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Windermere

Windermere

4.3
out of 5
Ratings from 18 reviews
83% of guests
recommend
Cleanliness
4.6
Comfort
4.1
Condition
3.8
Location
4.8
Value
4.1
Customer
Service
4.2

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A newly refurbished apartment with private terrace. Situated just a stone’s throw from Esthwaite Water lies “Windermere”, an ideal cottage for four people in the village of Near Sawrey.

With two comfortable bedrooms and lovely open plan living space, it makes the perfect base for a family or two couples from which to explore this much-loved part of the world.

Beautiful location

Review submitted on Wed, 13 Mar 2024
3.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
3.0
Location
4.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
We had a lovely stay at this cottage and despite a few niggles we are likely to stay again. The location is beautiful and very peaceful with lovely views from the cottage. The housekeeping team do an excellent job, the property was well prepared for us and clean. The towels and bedding were nice quality and the bed comfortable. The kitchen is well equipped and new, as is the bathroom, but other areas of the property could do with a little TLC to match. The property has nice private outside space and in my opinion the best one at this location. It is in a good location to tour around the Lakes. You need to go prepared with basic food as grocery shops are some distance away and unlike most properties I stay in nowadays there is no welcome pack to speak of (just items for your first cup of tea).

We had one or two niggles with the property though which we felt let Graythwaite estates down a little:
- the living room would be a little uncomfortable for 4 adults (and then the possible two dogs you are allowed)
- the sofa may look comfortable but is not, very soft an uneven!
- the night lighting in the living room and the main bedroom was awful. In the living room you either have 1 very dim table lamp, too dim to read by, or very bright, harsh ceiling light which does not make for a very cosy atmosphere in the evening.
- the central light in the main bedroom is way too dim, bedside lights provide the cosy lighting and the daytime lighting at the dressing table is very bad - why is this not under the window instead of the bed?
- I couldn't understand why the bed was positioned under the window meaning that your view from the bed was into the dark room when the window had a beautiful view - frustrating when you want to sit in bed and enjoy an early morning cuppa, as you do on holiday, and would like to be able to see the view! I had seen pictures of the bed in a better position previously.
- I was a little concerned that there was not a mattress protector on the king bed.
- the wood burner seems like a bit of an afterthought. Its sticks out into the already small room a lot. The fire back is shoddy and it didn't seem to like our logs, no problem in our burner at home (non supplied by the way- first fire's worth would be nice and in my experience the norm in properties) This might as well be an electric "look a like" it would need less space and make the room cosier because this log burner does not achieve that.
- it would be useful to have some cleaning materials supplied to clean the kitchen surfaces and loo during your stay (surely an advantage for housekeeping too)
- the living room carpet is stained (why not hard flooring especially with dogs staying??)

I hope Graythwaite Estate will take these points on board and continue to improve this property.




Where did you hear about us?
Internet search

Did you book any activities with Graythwaite Adventure?
No



Cosy, excellent location.

Review submitted on Fri, 15 Dec 2023
4.3
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
This is our third stay at Esthwaite Howe but our first time in WIndermere cottage. Cosy and benefits from central heating rather than electric off peak heaters like in the others we have stayed in. Location is ideal for us as my husband like to pike fish in Estwaite Water and nearby Tarn Hows is now our favourite place to walk in the UK.

Where did you hear about us?
have stayed before

Did you book any activities with Graythwaite Adventure?
No





Lovely break

Review submitted on Fri, 13 Oct 2023
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This is the 3 visit on the graywaithe estate and have always found the cottages clean & comfy. Would recommend there cottages in fact we have already booked our 4th visit for March

Where did you hear about us?
Internet

Did you book any activities with Graythwaite Adventure?
No





Disappointing

Review submitted on Sun, 10 Sep 2023
2.7
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
2.0
Condition
2.0
Location
4.0
Value
1.0
Customer
Service
3.0
Property was clean but clearly in need of renovation. Paint work chipped, doors clearly old and in need of painting/replacing. Property smells strongly of dogs, which suggests that carpets and soft furnishings in the lounge area need replacing. Stains on blinds in kitchen. All in all far from luxury and not reflective of the price paid. Lovely location and remote so nice and quiet. Shame the interior did not live up to the exterior.

Where did you hear about us?
Through event being held on the site

Did you book any activities with Graythwaite Adventure?
No





Great Location - Windermere Cottage

Review submitted on Fri, 11 Aug 2023
3.8
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
3.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Great location, comfortable beds, great linen and online pictures are honest and reflect the accommodation well. There are some oversights given this is self-catering/air bnb style accommodation:

Salt and Pepper were present, but it would be nice to see other essentials e.g. sugar in sachets, at least x 1 cleaning spray so that surfaces could be wiped down - these sort of details were lacking. Nearest Shop is 4 -5 miles away, so little extras like a pint of milk/loaf of bread, a couple of teabags etc. wouldn't go astray as a 'welcome pack'.

There was just handwash in the bathroom (and the pump action didn't really work), and we'd expected to see shower gel/ etc in accommodation in this price range. Also a bit disappointed not to see waste separated out into general waste and recycling.

Exhaust Fan in the bathroom very noisy, and had to be turned off in evenings

Where did you hear about us?
web search

Did you book any activities with Graythwaite Adventure?
No



Windermere

Review submitted on Mon, 26 Jun 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Once again we have had a pleasant stay at Windermere.This is the fourth time we have stayed at this property and find the facilities excellent. The kitchen is very well appointed, but pity about the staining on the kitchen blind which was there last year.However we look forward to being back at Christmas but this time at a different cottage.



Windermere Cottage

Review submitted on Sat, 03 Jun 2023
4.2
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
1.0
The cottage is situated in a beautiful position overlooking Esthwaite Lake and the views are terrific. The accommodation is very comfortable, especially the beds and everything is catered for. We struggled to find the property initially as there was no central office or contact point where we could find help. The postcode provided was not recognised on Google maps but we eventually found our way there. The surrounding countryside is outstanding and it certainly helped that we had the most glorious weather. We would definitely consider going back to this cottage.



Fantastic views

Review submitted on Thu, 23 Mar 2023
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
4.0
A lovely stay. Nice to be near a friendly hotel serving food that is only a couple of minutes walk away. Great views.



Winter break at the lakes

Review submitted on Sat, 11 Mar 2023
4.5
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
After coming to esthwaite farm cottages for many years we have never stayed in the Windermere before, we found it very comfortable and spacious, we like to keep the accommodation tidy but couldn’t find a working vacuum, usually the cottages are very warm and as the weather was very cold it was a bit chilly in Windermere, also there is a deep pothole at the bottom of the driveway that needs filling but apart from that we’ll continue to holiday here



Lovely stay

Review submitted on Fri, 24 Feb 2023
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Graythwaite Estate is a great location. Windermere cottage has everything you need for a comfortable stay.



Christmas holidays 2022

Review submitted on Tue, 03 Jan 2023
4.7
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
A very comfortable accommodation in a good location. Having used this cottage three times previously we felt that it was in need of a little TLC. Provision of a little shelving in the bathroom would have been helpful. We are already booked for summer and Christmas this year.



A lovely cosy stay in a quiet part of the Lakes.

Review submitted on Sat, 24 Sep 2022
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
3.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
Windermere as part of the Graythwaite Estate is a lovely property, roomy for 2. A quiet location and just 20 mins drive from Ambleside and easy access to Windermere it’s namesake!
Bathroom shower is a little on the small side, and the beds need a mattress refresh but everything else about Windermere is great! Well stocked in the kitchen and a cosy lounge/dining room. We love all the Graythwaite properties!



Some small tweaks could be significant

Review submitted on Mon, 01 Aug 2022
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
3.0
Condition
4.0
Location
4.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
4.0
It was an oddly mixed experience. A light, clean, spacious cottage that although a little worse for wear here and there we really enjoyed our time in, and the extra night's stay booked at a later point at no additional charge was really appreciated (thank you again!). We found coming and going pretty easy despite some tight turning, and it's really well located to a pub or two, Hawkshead, and various other places good for visiting for a couple of hours or a whole day. However, there were a small number of things that seem relatively straightforward and could have improved things significantly:
1. Graythwaite has the earliest/latest check-out/check-in times I've ever experienced and which are really inconvenient for customers. We knew about them in advance, of course, and by chance were informed a few hours in advance that we could check-in earlier, though by this time it was too late to make much of a difference, given our drive. I suspect the extremity of the times is required due to the cleaning staff needing to cover a large area given all the Graythwaite properties, but it passes on significant inconvenience to customers. I've noticed more places doing midday checkouts so the difference was quite marked. I would much rather pay a larger fee to stay, in order to to have a 10.30/11 check-out and 3/3.30 check-in. I think this is seriously worth considering to make for a better overall experience for customers.
2. On arrival, there was almost no information available in the cottage. No instructions for the oven or boiler/heating, no explanation for where bins were located or when they were collected or how recycling worked, nor any guides to where on the estate we could and couldn't go or how best to, for example, make our way down to the lake. I know we were sent some helpful information prior to arrival, but it didn't include all of this and a basic 'welcome' back is expected and not much to ask for. Again, a really small thing, but one that would've made our stay more like a holiday than something with administration concerns attached!
We've scored a 3 for Comfort because although we were physically comfortable, more could be done to make for a better, more comfortable stay overall. Similarly, I think value for money is high, but it could be higher, a 5, if some small details were seen to, as described above.



Another excellent stay!

Review submitted on Wed, 29 Jun 2022
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
4.0
Customer
Service
5.0
This was our second stay at Windermere and it never disappoints. Lovely little cottage in a peaceful setting with comfy beds and sofa.
Clean and tidy with everything you need.
Cleaning staff and maintenance team are superb and attend to any request you have.
Already booked for Xmas and booking for summer next year also!
Thank you again for a wonderful stay



What a great location, and how sad the accommodation disappointed us

Review submitted on Sat, 14 May 2022
3.0
out of 5
Guest doesn't recommend this property
Cleanliness
4.0
Comfort
2.0
Condition
1.0
Location
5.0
Value
2.0
Customer
Service
4.0
I'll start with the positives, the setting was amazing, with the view, close to the village and yet not surrounded by buildings, and there's a field for the dogs and kids to play in and a patio area to sit on with the amazing view, there's also a great pub in walking distance. BUT, I'm sorry I can't recommend the accommodation, there were so many disappointments, unnecessary skimping, saving on the furnishings, and the whole layout was poorly thought out meaning it wasn't a comfortable place to spend a week in. We heard while we were there that electric car chargers were being installed, brilliant investment, however, there was only one small bin with no lid on it in the bathroom other than the kitchen bin, how then can people feel comfortable disposing of personal sanitary items. It really doesn't take much to buy a bin with a lid, or much thought to realise what people might use a bathroom bin for. And why not a buy bins for the bedrooms while you're at it, people often take make up off with wipes in the bedroom. So to the kitchen, to begin with the oven has a drop down door, and it's positioned at the end of a galley kitchen that makes it difficult to cook side on, so trying to cook a full English breakfast and grill bacon ... Fry the bacon you might say - No. Impossible because the hob elements didn't work for the one small wonky bottomed frying pan. Then we come to the sofa, looks comfy in the pictures, it's hard with the layout for 2 people to sit on it though and face the TV to watch it, which is craxy when the apartments is for upto 4. Who ever designed it a) didn't think about how the space was going to be used b) didn't check things would work for the people using the space and c) kept spending low to the point of ruining the experience of guests (the shower was cheap too and I was terffied of breaking it). So sorry, no I would not recommend the accommodation. However, I do recommend staying in Sawrey.



Peaceful short break city escape

Review submitted on Fri, 01 Oct 2021
4.8
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
We chosen the Windermere for a 3 person break as it was away from the masses that frequent the other side of Windermere lake and it was closer to all the activities we had planned and booked either in the Graythwaite estate or near to it.
We were not disappointed by its location and peacefulness, and OMG how peaceful it was, and as for light pollution, hardly any and I’ve got to say we have never seen so many stars, shooting stars or satellites ever.

The log fire was a lovely touch too and when the weathers opened was great to have on for that lovely snug feel.
The Windermere has a well stocked kitchen utensil range so most of your cooking needs are met.
The location of the tv to the settees was bizarre but we managed to work around this and all lay comfortably on the settee when we did watch tv.
The wifi is very slow but this could be down to several factors, and at the end of the day it is I suppose part of remote country living.

A superb place well kept in a superb location.

Yes we would rebook, and if all of the other bigger cottages are available and we had a bigger group with us then we’d definitely look at booking them.

Thanks all.



Cooking utensils

Review submitted on Sat, 12 Jun 2021
4.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
4.0
Condition
4.0
Location
5.0
Value
3.0
Customer
Service
3.0
Frying pan was not suitable for the induction hob. Some pans were stained and had possibly been burned. Toaster instructions were worn away. Handle didn't fit grill tray. Everything else was fine.



Perfect location - comfortable property

Review submitted on Thu, 27 May 2021
5.0
out of 5
Guest recommends this property
Cleanliness
5.0
Comfort
5.0
Condition
5.0
Location
5.0
Value
5.0
Customer
Service
5.0
Our first stay at the Esthwaite farm site (we’ve stayed many times at Graythwaite). Well equipped property - all you need for a week away. Quiet location. No issues or concerns with site so didn’t need to contact anyone.