Old Village Shop | Ambleside | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.7★

2 Guests
1 Bedroom
1 Bathroom
Pets No
Show on map

Features

Cot available
Highchair available
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

43 Customer Review(s)

Mark
June 2025

“Fabulous property and location & a very nice, powerful shower.”

Some past guests have complained about noise but its no different to any other property in the centre of Ambleside and any we heard was low level and not of any detriment to our stay. Look forward to heading back next year.

Some past guests have complained about noise but its no different to any other property in the centre of Ambleside and any we heard was low level and not of any detriment to our stay. Look forward to heading back next year.

- Mark, June 2025
William May 2025

“We had a lovely stay at the Old Village shop, on arriving we briefly parked at the end of the road to unload our stuff which wasn't a problem and quickly found a parking permit on the table, we left the car at the lower carpark 200 yards away without problems finding a space.”

The property is bright, fresh and tastefully modernised, it is well equipped with everything required for a enjoyable stay, after searching for the kettle found hot water was supplied via a tap, which was a great idea. The welcome pack was a lovely touch which was a pleasant surprize to us, The kitchen and Bathroom were ideal and nicely set out, with a sizable clean shower. The lounge was relaxing with a comfy sofa and also privacy blinds are fitted. However the table draw front does need reattaching, The bed sheet had a couple of brown scuff marks and a couple of yellow stains and the mattress is uncomfortable and clearly passed it sell by date judging by the stains, this is unacceptable! it should have a least been in an incasement or renewed. pillows also lumpy and need replacing. That said it was an enjoyable stay for us, the limited traffic passing wasn't a problem and we would come back.

- William, May 2025

Thank you for your feedback. We are so pleased you enjoyed your stay and found Old Village Shop to be well equipped and comfortable. We are also glad the welcome pack was a pleasant surprise. We appreciate your constructive comments regarding the bed linen. There is in fact a mattress protector on the bed but this may have been pulled off with the sheet. On inspection it appears that some one may have spilt coffee on the edge of the mattress, which is unfortunate. In our annual review of Old Village Shop we were intending to replace the mattress and linen and we will now bring this forward. Many thanks and we hope to welcome you again. Property Owner
Blakeley Apr 2025

“Wonderful time in the cottage, very luxurious and the hamper was a nice surprise.”

A lovely walk is up to Stock Ghyll Force and back where you can have a dip in the river. Also tougher walk to Loughrigg Tarn. Thank you

- Blakeley, Apr 2025
Sian March 2025

“We absolutely loved staying at The Old Village Shop.”

The bed and sofa were so comfortable, the kitchen well equipped and the bathroom perfect. The Smart TV is a rare thing to find in cottages and was excellent to have. One thing future guests should be aware of is the road noise where the bedroom faces directly onto the road. Even with the window closed, three mornings out of five we were woken up early (5/6am) by rubbish collections or deliveries to the pub which parked directly outside and went about their noisy business. We were hoping for lie ins so found it quite annoying! It would also be great for the kitchen to have some scales. Otherwise, a really lovely stay, and we wouldn't hesitate to book here again.

- Sian, March 2025

Thank you so much for your feedback and we are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at Old Village Shop. Unfortunately there has recently been an issue locally with the pub bin men arriving before 7am in the week. However we are pleased to report that following ongoing discussions to rectify this we are now assured that this is no longer happening! Many locals have been complaining and rightfully so. We have now put some kitchen scales in the property - thank you for raising this. We hope to welcome you again to Old Village Shop. Property Owner
Chris November 2024

“Very nice property and very well located.”

The parking situation is generally fine but a little tricky for dropping luggage off and loading the car on departure. We would definitely recommend The Old Village Shop and woudl happily stay there again.

- Chris, November 2024

Thank you so much for your feedback and we’re delighted you enjoyed your stay at Old Village Shop. Property Owner
Scowcroft Oct 2024

“We've really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful comfortable cottage.”

We love Ambleside and we will stay here again. In response to others comments, we found the microwave! Oh, and we loved the sofa.

- Scowcroft, Oct 2024
Chris September 2024

“Being all on one level and including a walk-in shower the property seemed ideal since my wife has mobility issues.”

However the front door steps with no grab/support rail were a nightmare, especially since they open directly onto the road. Whilst not uncommon to not have parking the lack of somewhere to drop off and collect was also a major issue. Both these aspects should be made clear.

- Chris, September 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We are updating the property info to make the location clearer and the fact that the locals are understanding about temporarily offloading outside the property. We are also installing a grab rail next to the steps leading up to the property, in the next few weeks, to allow easier access. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Property Owner
Kevin September 2024

“Superb cottage.”

Among the best we’ve rented in over 50 years of visiting the Lakes. Excellent modern facilities…except for the couch which has very poor support. Recommend getting a new couch. Everything else was of a very high standard.

- Kevin, September 2024

Thank you for your feedback, we are glad that you enjoyed the property. We have ordered a new sofa and this will be arriving in early December. Property Owner
Corcoran Sep 2024

“Been visiting the Lakes for 50+ years.”

The Old Village Shop is among the very best cottages we've rented. Extremely well appointed, spotlessly clean, and so very close to all the restaurants/shops of Ambleside. Very high marks to the owners for doing such a beautiful job renovating the Old Village Shop. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

- Corcoran, Sep 2024
Christine August 2024

“Had a three night stay in a well-maintained and lovely cottage.”

Everything was as described and the welcome basket was a nice touch. We were especially grateful for the parking permit as my partner does have struggles with mobility. It was close to amenities and although it is in the heart of Ambleside, there are very little noise issues and we slept well in a comfy bed. We will recommend to others and would consider booking again!

- Christine, August 2024
Vince July 2024

“A perfect holiday brilliant location and fantastic accommodation… we will be booking again for next year if available”

- Vince, July 2024
Natalie July 2024

“We enjoyed our stay, but there was evidence the place had not been cleaned properly e.”

G. debris on carpet, stains on sofa and dust on bedside tables. There is black mould around the window frame in the bedroom. We gave the place a good airing and turned the heating up as it all seemed a bit dank. When we eventually found the bin it had another property name on it too other than OVS (something Nook?), and was completely full, so we couldn't put the rubbish in it on our final morning.

- Natalie, July 2024

Thank you for your feedback and we are very sorry you were disappointed. We have taken up the cleaning issues with our housekeeper. We were so concerned by your other comments that we have reviewed these independently. There is no mould around the window but we think what you were referring to was discoloured silicone which has now been replaced. We are sorry you felt the property was a bit dank. We are now enhancing the extraction system to assist with any issues in this regard. In relation to the bins, again we are sorry you had issues. The bin has both “OVS” and “Briar Nook” on it, as this was its previous name. We have had problems with the waste removal company and are now changing providers. The bins need to be taken to the top of the drive at the back for removal on a Wednesday morning and we are also now communicating this more effectively to guests. We are glad you still enjoyed your stay and thank you again for your feedback. Property Owner
Sarah June 2024

“A lovely space for a break in the lake district.”

The property is clean and comfortable. The bath and shower are both lovely and the kitchen is well equipped (though we did miss having a microwave and kettle - the on-demand hot tap isn't quite hot enough for a decent cup of coffee). The welcome hamper was also a really nice touch. Have to agree with other reviews that the sofa is not usable (it's not the one pictured). We made do with armchairs. Appreciated all the guides about the local areas. For a location, you can't get much better.

- Sarah, June 2024
Adrian May 2024

“Perfect location, we didn't use the car all weekend.”

Spotlessly clean, lovely welcome pack. As others have said, the sofa is very uncomfortable, It would make me reconsider booking again which is a shame because everything else is lovely.

- Adrian, May 2024
Jeremy April 2024

“Lovely property in a great location so handy for the centre of Ambleside and with a car park pass so you could safely park your car in the large car park a couple of minutes from the property.”

The road the property is on is very narrow and double yellow lined so it is slightly problematic when arriving with luggage. The road is also very noisy on occasion. Right opposite a pub and the dustbin wagon woke us very early one morning. There was a big problem with the main TV in the lounge which was described as a Sky/Smart TV meaning you could watch on demand services. We noticed very quickly that there were no streaming capabilities but the very helpful housekeeper had her husband visit us on the Saturday morning to attempt to resolve it when it was discovered that not only was it not a Smart TV, it neither had any of the Sky functionality either due to the owner's account issues with Sky. In fairness, the father of the owner did try and resolve the issues but it went from getting a new TV on day 2 to finally getting a Roku streaming stick on day 4. The facilities at the property were very good - no microwave but a double oven, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher etc. The bed linens and towels were of excellent quality but, as some other reviews have mentioned, the sofa is pretty uncomfortable.

- Jeremy, April 2024
Kathleen Elizabeth March 2024

“Absolutely lovely property and we had a fantastic stay.”

We were both impressed with the cleanliness and the attention to detail throughout. The kitchen was lovely and more than adequate for our two meals in (the other one we ate out) and the bathroom was fantastic … bath/shower and separate shower! Toiletries were provided and lovely big towels. The bed was not so comfortable for me (bad back/arthritic knees) but that was just me. The only grumble was the settee was quite uncomfortable for both of us but my husband managed on a chair and I sank into the settee but didn’t feel comfortable. Wouldn’t stop me coming back though! The owners kindly provided us with a lovely hamper which was much appreciated, and we love the location too. Parking is always going to be a problem in Ambleside but we were provided with a parking disc to allow us free parking during our stay. We would love to come back … Ambleside is one of our happy places and the Old Village Shop is a wonderful place to stay. Thank you, we had a wonderful relaxing stay and used buses to get around! Perfect and lovely!

- Kathleen Elizabeth, March 2024
Michael February 2024

“Lovely cottage in a great location, had everything you needed for a great stay and more!”

Welcome hamper much appreciated

- Michael, February 2024
David December 2023

“Beautiful cottage, spotlessly clean, warm, convenient.”

- David, December 2023
Angela October 2023

“We had a problem with the heating the day before we left but it was sorted very quickly and efficiently by Tracey.”

We loved the property and would like to stay again.

- Angela, October 2023
Rebecca September 2023

“We have stayed at The Old Village Shop twice now and thoroughly enjoyed our stay both times.”

The accommodation is extremely well located for walking into Ambleside in a couple of minutes (there's a Tesco Express and a Co-op nearby, as well as a bakery and plenty of cafes and restaurants). Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but the permit is much appreciated. There was a lovely welcome package when we arrived which was very thoughtful, and everything was clean and tidy. Plenty of leaflets available with local attractions, and the local walk books are handy too! This is a perfect bolthole if you're looking to explore the beauty of Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness, Grasmere, Rydal etc.

- Rebecca, September 2023
Raymond July 2023

“Generally very clean and modern with up to date facilities.”

Only exception was the living area chair and sofa which has seen better days and we couldn't get comfortable on.

- Raymond, July 2023
Neil July 2023

“Lovely stay in a beautiful part of the world.”

Excellent accommodation & beautifuly maintained.

- Neil, July 2023
David June 2023

“This was a top class holiday destination, it was a pleasure to stay there & clearly great thought had gone into providing above average facilities.”

Ambleside is such a lovely town, so a great combination! Our only negative is that the sofa is uncomfortable.

- David, June 2023
Sharon May 2023

“Lovely place, very comfortable and stylish.”

We will definitely return!

- Sharon, May 2023
Heather February 2023

“First impressions fab… loved the kitchen,bedroom and bathroom.”

The only negative was the settee.. too low and we both struggled to get on and off it… it definitely needs a new one

- Heather, February 2023
Denise December 2022

“Beautiful cottage, small but perfectly formed, fitted out to an extremely high ...”

Beautiful cottage, small but perfectly formed, fitted out to an extremely high standard and very obviously loved by its owners, in an amazing location, just a 2 minute walk into the town, would highly recommend

- Denise, December 2022
Kirsten October 2022

“Visited Ambleside many times but this was our first stay at The Old Village Shop and it is by far our favourite.”

Super spacious, perfectly positioned, beautifully furnished, and well equipped. We’ve had a fabulous week & wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this property. Will be looking to stay here again ASAP.

- Kirsten, October 2022
P October 2022

“Great place to stay, all facilities top rat.”

Location superb, would highly commend

- P, October 2022
Paula September 2022

“Fab cottage, high quality, clean, well equipped would have liked opportunity of extra pillows for the bed as they were a bit flat, lovely to have the welcome treats.”

Will hopefully stay again.

- Paula, September 2022
Jan September 2022

“We loved the property.”

it was well appointed and had everything we needed .It was an easy walk into Ambleside but very quiet.

- Jan, September 2022
Stephen August 2022

“Very nice property in a great town centre location.”

Well furnished and comfortable, albeit a bit noisy but this is due to it's location in the town. We had a nice welcome box of goodies awaiting us on arrival which was very nice.

- Stephen, August 2022
Jagdev July 2022

“In general it is a modern apartment with the full facilities which was really nice.”

We were slightly disappointed to find hairs in the bathroom. It was also a bit off putting to see cobwebs on the majority of the ceilings and corners. It seemed as though beneath the dining table mats had not been cleaned for a while as there were a lot breadcrumbs under them. Like some of the other guests have stated the sofa wasn't pleasant. It had a damp feel about it and wasn't comfortable. The location is right next to the road so it can get noisy very early in the morning with cars driving past (or like in our case the bin lorries and bin men doing their round). It would have been even more noisy if we had opened the windows. The best past was the bathroom. One of the best showers I have had! It could do with better storage options, however in general the bathroom was very inviting. I may be a bit critical however when paying over £300 a night it could have done without the issues mentioned above.

- Jagdev, July 2022
Judi June 2022

“Excellent property - where everything worked!”

!!!

- Judi, June 2022
Janet May 2022

“This is a lovely property in a great location.”

The photos on the Lakelovers site are accurate and the standard of the accommodation will not disappoint.

- Janet, May 2022
Elizabeth May 2022

“Superb location in the centre of Ambleside.”

The provision of a parking permit is really helpful. Property itself was very clean and comfortable and of a high standard. Would highly recommend.

- Elizabeth, May 2022
Rod March 2022

“Good apartment in a good location.”

Well equipped and great that all the basics were provided, tea, milk etc. We found the towel rail did not heat up with the heating system and could only be used in the electric mode. We both found the bed and sofa uncomfortable, but that's probably just personal preference.

- Rod, March 2022
Ian December 2021

“Superb property in a fantastic location”

- Ian, December 2021
Jo October 2021

“Excellent property, one of the best we’ve stayed in in the Lakes.”

Lovely and clean, a perfect location, great quality linens, well equipped kitchen and great bathroom.

- Jo, October 2021
John September 2021

“The Old Village Shop is ideally situated in Ambleside.”

The accommodation has top quality facilities and feels very luxurious. Welcome hamper and basics such as washing up liquid, lovely hand soap and shower gel were provided too. Definitely recommend to anybody wishing to stay in the area.

- John, September 2021
Gill July 2021

“Well equipped stylish accommodation in an excellent location.”

- Gill, July 2021
Mrs Baxter Jun 2019

“Full marks for interior design - we loved everything about it.”

We have been visiting the Lakes for many years and this house is the best we have stayed in.

- Mrs Baxter, Jun 2019
Miss Wills Apr 2019

“Location and finish of the property superb.”

Gorgeous cottage, lovely welcome hamper would highly recommend

- Miss Wills, Apr 2019
Jo, Ben & Erin Nov -0001

“We've had an amazing few days in Ambleside.”

This is such a beautiful apartment with absolutely everything you could possibly need. I wish we could take the bed and shower home with us! Thanks for the invite and hospitality Harry and Les 'Si' Grove. Here's to a healthy and happy 2019

- Jo, Ben & Erin, Nov -0001

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Summary

Property accepts Mon/Fri or Fri/Mon short breaks
All ground floor
One bedroom: 1 x king-size double (can accommodate a cot for an infant) with TV, en-suite bath, separate shower, basin and WC
Sitting room with TV.
Electric wall fire
Electric oven, induction hob, fridge, freezer, wine chiller, washing machine, tumble dryer, WiFi
Cot and highchair are available on request
Permit that allows free parking in the main Ambleside car park 200 yards from the cottage in addition to street parking outside cottage
Sorry, no smoking
Short stroll to shop and pub
Note: One infant is also welcome
Property will generally be decorated for Christmas after the third week of November each year.

Awards

The property

Located in the very heart of historic Ambleside, The Old Village Shop is a 5 star Gold Awarded apartment.

Spacious yet cosy, it is the perfect mix of traditional character along with contemporary modern living, with all the amenities you could need within walking distance.

This large ground floor property is ideal for couples with a sumptuous and spacious bedroom and is incredibly well designed with high quality furnishings and décor.

The bedroom can comfortably accommodate a cot for an infant - both cot and high chair are available. Old Village Shop is one of three exceptional properties owned and managed by one family.

These three properties; The Old Village Shop, Old Ambleside House, and Rossett Holme - are all located very close to the centre of Ambleside and Visit England graded 4 and 5 star Gold standard, offering very high quality accommodation.

All are available for full weeks or short breaks at any time of year. Accommodation in detail The lounge has a large comfy sofa and large Smart TV above a contemporary wall mounted electric fire.

Lots of thoughtful touches have been provided which includes a Bluetooth speaker and Sky TV along with Sky Sports.

The Old Village Shop really is a great place to relax and enjoy and special break.

The large beautifully presented bedroom features a king size bed and Smart TV.

The en-suite bathroom is spacious and has a large walk in shower and bath to soak away those aching muscles after a day on the Lakeland Fells.

One infant is also welcome and a cot and high chair are available if available when booking This special sleeps 2 property is the perfect base to explore walks right from the door or take a stroll into Ambleside to enjoy a hearty Cumbrian breakfast at one of the many cafes or an evening meal in one of the fine restaurants or pubs with a glass or two of something special and a just a short stroll back to The Old Village Shop.

What could be better? The owner has provided a permit that allows free parking in the main Ambleside Car Park just 200 yards from the cottage and additional on street parking is available 24/7 adjacent to the cottage. Location The Old Village Shop is situated in a prime position to enjoy Ambleside.

You can stroll into the village for lunch or enjoy one of the many wonderful restaurants for an evening meal.

Nearby there are two cinemas not to mention lots of shops, pubs and cafes, making for a fine holiday. Lake Windermere is a twenty minute walk from the cottage and from here you can relax and enjoy a cruise on the lake to Bowness, Lakeside or Wray Castle. A fantastic location not only to make the most of Ambleside, but to also explore all The Lakes have to offer.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

View on map

About the location

AMBLESIDE

Grasmere 4.4 miles; Windermere 4.7 miles; Keswick 16.7 miles.

Lying at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, Ambleside makes a superb base for touring the central Lakes, with Grasmere and the Langdale Valley just a short drive away. There is plenty to do here - cruises, boat trips and watersports on Lake Windermere itself and numerous shops, restaurants and pubs in the village to suit all tastes. On the lakeside at Waterhead, the parkland offers lovely views down the lake and a short stretch of beach, whilst a walk in the other direction, following Stock Ghyll through woodland, will bring you to the entrancing waterfall of Stock Ghyll Force. Along with the Lake and the great walking on offer, Ambleside is also famous for its annual rushbearing ceremony and the diminutive 17th century “Bridge House” - one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District and now the National Trust Information Centre.

Please note: For any stays over 7 days please contact us for a price

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Fabulous property and location & a very nice, powerful shower.”

“We had a lovely stay at the Old Village shop, on arriving we briefly parked at the end of the road to unload our stuff which wasn't a problem and quickly found a parking permit on the table, we left the car at the lower carpark 200 yards away without problems finding a space.”

“Wonderful time in the cottage, very luxurious and the hamper was a nice surprise.”

“We absolutely loved staying at The Old Village Shop.”

“Very nice property and very well located.”

“We've really enjoyed our stay in this beautiful comfortable cottage.”

“Being all on one level and including a walk-in shower the property seemed ideal since my wife has mobility issues.”

“Superb cottage.”

“Been visiting the Lakes for 50+ years.”

“Had a three night stay in a well-maintained and lovely cottage.”

“A perfect holiday brilliant location and fantastic accommodation… we will be booking again for next year if available”

“We enjoyed our stay, but there was evidence the place had not been cleaned properly e.”

“A lovely space for a break in the lake district.”

“Perfect location, we didn't use the car all weekend.”

“Lovely property in a great location so handy for the centre of Ambleside and with a car park pass so you could safely park your car in the large car park a couple of minutes from the property.”

“Absolutely lovely property and we had a fantastic stay.”

“Lovely cottage in a great location, had everything you needed for a great stay and more!”

“Beautiful cottage, spotlessly clean, warm, convenient.”

“We had a problem with the heating the day before we left but it was sorted very quickly and efficiently by Tracey.”

“We have stayed at The Old Village Shop twice now and thoroughly enjoyed our stay both times.”

“Generally very clean and modern with up to date facilities.”

“Lovely stay in a beautiful part of the world.”

“This was a top class holiday destination, it was a pleasure to stay there & clearly great thought had gone into providing above average facilities.”

“Lovely place, very comfortable and stylish.”

“First impressions fab… loved the kitchen,bedroom and bathroom.”

“Beautiful cottage, small but perfectly formed, fitted out to an extremely high ...”

“Visited Ambleside many times but this was our first stay at The Old Village Shop and it is by far our favourite.”

“Great place to stay, all facilities top rat.”

“Fab cottage, high quality, clean, well equipped would have liked opportunity of extra pillows for the bed as they were a bit flat, lovely to have the welcome treats.”

“We loved the property.”

“Very nice property in a great town centre location.”

“In general it is a modern apartment with the full facilities which was really nice.”

“Excellent property - where everything worked!”

“This is a lovely property in a great location.”

“Superb location in the centre of Ambleside.”

“Good apartment in a good location.”

“Superb property in a fantastic location”

“Excellent property, one of the best we’ve stayed in in the Lakes.”

“The Old Village Shop is ideally situated in Ambleside.”

“Well equipped stylish accommodation in an excellent location.”

“Full marks for interior design - we loved everything about it.”