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Dovecot Cottage

(Ref. 1067622)

Grasmere, Cumbria & The Lake District Show on map

4.4

Sykes rating

  • 2 Guests

  • 1 Bedroom

  • 1 Bathroom

  • Pets Yes

Features

  • Off road parking
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Pub/shop < 1 mile
  • Washing machine
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance
  • All reviews
  • cottage (28)
  • no (19)
  • our (17)
  • stay (14)
  • great (13)
  • little (12)

44 Customer Reviews

  • "Peaceful and cosy little cottage in a great location."

    We loved it here. It's small, but we expected that - the photos and description on the website are very accurate. The views from the garden are lovely. We didn't use the car at all for the whole week. There are great walks from the door and it's only a 5 minute walk to the bus stop for the excellent service between Keswick and Kendal (giving options for several good linear walks). The nearest pub is 5 minutes away and the village is also within easy walking distance. The cottage itself feels secluded and is very tranquil. We would love to visit again.

    Reviewed by Kate4.4Sep 2024

  • "This is our 4th visit so that speaks volumes."

    The weather was unseasonably hot, in fact we should have packed for Greece. We did notice there was no corkscrew but bought one in Grasmere and left it the kitchen. Also a minor thing, a proper towel rail for the bathroom would be great as currently, the towels get draped over the doors or bannister. Thanks again

    Reviewed by Eliza5.0Sep 2024

  • "We had a lovely time staying here."

    The bed was very comfy and the location was great. We really appreciated the dog tether considering the garden was open, this meant we could relax when we were all sat outside. My feedback would be it would have been nice to have some more comforts considering the price e.g a couple of tea bags, a sponge to wash up with. It was also quite cold because of the age of the building, a curtain in front of the front door would really help I think

    Thank you for your feedback. I'm pleased you had a nice time at the cottage and were able to sit outside and enjoy the views. I'm sorry to hear you were cold. Were you able to turn up the thermostat? I think a curtain over the door is a good idea - we'll look into doing that. We are planning to put a larger radiator in the sitting room - we are just trying to find one that will work without interfering with the chairs around the table. Unfortunately, because we don't live locally, we're unable to leave more of a welcome pack with tea bags and so on, but the cleaners should have left a sponge for washing up (and a bin bag). I'm sorry that didn't happen. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Sophie3.8Sep 2024

  • "The cottage is tucked away in an idyllic position yet it's not far to walk to the village or pub."

    We spent 5 nights there and didn't use the car everyday as there were plenty of walks from the door. On the first night the TV stopped working due to signal/aerial problems the next morning I contacted Sykes and whilst we were out the maintenance team fixed it which was great. However cleanliness was an issue. In the bathroom the tiles are porous and there is clearly a mould/damp issue. In the window there is a mould/damp spray cleaner. The extractor is not working suitably. The kitchen needs updating. It's a shame because the cottage is quirky and fun, especially climbing the ladder to the upstairs. As it is we wouldn't return.

    Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We take all comments on board, and they will be passed onto the relevant teams. Thank you The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by George3.1Sep 2024

  • "Not sure where this feedback is going as I cannot seem to display feedback to customers which is disappointing - seems that only good feedback is shared."

    Shock! This property is not pet friendly and I am extremely upset about my stay. Within an hour of my stay I had to leave the property due to my dog getting injured from going up the stairs. I appreciate it states in the listing about the stairs but this cannot be sold as pet friendly. Shortly after arriving I used the toilet, upstairs, my dog followed me up. As it was a new environment for her this is not an unusual behaviour to have. However, she fell off the stairs as they are dangerously steep and injured her front leg. I vacated the property and booked in at the Swan at Grasmere Hotel - a lovely hotel (stay there instead). This set me back £450 on top of the cost of the cottage to stay at Dovecot. I sent a complaint to Sykes cottages and they said I did not have a case for any compensation as it is advertised on the listing. I completely understand it’s on the listing, however the property is no where near dog safe - if it was, there should be a stair gate at both ends of the staircase. When I suggested this to the customer service agent I spoke to she said “well did you ask for one” as if to say it is my responsibility to check if it is safe for my dog. Anyway I would stay away from this property if you have a dog, it is not safe and is being miss-sold. There are lots of other places to book which would make your stay a lot less stressful.

    Reviewed by Matthew2.5Aug 2024

  • "We loved our stay here, such a beautiful little cottage and surrounding area."

    We barely had to drive as the walks from the cottage were so good with mountains and lakes within easy reach. Grasmere itself is a really sweet little place, very friendly and some nice places to visit and eat, great stopping point on the way back from a long walk. Only improvement would be to add a gate so the dog could be let off in the garden. We would definitely love to return in the future.

    Thanks very much for your review. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay and the wonderful location. Not having to drive for either walks or food is one of the things we love about Dovecot. We are looking at whether we can add a gate to make the garden secure for dogs. In the meantime we have provided a long dog lead for use by our guests. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Trina4.4Jul 2024

  • "We had a fabulous short stay."

    It was perfect for our nervous dog as it is secluded. We enjoyed the uniqueness of Dovecot and will definitely book again in the future.

    Thank you for this wonderful review. The seclusion of Dovecot, while still being able to walk to shops and the pub is one of its great advantages. We do hope you visit again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Katherine5.0Jul 2024

  • "What a delightful, cosy little place."

    Very easy to find, located on the edge of the woods at the base of the fell. Very well thought out, considering the size of the space. The photos and description are very accurate. Good quality accessories in the cottage, al you need for a break in the Lakes, felt like a little cabin. Very nice.

    It is really heart warming to read a review like this. We have been gradually adding all the accessories and equipment we look for in a holiday cottage. We are very glad you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Elke5.0Jun 2024

  • "Everything we wanted and more, perfect location, 10-15 mins to village, 5mins to local pub, several excellent walks on doorstep."

    Peace and tranquillity in abundance. Yes it is small and yes stairs are steep but it's easy to adapt and we quickly became accustomed to it. Perfect getaway we will be booking again without fail 10/10

    Thank you so much for this lovely review. Please do come back. I hope you had good weather and were able to sit outside in the afternoon sunshine and enjoy the fantastic views after your walks. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Michael4.7May 2024

  • "Dovecot cottage is a little gem."

    It is beautifully designed and very cosy. We loved our stay here - even though the bank holiday weather wasn’t particularly kind. Important things to note - the stairs to bed are steep, the ceilings slope upstairs mean you do need to stoop at times. The garden is not enclosed. We wil definitely come back !! It’s a fantastic find!

    Thank you so much for your lovely review and score. Hopefully you managed to enjoy the views of the weather moving over the hills. Yes, the stairs are very steep. We have tried to make this clear in the details and pictures. And yes, some of the ceilings are sloped. Taller guests can be reassured that one of our owners is 6ft6" and loves staying at Dovecot as there are no low doorways. There are sloping ceilings in the bathroom and bedroom, but he does not find these an inconvenience. If you like the area and want more headroom, our other cottage, Fir Tree, which is just in front of Dovecot, has much higher ceilings. We hope to welcome you back to one of the cottages another time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Kate5.0May 2024

  • "This is our third visit to the Dovecot and we love it."

    As keen walkers the location is perfect and we barely used our car all week. This time we were treated to a visit from a red Squirrel who spent time on the wall next to the bedroom window. The cottage is sensitively converted from the original and is a lesson in concise design. We look forward to returning for a 4th time if possible and would highly recommend this cottage for couples, with a small dog, who love walking.

    Thank you so much for your lovely review. We're delighted that you are fans of the cottage and that the squirrels came out to play. It is a real treat to be able to be able to leave the car for a week, isn't it? Please do keep coming back. As you probably know, we also own Fir Tree, just in front, so if you wanted to share the area with a larger group, you could rent both cottages at the same time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Eliza5.0Apr 2024

  • "A lovely cosy cottage with everything you need supplied in a small space ."

    The only thing that would improve the space for dog owners would be a gate to the garden to make it secure. We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend the location of the cottage is perfect .

    Thank you for your comments. We are pleased to hear that you had an enjoyable stay and that you found the cottage cosy. We hope to welcome you again. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by Janet5.0Apr 2024

  • "Dovecot cottage is small and compact but for two people and a small dog this was an ideal property."

    The cottage is well equipped and furnished. The location is simply stunning with hidden gems of waterfalls and panoramic landscapes literally on the doorstep. Instructions on how to find the property were spot on and key code and other information delivered via emails were extremely thorough. The steps to the upper floor are almost vertical, much like on a boat and so you do need to be fairly agile to climb them, although there is an outside set of stone steps that could be used. A couple of dripping taps could be easily fixed. We had an amazing few days in Dovecot cottage. Grasmere village is a ten minute walk away and with so many places to visit, walks to undertake and easily accessible lakes to explore, this really was a fantastic place to stay.

    Thank you for leaving such kind feedback. We are so pleased to see that you had an enjoyable stay at Dovecot Cottage. We take all comments on board. We hope to welcome you back again. The Lakelovers Owner Relations Team Property Owner

    Reviewed by Karen5.0Apr 2024

  • "We had a lovely stay just before Easter."

    Very friendly communication with the owner. Nice quiet spot but still an easy walk in to town for cafes and restaurants. Walking routes from front door and good bus service was convenient as we had no car with us.

    Thank you for your kind feedback. We are pleased to hear that you had a great stay. With the current lower bus fares, being a 5 min stroll from a bus stop is a major advantage. Quite a few of our guests come without a car or use the buses to enable some great extended walks. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Robert5.0Mar 2024

  • "It was lovely."

    Really comfortable bed and such a beautiful view. The cleanliness wasn't quite there (some food bits in dish drainer) but otherwise wonderful! Such a peaceful location.

    Thank you for taking the time to write this review. Yes, the view from the cottage is very special. In the summer, the chairs outside are a lovely suntrap, so do come back later in the year and enjoy the view from there. Tucked up against the woods, it is very peaceful. I'm so sorry about the dish drainer. We have reported it to Lakelovers (who are responsible for the cleaning) and hopefully that won't happen again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by David4.4Feb 2024

  • "First of all, we did enjoy our stay, it's a wonderful location and ideally placed for exploring the area without having to drive."

    The facilities that have been fitted into a very compact space are excellent, and the property is well fitted out - the custom carpentry is very impressive! The kitchen has everything that could be needed, with the single exception of a rolling pin (I used a wine bottle). Both the bathroom and the bedroom suffer from very low ceilings. The photos in the listing do show both rooms as they are, but it's difficult to get an idea of just how little headroom there is from the images. It's not possible to sit up in bed and have a cup of tea, for instance, as the ceiling is too low. The bed is very comfortable though. In the bathroom the only oart of the room which allows a normal sized adult to stand up is the strip between the door and the toilet - other than that bending over is required - an inconvenience when using the sink. When we arrived there was a cleaning welcome pack - nice idea, but not well executed. It had dishwasher tablets (there is no dishwasher) and bin bags that were far too big for the small pedal bin in the kitchen, and no washing up liquid. This was rectified with a trip to the co-op, but the contractors doing the servicing were clearly not paying attention. Also there was one roll of tolet paper provided - this is not enough for two people, for a week. It was a nice touch to put up some festive decorations, we appreciated it. Although we came prepared as we have a log burner at home, it would also be a nice touch to have an initial supply of kindling & logs for at least one night. The information pack with local walks was very useful and got us to do some walks we wouldn't otherwise have attempted. But why in the list of pubs & restaurants is there no mention of the Swan? It's the nearest & we had a very good Christmas dinner there!

    Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review and for your very positive score. I'm glad you enjoyed the location. We love the fact that you can walk from the door in every direction. Unfortunately, yes, the ceilings upstairs are rather low! We have tried to make it clear in the description - I'm sorry they were lower than expected. Our other property, Fir Tree, is just in front of Dovecot. It benefits from the same location but with higher ceilings. Do come back and try it out. I'm afraid Lakelovers only offer the one welcome pack option and it no longer includes washing-up liquid. (I hope you were able to use the dishwasher tabs at home.) Unfortunately, we do not live close enough to enhance what Lakelovers can supply. We will try and leave a bottle of washing-up liquid when we visit, but it won't necessarily last for many guests. It is rather frustrating. Lakelovers also cannot supply wood or set the fire so we are reliant on guests leaving the fire ready for the next people. The Swan only reopened this summer after being closed for many years. We need to update our list of pubs and add it. Thank you for the nudge. We had a lovely meal at the Yan (up the road past The Travellers Rest) last time we were up - we will add that to the information too. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Steve4.7Dec 2023

  • "Our second stay at this wonderful place, only just made it because of the snow, luckily you don’t need a car, amazing walks in the snow and cozy nights by the fire."

    Booked again for next year.

    Thank you for your lovely review and score. I'm so glad you like the cottage as much as we do and that you're coming back for another visit. If you want to come with a larger group, our other cottage, Fir Tree, is just in front of Dovecot and sleeps six. Lucky you with the snow. Hopefully you'll have good weather for your next visit too. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stephen5.0Dec 2023

  • "Would highly recommend this quirky comfortable cottage, especially when the sun shines in the afternoon creating a gorgeous glow through the dove cotes onto the landing."

    Great facilities wood burning stove, very comfortable bath, looking out of the window whilst laying in bed and watching red squirrels. Also a lovely footpath adjacent to the property taking you up on a beautiful woodland path that brings you down to Rydal water.

    Thank you so much for taking to the time to write this kind review. Ah - the bliss of enjoying the countryside without getting out of bed. I'm so glad you liked the cottage and the lovely local walks, and that you got to see the red squirrels. The Grasmere Red Squirrel Group (who have put up, and keep stocked, red squirrel feeders in the garden of Dovecot and Fir Tree, our cottage just in front of Dovecot) have managed to double the red squirrel population in Grasmere over the last 12 months! Property Owner

    Reviewed by James5.0Oct 2023

  • "Very good directions enabled us to find property easily after a long drive."

    Cottage as described. Very quirky. Very clean. Kitchen very well equipped. Bed very comfy and bed linen clean and fresh. Lovely bath. We really enjoyed our stay. The walks from the door were amazing. Village very close by. Our few days were a great experience.

    Thank you so much for your review. We're delighted you enjoyed the cottage. I think you might have been very lucky with the weather, too. Did you manage to spot any red squirrels during your stay. Yes, we love the fact that you can walk from the door all week. We hope you come back another time. Property Owner

    Reviewed by jane5.0Oct 2023

  • "On arrival we noticed that the cottage could have been cleaned better, there was dirt/ dust on stairs and the cottage did not smell nice & fresh."

    Also on the first night I was woken up by rodent activity above the ceiling in the bedroom ! As the ceiling here is very near you and its wooden then the noise was quite obtrusive ! This happened every night and as a result I did not get any sleep, this ruined our holiday as you can imagine. The central heating system also switched on every 20 mins or so throughout the night. A maintenance guy came out to inspect the boiler and he was made aware of the rodent activity. I did complain to Lakelovers but nothing was done and no compensation has been offered on our return. So if you like good sleep, then I would can not recommend to stay here.

    Reviewed by Mark2.5Sep 2023

  • "We loved our stay here."

    We woke up to five red squirrels in the garden, getting some nuts from the box. It was very cozy and accurately listed. Excellent walks straight from the door. Highly recommend.

    We are delighted you enjoyed your stay and thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review. We frequently see red squirrels on that feeder - but never five at a time! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Emily5.0Aug 2023

  • "What a gorgeous little place, fantastic setting just a short walk into Grasmere yet peaceful and very scenic."

    The layout was quirky and cozy. Our dog loved the garden and all the long walks. We can also recommend the newly refurbished Swan Hotel, just a couple of minutes walk, for excellent food and very dog friendly. We loved Dovecott Cottage so much we have already booked another week later in the year.

    Thank you for your kind comments, we are so pleased to see that you and your dog had an enjoyable stay! We hope to welcome you again. The Heart of the Lakes Owner Relations Team. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Stephen4.4May 2023

  • "Wow what an amazing little place so unique absolutely loved it I’m only 5 foot so everything was perfect for me."

    The cottage was so well preserved and the garden was amazing lovely views and beautiful surroundings. We had everything we needed for our holiday and our dog got very settled straight away. We will definitely be coming back.

    Thank you so much for taking the trouble to give us this lovely feedback. We do hope that you and your dog come back soon. Taller guests can be reassured that one of our owners is 6ft6" and loves staying at Dovecot as there are no low doorways. There are sloping ceilings in the bathroom and bedroom, but he does not find these an inconvenience. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jacqueline5.0May 2023

  • "Great location and nice and closed to places to eat and drink."

    Bonus was seeing a Red squirrel

    Delighted you enjoyed the location - the combination of fantastic walking from the door and being an easy stroll from Grasmere is one of the things we love about the cottage. We also saw red squirrels in February. There is a feeder outside the bedroom window. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Adrian5.0Feb 2023

  • "Quirky, wonderfully peaceful location."

    Well thought out inside. A gem of a property for anyone who enjoys something different. Highly recommend and easy access to lots of beautiful walks. We will definitely be booking again.

    Thank you for your lovely feedback. The walking from the door is amazing: from Fairfield and Helvellyn in one direction, to Helm Crag, Easedale Tarn and Silver How in the other. Plus our favourite winter walk of Alcock Tarn and then on to the Badger Bar via the Coffin route and back around Rydal. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lorraine4.4Nov 2022

  • "Hi I stayed at the devoted cottage form the 9th to 13th of nov."

    Found it lovely as a little hide away with all the old furnishings on the out of the cottage. Though when we went inside we saw a ladder for stairs which yes it different and I no there is another door to access the bedroom but not every one wants to going around and in and out all the time just to go up stairs. Also the bath is lovely just wish I could of brought it home with me but not the shower part haha. I like the chair in the Corner we’re you could do under hair or makeup ect. All in all we had a really good time in the local villages and doing local thinks. Thinks we come up to lakes again. Many thanks Charlotte and bill

    Thank you, Charlotte and Bill, for your feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed Grasmere and Dovecot Cottage. The internal stairs are steep but we do make a real effort to show what they are like on the website. Glad you enjoyed the bath - it is amazing for a long soak after a day on the fells. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Charlotte3.4Nov 2022

  • "A lovely little cottage in a great location, we had a really good stay"

    We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at Dovecot. The location is very good: being able to do so many challenging, and gentle, walks straight from the door whilst also being a short stroll from Grasmere village. Hope you visit again soon! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Kevin5.0Nov 2022

  • "Dovecot Cottage was an absolute delight!"

    It’s a beautiful and characterful place that was a perfect for our anniversary weekend get-away. We appreciated the love and craftsmanship that has clearly gone into this place. Highly recommend :)

    So glad that you had a lovely time at Dovecot for your anniversary weekend and that you clearly enjoyed the place as much as we do. We have made quite a few small improvements over the last year and the original design is beautifully thought out and executed, as you say. Hope to see you again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jodeine5.0Oct 2022

  • "I think the ladders in the property should be more accurately detailed."

    Stunning cottage never wanted to leave

    Thank you very much for your review. We had already asked for new pictures of the stairs on the listing and these have now gone live. The stairs are steep so we do want everyone to have a good understanding of this before they book. So pleased you enjoyed your stay! Property Owner

    Reviewed by Emma4.4Aug 2022

  • "It's exactly what I hoped it would be, very quirky and cosy in a beautiful area near enough to walk into Grasmere."

    I would love to stay again sometime.

    I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay. Thank you so much for your positive feedback. I imagine you had fantastic weather. I hope you were able to spend some time sitting outside the front of the cottage to enjoy the views of mountains and red squirrels. Please do come back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jill5.0Aug 2022

  • "Beautiful cottage bit of a struggle for me with mobility issues but spotted the side door to upstairs then I was fine."

    Fantastic grounds my pooch loved it. We will return x

    Thank you for taking the time to give us this useful feedback. After some issues, we now have new cleaners and I think you would notice a marked improvement if you came back. We've also recently had some work done on the outside stairs, so I'm delighted to hear that you found them useful. I hope you and your pooch will be back again soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Joanne3.4Jun 2022

  • "This property is a little gem well equipped very clean the only down side of it would be the stairs being more upright but it's very understanding cause of the size of the gap between the entrance and where the stair case is."

    I wouldn't recommend an elderly couple or any one with stair difficulties because of stairs and using the other entrance to the upper part of the cottage. We are looking forward to coming back to this cottage our dog had a great time to when we got home the dog was upset and was very miserable we think it was cause we come home. Thanks. Mr & Mrs Dawes ( Elizabeth)

    Thank you for your lovely feedback. I'm delighted that you liked the cottage. There is an outside staircase that goes up the bedroom, and we've recently worked on improving this. I do hope you and your dog will be back soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Elizabeth5.0Jun 2022

  • "I you like quirky this cottage is the place for you nice location quite local to Grassmere only a ten minute walk away"

    Thank you for your lovely feedback. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Anthony5.0May 2022

  • "This is our 4th time staying at the Dovecot, needless to say we love it."

    I'm delighted to find out that there is now somewhere to store my bike(s). The Dovecot is comfy & cosy, it is small but this well advertised & part of the appeal, though probably not great if you're tall or have limited mobility. The kitchen is compact but well stocked. The new hanging hooks proved useful. Nice garden, beautiful views from upstairs & we were visited by the resident red squirrels again.

    Thank you so much for your lovely feedback. Delighted to hear that you like the new hooks and bike storage. We stay in the cottage ourselves as often as we can and love to sit in the garden in the morning watching the squirrels and enjoying the view. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Harvey4.7May 2022

  • "We loved our week in the Dovecote ; from the setting to the wonderful quirky interior."

    We barely used our car all week as there were so many walks we could do from the doorstep; Helm Crag, Alcock Tarn, Easdale tarn up to Castle Howe, the Coffin trail to Ambleside and the Bluebell woods. The interior, although small was very well designed and there were plenty of places to hang wet clothes, store walking boots etc downstairs. My favourite part of the cottage was the dressing area in the dovecote and being able to sit outside in the garden and enjoy the view.

    Reviewed by Eliza5.0Apr 2022

  • "I have no idea why the agency sent us an email about we refuse to leave the property which was very rude and impolite."

    Many corners in the cottage we’re covered with spider web, but the rest is nice.

    Thank you for your feedback. When our cleaner turned up at the property at 10:45am, you were still in the property. You had stated you thought check out was the day after however when we explained this, you checked out at 12 which is 2 hours after the check out time stated. This is the reason an email was sent to you however we do apologise if you thought this was rude. Had you told us about the cleaning issues when you arrived we could have rectified these however you never called to inform us of this. We hope to welcome you back again. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Lu-chin3.4Jan 2022

  • "While the cottage was just what I was looking for, in many ways, there were a few niggles that had a big impact."

    The listing said that the price included electricity and fuel. When I arrived at the cottage I saw no fire wood for the burner. When I called the office, they said that I would need to buy my own, with the nearest place selling appropriate fuel being 12 miles away. This meant that my first night (of two) was without a fire. The heating and hot water pump made a LOT of noise. This meant that I had to turn it off over night, so as to allow myself to sleep. As such, the mornings were VERY cold. The description of where to park was a little confusing. I ended up turning into the "drive" only to find out that this was not the space. It then took me forever to get out, as there was no suitable egress. While I take my share of responsibility for this, it would make sense to put a barrier across that particular entry and make the signage more obvious and visible.

    Thank you for this useful feedback. We bought the cottage in 2021 and are working to improve it. I'm sorry to hear that the heating was noisy. We are up at the cottage next week and will investigate. We will also try and make it clearer where to park. I think blocking off the drive (perhaps with a post) is a good idea. Thank you. We don't provide wood for the wood burning stove as it is not possible to manage the supply on a week by week basis. We will make this clearer in the listing. I hope you were warmer the second night and will return for a smoother visit another day. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Jan3.4Dec 2021

  • "It was just a beautiful magical stay."

    Perfect on the run up to Xmas because the town was so beautifully festive. Next time we are planning to stay for longer 2 nights wasn’t quite enough.

    Thank you for your feedback. That's lovely to hear. Please do come back. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Leigh5.0Nov 2021

  • "Perfect for an unusual and cosy escape, with excellent views of the fells opposite and original dovecote features."

    Everything you’d want after a days walking. Easy access back onto Fairfield and only a short walk into Grasmere. The dovecote is surrounded by woods with red squirrels and the occasional tawny owl at dusk - a wonderful place!

    Thank you for this kind review. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the walks and views from the door. The red squirrels are usually out and about in the morning but it is very special to have seen a tawny owl. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Victoria4.7Nov 2021

  • "Unfortunately the cottage was extremely poky, and certainly not worth the money charged."

    The one excellent thing was the sightings of red squirrels, unfortunately there was no food left where it should have been.

    Owner response: Thank you for your comments. We stay in Dovecot a lot ourselves and while it is definitely cosy, we find it perfect for two people for a week and the walking from the door is amazing. Very pleased you saw the delightful red squirrels. Unfortunately there was an influx of grey squirrels the week you stayed and the feed had to be removed to protect the reds. This constant work is why we donate to the local protection group every time the cottage is booked. We hope to have the feeder back soon. Property Owner

    Reviewed by John2.2Oct 2021

  • "It’s very overpriced for what it is should be £450 per week maximum."

    Having said that we had a great week walking over 60 miles I wouldn’t like to spend a lot of time in there it’s very dark small windows. Red squirrels

    Delighted to hear that the red squirrels were out and about and that you managed to get so much walking in. There are great walks to do from the door in every direction � even Helvellyn. The cottage is built in a style sympathetic to the 17th cottage next door and therefore it has traditionally small windows. It does get the morning sun but perhaps it might feel a bit dark on a dull day in the afternoon. We have replaced the light bulbs with brighter ones downstairs, so hopefully that will make it brighter. Grasmere is a very sought after part of the Lakes with its excellent walking and great eating options. The price of Dovecot reflects the current market and is monitored by Heart of the Lakes and takes into consideration the secluded location near Grasmere, the views as well as the accommodation itself. The Owner. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Wes2.8Sep 2021

  • "Whilst the cottage was charming and perfectly located."

    Also we understood quirky. The sheer physicality of getting in and out of the bath was almost impossible and triggered a bout of sciatica for me.

    We are delighted you enjoyed the cottage's situation and quirky character. The bathroom ceiling does slope and while the bath is nice and big, the ceiling slope means that you can only get in and out at one end. This can be slightly awkward for taller guests. Property Owner

    Reviewed by Peter3.4Aug 2021

  • "First evening there was a leak coming through kitchen ceiling from bathroom above."

    Maintenance came next day said it was from faulty radiator valve, but this worried us immensely due to electric points where the water came through. Cottage considerably smaller than anticipated, stairs very steep and outside ones slippy and one loose another health and safety concern

    Since this review was written we have had all the radiator valves replaced and there have been no further leaks. The description of the cottage shows pictures of the layout and mentions the steep stairs and these will not suit everyone. We bought Dovecot in May and plan to improve the terracing to the side of the cottage in due course; however it should be noted that it is not necessary to access this area while staying. The Owner Property Owner

    Reviewed by Graham3.8Aug 2021

  • "Stayed at the Dovecot before, great cosy little cottage."

    Only issues were the ash bin wasn't anywhere to be found

    Delighted you enjoyed another stay in Dovecot. Unfortunately we had to remove the ash bin as guests were using it for general waste. Cold ash can be bagged and placed in the main bin. The Owner Property Owner

    Reviewed by Harvey4.4May 2021

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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, Lakelovers are sure to have a property to meet your needs.

Summary

  • One double bedroom
  • Bathroom with roll top bath, basin and WC
  • Kitchen
  • Living room/diner with woodburning stove (wood can be purchased from the village)
  • Gas central heating and woodburning stove
  • Electric oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge, TV with Freeview and DVD, and WiFi (shared with Fir Tree Cottage)
  • Gas and electricity inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Off-road parking for one car
  • Outdoor access to lawned areas, terrace and seating
  • Shared laundry facilities in outbuilding
  • One well-behaved pet allowed
  • Sorry, no smoking.

The property

Find a quirky hidden gem nestled in the charming village of Grasmere, famous for being shortlisted by Hollywood moguls as one of the properties for Bilbo Baggins' house in the popular Lord of the Rings franchise.

This one-of-a-kind listed building is perfect for a unique romantic retreat among stunning countryside landscapes throughout the Lake District.

Make your way through lush greenery comprising tall trees, spacious lawn and a lovely private seating area right outside the property, the perfect spot to indulge in the idyllic surroundings with your other half as you sip on a glass of wine, there’s also exterior stair access to the first-floor bedroom within the cottage.

Feel automatically at home as you step foot into this eccentric abode, resembling the inside of a yacht through intimate oak beams, tile floors and interesting recess cubby holes.

Settle in for the night, snuggling up in front of the toasty woodburning stove as you grab a blanket and hop on the plush sofa for a quiet film night.

Resting behind is a gorgeous dining table where you can tuck into a tasty meal during a memorable candlelit evening date night, prepared from the well-equipped kitchen, offering all the amenities needed for your stay.

The bedroom is the star of this property, featuring the original dovecote entrance into a wood-filled space, with sloped ceilings and modest bedroom space where you can cosy up with your other half on a frosty winter’s night.

Treat yourself to a luxurious soak in the Victorian-style roll top bath, a perfect way to start a lazy Sunday morning before venturing out to the delightful surrounding areas of Grasmere and the Lake District.

Grasmere is one of the few places in the UK where you can still find red squirrels and you can often spot these delightful creatures when staying at the cottage.

The owners support the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group with a donation for every week the cottage is booked.

The village centre is just a short stroll away, home to several handy shops and local pubs where you can take a break from the kitchen and dine out for some hearty pub grub.

Adventurers will delight in the chance to challenge themselves to a climb up Fairfield Peak, reaching 873 metres of height, this stunt is not for the light-hearted, however there’s also an array of leisurely walking trails if preferred.

Those looking for a chilled-out day of exploration can discover Alcock Tarn, an easier route with rewarding panoramic views of breath-taking landscapes.

Spend a day rowing a boat on Grasmere Lake, take amazing pictures at Loughrigg Fell, or be wowed by the views from Silver How.

Easedale Valley is a charming spot to relax on a Sunday afternoon, offering the chance to enjoy a picnic on a sunny day or enjoy a winter ramble in the frost around Rydal Water.

Dovecot Cottage is a beautiful cottage filled with quirky features, ideal for a romantic escape to the lakes.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

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About the location

GRASMERE

Ambleside 5 miles; Windermere 9 miles; Keswick 13 miles.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere needs to include The Grasmere Gingerbread shop, where the Wilson family has been making gingerbread for over 60 years. Also in the village are a number of shops, pubs, a church which dates back to the 13th century, and Grasmere Lake. Grasmere Sports takes place every August, where you can watch participants compete in a variety of sports, including Cumberland wrestling. Just five miles away is the town of Ambleside and Lake Winderemere where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and the 17th century Bridge House, which is one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District. Cruises, boat trips and watersports can all be enjoyed on Lake Windermere, and the towns of Windermere and Keswick are also within driving distance. Grasmere is a wonderful base for your Lake District retreat.

View more holiday cottages in Grasmere


The cottage has steep ladder type stairs and restricted access over part of
the bath - it is therefore not suitable for those with mobility issues. The
wifi is normally good but the router is shared with, and located in, Fir
Tree cottage on the same site, and is occasionally interrupted. There is
normally a good 4G signal.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute