Guests say
Old Droomer is a well-loved cottage in Windermere, praised for its beautiful setting, comfortable beds, and well-equipped kitchen. Guests enjoyed the stunning views, the proximity to nature and town, and the spacious garden. While some noted the narrow access lane and occasional maintenance issues, the charm and tranquility of the cottage made for a memorable stay.
Most guests found Old Droomer clean and well-maintained, though a few mentioned cobwebs and cleanliness issues in specific areas. The property seems to be generally kept to a good standard, but there is room for improvement in deep cleaning and attention to detail.
The location is highly praised for its quietness, beautiful surroundings, and easy access to Windermere and Bowness. The single-track access road was a concern for some, but the property's proximity to walks and the town centre is a significant advantage.
Guests were very pleased with the comfortable beds, underfloor heating, and cosy atmosphere. Some found the seating too soft and the lack of handrails on stairs a challenge. Overall, the property provides a comfortable stay with a few areas that could be enhanced for better accessibility.
The cottage is well-equipped with modern bathrooms, a comprehensive kitchen, and a lovely garden. However, there were reports of maintenance issues such as non-working blinds, a blocked toilet, and problems with the TV system. These issues suggest that while facilities are generally good, they require more consistent upkeep.
There is no mention of gifts or special touches provided by the hosts in the reviews, so it is not possible to assess the thoughtfulness in terms of these aspects. Therefore, this category cannot be scored.
About this property
This 17th century chocolate box cottage is situated in a peaceful location on the edge of Windermere village, with lovely views over the surrounding fells and only a short walk into Windermere village. An ideal base for a family, this retreat offers a comfortable base for eight, whether you plan on simply relaxing or embarking on plenty of Lake District adventures. The interior of the Old Droomer is filled with a wealth of character features, beamed ceilings, wooden doors and spice cupboards that give it a very traditional feel. Enter through an outside porch into a hallway with a stone floor, leading off to a cosy snug room where you can curl up beside the fire after a day of rambling the fells.
Carry the conversation into the stunning open-plan living area with oak beams and floor-to-ceiling windows at one end and patio doors to the side. Move through to the kitchen, its cream painted units and integrated appliances offering all you could need for a self-catered stay, even boasting a dishwasher and washer/dryer for your convenience. An elegant dining table stands in the living area and is the perfect place to host family meals while watching over the garden for deer who often visit. Upstairs in the main house there are three bedrooms, one with a king-size bed, one with a double bed with en-suite facilities and a twin, which is ideal for children.
End your day submerged in true relaxation within the beautiful bathroom, hosting both a large oval double-ended bath and a separate walk-in shower so you can choose how best to unwind in the evening. The fourth bedroom can be found in ‘The Stables’ accessed up a steep staircase and consists of a king-size bed and en-suite shower room, perfect for those who want a private place to sleep. Outside there is a private parking area for up to three cars, as well as a large, enclosed garden with patio area where you can sit out with a morning coffee and enjoy your scenic, peaceful setting.
From the door there is a network of footpaths awaiting exploration, including the Cumbrian Way and School Knott around the lower Lakeland fells. Windermere is home to plenty of shops where you can pick up local delicacies and produce or book a table at one of the fine restaurants in the area. Further afield, the delights of Ambleside, Kendal and Penrith are worth visiting too, with even more opportunities for walking alongside cycling, fishing, golf, horse riding sand so much more! There is so much to explore around the Old Droomer.
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.
Accommodation
Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x king-size, 1 x double with en-suite bath, shower over, basin and WC, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with double-ended bath, separate walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Living/dining area.
Snug with woodburning stove
Oil central heating with woodburning stove.
Range cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with DVD player, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for three cars.
Enclosed garden patio with furniture.
One well-behaved dog welcome at £20 per week.
Sorry, no smoking.
Note: There are no handrails and steep steps which may not be suitable for guests with lower mobility.
Note: Property access via a narrow single-track road with some potholes, please drive carefully.
Note: The loft is access via a ladder staircase
Nearby points of interest
- Lake Windermere
- Hayes Garden World Ambleside
- Lakeland Motor Museum
- Laurel and Hardy Museum
Reviews (32)
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Daryl
This is beautiful and vast property. When we booked I thought the building may have been two properties, but it is the whole building as you see. I was a little unsure if the condition would be great before we arrived as a couple of recent reviews stated the decor was looking a little tired. This wasn't the case though, we found the condition of the house throughout to be very good and immaculately clean. The oak frame extension is a fantastic addition to the property and the underfloor heating throughout the ground floor was lovely (especially with it being freezing outside). The kitchen had everything you could possibly need and the bathrooms are stylish and modern. We were two families (4 adults and 4 children) and the house and gardens were perfect for us. The only slight issue we found were how steep the stairs (ladder style staircase) in the loft bedroom at the end of the house were. Definitely not suitable for children of a young age or anyone with mobility issues (or too drunk). We had a 3 year old sneak up and fall all the way down (fortunately not serious injuries). The other 3 bedrooms are all off a separate set of gentle stairs with low level lighting when dark. All in all we loved the house and location and certainly intend on staying again in the future. Thank you to the owners for making it such a great and memorable stay.
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Ben
Unfortunately, as mentioned in previous reviews the property was not clean, with bathrooms dirty and bins not emptied. One of the toilets was blocked from previous guests but rectified by Sykes maintenance team. The kitchen and extension are lovely with plenty of space to relax! The loaf sofa is huge and very comfortable. Plenty of hot water and heating throughout our stay which is a bonus when visiting in winter.
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Craig
Small things weâd love to see is a few more basics like toilet roll, soap dispensers refilled and some logs for the fire.