Newstead

The house is beautifully located and full of period features, though a few things could make a holiday here more comfortable. We stayed for a big family weekend in the Lakes. It’s a lovely, tidy period property near Windermere town, about a 5 to 10 minute walk away, with a Sainsbury’s Local for essentials. Check-in and check-out were contactless, and WiFi worked well throughout. The hall and lounge are spacious and full of traditional decor, photos and paintings. The dining room has an impressive long table that seats at least 12. There are a couple of well-equipped parks and playing fields within a 10 minute walk, or 3 minutes by car, which is great for kids. Better Outdoors Adventure Centre is in one of them, and the park runs down to a public jetty. The kitchen is tidy and has the main accessories and equipment, including a dishwasher and washing machine, but no tumble dryer. The kitchen diner feels small for a property this size, and the central worktop makes it harder for larger guests to move around. The garden is a good size, with loose stone patio flooring and a couple of picnic benches. A few more plants would make it feel nicer. It opens off the kitchen diner through a sliding glass door, so you can keep an eye on children playing. However, the B&B owner next door at The Coppice takes exception to guests using BBQs in the garden and will rudely make it known that his own guests don’t want them. That unwelcome interference may be worth considering before booking. The car park is shared with another property, so the driveway needs to stay clear. There are only three spaces for the house, though the neighbours are nice. Extra cars can park on nearby Brook Road. Don’t park on the main road, as it has double yellow lines. All the bedrooms have traditional decor and a TV. Most have hairdryers and irons. One bedroom is downstairs, with five upstairs. Two of the upstairs rooms are a little larger than the other three and have an en suite shower and toilet. The wash basins are outside the en suites, which is a bit annoying since most people would expect them inside. The showers get hot and have a refreshing flow, but the cubicles lack a soap dish for shower gel and shampoo. Each basin has complimentary hand wash. Check-in starts at 4pm and check-out is at 9am, earlier than at other places, so you’ll need to pack ahead to leave on time. The original sash windows look lovely but don’t open, so there isn’t much fresh air in the building, especially in the bedrooms. Carpets and trinkets make it cosy, but also add dust that may be a problem for people with allergies. Windermere town centre is just up the road. Bowness, with its busy cafes and shops, is a three minute drive down the road. A little further on is Bowness Pier, where there are lake cruises and boat hire. Parking there is free for the first two hours if you find a spot, best to arrive before 10am. Long-stay car parks are also available at the pier.