Pen Cottage

Overall, I would stay here again.

Great location, beautiful views, lovely cottage with beautiful shared gardens. Close to a village shop, pub, bistro cafe etc. all within 5 mins drive. Lots of walks nearby great for walking with a child in a carrier, 2-3 hour summit walks. 10 mins into Keswick. Unfortunately the cleaning company made an error and the cottage was not cleaned prior to our arrival and we mistakenly slept in dirty beds (as they had been perfectly made, but dirty pillows hidden under clean ones by previous guests!) which is a real shame to have to mention as this I assume is not the owner's fault and overall I would stay here again despite this. Most disappointing is how hard it was to get any kind of proactive response from Sykes, and there is absolutely zero help from them with these kind of issues at a weekend which is when we arrived. Only other thing - I personally found the pillows extremely hard and difficult to sleep on and I honestly would have to take my own pillow if I was to stay here again which is not something I have ever done before or felt the need to! But other than this it is a great cottage and I would stay here again.

Best equipped cottage we have been to.

Felt like home from home and we will definitely return

Lovely place to stay, well equipped with spacious rooms and great views from the lounge.

A couple of minor points for information — we could not find the white folder with information about local walks and amenities, and we experienced some difficulty locating the key safe and the apartment on arrival. The 9am check-out time felt quite early.

Excellent accommodation in an excellent location.

Great walking in cycling options from the door as well as locally (and on a regular bus route). A fantastic week over New Year, the property was warm, welcoming, spacious and very well equipped. One of our party has back issues and had no complaints about the comfort of the beds. Thank you, we won't hesitate to book again. For the owner only: Thank you for the care and attention you have given to ensure this property is such a great self catering let. Very much appreciated. Just to note the following if useful: Oven gloves, another chopping board & pint glasses would be useful. Also an extra key perhaps. The ignition on the hob clicked constantly so we turned it off. The extractor fan in the ensuite didn't come on.

This is maybe our fourth stay in Pen Cottage though we last stayed in 2011 when we were completing the Wainwrights with our young sons.

It’s lovely to see it had not changed at all. We stayed with one of our now grown up sons snd we loved that it was exactly as we had remembered. He remembered the tile paintings of the ducks and hippos and even the games in the snug room. Pen Cottage is like home from home - so warm and spacious with views to die for. The gardens are beautiful and even in November we sat outside soaking in the views. It was so peaceful. Pen Cottage was ideal when our boys were small and lovely to see it was ideal with grown up children too! It is well equipped- we cooked most nights. Though it’s also close to some good pubs such as the Coledale Inn. We walked from the door up Barf. So why not 5 stars? Well what has changed is the management by Sykes. This is the only thing that stopped us having a perfect stay. 9am checkout is ridiculously early and made the final day such a rush and stress. It cannot take 7 hours to clean. Sykes leave a cleaning pack - with the tiniest bottle of washing up liquid. Why not just leave a regular bottle - all that wasted plastic is disgraceful. It also meant that pans were left greasy as not enough to wash up. Also why not leave oil and basics supplies such as a few herbs / spices. I’m sure such supplies are left each time by renters? Overall cannot rate Pen Cottage highly enough just a shame it’s lets down by Sykes

This was our second visit to Pen Cottage.

It was just as comfortable and cosy as the first. We wouldn't hesitate to book again.

For 4 adults for a week stay in August, Pen Cottage was ideal.

The location, just off the A66, 5 mins walk from Bassenthwaite Lake and 10 minutes drive from Keswick is perfect. There is plenty of easy parking right outside the front door. The private porch area is great for dumping boots, bags and wet stuff. The kitchen/dining area is very spacious, modern and extremely well-equipped. The beds were very comfortable and there was lots of storage space. The showers were great. The sitting area is spacious with large windows and a great view. The outside terrace area is very convenient, quite private and with a view, catching the sun all day. The booking arrangements etc worked very smoothly. The only comment I would make is that it would have been good to have had a change of sheets and towels after one week - but we used the washing machine and dryer, which worked fine. Thanks for a great stay, we will certainly recommend it highly.

What a place!

Amazing view, amazing location, great host, and large roomy property. This was our second time here, and we've just booked to come again next year!

The owner had thought of most things needed by guests.

Switches and doors etc. labeled on how to use them. This more than most owners would have done. Everything clean and tidy and all things that could be wished for.

This was our second visit to Pen Cottage and we will, hopefully, be visiting again.

The gardens and the view are amazing. Had a little trouble with hot water but the owner spoke to me and sorted it immediately. I would definitely recommend the cottage as an ideal holiday home.

Pen Cottage is in an absolutely wonderful spot, 2 minutes from Bassenthwaite Lake and 8 minutes from Keswick.

Great links to main road and bus routes for exploring the local area. Inside is very spacious and well kept with lots of storage. Make sure you open the windows in the morning to avoid condensation build up. Wound definitely recommend.

Excellent location on a minor road just off the A66 with a bus stop opposite the property and only 3 miles from Keswick.

There is plenty of off-road parking and there are superb views of Blencathra and Skiddaw from the lounge and patio area. The kitchen/diner is very well equipped and the bed in the master bedroom was very comfortable. Central heating can be adjusted if it gets very cold but plenty sufficient if you are out and about. Would Highly recommend Pen Cottage and hope to return in the future.

A lovely cottage with fantastic views.

Located in a quiet village with the Coledale Inn 2 miles away which is excellent for evening meals

We really enjoyed our stay at Pen cottage.

It was a beautiful location, very well equipped, clean, comfortable and wonderfully peaceful.

Lovely cottage and have stayed here many times

The apartment has an absolutely fantastic view from the lounge and a lovely accessible garden.

We enjoyed our stay very much and will book again. However it was a little spartan in the lounge area and the floor in the twin bedroom was very slippy. Both things easily remedied. The surroundings are gorgeous and there are some lovely walks.

We had a fabulous week at Pen Cottage.

The cottage was extremely clean, comfortable and had everything we needed. It was perfectly located for never-ending walking and exploring the Lakes. We’d definitely return and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Thank you!

We had a great stay at Pen Cottage.

All the facilities where first class The gardens and property are well maintained The only downside is this is listed as a cottage when the layout really is an apartment. But this wouldn’t stop me from booking again

Beautiful property with idyllic views,very quiet, clean and well appointed.

As early risers would have liked to alter the heating on times though. The property is actually a ground floor apartment which is part of a former hotel and not a detached cottage. This did not affect our enjoyment and would gladly book again.

Another chill out stay in Pen Cottage.

We are fortunate enough to be able to come to our little retreat twice a year! Beautiful location and the cottage has become like a second home to us. Please don’t change anything!

Wonderful holiday made even better by the accommodation.

First Class. In a beautiful place with great views there was nothing lacking at all. Would recommend to anyone. We had a fantastic week.

We stayed for five nights in what is a delightful location and a lovely comfortable cottage.

The cleanliness was of a very high standard and the cottage had all we needed for an enjoyable break. The views from the property are beautiful even on an overcast and wet day (of which there are many in the Lake District). I would happily stay here again.

This is one of the nicest holiday properties that we have stayed in.

Beautiful views, lovely landscaped gardens leading down to a pond (NOT suitable for young children). Easy, off-road parking; house was very clean, nicely furnished, and is well equipped with good WiFi and modern kitchen appliances. Highly recommended.

Had a fabulous week at Pen Cottage, the accommodation was spot on and with fantastic views.

There isn’t anything I can say wrong about it, great location, on a bus route if you don’t want to drive, peaceful and picturesque. Kitchen has everything you could want to cook a full dinner and there’s plenty of seating in the living room and snug. We did alter furniture to give a more homely feel to the living room plus the sofa was stopping heat from the radiator other than that it was perfect for our needs. My Dad even said he could quite happily live there so that say it all. 5 stars from us we will be back.

Remembered to take some oven-gloves after reading previous reviews.

Very nice stay in very nice accommodation. Broken kitchen door handle was the only minor issue. Lovely garden area and views when the weather obliges. Welcome packs were a pleasant bonus, thankyou. Wouldn't hesitate to go back.

We all love Pen Cottage and usually visit at least twice a year (have done for approx the last 12yrs) - we’ve already booked a week next April.

Being small, I struggle with sitting on the sofas in the lounge so usually bring a chair in from the snug. It doesn’t stop me loving the place like a second home. Love the new mattresses but wonder if it’s time for new duvets? Thanks for letting us stay in your beautiful cottage.

The cottage was well equipped, but really needed a pair of oven gloves.

The place was very well kept, grounds were beautiful, just wish we could have stayed longer.

Excellent company to book with, but the icing on the cake was Pen cottage.

It was gorgeous . Very spacious very well equipped with everything you need and more, plenty of space to park your cars very quiet and the most unbelievable views looking onto the beautiful Lake District fells . Breakfast on the patio every morning and afternoon tea in the shared ground in the afternoon what more could you want . When I say shared grounds we saw 3 people ,plenty of room . I was lucky enough to have a Mum who was born and lived in Keswick , And remember Pen Cottage as apart of the Swan Hotel . I’ve been coming to Keswick for 65 years sadly no house of our own now , but trust me Pen Cottage is one of the best places you could stay. Fantastic

The Cottage was absolutely lovely, a great base for our holiday adventures.

Superb position to explore the North Lakes. The cottage was so well equipped it surpassed expectations. Will definitely return again.

Excellent cottage, so well equipped.

We stay every year & greatly enjoyed our visit again.

this is a very well equipped and well-run cottage, where one easily gets a sense of the thoughtfulness of the owners.

everything worked well. the property is connected to other cottages nearby but on my stay there was a quiet atmosphere. the views are quite stunning and there is the benefit of a beautiful shared garden to the front. well-placed for local hikes and a short drive into keswick. i think a more prominent display of wifi details would be my only suggestion

Another great stay in Pen Cottage - we try to stay at least 2weeks/year as we love the location and cottage.

Thumbs up for the new mattresses but not so much the leather suite. We all struggled to get comfortable but understand that cushions are not an option re the allergy free policy. It will not prevent us staying again, in fact we have already booked for October.

lovely holiday; cosy cottage with great facilities in a tranquil location.

Really well equipped kitchen and great to have washer/ dryer and dishwasher. There were a few things which were really disappointing; one was that all the floors are hard tile/ laminate and it would have been really nice if some part of the living room floor was carpeted to allow you to sit on the floor or have a stretch etc. Even a rug would have helped and the sofas were not the comfiest. Also there were no dishwasher tablets, bin bags or washing powder. We would have preferred not to have to go into Keswick on bank holidays looking for these things, either that or make it clear in the pre arrival info. Doesn't cost much to leave 6 dishwasher tablets and a spare bin bag. One more serious thing was that one of the kitchen cupboards was full of mouse droppings and had 2 traps in (not set up) so it was clearly an ongoing issue. I became ill with stomach cramps on the second day and we felt this was one of the possible causes. It may have been unrelated but either way it needs addressing.

We only slept and breakfasted at the cottage.

.....no other cooking. But it was clean and enjoyed wonderful views. Great wifi also! We would stay again.

Would have been nice to have a pint of milk in the fridge on arrival.

Very pleased with our stay in Pen Cottage.

Everything went smoothly from booking to departure, very helpful customer service. Ideal location, comfortable cottage and wonderful views. Hoping to come back as soon as possible. We couldn’t recommend it more.

Beautifully presented, comfortable, ground floor apartment, with every convenience.

The only two negatives was the road noise from the A66, which was as expected, given the closeness of the road, and second, the potential lack of privacy in the two bedrooms, as to they are on an eyeline for passers by to the flat upstairs. That said, we'd have loved to have stayed longer, it's a beautiful flat, in a beautiful part of the Lakes, and the view from the living room and patio was glorious! Thank you

Pen cottage is extremely well situated for a hiking trip in the northern lakes.

It was spotless on arrival and all the facilities are superb. I would definitely book again next time I am in the Lakes.

An excellent warm, comfortable and well-equipped property