Guests say
Oaklea in Kirkby Stephen is a well-received cottage, praised for its immaculate cleanliness, friendly owners, and beautiful location. Guests appreciate the spaciousness, comfort, and the well-equipped facilities, including a large garden with stunning views. The proximity to good pubs and walking routes adds to the charm, although some noted the need for a car due to the remote setting. Thoughtful touches like dog blankets and cakes were mentioned, enhancing the welcoming atmosphere.
Reviewers consistently highlight the exceptional cleanliness of the property, describing it as immaculate and spotless, which indicates a very high standard maintained by the owners.
The location is frequently described as beautiful and peaceful, with easy access to walks and local pubs. Some concerns about remoteness and mobile phone coverage were noted, but the overall sentiment is positive.
Guests find the cottage comfortable, mentioning snug and warm interiors, comfortable beds, and a cosy atmosphere. A few minor suggestions for improvements do not detract from the overall comfort experienced by visitors.
The property is well-equipped with a utility room, well-appointed kitchen, and good Wi-Fi. Some guests suggested minor additions and updates, but overall, the facilities meet the needs of the guests.
Several reviews mention thoughtful gestures such as dog blankets and cakes on arrival, contributing to a welcoming experience. While these gifts are appreciated, they are personal touches by the owners and may not be a consistent offering.
About this property
Kirkby Stephen 5 miles. A cosy semi-detached cottage in a beautiful village location in Ravenstonedale, with views across the village green. This Ravenstondale cottage is set at the foot of the Howgills, in a beautiful quiet part of Cumbria, with both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks within easy distance. This single-storey Ravenstonedale cottage offers spacious accommodation, along with an extensive lawned garden to relax and make the most of this tranquil location. The charming village of Ravenstonedale is the perfect place to stay, with excellent gastropubs, a 9-hole golf course and tennis courts. The bustling market town of Kirkby Stephen is just 10 minutes drive away, and has some superb butchers and bakers where you can purchase delicious local produce to take back to this lovely Ravenstonedale cottage.
Pooley Bridge, on the shores of Ullswater Lake, is just 40 minutes drive away, and is a perfect place to admire the stunning scenery of the Lake District. The pretty village of Hawes, set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, is 17 miles away, with plenty of scenic picnic places en route, making it a perfect destination for a day out. This Ravenstonedale cottage is ideally placed to explore both National Parks, with the added benefits of staying in a pretty English village with excellent facilities.
A small and compact village, Ravenstonedale has much to offer the visitor seeking a quieter experience than the nearby Lake District National Park provides. It is a pretty village; traditional whitewashed stone cottages and stone walls border the fields, whilst the Raven brook trickles by. St Oswald's church is largely from the Georgian era, comprising a solid structure with a simple square tower. In addition, there are elements from older buildings incorporated in it, and the base of a Saxon cross just outside. To the north of the church, excavations in 1920 revealed the foundations of a 13th Century Gilbertine Abbey. Ravenstonedale is a fantastic base for exploring the Lakes to the west or the Yorkshire Dales, just a short drive to the east. Those who prefer to stay closer to home can explore the Howgill Fells, the rounded hills which signal the start of the Lakeland ranges.
Accommodation
All ground floor.
Two bedrooms: 1 x double, 1 x twin.
Bathroom with bath, separate shower, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Utility.
Sitting room with dining area and electric fire.
Oil central heating with electric fire.
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Cot on request.
Ample off road parking.
Lawned garden with furniture.
One well-behaved dog welcome.
Sorry, no smoking.
Shop 5 miles, pub 3 mins walk.
Reviews (44)
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Gillian
Surrounding area is very beautiful and very easy to get too. The owners were welcoming and thank you for the great accommodation we wanted for nothing while staying here. Bonus we saw the red squirrels.
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Margot
Spotlessly clean. Glorious locatio.
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Jennifer
Very comfortable and warm. The garden is large and well maintained, and there are beautiful views of the countryside all around. Though it is not enclosed. It is so quiet. It's in a lovely little village. The only shops are in Kirkby Stephen or further, but we did see a supermarket delivery van in the village. The description says the main bed is a double, but we were very happy to discover that it is actually king size. There is a washing machine and dryer, which is brilliant. And the shower was great. A couple of little niggles: The pans are scratched to pieces and desperately need replacing. The cooking utensils look about 50 years old. Only 1 small window opens in the main bedroom. The other 2 wouldn't budge. The TV only gets about 20 channels. There is a box that I'm assuming gives access to the others, but I couldn't get it to do anything. The batteries were working and all the wires were in place, but nothing was happening. Don't know if the remote was broken. I mentioned it to the lady, who said her son-in-law sorts that out. But then we heard nothing more. They could do with installing a smart TV, or a Roku or similar, so you can at least watch catch up, or log into your own accounts. The property is cared for to a very high standard. Would definitely like to return. Out of interest, there is a funny hallway running almost the length of the property. It is completely wasted space at the moment. I would suggest the owners move the dresser out of there and make it a dining room. Currently the table is squashed up in the living room. It would make much more sense to give more room to sit around the table, which is currently impossible without moving the sofas. And it would give the hallway a purpose.