About this property
A beautiful old farm cottage resting within the sleepy hamlet of Skelwith Fold, The Old Farm is a spectacular holiday home from which to explore Cumbria on a family retreat. Thought to date back to the 15th century, this historic holiday cottage offers a welcoming base and an idyllic location within the Lakes at any time of year. Take a couple of steps down into the porch where you can kick off your boots before venturing in to discover the beauty of the living/dining room where a woodburning stove awaits to warm you up after a day of rambling, this room boasting character in its rustic oak beams and traditional furnishings creating a homely aura, with a TV with Freeview and a CD player found here too for all you entertainment needs. Move through to the kitchen to find even more charm in its stone flooring and pine units housing all the essentials for a self-catered stay between here and the utility including an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, heated airer and a dishwasher, boasting all you could need and more for a week’s escape. Sit around the breakfast table together, or take to the terrace garden at the rear of the property and dine alfresco, while the front lawn makes a lovely spot for your canine companion to play. The ground floor is also home to a single bedroom which is served by the sparkling ground-floor shower room, making a great choice for a sleeping spot for those less able, while up the ten stone steps to the first floor you will find a king-size room with an adjoining single room, wonderful for those travelling with a little one, and a fourth and final twin room, the family bathroom resting up here too where you can choose from a quick rinse off or a soothing soak following a day of adventure. The property rests within a wonderful position for the avid explorer; take a stroll down the hill towards Chesters by the River, where you can start your day with a warming cup of coffee and perhaps an accompanying cake, before joining the Cumbria Way alongside the River Brathay, linking the two historic towns of Ulverston and Carlisle, taking you to the wonder of Elterwater to find a café, pub and restaurant to take your pick from for a rewarding beverage of choice. For all of your local amenities spend some time in Ambleside, where you can find even more wondrous walking routes alongside the Stock Ghyll Force, while a trip to Grasmere offers you the excitement of Dove Cottage, home of the poet William Wordsworth and his sister. The literary lover is bound to love it here, with plenty of attractions surrounding Beatrix Potter being within easy reach too such as the National Trust owned Hill Top in Near Sawrey, once the author’s home, and The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Bowness-on-Windermere, offering wonder for all ages. Other notable attractions within easy reach include Rydal Mount & Gardens displaying the work of Wordsworth himself with stunning gardens to roam, Brockhole on Windermere hosting a variety of outdoor attractions from mini-golf to zip-wires, the National Trust Wray Castle and so much more, with the National Park boasting ample opportunities for walking, cycling, golf, fishing, horse riding, watersports and so much more. The Old Farm is a truly special holiday home, perfect for families seeking a memorable escape to Cumbria.
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.
Accommodation
Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size, 1 x twin, 1 x single, 1 x ground-floor single.
Ground-floor shower room with shower, basin and WC.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC.
Kitchen with dining seating.
Utility.
Living/dining room with woodburning stove
Electric central heating and woodburning stove.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, heated airer, dishwasher, cot, high chair, TV with Freeview, CD player, WiFi and a selection of books.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair available on request.
Garage parking for two small or medium cars and off-road parking in front of the garage doors.
Front lawn and rear terrace garden with furniture.
One well-behaved pet welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Reviews (21)
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Colin
Need a car to get around as nothing too close by, and the single lane tracks may present a problem to some. Location itself is perfect for walking, stunning scenery. Could do with a light outside rear of property. Some more home comforts (salt/pepper etc) would of been nice but otherwise the kitchen was well stocked. Lights failed in part of the property on our last night as we were going to bed, so not too much of an inconvenience - likely a fuse but could not find the box! Had an issue with wasps towards the end of our stay. Would stay again, more likely in Summer months.
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Michael
Good wood burner and pleanty of wood. Well equiped and had a welcome pack. Great garden and view. Vacuum cleaner not very good. Grill needs attention. We put the bin out on the apropriate days but it did not get collected despite seeing the dust carts go past.
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Denise
The weather was wonderful this year so we were able to make good use of the garden, although an outdoor table would have made eating outside more pleasurable. It is quite difficult not to bring grass indoors as the lawn was mown but the cuttings left on the lawn. The fridge door is really difficult to open (as it was last year). The bin in the kitchen cupboard had broken so didn't come out when the door was opened. Also the local instructions for recycling etc are difficult to understand. The green wheelie bin was already full so our bag wouldn't go in. The other black wheelie bin (which shouldn't be used I understand?) was full of soil and old dog poo bags. Neither bin was emptied on Thursday. I put both bins out the night before in the correct place. I did however help a neighbour clean them both out and disinfect them before I left to try to resolve the issue. The cleaners came and were really grateful and nice people. They do a great job. I think that the only improvements that could be made to the Old Farm, as it is quite expensive to hire, are new kitchen units (most doors don't open or close properly) and a new dining table and chairs (chairs falling apart). The downstairs shower room needs upgrading as it's tired and some mould is forming on the walls. You would then believe that the price reflects the quality of the property. At the moment it doesn't. However, we think the Old Farm is wonderful and we very much enjoyed our stay.