Guests say
Brunt How is a spacious and elegant property with stunning views and a well-maintained garden. Guests appreciate the comfortable beds, large rooms, and the peaceful, secluded location ideal for walks. The house's charm and the ability to bring pets add to its appeal. Some minor cleanliness and maintenance issues are noted, but overall, the property provides a delightful stay.
The property generally receives positive remarks for cleanliness, with specific praise for the condition of bedrooms and bathrooms. However, some guests reported cobwebs, a smell of wet dog, and a need for deep cleaning in certain areas, slightly lowering the score.
The location is highly praised for its stunning views, tranquillity, and proximity to local attractions and walks. The secluded setting and the ability to observe wildlife contribute to a high score in this category.
Guests find the property comfortable, with special mentions of the generous family room and comfy beds. Some concerns about a small bedroom and the need for blackout curtains in one room are noted, but overall comfort is rated highly.
Facilities are well-regarded, with a well-equipped kitchen and spacious living areas. However, reports of issues with showers, heating, and Wi-Fi, as well as suggestions for additional kitchenware and a microwave, indicate room for improvement.
While guests express gratitude for the property's offerings and some mention returning visits, there is no specific mention of gifts or special touches that would indicate thoughtfulness from the hosts. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
Set in a peaceful and elevated position within the Langdale Valley on the outskirts of Skelwith Bridge, you will find this magnificent stone dwelling. A spacious and pet-friendly property, Brunt How is sure to add a touch of luxury to any self-catering stay, making this a superb choice for your next group getaway to the Lake District. Step inside the grand dining room and admire the charm and character of the decorative beam ceilings. Continue through to the quaint yet well-equipped kitchen featuring a plethora of appliances such as a sleek built-in oven and electric hob – sure to inspire some good home-cooking.
A warm and welcoming sitting room has been wonderfully appointed with two chic chesterfield sofas, an ornate woodburner and a contemporary TV, an ideal setting to relax and unwind in at the end of a fun-filled day exploring the encompassing fells. Climb the staircase up to the first floor and be welcomed into a gorgeous king-size bedroom boasting a beautiful mahogany sleigh bed and two inviting armchairs, from which to enjoy views across the River Brathay, and a fabulous en-suite bathroom with sophisticated wall-to-floor tiling where you can indulge in a moment to yourself as you soak up your muscles with a long afternoon bath.
A large family bedroom decorated with pretty yellow hues and pastel blue accents can be found hosting two single beds with two additional pull-out truckles, as well as a handy en-suite shower room. Across the way a tranquil twin hosts two single beds with crisp white bedding, offering up the perfect space for tucking in the children as you send them off to sleep with their favourite bed time story. Completing this floor is a well-designed family bathroom, home to a roomy P-shaped bath with an overhead shower, providing guests with the option of a quick morning rinse or a more luxurious dip in the tub.
Make the most of warmer climates with evenings spent lounging on the well-manicured lawns in the sloping back garden, or delighting in a refreshing glass of wine with friends out on the front patio. Resting to the rear of the property, Loughrigg Fell makes for an unforgettable day in the great outdoors, filled with exciting off-beaten tracks and scenic hiking routes all waiting to be explored. A pleasant walk away, the centre of Skelwith Bridge is complemented by a quintessential café serving takeaways and a charming country bar where you can delight in a pint with the locals. Here you will also find the cascading waterfall of Skelwith Force and the pretty Trevor Woodburn Bridge.
The neighbouring town of Ambleside offers a good selection of shops and restaurants, as well as making a great setting off point for a walk through the wonderful woodlands that surround the mesmerising Stock Ghyll Force. Head to Rydal to explore the enchanting cave or step back in time at Rydal Mount and Gardens and Wordsworth Grasmere, the former homes of English Poet William Wordsworth exhibiting his famous works. Spend the afternoon at excellent attraction of Brockhole on Windermere, or cross the lake to the west shore and uncover the incredible fortress of Wray Castle. Travel to Kendal to tour the 14th century bulwark of Sizergh Castle, or take a scenic car journey down to Milnthorpe for a day at the Lakeland Wildlife Oasis.
Embark on a cruise along Lake Windermere or visit the village of Conniston for a trip on the National Trust owned Steam Yacht Gondola, before wandering the halls of the captivating Ruskin Museum. Learn all about the famous Author Beatrix Potter at her former residence of Hill Top or at the popular World of Beatrix Potter attraction, with all of your favourite characters such as Peter Rabbit. There’s much fun to be had with your loved ones on a magical family holiday to Brunt How.
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
Highly Commended Four Star property.
Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite bath, shower over, basin and WC, 1 x family room with 1x Super King size zip link bed and 1x single bed with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Utility/cloakroom with basin and WC.
Kitchen/diner.
Dining room.
Sitting room with woodburner
Oil fired central heating with 1 x log burners.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, HiFi System with IPod docking station, TV with Blu-ray Player, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Travel cot and highchair available upon request.
Off-road parking for two cars.
Enclosed front patio and sloping lawned gardens to the rear with outdoor seating area.
Use of the greenhouse with table tennis.
One well-behaved dog welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
No stag or hen parties
Nearby points of interest
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Lake Windermere
- Lakeland Motor Museum
- Derwent Pencil Museum
Reviews (32)
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Ann Frances
Very lovely curtains and other furnishings, comfy beds. The only negative was that on arrival we found some basic things lacking such as only 3 loo rolls for 4 toilets, very little hand soap, and washing up stuff. On the positive side, I rang Sykes in the morning and by the afternoon, the things we asked for had been delivered.
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Janet
Absolutely everything we could want (except for better legs for the stairs and sloping paths for us two oldies) especially the large, fluffy white towels and beautifully sharp kitchen knives! Thank you very much!
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Mike
Brunt How does not disappoint in terms of size of property, location and facilities. The family had a lovely time at our favourite place in the country. Itâs lovely to see little bits of history scattered around the home and we loved looking at the generations photos too. It is located in such a beautiful place just on the edge of Ambleside. Lovely walks on your doorstep, plenty of lakes, rivers and activities to keep you busy the whole time you are there. The positives:- Very spacious property with beautiful gardens and views. You wonât be disappointed sitting out and watching the evening sunsets and views or opening your curtains in the morning with a big smile on your face. Very peaceful and tranquil. It felt like we was in our own castle with no one for acres around. Lots of wildlife in the gardens, and loved seeing the rabbits each morning. Living Room is a good size and reasonably comfortable. Lots of light and views beaming through the windows. The sofas are starting to wear on the cushions though. Bedrooms are all a great size and very spacious. Plenty of bathrooms and an en-suite in both of the double bedrooms. Kitchen is nicely equipped and reasonably modern. Negatives:- Sadly there are some negatives which for the price of the property should be a must IMO. Cleanliness- Sadly when arriving at the property the cleanliness in some minor areas was disappointing. The skirting boards had not been cleaned in some time. Lots of cobwebs and spiders in the corners of each room. Food splatter marks on walls around bin. We felt the need to clean the kitchen when we arrived and not something you should expect to do on a break away. That being said all the bedrooms, bathrooms, rooms and carpets were spotless. Dining Room- This feels very outdated. Nothing really matched in the room and the blue plastic table cloth didnât really enhance the atmosphere. We ended up using the room as an extended hallway. Some new chairs and table wouldnât cost much to make a huge difference. Main Bathroom:- The power shower is unfit for purpose. Very low pressure and hardly any water. That being said both en-suites perfect! Kitchen:- A microwave would be fantastic rather than having 2 integrated ovens. Kettle and Toaster very old and the alarm on the fridge freezer is very annoying after guests have vacated the property. Iâm assuming that when the guests leave we defrost the freezer and when you arrive you have to listen to an alarm for hours until freezer has frozen up again. Bin bags:- Apparently you have to use orange bin bags which should have been made available. We hunted high and low, including the dining room but to no avail. We ended up using a black bin bag and the bin men never took the rubbish away so we ended up having to take 2 black bin bags home in our cars. Lastly, the heatingâ¦.. This felt like a battle of wits. I know this is controlled by the app and guests have a thermostat in the hallway but Iâm pretty sure as soon as you turn the heating up someone is turning it back down. Please give guests access to the app. On wet days it was freezing.