“Falls View Cottage is well located in Ambleside up a rather steep hill with a narrowing road.”
I had to put the car into first gear to climb the hill. The accommodation is a cross between a cottage and 2 storey apartment. As described, the living area is on the top floor and the bedrooms on the 1st floor. The ground floor is where the cars are parked and presumably the utility room (which we didn't use) is located inside the garage behind a locked door to the left. We arrived at around 8pm on a Saturday evening and whilst the cottage wasn't cold, it wasn't that warm either. On arrival was a complimentary bottle of wine and a small packet of shortbread, which was a nice touch. There was also some tea, coffee and 8 mini milk pots. It was nice to find that the accommodation was comfortably furnished with a well equipped kitchen, supplied with everything needed for a self-catering holiday. I was relieved to see a selection of cleaning cloths, wash liquid and disinfectant spray. Bottles of hand wash were provided in the kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Also, in the lounge area are 2 very comfortable large sofas, a large TV, a decent sized table and chairs and a cupboard full of games, cds and a selection of books to read. The following morning (Sunday), we ate breakfast outside at small table and chairs that overlooks a waterfall and woodlands, which was very pleasant. We saw a number of people walking through the woods. Unfortunately the bad bits, which is why I only gave a 4 star rating: - The entrance to the garage is very narrow. So much so, that I had to turn in the wing mirrors, on the Citroën Clio, that we had with us, in order to drive through the opening and again to reverse it out. It isn't helped visually, by the owners having fitted a large hosepipe and reel to the internal side-wall of the garage. It would have been better had they positioned it on the other side, near the utility room door. - The double glazed windows are insufficient to block the sound of the nearby waterfall; and that is with them being closed, contrary to the advice I received from Sykes'. It sounded like loud air-conditioning throughout the property and the bedrooms are closer still to the waterfall. This wasn't a problem for me, but, after reading other reviews about Falls Cottage, I was glad I took along some earplugs for my daughter. - On Sunday morning we noticed that the accommodation still wasn't very warm. We hunted around, unsuccessfully, to find the heating control. There is a very small radiator outside the small bedroom, with a thermostat above, set to 5 degrees which I turned up, but it was solely for that radiator - all the other radiators were cold. I tried calling the numbers provided, but they were only available for contact Monday to Friday during office hours. The same for the emergency contact number; which I think is pretty bad considering so many people seek a weekend getaway. I eventually found the heating control behind the worktop freezer, which wasn't easy to see or access. I looked for information on re-programming it, and there wasn't any. There were leaflets on everything, including how to boil the kettle, but nothing on the heating control. After wasting about half an hour, I thought I had sorted it, but it turned out I had only switched it on for an hour. I finally got it sussed on our last evening in the accommodation (Monday). So out of the 3 nights stay, we only had one where we were comfortably warm. - After returning from our day ambling around Ambleside, up the steep hill, I was grateful that I had already taken shopping with me in the car, as the thought of lugging a couple of shopping bags full of groceries up that hill was daunting. I would advise anyone with mobility difficulties (of which I have mild mobility issues) or a pushchair to take the hill into consideration, and make plans accordingly. - Being cold, with my muscles and joints aching, I was looking forward to a nice soak in a hot bath; and was disappointed when I realised it was only a half size bath, despite there being room in that bathroom for a full-size bath. - Apart from the liquid hand-wash, no other toiletries were provided, as have been provided in other holiday Lets I have stayed at, and I didn't see a hairdryer, so you would need to take your own. - Finally, whilst it is a standard thing these days, I do feel aggrieved that you aren't supposed to arrive before 4pm to give the cleaners a chance to set up for your arrival, yet you are expected to depart by 10am after cleaning, tidying, emptying the bins and stripping the beds. It doesn't give you much time to enjoy a relaxed breakfast on the morning of your departure. From the instructions, e-mailed to me from Sykes on the last evening, it didn't seem like they expect the guests to have breakfast on their last day! Something about filling the dishwasher the night before departure and emptying it. I feel that you should be allowed to vacate by 11am instead. Unfortunately, we were a little out of sync, as the clocks had gone forward the weekend of our stay. To finish on a high note. All in all, we did enjoy our stay at Falls View Cottage. I have raised the above points for other holiday makers to be aware of minor issues so they can make good preparations for a relaxing break. I would stay there again as I found it to be conveniently located in Ambleside - where there is plenty to see and things to do and places to eat and drink.
