The Sanctuary

4.7★

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
1 Bathroom
Pets No
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Features

Off road parking
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

24 Customer Review(s)

Helen
August 2025

“We had a great week using the Sanctuary as a base.”

The property is really nice, in a quiet setting but close to shops etc for what you need, We went during a heatwave and it stayed lovely and cool downstairs, but was very hot upstairs as there’s no way to block sun from stair window. We found it had everything we needed though the wooden floor downstairs made socks dirty, suggesting it hadn’t been mopped/thoroughly in a while. The beds were way too soft for us, and gave me back ache. Worth noting that due to the covenant on the land you ...

The property is really nice, in a quiet setting but close to shops etc for what you need, We went during a heatwave and it stayed lovely and cool downstairs, but was very hot upstairs as there’s no way to block sun from stair window. We found it had everything we needed though the wooden floor downstairs made socks dirty, suggesting it hadn’t been mopped/thoroughly in a while. The beds were way too soft for us, and gave me back ache. Worth noting that due to the covenant on the land you aren’t allowed to dry your clothes outside if you do any washing- and clothes left to dry inside (couldn’t be tumbled dried) went smelly so not ideal- pack with that in mind. Being close to bus stop was a god send as we struggled to park in many places so we opted to use the bus- far less hassle.

- Helen, August 2025
Karen July 2025

“Lovely cottage in a quiet setting but only a 5 minute walk to the centre of Windermere”

- Karen, July 2025
Catherine July 2025

“Nice cottage in a convenient area.”

The streets were busy so we took the bus most days. Had 2 trips on the lake and visited the surrounding area.Weather was mixed and when it rained heavy the back gutter was like a waterfall A welcome pack would have been nice most places provide them. Disappointed to find dirty dishes in the cupboard and covering greasy trays with tin foil wasn't good either. The frying pan was unusable .We found the beds uncomfortable but I suppose that's an individual taste. The cottage was fine but we wouldn't return.

- Catherine, July 2025

Thank you very much for your recent feedback about The Sanctuary. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. We're delighted to hear that you found the location convenient and well-situated for exploring Windermere and the South Lakes. It's unfortunate that the weather wasn't on your side during your stay. Regarding the guttering issue, we'll investigate and check for any blockages—it's likely that leaves may have obstructed the downspout. We’ll also look into the other concerns you mentioned and ensure appropriate action is taken. Kind regards, The Team at Lakelovers Property Owner
Laura June 2025

“A lovely cottage fantastically situated 5 mins from the centre of Windermere.”

Peaceful and very relaxing. We used it as a base to visit all the local villages and towns. Our only comment is that the cottage was incredibly dusty with several large cobwebs in most of the rooms,other than that it was very clean and incredibly comfortable. Some instructions on rubbish etc would be useful in the welcome book also

- Laura, June 2025
Ailsa May 2025

“About our 6th stay.”

. it's a lovely cottage and very peaceful, but close to amenities. Very clean and comfortable. Good parking. Thank you.

- Ailsa, May 2025
Cheryl March 2025

“Our second stay at this lovely cottage.”

We enjoyed wonderful weather and the property was well situated for access to shops in Windemere and local walks to the lake and Orrest Head. Very clean and comfortable. The addition of the Stressless chairs was a real plus. All the furnishings were good quality and the cottage was a very high standard throughout. If you book this cottage you will not be disappointed.

- Cheryl, March 2025
Susan December 2024

“Had a lovely stay at The Sanctuary at New Year.”

Everything was perfect. Would definitely stay again. Thank you for the complimentary Prosecco. Regards Sue

- Susan, December 2024

Thank you Sue for your kind comments regarding your New Year stay at 'The Sanctuary'. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Property Owner
Susan November 2024

“Lovely cottage really convenient for everything, car not required, will definitely stay here again.”

- Susan, November 2024

Thank you for your taking the time to leave your kind comments. We are pleased that you had an enjoyable stay. We hope to welcome you again. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner
Carole August 2024

“We had a lovely week at the Sanctuary.”

The cottage was more spacious than the photos indicated and everything was immaculately clean. Location was great - a short stroll into Windermere and the bus station. We went most places on the bus and left our car in the parking spaces provided.

- Carole, August 2024
Christine June 2024

“We stopped here last September really enjoyed it so decided to stay for four ...”

We stopped here last September really enjoyed it so decided to stay for four nights for my birthday Again we had a lovely time, we even did things we didn't do before The sanctuary is very handy for the bus into Keswick Ambleside, and Grasmere and bowness but also a lovely walk into bowness It's handy for some lovely cafes, bars,restaurants and shops We wouldn't hesitate to book the sanctuary again sometime as it's a clean comfy and well equipped property and tastefully furnished

- Christine, June 2024
Mark May 2024

“Arrived last Saturday, unable to get into property as key did not work.”

Had to phone up.Luckily just before office closed.Guy who was very helpful turned up,he couldn't get us in.Went to get another key from Windermere,that didn't work.We then left as we went for a coffee.Returned couple of hours later, assume locksmiths had come because different key-we hadn't been updated.Our first night ruined as 3 hours wasted and we had to change our plans.Hard to believe something like this can happen,were cleaners not in earlier?Rest of holiday enjoyable but no check on us or apology for what happened.Underwhelmed.Cottage very nice, great location but low scores reflect our first day problems.

- Mark, May 2024

We are sorry to hear the lock did not work on your arrival at The Sanctuary. The cleaner had been in earlier and all appeared to be ok. We believe Lakelovers dealt with it as quickly as they were able. Lakelovers informed us later that week. We are as surprised as you regarding the faulty lock, as the new door was only fitted 2 years ago. We hope this won"t put you off visiting our beautiful cottage in the future. Property Owner
Ailsa May 2024

“Lovely comfortable cottage.”

.

- Ailsa, May 2024
Louise March 2024

“Impressed with standard of accommodation, photos don't do it justice.”

Open plan downstairs so does take a while to warm up, complete opposite upstairs. Location great, shops and restaurants short walk around the corner but nice and quiet at the cottage. We also walked down to Bowness and back, took about 25 mins each way. We went bank holiday weekend, very busy and car parks rammed everywhere. Would recommend The Sanctuary.

- Louise, March 2024
Tom March 2024

“All very good”

- Tom, March 2024
Tom February 2024

“Great property good location ml”

- Tom, February 2024
Will September 2023

“Arrived to find heating not working and radiator valves turned off.”

Tried to contact Sykes (the only number available) but no answer. Eventually contacted Lakelovers on Sunday morning with prompt response by engineer. Fault was low water pressure. Suggest heating should have been checked prior to arrival.

- Will, September 2023

hank you for taking the time to leave a review after your recent stay at our property. We appreciate your feedback, We're sincerely sorry to hear that you arrived to find the heating not working and the radiator valves turned off. We understand the frustration and inconvenience this must have caused, while we have a 24/7 emergency contact number available to guests who have logged into their booking portal, we acknowledge that this information may not have been readily accessible. While previous guests in good faith turned off the radiators to save energy, we understand that this can inadvertently impact the experience for arriving guests. We're implementing additional checks within our housekeeping procedures to ensure the heating system is fully functional before each new arrival. We're glad Lakelovers responded promptly to your request on Sunday morning and fixed the low water pressure issue. We value your feedback and hope to welcome you back in the future. Please know that we are committed to providing a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all our guests. Property Owner
Samantha August 2023

“Our second stay at the Sanctuary, in our opinion the best location in Windermere, just round the corner from Windermere village and a mile or so from Bowness and in a quiet spot The cottage is lovely and really is a home from home, the new bathroom is fantastic!”

The recliner chairs also a big hit after a long day walking, the private parking spot is amazing to get at the lakes, makes such a difference, thanks for another great stay

- Samantha, August 2023
Ailsa May 2023

“Excellent cottage in a good location.”

- Ailsa, May 2023

Thank you for your kind comments, we are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team. Property Owner
Susan June 2022

“Wonderful Cottage in a perfect location.”

Luckily for us The Sanctuary was available for the only week we had off in June. Situated in a quiet area of Windermere Village but only two minute walk into the center. The cottage has everything you could possible need to make it your home for the duration of your stay. Would definitely re-book if we ever come back to the lakes.

- Susan, June 2022
Ailsa May 2022

“Lovely clean comfortable cottage.”

Good location.

- Ailsa, May 2022
Julia April 2022

“Superb cottage.”

Excellent location and wonderfully quiet. This was our second visit to the Sanctuary and we hope to return. Very Minor point: some smaller glasses/ tumblers would be useful.

- Julia, April 2022

Thank you for your feedback and positive comments. Some smaller glasses have now been purchased. We hope you will visit again. Property Owner
Paul June 2021

“Quite a narrow driveway for large cars/SUV’s but manageable with care, the luxury of 2 parking spaces is a real bonus.”

Set back in a quiet residential area and just a short walk into Windermere - a lovely location and a well equipped, comfortable and spacious property.

- Paul, June 2021
Alan May 2021

“This is an excellent property.”

It has everything needed for a comfortable self catering holiday. The cooking facillities fulfilled everything that we needed. The property is well decorated in neutral colours and the tv, dvd, wifi are all a good standard. Lovely large shower - no bath but we do not use one. The patio at the rear is perfectly adequate for relaxation, with a dining table and four chairs. Our weather was a bit cool but we could imagine eating out there on a warm evening. The location is good, being only a 10-15 minutes walk to Windermere town, where there is a Sainsburys, Co-op as well as Booths which has a large car park. Due to Covid we were not able to eat out at the time that we were there but restaurants/cafes a short walk away. Highly recommended

- Alan, May 2021
Julia April 2021

“Super cottage, clean and well appointed.”

Excellent location. I think the booking fee charged is excessive. Humans do very little when booking online. You already make money from the owners.

- Julia, April 2021

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Summary

Highly Commended 4 Star property
Two bedrooms: 1 x king size bedroom, 1 x double bedroom
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
Cloakroom with basin and WC
Kitchen
Living/dining room
Electric central heating
Electric oven with halogen hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washer/dryer
Smart TV and DVD, WiFi
Fuel, power, bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Private parking for 2 cars
Small patio with furniture
Sorry, no pets and no smoking
Windermere village centre within 0.3 miles

The property

The Sanctuary is a quintessential, Cumbrian slate cottage, converted from an old church school building, located at the end of a private driveway off Ambleside Rd, with the added luxury of two designated car parking spaces. Having undergone the installation of a contemporary bathroom with Villeroy & Boch sanitary ware, oak internal doors and other decorative changes, whilst being within a moment’ stroll of Windermere’s amenities, this is a superb holiday home for couples and families. Guests will be charmed by the tasteful decor, stylish interior and well-presented bedrooms. The lounge area is beautifully furnished with two stressless chairs, sofa and a fire with new wooden surround. There is a Smart TV/DVD and patio doors leading onto the sunny patio, (the sun does shine in the Lakes) perfect for alfresco dining, along with that pre-dinner drink or coffee! A stylish breakfast bar separates the William Ball kitchen from the dining area. The kitchen has everything you will need, dishwasher, washer-dryer, electric oven, Halogen hob and fridge freezer. A downstairs cloakroom is a handy addition providing adequate hanging space for your coats, and toilet/washbasin. Stairs lead you past the stunning Gothic window to two lovely good size bedrooms. Each bedroom has been lovingly coordinated with plenty of storage. The bedrooms include a king-size and a double, situated upstairs. A fitted light airy bathroom with a spacious walk-in shower and Villeroy Boch provide your washing facilities. Windermere village is a popular destination for visitors; brim full of restaurants, interesting shops, and cosy pubs. Foodies will love Booths supermarket and cooks will adore the flagship Lakeland store nearby. The village of Bowness and the shores of Lake Windermere are just down the road, with cruises, rowing boats and a whole of water based activities on offer, and of course, there is the wonderful Lake District countryside to admire and explore. Choose The Sanctuary for a wonderful escape to Cumbria.

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

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About the location

WINDERMERE

Ambleside 5 miles; Kendal 8.7 miles.

The twin towns of Bowness and Windermere are both vibrant, fun-filled places set within the splendid scenery of the Lake District. Both towns provide a range of amenities, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes whilst Ambleside offers the additional attraction of a boat ride to Bowness, the Lakeside Aquarium and Beatrix Potter's 'Hill Top House' at Sawrey. Grizedale Forest Park is within easy driving distance and is home to a range of activities including many good walks, mountain biking and the 'Go Ape' adventure park. The region also boasts many National Trust properties as well as a variety of water sports for those who prefer a more adrenaline-fuelled trip. Children will enjoy a trip to the 'World of Beatrix Potter' in Bowness whilst the villages of Grasmere, Coniston Water, Kendal, Keswick and the Lakeland Mountains are all within easy reach.

This property offers the following short breaks:

Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Windermere, Cumbria & The Lake District (Ref. 1063198)

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“We had a great week using the Sanctuary as a base.”

“Lovely cottage in a quiet setting but only a 5 minute walk to the centre of Windermere”

“Nice cottage in a convenient area.”

“A lovely cottage fantastically situated 5 mins from the centre of Windermere.”

“About our 6th stay.”

“Our second stay at this lovely cottage.”

“Had a lovely stay at The Sanctuary at New Year.”

“Lovely cottage really convenient for everything, car not required, will definitely stay here again.”

“We had a lovely week at the Sanctuary.”

“We stopped here last September really enjoyed it so decided to stay for four ...”

“Arrived last Saturday, unable to get into property as key did not work.”

“Lovely comfortable cottage.”

“Impressed with standard of accommodation, photos don't do it justice.”

“All very good”

“Great property good location ml”

“Arrived to find heating not working and radiator valves turned off.”

“Our second stay at the Sanctuary, in our opinion the best location in Windermere, just round the corner from Windermere village and a mile or so from Bowness and in a quiet spot The cottage is lovely and really is a home from home, the new bathroom is fantastic!”

“Excellent cottage in a good location.”

“Wonderful Cottage in a perfect location.”

“Lovely clean comfortable cottage.”

“Superb cottage.”

“Quite a narrow driveway for large cars/SUV’s but manageable with care, the luxury of 2 parking spaces is a real bonus.”

“This is an excellent property.”

“Super cottage, clean and well appointed.”

Summary

The property

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About the location

WINDERMERE