“Perfect Lake District Town Retreat”
Wow what a fantastic stay we have had in this gorgeous riverside home from home! The owners had literally thought of everything and provided so many little unexpected extras resulting in the warmest of welcomes.
We certainly weren't expecting the fruit basket, fresh flowers, chocolate and bottle of wine when we walked through the door (into a house where lights had been left on for our late arrival and a radio was playing, how lovely!) but then to go through to the kitchen and find fresh milk in the fridge, a delicious lemon drizzle loaf cake (yum) and tea, coffee, sugar etc - just perfect! The dog was also delighted with her treat jar full of goodies, food bowls, toilet bags and fluffy blanket all left out to be used, I can't tell you how attached she got to that blue blanket!
The house is warm, clean and wonderfully well equipped for a holiday home, and even comes with a parking pass provided for a number of local car parks. There were games, books, blankets, stair gates, high chair, dishwasher tablets, wash liquid tea towels and dishcloth, hairdryer, condiments, iron and ironing board, a book full of local and tourist information, local maps, instructions for everything, lovely bedding, towels.... basically if you needed it, it was there! And yet the house is totally uncluttered.
Sofas are the nicest and most comfortable we've ever had in rented accommodation and we've stayed in plenty. Showers are lovely and having two bathrooms and a toilet on all three floors was really helpful.
My husband and I stayed on the top floor with views over the pretty river, the only thing we would have loved is a larger bed as we are used to a kingsize, but unfortunately my teenagers and mother in law had the kingsize which the owner had kindly changed to a twin bed for us. They stayed on the middle floor and all slept really well.
Stairs to the top floor are steep,but we had read this on another review so were prepared and they weren't a problem at all.
The house is situated a very short walk from main street, shops, local pubs and restaurants. The Bitter End pub was nice, friendly staff, tasty food and dog friendly. 15 minutes to Maryport, the closest seaside town and 30 minutes to st bees head which sadly we didn't get chance to visit this time. The northern and western lakes are my favourite and are truly breathtaking, all a short drive away through stunning scenery, (aside from the usual lakes, check out Surprise View over Derwent water and Moss Falls, with a cheeky stop off for refreshments at The Chalet in Portinscale on the way - love that place!)
If it's your first time to the area, you won't be disappointed. Rubbybanks makes for a perfect and comfortable base, thank you Carole for all the little extra touches, I'm sure we shall be returning!