Gillside | Keswick | Doups | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.0★

8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
4 Bathrooms
Pets No
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Features

Electric car charging
Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

30 Customer Review(s)

Andrew
September 2024

“Great property with one of the best views in Keswick.”

We have stayed here before being re-designed and it's a big improvement. We would return but for the price more care needs to be taken with the maintenance of the property. The dishwasher stopped emptying on day three so we had to clear out the filter which contained broken glass. The hot tap in the kitchen only ran cold. The extractor fan in one of the en-suites did not work so it stayed damp. There were no batteries in the DVD remote control.

We have stayed here before being re-designed and it's a big improvement. We would return but for the price more care needs to be taken with the maintenance of the property. The dishwasher stopped emptying on day three so we had to clear out the filter which contained broken glass. The hot tap in the kitchen only ran cold. The extractor fan in one of the en-suites did not work so it stayed damp. There were no batteries in the DVD remote control.

- Andrew, September 2024
Matthew July 2024

“Amazing time in an amazing property, the place absolutely exceeded our expectations and we could barely believe it was the same place the listing showed so when I looked back at the listing I thought the photos didn't do the place justice.”

All the amenities and facilities worked perfectly, kitchen was very well stocked which we really appreciated. Ample parking, comfy rooms, excellent bathrooms. The interior design was really tasteful and just a very nice place to stay. I'll definitely consider rebooking for next year.

- Matthew, July 2024
Gill July 2024

“What a fabulous place to stay!”

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Gillside with its clean, modern design, spacious living areas and attention to comfort. We found the house was well presented, clean and welcoming. The view is amazing! Beautiful and ever changing as weather and light conditions changed. We would love to stay here again!

- Gill, July 2024
Rebecca May 2024

“Amazing location but the house lacks luxury and comfort.”

The pillows are cheap and uncomfortable, the living space is ill thought out with the tv being very badly placed in relation to the sofas. The kitchen work surfaces were dirty on arrival.

- Rebecca, May 2024
Vanessa May 2024

“Lovely place with stunning views.”

Very helpful owner.

- Vanessa, May 2024
Sarah October 2023

“The property was fantastic BUT it had a number of problems that had been flagged up on previous feedback reviews & yet had not been resolved.”

This spoilt our holiday. Given our previous experience of welcome packs we were surprised that there were no basic essentials (milk, bread, wood for the fire would have been a nice gesture).

- Sarah, October 2023
Andrew October 2023

“Couldn’t use the main bedroom as bathroom not working.”

Downstairs bedroom smells damp and bathroom needs work. Cobwebs everywhere. The secure bike store

- Andrew, October 2023
Glen September 2023

“We will definitely be coming back to gillside really enjoyed our stay.”

I was disappointed that comments in the past in the reviews have not been dealt with. Dust on all the lamp shades have been there sometime. If it was a small amount you wouldn’t bother commenting but the bottom floor bedroom just made you feel dirty. On arriving to the property before we could hang our clothes we had to wipe all the cob webs away. Dust and cobwebs all over. One of the showers was out of action which we wasn’t told about and for some reason the electrics kept tripping out. Not sure why the downstairs bathroom smelt of damp. I have an Electric car. I wouldn’t advertise as a charging point it was a socket. I’m only making these comments as these issues are easy to sort. A fantastic property, fantastic location and will be back.

- Glen, September 2023
Helen August 2023

“The veiw and location were absolutely stunning.”

The property was perfect for our needs as a family with teens and adults, and had all the facilities to meet our needs - although lots of stairs so prepare for a good workout when packing and unpacking. It was only a short drive into Keswick which offers a good and varied range of activities and shopping. The only issue that may need attention was shower seals, toilet overflow in the main bathroom, and patches of paint that looked unfinished around the property. Someone did come and check on this which shows the owner was aware. This aside the property was perfect for our needs and we had an amazing time.

- Helen, August 2023
Kiranjeet July 2023

“The photos of the home are completely accurate!”

We couldn’t get enough of the breathtaking views, they were simply stunning. The home has also been thought out well and the kitchen is really well equipped for a larger group. Slight areas of concern was the cleanliness of the place. Key areas, such as the beds and bathrooms were clean, however it felt like the place needed a much deeper clean as we could see lots of cobwebs, dust and dead bugs in the corners. Also a fuse kept tripping whilst we were there, so the wifi router kept turning off which was a bit of a nuisance. Overall we really enjoyed our stay and would recommend Gillside.

- Kiranjeet, July 2023
George June 2023

“Fantastic spot.”

Best place ive been to in the uk. What a view!

- George, June 2023

Thank you so much for your kind comments. We are glad that you enjoyed everything that the property and area have to offer. Heart of the Lakes Owner Relations Property Owner
John May 2023

“House was really nice with great views.”

Light shades could do with deeper clean and possibly more comfortable seating on the balcony. These were miner things and did not detract from a great stay.

- John, May 2023
Vanessa May 2023

“Beautiful house and view but shame two of the bedrooms are so small and the twin room although large only has a shower over the bath and is 2 flights of stairs away from the twin room.”

- Vanessa, May 2023
Jane April 2023

“The view is amazing and we loved how you have designed the main living space and two big bedrooms with the view.”

Wonderful garden. Peaceful location. We really liked the style of decor and furniture. Bathrooms and beds very good. Kitchen cooking pots excellent (unusually good). We had a great week thanks. Constructive points: Great to be able to charge our car although really it is an outdoor socket rather than EV charger, we would say. We could not get the heating to work well upstairs but may have been our error. State of cleanliness was OK (did not justify a complaint) but in my view could have been better for the price. 2 bedrooms are lovely and big; other bedrooms are small. Overall we highly recommend Gillside. We would go again.

- Jane, April 2023
Sakuranna April 2023

“It’s a spacious and lovely house.”

The view is to die for! My friends and I had a great time there. All equipments are well prepared - enough cups, glasses, plates, etc. The pillow and bed are super comfy. All of us slept very well. 2 suggestions for improvement: 1. Provide a bit more cooking ingredients/basic spice. There were only salt and pepper. 2. The floor and surface could be cleaner.

- Sakuranna, April 2023
Keira March 2023

“The seating didn’t seem very comfortable.”

We were also concerned that sitting three people on the larger sofa would break it as the legs of the sofa looked like they had seen better days. We really enjoyed the games and books that were available as well as the gorgeous views from the balcony. We had a few issues with the heating. The instructions were not very clear.

- Keira, March 2023

Thank you for your feedback, the owner will see this and be able to action any changes required. We are glad that you enjoyed the stay and the property views. Property Owner
David December 2022

“We were a little concerned in the run up to our holiday because of the previous comments about Gillside but we needn’t have been.”

The property was warm, clean and very well equipped with the most beautiful view.

- David, December 2022

Thank you for your feedback. We are delighted to read that you enjoyed your stay at Gillside. We have worked extensively on the property over the last few months completing work on the roof structure, redecorating throughout and replacing the sofa. Property Owner
Karen September 2022

“Sadly, you are paying for the location, house would be really lovely with a bit of TLC.”

The Gardens are better looked after than the house. House was dirty, cobwebs on the walls, heating that doesn't work properly, no manuals and we had to ask the Housekeeper to get the legs on the new sofa put on the right way round - would have been damaged if we hadn't done this. Very disappointing for the amount of money that you are paying for the property - will not be booking with you again as this is the second expensive property we have had an issue with.

- Karen, September 2022

The owners of Gillside would like to thank guests for their comments. The house has been closed to guests for several months for essential roof structure maintenance which we are happy to report is now completed. We have taken the opportunity to redecorate the house throughout and we had already replaced the sofa. Following feedback the heating thermostats will be changed to a HIVE system which we hope ill make the heating more user friendly after the New Year. The house manuals are available again they were removed due to Covid requirement. The issue with the fuel alarm system has been rectified. The house is cleaned by a tram of local cleaners if you have any comments in relation to this, please contact Marie Hall on arrival so any potential issues can be dealt with immediately. Property Owner
John August 2022

“We were extremely pleased that Sykes were able to work with the property manager/owner to address a few concerns we had, prior to our stay, based on the feedback from previous customers.”

These related to the seating (a beautiful new sofa was delivered just before our start date), cleanliness (which was addressed) and a fuel alarm issue (the reasons for which were investigated and explained to us as an isolated incident). So well done to all concerned for resolving these concerns prior to our holiday. The one thing I need to mention (not a complaint but it needs addressing soon) is that there were signs of some water ingression in one of the upstairs en-suites (the one with the glass roof). The ceiling above the door is black in parts and there's some flaking paint. It only rained properly once during our stay but some water came through the ceiling and puddled on the floor, so we put a bucket and towel underneath to catch the drips. The grout in the floor tiles looks like it has been previously washed away in the affected area, which means the water would have seeped under the floor tiles and (possibly) through to the downstairs en-suite if it had rained persistently (and if we hadn't been in the house at the time and spotted it). I can't see any previous published reports of this issue amongst the customer feedback, so I don't know whether the owner knows about it. But I would hope that the property management company has spotted it because the signs are so obvious (whether its raining at the time or not). Maybe the work has already been scheduled, but in that case customers should be forewarned and know what to do if it rains. We hope the property manager/owner will rectify this problem soon, before it turns into a much bigger issue. This didn't really impact our holiday though, other than during the 2 minutes it took us to find the bucket, so we've given the holiday full marks anyway because of the numerous positive aspects - the location, the stunning property itself and the breath-taking views which we were particularly sad to leave behind (the welcome pack was a very nice surprise too). Overall, many thanks for a great holiday that my family will never forget.

- John, August 2022

The owners of Gillside would like to thank guests for their comments. The house has been closed to guests for several months for essential roof structure maintenance which we are happy to report is now completed. We have taken the opportunity to redecorate the house throughout and we had already replaced the sofa. Following feedback the heating thermostats will be changed to a HIVE system which we hope ill make the heating more user friendly after the New Year. The house manuals are available again they were removed due to Covid requirement. The issue with the fuel alarm system has been rectified. The house is cleaned by a tram of local cleaners if you have any comments in relation to this, please contact Marie Hall on arrival so any potential issues can be dealt with immediately. Property Owner
Allen August 2022

“We had a great week staying at Gillside as a base for exploring the Lake District.”

There was only a few issues that prevented it being excellent. It hadn’t been cleaned to a high enough standard for us. When we arrived the rubbish was piled around the full bin outside. It was never collected during our stay. When I enquired I was told this was because the council couldn’t access the property as the road was closed?! The washing machine, tumble dryer and dishwasher filters hadn’t been cleaned out before we used them. There were cupboards and floors that had residual crumbs/mess. When we arrived on the Saturday there was a note to tell us not to use one of the ensuite showers because it was leaking into the room below, which was visible. We had to leave the key in the key safe if we went out to allow a plumber access. He came on the Monday while we were out and it looked like he had resealed the shower tray. The note was still there with no update, so we had to ring to see whether we could use the shower next day or not. We could and there was no further issues. We also had an unexpected visit from another plumber who wanted to inspect the mould in a different bathroom as he had fitted the bathroom. He took photos and left. There was a lack of space in all the bedrooms but we managed. On the plus side, the view from the property was spectacular and the kitchen was well stocked with cutlery, crockery and equipment to make meals. The broken sofa that had been mentioned in previous reviews had been replaced, so we had plenty of seats to sit on. The beds were comfortable and the underfloor heating worked although we couldn’t figure out how to change the actual time on the individual controls. The gardens were in full bloom and obviously well looked after.

- Allen, August 2022

The owners of Gillside would like to thank guests for their comments. The house has been closed to guests for several months for essential roof structure maintenance which we are happy to report is now completed. We have taken the opportunity to redecorate the house throughout and we had already replaced the sofa. Following feedback the heating thermostats will be changed to a HIVE system which we hope ill make the heating more user friendly after the New Year. The house manuals are available again they were removed due to Covid requirement. The issue with the fuel alarm system has been rectified. The house is cleaned by a tram of local cleaners if you have any comments in relation to this, please contact Marie Hall on arrival so any potential issues can be dealt with immediately. Property Owner
Martin May 2022

“This feedback is consistent with many other reviews.”

A fantastic property that has taken full advantage of its position just outside Keswick. Comfortable for 6 and although there are bedrooms for 8 it would be a squeeze in the living space, particularly given the poor condition of one of the sofas.

- Martin, May 2022
A April 2022

“Property is generally good with the Lakeland views being the USP.”

Could have been cleaner and is let down by a few things which could be rectified easily. The key issue is the main sofa in the lounge which is beyond a joke in terms of wear and comfort. I’ve never seen anything like it in a “premium “ property. I can only describe it as “knackered “. Given the location, the property would benefit from some comfortable outdoor furniture and a knife sharpener as well as a couple more sharp knives. Minor points. Bedding, towels and other facilities are great. Just a shame about the awful sofa, particularly if there are 8 of you.

- A, April 2022
Gill April 2022

“Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this amazing property mainly due to the most stunning views and location .”

Kitchen was well equipped and beds were comfortable , showers and baths were top quality. Our only criticism was the seating arrangement both inside and out . There was only 5 of us staying and we found the seating to fall short when the property accommodates 8 people. It was tired looking and not adequate and lets the property down which is surprising when the rest of it is of a high standard . Also, we were lucky enough to enjoy good weather and would suggest some comfortable outdoor loungers , chairs etc which would benefit the customer experience even more particularly when enjoying the stunning views. With just a few additions to the seating facilities this would be a 5 star rating all round and hard to beat

- Gill, April 2022
Ian December 2021

“The holiday and the house were great but a couple of points.”

This is meant to be a high end house rental, its not cheap especially as your prices have increased by 1/3 over the last year or so. For a £2k rental I don’t expect to find ONE toilet roll/room, no washing powder and only a couple of logs for the fire. Because of the shortages of these basic essential items, after a few days we needed to go out shopping for items you would be expect to supplied especially for a £2k rental. Very disappointing!

- Ian, December 2021
Mary December 2021

“Having seen some feedback from previous people, I’m hoping that HotL and the Owner will look into some of the minor issues of this premium property.”

In general, the property was stunning in its views, location, accuracy of listing, kitchen equipment, bedding etc. We really enjoyed the one large space which was ideal for Christmas. Good facilities overall. Underfloor heating fabulous. What needs improving? Outside lighting especially when entering the property in the dark. The stairs needed extra lighting. Sofa already mentioned by someone else, does need sorting- re stuffing cushions. Table was good but would be a squeeze for 8 people. The whole place was clean, but in areas it needed more care. Dusty shelves in wardrobes, bookcase and lampshades. No instruction booklet for the log burner and electrical goods although it said it was on the shelf. With a few minor changes, this property could be an absolute gem.

- Mary, December 2021

The owners of Gillside would like to thank guests for their comments. The house has been closed to guests for several months for essential roof structure maintenance which we are happy to report is now completed. We have taken the opportunity to redecorate the house throughout and we had already replaced the sofa. Following feedback the heating thermostats will be changed to a HIVE system which we hope ill make the heating more user friendly after the New Year. The house manuals are available again they were removed due to Covid requirement. The issue with the fuel alarm system has been rectified. The house is cleaned by a tram of local cleaners if you have any comments in relation to this, please contact Marie Hall on arrival so any potential issues can be dealt with immediately. Property Owner
Nabeel December 2021

“Amazing place to stay.”

However we did feel there were a lack of amenities. No salt, pepper, teabags, kitchen rolls, bin bags, loo roll. I didnt really expect to bring all of these things with me for a two night stay. Other than that great place to stay.

- Nabeel, December 2021
J September 2021

“It does need another rail on the opposite side of the steps going down to the front door.”

The sofas need replacing as they are very uncomfortable. At 4 pm the cleaners were still in the house and we had to wait for 20 minutes. Having said that, the house was clean and one of the cleaners offered to help carry our cases into the house which was very much appreciated. The house was well equipped, and probably had the one of the best views in the Lake District. We would certainly recommend Gillside for accomodation and location.

- J, September 2021
Deb August 2021

“Fantastic location with easy of access to nearby Keswick and walks straight from the front door.”

The panoramic view from the lounge is a winner and really makes Gillside a fantastic place to stay. The house is well laid out and well equipped and made for a really comfy 2 week stay for our family. The weather was great so we could really make use of the garden and soak up the sun in the late afternoon. The main sofa is a bit past it's best however and could do with replacing. The towel rails didn't work as the upstairs thermostat was switched off. We emailed HoTL a few times and had prompt responses that this would be looked into. However the thermostat seemed to automatically switch on, on September 1st and stayed on for a few hours to heat the towel rails and then switched itself off again. I notice this was highlighted in a previous review and It would be useful if they could be switched on in the summer months as its so difficult to dry the massive bath towels with no heat. It was also be good if you could consider starting collecting recycling at the property if kerbside collection is available. It felt awful putting all the recyclable waste into landfill bins.

- Deb, August 2021
J E August 2021

“The cottage was not very well cleaned a lot of dust cobwebs etc, a lot of crockery pans glasses were dirty and had to be washed before use.”

No heating in upper bedrooms all bathrooms no heated towel rails not the standard we have experienced previously. But the view was magnificent and well equipped otherwise. No BBC on TV meant we missed the Olympics at least we should have seen that beforehand.

- J E, August 2021
Chris June 2021

“Beautiful and comfortable accommodation, with a stunning view.”

Really enjoyed our break, thank you.

- Chris, June 2021

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Summary

Four bedrooms: 3 Ensuite bathrooms and one family bathroom
1 x upper ground-floor twin beds, 2 x upper ground-floor king-size with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x lower ground-floor king-size with en suite bathroom with roll top bath, shower over, basin and WC
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining table and sitting area with woodburning stove.
Oil central heating with underfloor heating and woodburning stove
Electric double oven and gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, wine cooler fridge, boiling water tap, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, Smart TV, Fibre optic WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Travel cot and highchair available
Parking for three cars & Electric car charging point
Secure bike storage
Decked balcony with seating and landscaped gardens
Garden furniture including seating for 8, wooden benches and multiple patio levels
Sorry, strictly no pets and no smoking
Note: Fuel for the woodburner can be purchased locally
Please note: Due to the quite peaceful location of this property, situated closely to neighbours, the owner would prefer family groups and no hen or stag groups.

Awards

The property

Imagine waking up to one of the most outstanding panoramic views in the Lake District - with the luxury of enjoying it for a full week.

Picture yourself dining al fresco while taking in the enormity of the rolling hills and mountains such as Cat bells, Robinson, Causey Pike all-encompassing the town of Keswick and Derwentwater. Gillside is a 1920s detached house that has been architecturally redesigned with a stylish practical interior design with some top of the range designer furniture to provide a bespoke holiday home from home accommodating 8 people. Gillside is situated in the village of Milbeck which nestles at the foot of the south facing slope of Skiddaw two miles from Keswick.

On arrival there is parking for 3 cars with electric car plugin and then 16 steps lead you to the front door where there is a utility room to take shoes and dry coats off.

The house is a juxtaposition of the beautiful local lakeland stone against the modern glass at the rear to provide the uninterrupted mountain view. On entering you can choose to go up 6 stairs to reach the to 2 king size beds with en-suites, and a twin (or supersize king) with its own dedicated bathroom downstairs.

Or 7 stairs down take you into the lower ground level which boasts a bathroom with beautiful claw foot roll top bath wc and basin, on the left open plan lounge kitchen diner straight ahead and another king en-suite to the right.

You won’t want to leave the comfort and warmth the owner has so thoughtfully added to every room. Upstairs wooden flooring throughout, comfortable top of the range Vi-Spring hotel quality beds and linen, decorated in soft Farrow and Ball hues and iconic Ercol furniture.

Both the twin and the master bedroom windows frame the glorious mountain view. Downstairs polished concrete floors with the added luxury of underfloor heating, a cosy log burner and sliding doors to the balcony are just the start of your holiday.

Step onto the balcony and breathe in fresh Lakeland air as you gaze over unrivalled views.

Further down, the garden filled with shrubs and patio has been beautifully landscaped to different levels where you can enjoy relaxing on from each level.

The open plan kitchen dinner is the heart of the property, planned to encompass the lakeland view.

The new solid wood kitchen boasts muted colours to blend in with this wow space.

There's the latest boiling water tap rather than a kettle, the nice touch of a wine cooler fridge, gas hob, fridge freezer and dishwasher.

Dining for 8 is around a beautiful circular Knoll designer marble table. Enjoy a morning coffee at the breakfast bar while drinking in the alpine view or in the evenings there’s plenty of room of everyone to spread out in the open plan living area, have an aperitif on the deck, eat dinner, watch TV, play board games, or just sit by the fire.

Please note: no pets allowed at this property

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £500.

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About the location

KESWICK

Bassenthwaite 7 miles, Ullswater 16.6 miles; Cockermouth 13 miles.

The popular town of Keswick is the holiday centre of the North of the Lake District and has plenty to offer the visitor at any time of year. The town boasts numerous shops and restaurants to suit all tastes, as well as offering miniature golf, excellent parks, the famous Theatre by the Lake, a charming cinema, the Pencil Museum, a climbing wall, fishing and great mountain biking opportunities, whilst the beautiful lake of Derwentwater at the head of the stunning Borrowdale Valley is only a few minutes walk from the town centre. Nearby, between Braithwaite and Buttermere is the beautiful Newlands Valley, while picturesque Bassenthwaite Lake is well worth a visit. From a gentle countryside ramble to a challenging hike up Skiddaw or the famous Catbells, there really is something for everyone. Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Jennings Brewery and Mirehouse, a grand house and gardens on the shores of the Bassenthwaite Lake, or take a fabulous boat trip around Derwentwater. With plenty of attractions for the kids, lovely parks and the nearby Lake District Wildlife Park this is a great Lakeland destination whatever the time of year.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Great property with one of the best views in Keswick.”

“Amazing time in an amazing property, the place absolutely exceeded our expectations and we could barely believe it was the same place the listing showed so when I looked back at the listing I thought the photos didn't do the place justice.”

“What a fabulous place to stay!”

“Amazing location but the house lacks luxury and comfort.”

“Lovely place with stunning views.”

“The property was fantastic BUT it had a number of problems that had been flagged up on previous feedback reviews & yet had not been resolved.”

“Couldn’t use the main bedroom as bathroom not working.”

“We will definitely be coming back to gillside really enjoyed our stay.”

“The veiw and location were absolutely stunning.”

“The photos of the home are completely accurate!”

“Fantastic spot.”

“House was really nice with great views.”

“Beautiful house and view but shame two of the bedrooms are so small and the twin room although large only has a shower over the bath and is 2 flights of stairs away from the twin room.”

“The view is amazing and we loved how you have designed the main living space and two big bedrooms with the view.”

“It’s a spacious and lovely house.”

“The seating didn’t seem very comfortable.”

“We were a little concerned in the run up to our holiday because of the previous comments about Gillside but we needn’t have been.”

“Sadly, you are paying for the location, house would be really lovely with a bit of TLC.”

“We were extremely pleased that Sykes were able to work with the property manager/owner to address a few concerns we had, prior to our stay, based on the feedback from previous customers.”

“We had a great week staying at Gillside as a base for exploring the Lake District.”

“This feedback is consistent with many other reviews.”

“Property is generally good with the Lakeland views being the USP.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this amazing property mainly due to the most stunning views and location .”

“The holiday and the house were great but a couple of points.”

“Having seen some feedback from previous people, I’m hoping that HotL and the Owner will look into some of the minor issues of this premium property.”

“Amazing place to stay.”

“It does need another rail on the opposite side of the steps going down to the front door.”

“Fantastic location with easy of access to nearby Keswick and walks straight from the front door.”