took until Wed to get it to 17 degrees with the radiators on 24/7 - lukewarm water for over half the stay (boiler issue only resolved on Thu) - front door lock broken meaning door couldn’t be locked from the inside - fire alarms faulty/low battery resulting in a sleepless night of intermittent beeping - no allocated refuse bin - rancid and clearly very old household waste left in the garden (coal bunkers) - tv remote dead - I have replaced the batteries at personal cost - 1/2 a toilet roll and no spares for the entire week - no wood for the fire - no basic cleaning products (toilet cleaner, surface spray etc.) - no documentation at all to explain wifi, refuse, laundry facilities, etc. Just an empty Heart of the Lakes folder. I have stayed in numerous cottages in the Lake District and this one is, by far, in the worst material state I have seen and lacked the basic essentials. Overall, Dovecot was not at what I would consider an acceptable standard. I would like to add, however, that your customer service was excellent and your maintenance team quick and proactive. I will be sure to include this in my review as I think that your staff should be recognised for their patience and assistance. If your customer service team would like to discuss any of the above with me then I am more than happy to take a call.

- Mr Nixon, April 2021
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The property

This is a real little gem but far removed from the average self-catering cottage - better described as a little bit 'quirky', it is known to have been short-listed for the role of Bilbo Baggins' house in Lord of the Rings. The property is unusual in every way but has been carefully planned and is comfortable and cosy - a perfect choice for a couple looking for something that little bit different and it is ideal for a romantic holiday. With a slanted ladder-type wooden stairway with handrails and wood panelled walls upstairs, it will remind guests of the inside of a yacht rather than a conventional cottage. As its name implies Dovecot Cottage was originally a dovecote, it is a detached stone-built and listed building set on the east side of the vale of Grasmere and is a short walk into the village and handy for a couple of local pubs. There are enough walks from the door to keep everyone happy and ample places for eating out in the immediate area - no need to use the car on a daily basis. Those of you who enjoy the challenge of the high tops can tackle the summit of Fairfield, or take the shorter steep path to Alcock Tarn to enjoy the panoramic views, whilst for easier days out you could enjoy a stroll into Grasmere village with maybe a row on the lake or a climb to the top of Loughrigg Fell or Silver How. The beautiful Easedale Valley makes a fine destination for a gentle ramble, lovely for a picnic on a sunny day, and the delightful paths around Grasmere Lake and Rydal Water are some of the most popular in the Lake District. Dovecot Cottage is situated in the same location as Fir Tree Cottage Property Ref. 7045. Accommodation: Steps and path from the parking to the front door. Entrance into sitting/dining room (TV, DVD) with its cosy log burning stove, two-seater sofa and dining table for two. The fitted kitchen has fridge, electric oven and gas hob, and its own door to the outside. Laundry facilities are available on site in a separate outbuilding (also used by Fir Tree Cottage next door). And now upstairs...you arrive first in the dressing area which was the original dovecote entrance with the decorative cubbyholes set in the end wall. The sleeping area (double bed) has some restricted headroom and a door to the outside which accesses steps leading down to ground floor level. A good sized bathroom has deep Victorian style roll top bath, basin and wc. Outside: The cottage is set on a sloping site backed by trees with grassy areas around and there is room to sit outside just in front of the door on the level terrace. At the end of the cottage there are slate steps which make an alternative access to the sleeping area on the top floor. Parking for one car immediately outside the boundary wall. Shared laundry facilities outside in separate room by driveway gate. Grasmere village centre three quarters of a mile. Less than 5 mins stroll to the Swan Hotel for bar and eating out.

Summary

One double bedroom
Bathroom with roll top bath, basin and WC
Kitchen
Living room/diner with woodburning stove
Gas central heating and woodburning stove
Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge, TV with Freeview and DVD, and WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking for one car
Outdoor access to lawned areas, terrace and seating
Shared laundry facilities in outbuilding
One well-behaved pet allowed
Sorry, no smoking.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

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About the location

GRASMERE

Ambleside 5 miles; Windermere 9 miles; Keswick 13 miles.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere needs to include The Grasmere Gingerbread shop, where the Wilson family have been making gingerbread for over 60 years. Also in the village are a number of shops, pubs, a church which dates back to the 13th century and Grasmere Lake, plus Grasmere Sports takes place every August, where you can watch participants compete in a variety of sports, including Cumberland Wrestling. Just five miles away is the town of Ambleside and Lake Winderemere where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and the 17th century Bridge House, which is one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District. Cruises, boat trips and watersports can all be enjoyed on Lake Windermere and the towns of Windermere and Keswick are also within driving distance. Grasmere is a wonderful base for your Lake District retreat.

Note: Limited WiFi due to the location of the cottage

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Last minute

Grasmere, Cumbria & The Lake District (Ref. 1043010)

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