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Guardswood Cottage

(Ref. 1094255)

Coniston, Cumbria & The Lake District Show on map

4.5

Sykes rating

  • 5 Guests

  • 3 Bedrooms

  • 2 Bathrooms

  • Pets No

Features

  • Electric vehicle charging
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (11)
  • property (11)
  • views (10)
  • beautiful (9)
  • again (9)
  • stay (8)

24 Customer Reviews

  • "Had aa amazing stay!"

    Building and location was perfect and stunning situated near the village with pubs, shops and amazing hiking routes. Cleanliness was spot on too and it ticked all the boxes for us 5. Only recommendation would be with essentials. Unlike some other holiday let's we went to there wasn't any tea, coffee, sugar, hand soap, washing up liquid, shower product and only 4 bits of toilet roll to last 5 of us 5 days. Also think it would he a nice idea for maybe a guest book for people to share what they did when in Coniston for other guests to maybe get some ideas for local activities and share experience. With that being said they're only minor things and the holiday itself was great! Would definitely stay again and recommend. Cheers, Paul

    Reviewed by Paul4.7Aug 2024

  • "Thank you for a beautiful stay at Guards Wood Cottage."

    We were three friends who could each have our own bedroom (though we did use the ensuite for our showers!). If travelling with a child, note that the main living area is audible from the small bedroom. Overall a very peaceful and well-appointed cottage with many nearby Lake District attractions! Thanks again.

    Reviewed by Elizabeth4.7Aug 2024

  • "What a lovely holiday!"

    The cottage was clean, well appointed with splendid views. The fact that the cottage location appeared before booking to be on the b&b site when in fact it is through a gate across a field and up a hill did not affect our enjoyment but it would if mobility was an issue. We did have a problem with the heating which was controlled remotely probably due to booking late and communication problem with the owner. This was corrected immediately after we contacted the owner. The lakes were beautiful and we had all four seasons while there but would readily return to the cottage and the area. My husband loved going to see ‘bluebird’ in the Ruskin Museum.

    Reviewed by Gill4.7Apr 2024

  • "The property is a fantastic holiday cottage, well located and modernised to a very high standard."

    We stayed last year and noticed that the cleaning wasn't quite as good as in the previous stay (visible cobwebs and dust), but this is a very minor gripe. Also, the lights in the open area by the stairwell weren't working, which meant the table area was difficult to light properly for working on. Another minor gripe in an otherwise superb cottage. We'll definitely be back next year.

    Reviewed by Mark4.4Feb 2024

  • "When we arrived, the track up to the cottage was treacherous due to the ice."

    A supply of grit and a shovel would have been helpful. The cottage is lovely and well appointed. The following items would have been helpful: oven gloves, soap for each sink, washing up liquid, more than 1 toilet roll per toilet!

    Reviewed by Jo3.8Jan 2024

  • "Gorgeous place in a gorgeous location."

    Very well equipped, really comfortable, amazing views. Very happy. The tiniest extras like handwash at all sinks, more toilet roll would have been useful.

    Reviewed by Alyson5.0Sep 2023

  • "This is a fantastic property."

    The view and gardens are beautiful . The beds and sofa etc are very comfortable and the kitchen is well stocked. It’s really near a great selection of pubs and a two min walk to the lake. We are a family of five and it felt very easy to holiday in . We loved it and would definitely return. 5 stars !

    Reviewed by Sally5.0Aug 2023

  • "This is a beautiful property with everything to a high spec."

    Guests using LOFT ROOM might like to know some key things the listing doesn’t mention: ~No blind on the window which might disturb sleep (not obvious from the photo as loft windows often have discrete fitted blinds). ~Positioning of window screw mechanism restricts the opener so it can’t extend beyond a few inches even though it’s designed to & would be safe. ~Window is a side opener so rain pours in from roof. ~Room gets v hot due to poor ventilation. ~There is no storage in this room at all for clothes. We thought there might have been some added since the photos were taken but that was not the case. ~No door on bedroom so noise travels up from kitchen. This is common on older properties but it would have been useful to know. ~If using for young child be aware the parent bedrooms and toilets are 2 floors down.

    Thank you for your feedback. We take your comments on board, and we will look at the listing to see if there any amendments that need to be made. Thank you- The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by Dan2.8Jun 2023

  • "Exceeded expectations!"

    Really stunning place in gorgeous surroundings … very well looked after, clean and beautifully presented .., had a great few days away with friends!! Would be useful to have a sign on the driveway turning off the main road with names of cottage and house for clearer directions!! Super fab place and holiday … would stay again and totally recommend

    Reviewed by Hazel5.0Jun 2023

  • "A beautiful cottage with amazing views."

    Highly recommended.

    Thank you for such nice comments. It is lovely to see that you had a great stay and enjoyed the views! We hope to welcome you again. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lesley4.7Jun 2023

  • "No hand was at any sinks No kitchen roll Only 1 toilet roll in each toilet No ..."

    No hand was at any sinks No kitchen roll Only 1 toilet roll in each toilet No welcome pack of milk tea bags etc Cigarette butt on floor Dust under bed Rug folded up on floor Many TV channels not tuned lack of apps Ned’s updating Low battery noise from smoke detector Nice quiet location short walk into town

    Thank you for your comments. We have passed them onto the Housekeeping team. I'm sorry you didn't get a welcome pack. I have checked all the smoke detectors. They are wired into mains electricity so I think the noise you heard is a test beep, which they do about once a month to test the connection between all detectors in the house. Regarding the TV channels, the tuning was done and can be checked this week, but I'm afraid can't be retuned every week. The TV is a new smart TV and has a large range of apps including Amazon, Netflix, Disney, iPlayer, ITVx, BT Sport, YouTube, AppleTV. Any devices you bring can also be connected to the wifi and we have installed an extra receiver to try and improve the signal. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stephen3.1May 2023

  • "The property wasn’t very clean my wife cleaned the kitchen cupboards and there was dry noodle crumbs in there."

    There was no welcome box general sundries tea , coffee , etc which we have received in other properties we have booked. The dishwasher was in need of salt and rinse aid which meant it didn’t operate correctly. There was no hand soap in the toilet areas. The kitchen had an excess of crockery but few kitchen utensils and equipment. The house is beautiful but poorly resourced and considering the price paid in low season we expected to be satisfied. You must review your price as we could have paid the same amount for two double rooms at the Inn with dinner and breakfast for four people.

    Thank you for your comments. We will pass on your comments regarding the cleanliness of the property to our Housekeeping team to ensure that our high standards continue to be met. We take all comments on board. Thank you. Regarding pricing, we try very hard to ensure competitive pricing. For 3 nights in March, the Coniston Inn charges £707/room including breakfast, not dinner. This is a flexible booking, as are the cottage bookings. So for 4 people you would pay £1,414 not including dinner. This is 2.6 times the price of the same weekend at Guardswood Cottage. Regarding the utensils, we have checked through what is available. There are whisks, electric whisk, stick blender, spatulas, a knife selection, wooden spoons, tongs, mashers, peeler, saucepans, frying pans, casseroles, pots, mixing bowls, Tupperware. If there is something specific you were missing we are always happy to add to the kitchen equipment. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Alex3.1Mar 2023

  • "We have just returned from five wonderful nights in this gorgeous cottage."

    It exceeded all expectations, with no expense spared on fittings. Lovely views, super comfortable beds, and will definitely return, hopefully many times. A credit to the owners.

    Thank you for your kind feedback. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We hope to welcome you back again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Keith5.0Feb 2023

  • "Absolutely superb accommodation in a glorious location."

    The property has been refurbished to a very high standard. I would thoroughly recommend it, and will definitely be looking to stay again! Only (very) minor issue was what to do with recycling? Seemed that there was not an option for this - may have missed something (as a couple of bins were full of bottles)...

    Thank you for your kind feedback. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We take all comments on board, and will look into the recycling further. We hope to welcome you back again. Regarding recycling, the waste is collected by Cumbria Waste, who collect what they call co-mingled waste. Basically this means that they collect everything mixed up and separate out recycling at their facility. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Mark5.0Feb 2023

  • "High end conversion with beautiful views of the fells"

    Thank you for your kind feedback, We are glad that you enjoyed your stay and the views. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Jan 2023

  • "We had a fantastic stay at Guardswood Cottage and would thoroughly recommend to anyone looking for a secluded spot near Coniston."

    The listing is accurate, this is an immaculate and contemporary property not long converted. Fittings and furnishings are high quality and provide a really comfortable environment. The open plan upper floor makes for a great space to cook, eat and relax with a very large sofa and well stocked kitchen. Views around are of woodland and to the rear towards Coniston village and the Old Man, in clear weather! Log burner was used every night and made the entire upper floor super warm. Bedrooms are super comfortable and the walk in en-suite shower a treat. If I were to mention one small gripe access is via a field full of sheep which meant leaving the car to open / lock the gate. Happy to do this but we had a week of heavy rain which meant a soaking each time we left the property. Not a problem otherwise, just our bad luck with the weather. At the bottom of the drive is the spacious and comfy Coniston Inn which we enjoyed several times, literally a 3 minute walk. Town centre probably around 15-20 minutes walk? Parking outside in a courtyard could house many cars and this is the only time you see the walled neighbouring property. We didn't hear a peep from this neighbour despite it having multiple guests. I would heartily recommend this immaculate hideaway and would stay there again without a doubt.

    Reviewed by Jason5.0Nov 2022

  • "Great location."

    Lovely and clean. Attractive property. Short on facilities. No dustpan and brush for spills. No scales. No mixing bowls. No whisk. No microwaveable containers. Only one baking dish. No starter pack for log burner - though it was stated there would be. The house generally felt rather sterile - we don’t expect a home from home, but incredibly little decoration around the place. More like a hotel room.

    Hi Linda, I'm very sorry you couldnt find things at Guardswood Cottage and found the kitchen limited. There are three sets of dustpans and brushes at the cottage. One in the cupboard under the stairs, one next to the front door and one for ash next to the log burner. The scales are in the bottom drawer in the kitchen and the whisk in the utensil drawer. It might be that things were in teh wrong place during your stay and hard to find. All the bowls and plates are microwaveable, and there are pyrex bowls that could be used for mixing. There is no specific microwave tupperware at the property. I can certainly provide some, but please bear in mind it is a small kitchen with limited space. For baking, I provided two caserole dishes, one large rectanglar baking dish and baking trays. I can certainly add more, and chase up the starter pack for the log burner. I provide free logs all winter but not in the summer months and it may be that your stay fell outside those dates. I'm sorry you found the cottage rather sterile, there are pictures on the walls and currently Christmas decorations, but there is room for more. Thank you for your comments. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Linda3.8Sep 2022

  • "Lovely property."

    Could have a bit more storage in bedrooms with a small dressing table and mirror. Also very close to next door property with a shared fire pit at the bottom of the garden. We didn’t feel comfortable using this. We were lucky to have quiet neighbours but this would put me off booking again.

    Hi Maureen, Thank you for your comments and I'm so glad you liked the property. I'm sorry you found the storage in the bedrooms too small. They are small rooms, so I have tried to do the most with what space we have. There is a wardrobe in each of the double bedrooms, with hanging space and a large drawer underneath. There are no dressing tables and I'm afraid I just couldn't find any small enough to fit without making it hard to walk around the bed. There are lighted mirrors and shelf space in each bathroom. Regarding the garden, yes it is close to the house next door and the fire pit is available to both properties. There is a BBQ and outdoor seating just by the kitchen door solely for Guardswood Cottage. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Maureen3.4Aug 2022

  • "Excellent property, can't wait for opportunity to revisit."

    Wonderful views and a feeling of peacefulness.

    Reviewed by Susan5.0May 2022

  • "The house was very private, picturesque with beautiful scenery to see through the windows."

    We had a short but wonderful time at Guardswood cottage.

    Reviewed by John5.0May 2022

  • "It was a beautifully appointed cottage furnished to a very high standard and breathtaking views."

    Understand we were one of the first guests to stay and therefore a few items not provided. We were very impressed by the speed in which anything missing was supplied. Was one of the best cottages we have stayed in and wouldn’t hesitate to stay again.

    Reviewed by Fiona4.7Apr 2022

  • "Got to say the cottage surpassed all expectations beautifully situated on the ..."

    Got to say the cottage surpassed all expectations beautifully situated on the side of a hill with great views, A 10 minute walk from Coniston lake an a stones throw from the village, booking was easy with lots of feedback and helpful tips , the cottage was perfect comfortable spacious , and beautifully decorated couldn't of asked for more

    Dear Carl, thank you very much for your comments, I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay at Guardswood cottage! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Carl5.0Apr 2022

  • "A lovely property but we had issues with no sticks/logs for fire, no Wi-Fi password and the fridge had not been cleaned since previous occupants."

    All issues were resolved after a phone call to your office. At night, realised we couldn’t get anything on TV as there was no instructions. Sent message to office asking for instructions but didn’t get them so couldn’t use TV for the time we were there. I also sent suggestions for owner to provide an information book for the property, as is the usual case but again I got no response other than an email to say there was a message via a link to my account but when I tried to access it I got the following message “There was an error performing login” and to try again which I did on numerous occasions.

    Hi Paul, thank you for highlighting some teething issues in getting the cottage up and running. The welcome pack is now in the cottage. There are logs in a store next to the cottage but this wasn't highlighted for you. I will arrange for a starter pack of logs to be put in the cottage in the winter months. We put a smart TV in the cottage, but they can be tricky to understand the first time. I have added detailed instructions to the welcome pack. I'm sorry your experience logging into your account was frustrating, I will pass this onto Lakelovers. I hope you had a wonderful stay! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Paul4.4Mar 2022

  • "Beautiful property ."

    .. renovated to a very high standard and very comfortable. Excellent location just short 5 min walk to village. Stunning views from back of property including the Old Man. We would highly recommend staying here and will look forward to staying again in the future. Thank you for a lovely place to stay.

    Reviewed by Lisa5.0Feb 2022

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This property is part of the Lakelovers collection.
We have properties to suit every occasion throughout the southern and central Lake District including; Ambleside Cottages, Bowness Cottages, Coniston Cottages, Grasmere Cottages, Hawkshead Cottages, Lakeside Cottages, Langdale Cottages, Troutbeck Cottages, Ulswater Cottages, Windermere Cottages and smaller hamlets between, which although seldom heard of are none the less equally wonderful. With hundreds of properties available, all of which are inspected and graded by the English Tourism Council, Lakelovers are sure to have a property to meet your needs.

Summary

  • Over three floors
  • Three bedrooms: 1 x ground-floor king-size with en-suite walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor king-size, 1 x second-floor single
  • Ground-floor bathroom with bath, basin and WC
  • First-floor open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with woodburning stove (Logs available locally)
  • Utility
  • LPG gas central heating
  • Electric double oven, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher
  • Smart TV, WiFi, selection of books
  • Fuel, power inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking for 2 cars with EV electric charger (Charges apply)
  • Front gravelled courtyard
  • Garden with lawn and patio
  • Sorry, no pets
  • Sorry, no smoking
  • Shop 0.5 miles, pub 0.1 miles
  • Note: The second-floor single bedroom is in the attic with sloped ceilings, please take care
  • Note: Both properties are adjacent to each other

The property

Nestled just outside the centre of Coniston in the Lake District National Park, Guardswood Cottage is a delightful, three-storey cottage surrounded by countryside.

The property is set over three floors with a beautifully appointed, open-plan living space and idyllic views, making it an ideal base for two couples or a family of five to explore this wonderful region.

Find off-road parking in front of the cottage to securely leave your car and unload your luggage; a handy porch/utility immediately welcomes you after rural walks to kick off your boots and throw muddy clothes into the washer and dryer.

Climb the stairs to the first floor living area to rustle up home-cooked meals in the contemporary kitchen, a well-equipped and styled space with sleek, dark cabinets.

Characterful exposed beams hang overhead with Velux windows bringing in plenty of natural light, whilst the windows look across to Coniston village and mountains; the perfect views whilst you tuck into a delicious breakfast at the rustic dining table!

Settle into the large, cushioned corner sofa in the sitting area in front of the woodburning stove and choose a film to watch on the Smart TV for evening entertainment, whilst a selection of books are available to quietly curl up with a good read.

The contemporary, ground-floor bathroom welcomes you for a relaxing bubble bath before choosing between one of three bedrooms; two king-size bedrooms lie on the ground floor, one of which has an en-suite shower room, whilst a snug single bedroom in the second-floor attic is the perfect little hideaway for a younger guest!

Although on the first floor, the living area has direct access to the large, shared gardens to make the most of the picturesque vistas; why not sip your morning coffee in the peace and quiet, whilst the sheep gently graze in the neighbour field?

With the delights of the Lake District on your doorstep, book an unforgettable stay at Guardswood Cottage.

Note: This property can be booked with Ref. 1091970 together sleeping up to 19 guests.

Thwaite House & Guardswood Cottage

Thwaite House & Guardswood Cottage are two superb holiday homes, set in an acre of shared grounds and gardens, and resting in the charming village of Coniston, Cumbria. Both properties have been thoughtfully refurbished with high-quality amenities, woodburning stoves, ample off-road parking, and Smart TVs, whilst retaining much of the original character, making them perfect for large family gatherings to explore the Lake District National Park. The surroundings enjoy idyllic shared gardens with views across unspoilt countryside to Coniston village centre, mountains and fields where sheep graze, while Coniston Water is nearby for water sports or the Steam Yacht Gondola for a relaxing sailing experience. The lake additionally backs onto Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin which is now a museum offering access to exhibits and beautiful gardens. Treat your loved ones to a meal out at one of the nearby eateries such as The Coniston Inn for traditional home-cooked meals or The Steam Bistro for globally inspired dishes. The village of Coniston also hosts more eateries, a well-equipped shop, petrol station and a marvellous museum; meaning you will be well-catered to during your stay! Those seeking more fun in the outdoors can venture west to explore the remains of the Coniston Copper Mines, before embarking on the Dow Crag Walk and climbing the peak of Old Man of Coniston. Explore the nearby village of Hawkshead for picturesque walks up to Latterbarrow, The National Trust 's Beatrix Potter Gallery and a selection of traditional inns to stop for lunch, whilst being within easy reach of North Fen National Nature Reserve, Esthwaite Water and Claife Heights. Make your way to Ambleside to discover Stock Ghyll Force, Ambleside's Roman Fort or learn about local heritage at Armitt Library & Museum Centre. So many more things to see and do are waiting to be found here, from the delights of Ambleside and Bowness-on-Windermere, to the sights of Grizedale Forest and the nearby Arnside & Silverdale AONB. Thwaite House & Guardswood Cottage are two wonderful bases for a memorable staycation in the Lake District.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £300.

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About the location

CONISTON

Hawkshead 4 miles; Ambleside 8 miles.

Nestling at the head of Coniston Water, the pretty village of Coniston is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Lake District National Park, making it a superb base for touring, with Hawkshead, Ambleside, Windermere and Grasmere just a short drive away. Superb walking, mountain biking and climbing are available locally on Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam, and the lovely woodland trails at Grizedale Forest. For watersports enthusiasts, the quiet lake is ideal for dinghy sailing and canoeing, whilst the less active can enjoy a leisure cruise on the beautiful steam yacht 'Gondola’, or visit Brantwood, the former home of John Ruskin. Nearby attractions include the award-winning village of Hawkshead, home of the Beatrix Potter Gallery, Tarn Hows, one of the most visited beauty spots in the country and Esthwaite Water, famous for its fishing. A first class holiday location at any time of the year.

View more holiday cottages in Coniston

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas