The Bay Cottage | Ambleside | Galava (roman Fort) | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.7★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

37 Customer Review(s)

Karen
July 2025

“Great property - excellent space for our party of 4 people: 2 in a couple and a mum and older son.”

We had plenty of space to be separate but also fantastic spaces to be together, SO close to the Lake and enough of a distance to be on the outskirts of busier Ambleside but easy to walk in, which we loved. Great facilities near by too. Small problem with doors being difficult to close / sticking and maybe a few more kitchen utensils? Mixing bowls / large roasting tin.

We had plenty of space to be separate but also fantastic spaces to be together, SO close to the Lake and enough of a distance to be on the outskirts of busier Ambleside but easy to walk in, which we loved. Great facilities near by too. Small problem with doors being difficult to close / sticking and maybe a few more kitchen utensils? Mixing bowls / large roasting tin.

- Karen, July 2025

Thanks for your comments. We are really pleased that you enjoyed your stay at The Bay Cottage and have noted your comments about utensils etc.. Property Owner
David June 2025

“This is the third time we have stayed at Bay Cottage and it hopefully won't be the last.”

It is a great place in a superb location.

- David, June 2025

Thank you so much for coming to stay in The Bay Cottage again! We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner
Shaun May 2025

“Lovely cottage,well proportioned and everything you needed was there to hand,we ...”

Lovely cottage,well proportioned and everything you needed was there to hand,we had a fab week the weather was glorious and plenty of eating and drinking in the lovely restaurants and pubs of Ambleside,which is only a 15minute walk to centre,but you have lake Windermere 2 minute walk from your back door and lovely cafes surrounding the lake,we will be back

- Shaun, May 2025

We are so pleased that you enjoyed your time in the cottage and we look forward to welcoming you back. It sounds like you were also lucky with the weather, which is always a bonus! Property Owner
Judy April 2025

“Wonderful cottage this was our 2nd time here and planning on coming back next year.”

- Judy, April 2025

It’s great to hear that you enjoyed staying in the cottage again. We look forward to seeing you again next year! Property Owner
Caroline February 2025

“Excellent property, beautifully laid out.”

Limitations of parking and views and the noise from road/YHA fans clearly explained on description and were not an issue to us at all

- Caroline, February 2025

We are so glad that you liked The Bay Cottage and hope that you had a good holiday! Property Owner
Catherine February 2025

“Bay Cottage is wonderful, superb decor, furnishings and facilities and in a stunning location, everything has been thought of and it’s an absolute joy to stay in.”

The house is just a two minute walk from the gorgeous lake too and only a fifteen minute walk into Ambleside town. We had an issue on the first night of a missing cot, both Sykes and the owner were amazing, both responding so quickly to our messages and a cot was delivered that evening- we were very impressed. I cannot recommend this property highly enough, thank you so much to the owner, you’ve put so much thought and care into the house, we loved it.

- Catherine, February 2025

Thank you so much for your lovely feedback! I am so glad that a cot was delivered on time- this happened to us many years ago and I know how important it is. Great to know that you had a good time! Property Owner
Karen December 2024

“Absolutely beautiful.”

We never even sat in lounge the kitchen was perfect to cook and gab. House is high end quality and spotlessly clean. It was a Lovely time spent with our friends .

- Karen, December 2024

Thank you for your lovely feedback! We are so glad that you like the house and I know just what you mean about the lounge. We have to make a point of going up there instead of just living in the kitchen! Property Owner
Sarah December 2024

“This is a lovely holiday home, we have stayed in lots of holiday homes over the years and this one stands out as one of the best.”

It’s well equipped with mugs, plates, cutlery etc. It was clean, warm and accommodated 6 adults and 2 dogs really well. The position is lovely with a small walk to pubs, cafes and Windermere Lake which the dogs loved. The Christmas decorations were a nice touch.

- Sarah, December 2024
Mark December 2024

“Our second visit to Bay Cottage.”

High quality accommodation with everything you may need for your break.As it was December it was appreciated that the whole house was really warm and that the guests have control of that. A short stroll to two lovely pubs with good food and the nearby youth hostel is a surprisingly good cheaper option. Thanks Bay Cottage you were great.

- Mark, December 2024
Louise November 2024

“Fabulous place to stay!”

Everything was perfect

- Louise, November 2024

Thank you so much for your comments. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay! Property Owner
Jacqueline October 2024

“What a wonderful week we had staying in the gorgeous Bay Cottage.”

The cottage was beautiful, very clean and comfortable. So much hard work and love have went into this beautiful home by the current owners and it shows. The location was great for us, a short 15 minute walk into Ambleside but plenty of walks, coffee shops, boat trips on your doorstep if you don't want to walk into Ambleside. We have stayed in the Lake District for the last 20 years on our autumn holiday and this house is definitely one of our favourites. We will be back. Thank you.

- Jacqueline, October 2024

What lovely comments! We are so pleased that you had a good time and look forward to welcoming you back! Property Owner
Janet September 2024

“Great cottage, beds very comfortable, everything provided that you could possibly need in a holiday cottage.”

Very clean and well maintained. Only negative is the noise from the extractor fan at the back of the YHA but otherwise no complaints. Will definitely consider booking again.

- Janet, September 2024

Thank you so much for your comments! We are glad that you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner
Victor Wood September 2024

“The second time we have stayed at "The Bay Cottage", and it is one of the best places we have stayed.”

Very well laid out, and with plenty of room, and conmfortable. Excellent location, having the lakeside facilities on the doorstep, and a short walk to Ambleside. Catering well for dogs, too, with a short walk to a National Trust field, or Stagshaw Gardens for excercise. The cottage is well equipped, and clean, and feels very 'homely'.

- Victor Wood, September 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We were so pleased to see that you had come back to the cottage. Glad that you enjoyed your stay again! Property Owner
Gemma August 2024

“We have stayed in many cottages in and around Ambleside over the years, this was one of the best.”

I was particularly impressed with the cleanliness (especially after having to clean a previous cottage myself when it was so dirty on arrival)! The beds were comfy and there’s clearly been a lot of thought and love go into it - very homely and modern in a great location. There were just a couple of things that may need a slight attention (nothing major and no complaints, just to make you aware really). The upstairs back bedroom toilet seat is very loose and moves each time you sit on it and there are a few of the wardrobe/chest of drawer handles that have come off and need a longer screw to fix back on. Feel free to publish the first part of the feedback.

- Gemma, August 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay! Thanks also for letting us know about the toilet seat and drawer handles. We will sort them out! Property Owner
Christine August 2024

“Overall a lovely house, comfortable, clean and well equipped.”

The location was also excellent. Just one small negative: the ensuite bathroom in the king size bedroom and the downstairs cloakroom were both very tight. We really enjoyed our stay.

- Christine, August 2024

We are really glad that you enjoyed your stay! Property Owner
Lynne August 2024

“Lovely house and good it has two large to x”

- Lynne, August 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind comments. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner
Simon July 2024

“Ideal in every way.”

Excellent location, right by the Lake in Ambleside and near to town. Parking on the premises - though only for a small to medium vehicle Property furnished to very high standard throughout

- Simon, July 2024

Thank you very much for your feedback. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay in the cottage! Property Owner
David June 2024

“Fantastic property.”

2nd time we’ve stayed and I’m sure that we will be back again some day.

- David, June 2024

We are so glad that you enjoyed your second stay and look forward to welcoming you back again! Property Owner
Peter May 2024

“A lovely cottage which was very well furnished and sparkling clean.”

Very comfortable and convenient for the lake ferry. The front overlooks the main road and the rear looks onto the back of the Youth Hostel, but the view across Windermere 50m from the back door is simply stunning. 10 minutes stroll up the road to the town centre or 20 minutes along the lakeside and river. Would definitely stay here again.

- Peter, May 2024

We are really pleased that you enjoyed your stay and look forward to welcoming you back! Property Owner
Anthony April 2024

“The property was very good.”

However, the level of service from Sykes was appalling. We had ants all over the kitchen including the work surfaces when we arrived on Friday evening. I tried to call Sykes on Saturday morning and eventually managed to get through around 10am to explain the issue. They said they would get a maintenance team round to look at the issue. I called at 4pm as no one had been in contact. I was told that the maintenance team had other issues to deal with and they would get to us. On Monday morning I called again to he told that someone would be out that day. We were told that they had a key so we would not have to leave the key. When we got back no one had been so we called again to be told that the maintenance team called twice but we weren't in and they had no key. Eventually on Tuesday at around 5.30pm some came with ant powder and ant traps. When we checked out on Thursday morning we still had issues with ants. The Sykes customer service team were incompetent.

- Anthony, April 2024

Thank you for taking time to leave feedback on your stay at The Bay Cottage. We are sorry to hear of the issues that you experienced during your stay. We apologise for the difficulty that you had in getting through to us. We will raise your feedback to the relevant teams. Thank you- The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner
Dean March 2024

“Beautiful property making it a home from home.”

Plenty of room to relax after a nice walk and ideal location for exploring the Lake District.

- Dean, March 2024

Thank you so much for your review and for being such understanding guests during your stay. Glad you had a good time! Property Owner
Sahra March 2024

“We throughly enjoyed our stay at the Bay Cottage would highly recommend.”

Beautiful house with everything that you need. Also great location for some lovely walks and fabulous restaurants in Ambleside. Really felt at home during our stay

- Sahra, March 2024

Thank you so much for your comments! We are so glad that you enjoyed staying in the cottage. Property Owner
Helen December 2023

“Superb mid-terrace property with great facilities and amenities.”

A short walk to the Wateredge Hotel and bar. Car parking was limited to one car - we had an estate car which was tight to park in the space provided. Would return without hesitation!

- Helen, December 2023

What lovely comments! We are so glad that you enjoyed your stay and hope you had a good time bringing in the new year in Ambleside. Property Owner
Andrew October 2023

“Excellent stay in a beautiful well appointed property Everything has been ...”

Excellent stay in a beautiful well appointed property Everything has been thought through for a perfect stay and we have highly recommended to family and friends The quality of finish, facilities and cleanliness were all exceptional The cottage is in a great location, close to the Lake and great for exploring Ambleside

- Andrew, October 2023

Thank you so much for your comments. We are really glad that you enjoyed staying in the cottage. Thank you also for recommending it to your family and friends! Property Owner
Victor Wood September 2023

“Not perfect, nowhere is.”

But the closest we have experienced in many years of using holiday cottages. The care taken by the owners to make sure that guests are happy, and enjoy the stay is commendable. All equipment is excellent, and the whole place is well cared for. The only downside, the very small parking space, but that is something that cannot be changed, and the description does adequately warn of this. We are looking forward to a return visit.

- Victor Wood, September 2023

Thank you for your comments, we are so glad that you enjoyed your stay! We agree that the parking space is rather small and as you said, we included this in the comments. We look forward to seeing you again. Property Owner
Mark September 2023

“The cottage was beautiful and very comfortable.”

Wonderful attention to detail.We have already recommended Bay Cottage to family and friends. We had a perfect stay. Thank you so much.

- Mark, September 2023

Thank you so much for your comments. We are so pleased that you enjoyed the cottage and had a good time. Please carry on recommending the cottage! Property Owner
Sarah August 2023

“We enjoyed our stay at The Bay Cottage, we appreciated the quality of furnishings and the care taken to renovate the cottage.”

As per description parking is only for a medium car we have a ford cmax which just fitted in the parking area, we appreciated the fans which I believe had been added recently, due to the weather it was quite humid and if you open the windows there is a lot of road noise at the front and the hum of the extractors and smell off cooking from the youth hostel at the back. The property is an ideal base for exploring the lakes, there is a good selection of books and maps about the area and we had fun with the games on a rainy day we would definitely return.

- Sarah, August 2023

We are glad that you enjoyed staying in the cottage and that you appreciated the fans. We look forward to welcoming you again if you return! Property Owner
Andrew July 2023

“The cottage was very comfortable and clean.”

The welcome pack was appreciated and useful. Really liked the decor and furnishings and the kitchen was well appointed. Definately be back next year.

- Andrew, July 2023

Thank you so much for your comments. We are really pleased that you liked the cottage and look forward to welcoming you again next year. Property Owner
Patricia June 2023

“Wonderful cottage in a beautiful location.”

Only negative was the parking. Property sleeps 6 but only has room for 1 car really.

- Patricia, June 2023

Thank you for your comments. We are so pleased that you liked the cottage! Property Owner
Kirsty June 2023

“Lovely and well equipped house and fantastic location for the lake and a short walk into town.”

Great to have 3 rooms with en-suite and excellent space for 6 adults - we loved the kitchen area and living room. There is a lot of road noise in the front bedroom. It was really warm when we stayed and needed the window open which really affected our sleep. All of the bedrooms would benefit from fans as the back rooms have the noise from the YHA external fan.

- Kirsty, June 2023

We are so glad that you liked the house. I have been wondering about getting fans as the weather has been so hot recently and will definitely do this now. Thanks for your comments. Property Owner
Obaidullah June 2023

“Terrible experience.”

When we checked in there were stains on the couch in the basement and the carpet in the upstairs bedroom. There was hair stuck all over the bed skirting upstairs. There were also a number of spiders (one the size of my palm) and a dozen smaller ones As soon as we checked on someone rang the bell and just a couple of handymen barged in saying they wanted to check a complaint. No privacy! And super inconvenient, a bit scary as well I had to ask them to leave We scrubbed the lounge (tissues away black!) and washed all the dishes etc as instructed yet there was a deduction for cleaning fee from our deposit! Never staying with them again

- Obaidullah, June 2023

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry to hear you did not enjoy your time in The Bay Cottage. Had you made us aware on your arrival, we would have returned to put things right for you. We take all complaints very seriously and will look into your comments. Property Owner
David May 2023

“A real gem of a place in a brilliant location.”

About to book again for next year.

- David, May 2023

We are so glad that you liked the house and look forward to welcoming you again next year! Property Owner
Malin May 2023

“Lovely cottage, very well presented.”

Super clean. Very comfy beds, very close to lake, superb location. Highly recommend.

- Malin, May 2023

Thank you for your kind comments, we are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back again. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner
Adam April 2023

“We had an amazing time, beautiful house.”

One small thing and didn’t detract from our stay in the slightest but the owner may want to know there are ants in the ground floor. Couldn’t see where they were getting in but may want to do something about them.

- Adam, April 2023

Thank you for your kind comments, it is so lovely to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We take all comments on board, and we hope to welcome you back. Property Owner
Martin April 2023

“A lovely cottage perfectly situated.”

Comfortable and clean decor. Close to lovely walks and the lake. Really enjoyed our stay thank you

- Martin, April 2023

Thank you for your kind comments, we are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back. Property Owner
Caroline April 2023

“Absolutely beautiful cottage, very comfortable and well equipped and in a great location!”

- Caroline, April 2023

Thank you so much! We are really pleased that you enjoyed the cottage! Property Owner
Sean February 2023

“This is a beautiful well positioned house within easy reach of the centre of Ambleside.”

The house was immaculacy clean, well furnished with lots of little extras such as board games etc. Parking was a little bit limited but enough space for one car. I would highly recommend the house to anyone who is visiting the lakes. I could easily move in and stay for good!!!

- Sean, February 2023

Thank you so much for your amazing review. we are so pleased you had a great holiday, hopefully we will see you again soon. Property Owner

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Summary

Over three floors: Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with Smart TV and en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC,1 x double with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC,1 x double with walk-in shower and en-suite cloakroom
Cloakroom with basin and WC
Kitchen/diner with Smart TV
Sitting room.
Gas central heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher
3 x Smart TV, WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking for one small to medium car, public car park available nearby (pay & display) for additional cars
Small rear patio with furniture (4 chairs)
2 well behaved dogs welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop 1.1 miles, pub 0.1 miles
Note: Check-in from 4pm, check-out by 10am
Note: The property is alongside a road so some road noise may be heard

The property

The Bay Cottage is a stunning Victorian mid-terrace home spread across three storeys located in the heart of the charming Cumbrian town of Ambleside. The Bay Cottage is a great option for groups of up to six people, thanks to its convenient position in the Lake District National Park at the lake's northern edge. The property has one off-street parking spot that may can accommodate a small to medium car, well as a small patio in the back with a bistro table where you can enjoy your morning coffee while planning the days ahead. The first of three bedrooms, a magnificent double with en suite shower room, is located on the ground floor, together with a welcoming sitting room with bay window affording views of the neighbouring fields, plush sofas, and a Smart TV. Proceed to the lower-ground-floor, where you'll discover the large kitchen/dining area, perfect for preparing delicious meals to be enjoyed at the breakfast bar for four or the dining table for six. There is also a cloakroom and a utility on this floor for your use. Ascend to the first floor to find the two remaining double bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room and the other with a shower in the room and an en-suite cloakroom. You can stroll through town and see the Armitt Library & Museum Centre, the interesting Ambleside Fort, the beautiful Stock Ghyll Force, and the Old Stamp House, Lake Road Kitchen, and Luigis for a family supper. Windermere is the next stop, where you can enjoy a variety of watersports on the lake, breath-taking vistas from Queen Adelaide's Hill, delicious seafood at Hooked, and the popular World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. The town of Bowness-on-Windermere is close by, and it's worth a trip if any in your party are foodies. It's home to three Michelin Star restaurants: Henrock, HRiSHi, and Gilpin Spice. A little further out is Grasmere, where you may see William Wordsworth's old house as well as the Grasmere Brewery and the Dove Bistro. For a memorable stay in Cumbria, choose The Bay Cottage.

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

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About the location

AMBLESIDE

Grasmere 4.4 miles; Windermere 4.7 miles; Keswick 16.7 miles.

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.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Your selection:

Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Great property - excellent space for our party of 4 people: 2 in a couple and a mum and older son.”

“This is the third time we have stayed at Bay Cottage and it hopefully won't be the last.”

“Lovely cottage,well proportioned and everything you needed was there to hand,we ...”

“Wonderful cottage this was our 2nd time here and planning on coming back next year.”

“Excellent property, beautifully laid out.”

“Bay Cottage is wonderful, superb decor, furnishings and facilities and in a stunning location, everything has been thought of and it’s an absolute joy to stay in.”

“Absolutely beautiful.”

“This is a lovely holiday home, we have stayed in lots of holiday homes over the years and this one stands out as one of the best.”

“Our second visit to Bay Cottage.”

“Fabulous place to stay!”

“What a wonderful week we had staying in the gorgeous Bay Cottage.”

“Great cottage, beds very comfortable, everything provided that you could possibly need in a holiday cottage.”

“The second time we have stayed at "The Bay Cottage", and it is one of the best places we have stayed.”

“We have stayed in many cottages in and around Ambleside over the years, this was one of the best.”

“Overall a lovely house, comfortable, clean and well equipped.”

“Lovely house and good it has two large to x”

“Ideal in every way.”

“Fantastic property.”

“A lovely cottage which was very well furnished and sparkling clean.”

“The property was very good.”

“Beautiful property making it a home from home.”

“We throughly enjoyed our stay at the Bay Cottage would highly recommend.”

“Superb mid-terrace property with great facilities and amenities.”

“Excellent stay in a beautiful well appointed property Everything has been ...”

“Not perfect, nowhere is.”

“The cottage was beautiful and very comfortable.”

“We enjoyed our stay at The Bay Cottage, we appreciated the quality of furnishings and the care taken to renovate the cottage.”

“The cottage was very comfortable and clean.”

“Wonderful cottage in a beautiful location.”

“Lovely and well equipped house and fantastic location for the lake and a short walk into town.”

“Terrible experience.”

“A real gem of a place in a brilliant location.”

“Lovely cottage, very well presented.”

“We had an amazing time, beautiful house.”

“A lovely cottage perfectly situated.”

“Absolutely beautiful cottage, very comfortable and well equipped and in a great location!”

“This is a beautiful well positioned house within easy reach of the centre of Ambleside.”

Summary

The property

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About the location

AMBLESIDE