The Fisherbeck

Our fully paid room had been booked a month earlier, but they cancelled the morning we were due to arrive, blaming an admin error, whatever that means. We thankfully found a room at the brathay lodge for the same price, and it was really nice and closer to town. While we were there, another guest arrived after walking out of the fisherbeck because of mould in their room. Given that, I’m glad we didn’t stay.

We chose this budget B&B through a booking site and stayed five days in the off season. It’s within walking distance of town, and room 9 had a nice view of the Lake District mountains. Having a jacuzzi in the bathroom was good, too. At first things seemed fine, but we kept noticing small problems. The room looked a bit different from the pictures, and we had to switch on the electric heater when we arrived to warm it up, as the windows weren’t double glazed. The room was very outdated and needs general renovation. There were cracks on every wall, an old carpet and tired-looking bathroom amenities. Parking was another issue. There are 23 rooms but only 18 spaces, and if you don’t get a spot outside, the parking next door is very expensive. That wasn’t stated on the booking site, which is misleading for people expecting free parking at the premises rather than another Lake District parking charge. Both my husband’s pillow and mine were awful, with no support, and we ended up with bad backs and necks and headaches. The bar and breakfast place downstairs were closed throughout our five-day stay, with no note to tell guests. I messaged the breakfast company but got no reply, so we had to find breakfast and a bar elsewhere. That was a shame, especially since the place seemed full and the weather wasn’t inviting us to go out.

Mould covered the room, and I couldn’t reach the owners, only getting automated WhatsApp messages. The service and hotel were terrible. I’ve stayed on cleaner building sites. Avoiding this place would be the best thing you could do.

The beds are okay, but the pillows gave no head or neck support, so bring your own if that matters to you. The car park is hit or miss, and otherwise you have to use the pay-and-display next door. During our Friday-to-Tuesday stay the bar and restaurant never opened, even though the place was full. The directions said to phone a number for breakfast, but no one answered. The Copper Pot is a five-minute walk and has an incredible breakfast, and the town pubs are all great for a beer. Rooms have things that don’t work, the service is non-existent, and the place needs a makeover ASAP. I wouldn’t stay here again.