Fir Tree Cottage | Grasmere | Forest Side | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.6★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Pub/shop < 1 mile
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

27 Customer Review(s)

Richard
November 2023

“The shower is slippery as it’s in the bath and needs a mat.”

It’s the only criticism. Otherwise a great and cosy cottage

It’s the only criticism. Otherwise a great and cosy cottage

- Richard, November 2023
Yvonne November 2023

“Beautiful cottage!”

Lots of character and very well situated for access to Grasmere and other areas of Lake District. Great garden for the dog. Unfortunately had to cut our break short by a day due to the adverse weather.

- Yvonne, November 2023

Thank you for your lovely comments. I'm sorry about the weather - it has been quite a wild November! I hope you will come back again and get some blue skies. If you wanted to stay with a larger group, did you know that our other cottage (Dovecot Cottage) is just behind Fir Tree. Property Owner
Helen November 2023

“Best cottage we've ever stayed in!”

Lovely, quirky, characterful and warm property. Thank you for asking the red squirrels to visit the garden almost daily!

- Helen, November 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind review. I'm delighted to hear that you saw so many red squirrels. We donate to the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group with every booking, and they keep the specific red squirrel feeders, which they've put up in the garden of Fir Tree and Dovecot (our cottage just behind Fir Tree), stocked with squirrel food. Thanks to them, the local red squirrel population has doubled in the last year. Property Owner
Andrew October 2023

“Considering the prices now being charged a starter pack of wood would of been nice on a dark damp arrival.”

I bought bird feeders for the garden and left bird food in the kitchen for the next set of visitors hope this is continued by the owners.the cottage itself is a typical old building with all the quirks that come with that nice setting,clean and tidy and with easy reach of the village but still secluded enough for peace and quiet.would definately stay again.one for the owners maintenance when we arrived it was raining heavily and the dining room roof was leaking looks like its coming through the sky light and unfortunately one of the smoke detectors fell down on our last night tried to re-fit it but the screws arent long enough.

- Andrew, October 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave this really useful review. Lakelovers have reinstalled the smoke detector; another time, do give them a ring - they would have come and reinstalled it for you very quickly. We are investigating the cause of the leak - thanks for letting us know about it. It was kind of you to leave the bird feed, however, we are focussing on the red squirrel feeders. As you might know, we donate to the Grasmere Red Squirrel Group with every booking. Their efforts have helped to double the red squirrel population in Grasmere in the last year! I do hope you managed to spot some red squirrels during your stay. The Grasmere Red Squirrel Group have put up some specific red squirrel feeders in the gardens of Fir Tree and Dovecot (our cottage just behind Fir Tree) and keep them stocked with the appropriate feed. I'm not sure if bird feeders encourage the grey squirrels, but we don't want to anything that might. I'm sorry that we are not able to leave fire wood. Logistically it is not something we are able to organise from a distance and it's not a service offered by Lakelovers. In addition, our insurance does not allow for large amounts of firewood to be stored in the cottage. I hope you enjoyed your stay and that you had some good weather and walks from the door. Property Owner
A September 2023

“We love Fir Tree cottage.”

It's our home-from-home.

- A, September 2023

We're so pleased you enjoyed the cottage and hope you'll come back another time. I think you were lucky with the weather - it was probably too warm for the new wood burning stove! Property Owner
Jennifer September 2023

“We had a lovely 4 day break.”

Fir Tree Cottage was warm and welcoming with all home comforts. We were close enough to all amenities while still feeling we were in the countryside. The Swan pub was a nice amble for an evening drink and something to eat.

- Jennifer, September 2023

We are delighted you enjoyed your break at Fir Tree cottage. The Swan is very handy - we believe the cottage was originally the smithy for the Swan in the 17th and 18th century. We hope you come back for another visit. Property Owner
Jane July 2023

“The cottage was lovely and had good, uncluttered space.”

all the appliances were easy to use and everything worked that we tried (we didn't use the telly). wifi was fine. the situation is nice: private and away from the main road but conveniently close to it, and to Grasmere's amenities.

- Jane, July 2023

Thank you so much for your review. We're delighted that you enjoyed the cottage and hope you'll come back. Yes, we love the fact that the cottage is nestled at the foot of the hills - but still only a 10 minute walk from the Co-op. Property Owner
Jane June 2023

“Beautiful old cottage refurbished to a really high standard, such a comfortable ...”

Beautiful old cottage refurbished to a really high standard, such a comfortable bed, huge bath with plenty of hot water just what’s needed after a day’s walking of which there are great walks from the door, would definitely stay again

- Jane, June 2023

Thank you for your great feedback. We've done a lot of work on the cottage in the two years we've own it - which included new beds, so we're delighted to hear that you found them comfy. Yes, we love the fact that you can do a different walk from the door each day and never have to use the car once you've arrived. I hope you come back another time. Property Owner
Graham June 2023

“The cottage can only be described as adequate.”

The kitchen - crockery and cutlery cupboard falling to pieces as was the cupboard and drawer unit under the draining board. Right hand front gas ring was faulty and needs urgent attention. Upstairs bathroom - no bath mat. Middle bedroom - needs a floor mat. Inadequate hanging clothing facilities in bedrooms. First impression of cottage was disappointment - certainly not helped by the derisory welcome pack for the washing up - certainly not adequate for a two week stay. Why no milk or tea bags in situ after a long journey?? Two toilet rolls for two weeks for in effect 6 people - wow!! Please explain as to why there was no mid term bed linen and laundry change or the offer of a clean - surely we had paid for this. If we had booked the cottage for two separate weeks this would have been automatic. It would seem that some form of recompense is required for a lack of service that was in effect part of the property rental. The lack of all this sadly reflects on our holiday experience at the cottage. It could have been so much better!!

- Graham, June 2023

I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy the cottage. It is 17th century cottage, so there are elements - such as the Victorian cupboard - that we feel are in keeping with the character of the cottage, although they are not as smooth as modern furniture. We have had a look at the cupboard over the summer and tightened up some of the screws so hopefully it is in better shape now. Thanks for pointing it out. We've also checked the ring on the gas hob. Sometimes these struggle if they are not put back correctly after cleaning. I think that's what might have happened here as it was fine when we visited. Thanks too for pointing out the issue of cleaning between the two weeks. Heart of the Lakes would have cleaned if you had requested it, but of course you'd have had to vacated the property. This is now on our radar and we know to contact people who are staying for two weeks. I'm afraid we do not live locally and cannot organise for any more of a welcome pack other than that offered by Heart of the Lakes. As Fir Tree is a self-catering cottage, the loo rolls provided are only to get you through the first night. We will try and make this clearer in the instructions. Property Owner
Alan June 2023

“Perfect location, once parked we did not need to drive out anywhere.”

Plenty of good walks straight out of the front door. Very quiet, nice size enclosed garden very good for dogs. The separate laundry room was very useful. We did have a problem with the smoke alarms going off in sequence at random times but Heart of The Lakes managed to sort it out. One piece of advice, if you order a supermarket delivery make sure to give plenty of directions (the ones we received for travelling to the property should suffice). Please note, we had a few difficulties with the front door lock which we did not notice until the end of our stay as one of our family usually stayed at the property while others were out. With several attempts we managed to lock it. If you have a larger group then another towel rail would come in handy. Good size fridge with a small freezer compartment next to the kitchen. I actually managed to spot a red squirrel as well, a nice surprise!

- Alan, June 2023

Thank you for your feedback. I'm really sorry about the fire alarms, but pleased that it was sorted out. We are in the process of replacing the fire alarms so hopefully this will not be a problem again. We have also mended the front door lock. Thanks for letting us know about that. Delighted to hear you saw a red squirrel. We do love watching them. Property Owner
Alison May 2023

“Beautiful spacious cottage with a lovely enclosed garden.”

Lots of equipment, everything you need. We will definitely return again if possible. A travel cot and high chair would have been helpful as I didn’t realise until the last minute and we had to bring them with us. We were lucky with the weather and didn’t want to leave! Thank you

- Alison, May 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write this lovely review. So glad you had wonderful weather and were able to enjoy Fir Tree’s garden in the sun. We get very few young families so we don’t provide a travel cot or high chair at the moment. Property Owner
Peter May 2023

“Characterful old cottage in a quiet, peaceful location ,away from the main road but an easy walk to the village of Grasmere and also a nice local pub.”

Beautiful garden. Navigating the road around the cottage can be a challenge with parked cars often blocking or nearly blocking access. Tall people need to be aware the house has low beams. Very disappointed that only two (partial) toilet rolls provided, no paper kitchen towel and just a couple of very cheap dishwasher pods suppled for a 5 night stay. The upstairs bathroom bathtub looks wonderful but is unusable. No no-slip bath mat and a hand held shower only. Hot water pressure is ridiculously low (it would take a week to fill a bath!). Also, not mentioned is the fact that the laundry facilities are in a separate outbuilding.

- Peter, May 2023

Thank you for your comments. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. We take all comments on board. As the property is self catering, toilet rolls and dishwasher pods that are provided are meant as a starter. The Heart of the Lakes Owner Relations Team Thank you taking the time to write this review. The upstairs bath is perfect for a nice, long soak after a day on the fells - we use it all the time. It is not designed for a shower; the hand-held shower is just for rinsing hair after a bath. However there is a stand up shower downstairs with a non-slip mat. The instructions do say the laundry is shared (with the Dovecot property at the back) - its a few steps from the house and has a washing machine and a brand new dryer plus sinks for washing by hand if you need to. The owners Property Owner
Robert April 2023

“Love Fir Tree Cottage.”

This is our 4th visit and can’t wait until we come back again.

- Robert, April 2023

Thank you for your comments, we are always pleased to see your bookings and hope that you enjoyed some of the new additions around the house. Property Owner
Tim March 2023

“Great rustic cottage with a comfy super-king bed and very nicely fitted bathrooms in an excellent position.”

However, unless you're not tall or concentrate hard as you move about, you will occasionally bash your head on the various doorways and beams. Perhaps this is why it only gets a 3 star tourist board rating - it's definitely more than that otherwise.

- Tim, March 2023

Thank you your review. We are delighted you found the new super-king bed comfortable and enjoyed the cottage. It dates back to the 16th century when we believe it was the smithy for the Swan pub and therefore does have some low doorways and beams - which sometimes catch us out too. Property Owner
Helen February 2023

“This is a beautiful cottage with top quality fittings and fixtures - beds really comfortable and spacious.”

Lounge comfy sofas and plenty of lights for reading. A charming dining room which we used a lot - so atmospheric. Bathrooms spacious and lovely big fluffy bath towels. Great enclosed garden for our Labrador and a quiet spot but so near to walk to the centre of Grasmere easily. Kitchen well stocked with plenty of mugs, plates, etc. The only thing missing was a couple of pint beer glasses and maybe a couple of small dishes for nuts, crisps, etc.

- Helen, February 2023

Thank you for taking the time to leave such detailed feedback. We have made a lot of improvements to the cottage since we bought it in 2021, including replacing all the beds, so it is lovely to read your comments. We have added some pint glasses and thank you for this suggestion. If you like beer we do recommend the Badgers Bar at Rydal or Tweedies in the village. I think we eat bigger portions of crisps than you, as we use the cereal bowls for these! Property Owner
Julia February 2023

“We really enjoyed our stay in Fir Tree Cottage.”

It was a great location, plenty of walks right on the doorstep and easy walk into Grasmere Village itself. It will be even better once the Swan Inn reopens after its refurbishment, just a short stroll if you fancy eating out. We found the cottage to be very well equipped. The beds were very comfortable and it was lovely to have a good hot bath after a day's walking. One tiny point, it is worth telling guests that there is not a hair dryer available. Not a problem for us as I packed one just in case but might be a problem for some guests.

- Julia, February 2023

Thank you for your kind feedback. Glad you enjoyed the walks from the door and the location: it’s quiet and away from Grasmere, but also just a short stroll into the village. We also like the fact that is a bus stop by the Swan, which we use to extend our walks. The Swan has now finally re-opened and there are five other places to get a good pint of real ale within 15 mins. Good suggestion about the hair dryer - we have added one. Thank you. Property Owner
Julian February 2023

“Amazing cottage big spacious full of original features.”

Lovely garden for dog and morning coffee Within walking distance to grassmere and some great walks would definitely recommend

- Julian, February 2023

Thank you for taking the time to post this feedback. The garden at Fir Tree is lovely: we eat out there whenever we can as it catches the sun for most of the day. We frequently see red squirrels there too and have feeders to encourage them to visit. Property Owner
Caroline December 2022

“Absolutely fabulous cottage.”

Ideal for a rainy week in the lakes. It had the ideal set up for returning home soaking wet from a great walk. Floors were easy to keep clean (even with a drenched spaniel) and it was so cozy to come back to. All the facilities you need in the kitchen and laundry and great baths for a soak. We would definitely recommend.

- Caroline, December 2022

Thank you for your lovely feedback and glad you enjoyed your stay despite having a damp week. On a wet day we often walk to The Badgers Bar at Rydal (via Alcock Tarn and the Coffin Route) which welcomes dogs and has cosy fires and stoves. You can even get the bus back if you’ve had enough. Property Owner
Kate December 2022

“A beautiful cottage with so many original features which we loved.”

Tastefully decorated for Christmas which was really appreciated. Set in a perfect location for walks straight from the cottage and in easy walking distance to Grasmere village meant we hardly used our car! The cottage is very well equipped and has everything you need plus the beds were very comfortable. The enclosed garden was lovely and great for our dog. Cannot fault this property we would love to stay again as soon as we can!

- Kate, December 2022

Thank you so much for your kind review. Sorry for the terribly late response! It's great to hear that you loved the cottage as much as we do. You might be interested to know that The Swan reopened two days ago, so we now have a very close pub. Property Owner
Rosemary November 2022

“Beautiful , spacious , characterful property in a lovely setting.”

Great for our dog too. The set up allowed us to cope with getting kit dried out during an atrociously wet week. Minor negative issues were a hopelessly soft and uncomfortable mattress on the double bed and some feather pillows etc which necessitated some midweek bed/ bedding swapping which resolved the issues. Would book again but would remember to bring antihistamine next time and avoid that bed if your back needs a firm mattress. Generally a lovely place. Thank you.

- Rosemary, November 2022

Thank you for this feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed Fir Tree and its great location and character.... despite the 'lake-filling' weather. Since you stayed we have replaced the bed and mattress in the middle bedroom for a roomier kingsize and a firmer mattress. In fact, all three bedrooms have now had new beds and mattresses in the last 18 months. So we do hope you visit again and have better weather next time! Property Owner
Auriol October 2022

“We loved our stay at Firtree Cottage and would recommend to others.”

If was a very comfortable stay - the beds were great and the 2 enormous baths was a real bonus. We liked the way the property had been converted and the kitchen had everything we needed for a self catering stay. We would definitely come back to Firtree Cottage again.

- Auriol, October 2022

Thank you for your review. It's lovely to hear that you like Fir Tree as much as we do. We have done a lot of work on the cottage since we bought it 18 months ago. We're continuing to find little ways to improve it - we've just ordered a new king-size bed for the middle room - so please do come back and see how the cottage is coming along. Property Owner
Thomas June 2022

“We were very pleased with the rental but it was let down by the management of it.”

We asked two specific questions prior to arrival: for the twin beds to be combined into a king (an option in the listing); the answer we were given was 'yes', but they were not - very disappointing. The second question was did the fridge contain a freezer compartment. The answer provided was 'no'. We therefore purchased (for £80) a portable freezer box. On arrival we were surprised to find the fridge contained a large freezer compartment. These were the only the only negative points in a quality rental.

- Thomas, June 2022

We would like to thank you for your feedback.We are pleased you were happy with the property however we are sorry that you were not happy with the experience from Heart Of The Lakes. You made us aware of your zip link requests however this was not communicated to our housekeeping team. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention to ensure this does not happen again. We have also added the freezer specifications to our property notes for future guests. We hope to welcome you back to Fir Tree Cottage again in the future. Property Owner
Helen March 2022

“Loved it and was sad to leave.”

What a heavenly spot. Am counting the days to going back again.

- Helen, March 2022
Patricia December 2021

“Been to this cottage numerous times.”

Love.it. What a difference with the new cooker.

- Patricia, December 2021

I'm delighted to hear that Fir Tree is a favourite place of yours. Yes, the new cooker and extractor fan are a great improvement, aren't they? You might also have noticed the new beds, fridge and pictures since your last visit. We've also added a new radiator and internal door to make the dining room more cosy. I hope you will be back again soon before too long. If you wanted to come with a bigger party, did you know that you can also book Dovecot, just behind Fir Tree, at the same time? Property Owner
Jolanta October 2021

“Super cottage in peaceful setting and lovely front garden.”

Great for wildlife too. Though there is a small cottage in the back garden one hardly notices the people staying there and one can use the front garden which is lovely. Very cosy cottage though once its a bit cooler the wood burning heater in the living room would be worth using. I'll know for next time to bring some wood. Also take your slippers as floor is cold. Enjoyed our stay in the cottage and would certainly come here again. Not cheap but worth it. Thank you.

- Jolanta, October 2021

Thank you for this lovely review. I'm delighted you enjoyed the cottage. We love the setting too - very quiet but a short walk to Grasmere. I hope you managed to see some red squirrels during your stay. We've had a new fridge since your visit, and an extra internal door to make the dining room warmer, so I do hope you come back one day. Property Owner
Chris October 2021

“A lovely character cottage and an excellent location.”

Details about the laundry were confusing but in the end not relevant

- Chris, October 2021

Thank you for your positive review. I'm so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the cottage and its location. Sorry you found the laundry information confusing - we will try and make it clearer for future guests. Property Owner
M May 2021

“Very comfortable traditional cottage.”

- M, May 2021

Thank you for this positive feedback. I hope you will come back next year and see how we have added new beds, stove, fridge, curtains and cushions. Property Owner

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x super king-size (can be split into a twin on request - made up as super-king as default), 1 x king, 1 x twin, Bathroom with roll top bath, hand-held shower, basin and WC
Ground-floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
Shared utility
Space for 2-4 bikes in the back corridor
Dining room
Sitting room with woodburning stove (wood can be purchased from the village)
Kitchen/dining.
Gas double oven and gas hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, washing machine and tumble dryer
TV with DVD player
WiFi
Gas central heating, woodburning stove
Gas and electricity inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Off-road parking for two cars
Enclosed garden with outdoor furniture
One well-behaved pet welcome
Sorry, no smoking

The property

Fir Tree Cottage is a beautiful 'chocolate box' character cottage, situated on the edge of Grasmere village on a quiet leafy lane with the forest as a stunning backdrop. This Grade II listed cottage (C1690) has lots of architecturally pleasing features including original court cupboards, slate floors and beams throughout. The property has a very cosy feel with low ceilings and wonderful earthy colours, and is sympathetically furnished creating an harmonious blend of 21st century comforts with 17th century charm - sure to be the location for many happy holidays at any time of the year. There are lots of walks from the door, including Fairfield Horseshoe, the 'Lion and Lamb' and Alcock Tarn. Grasmere village and all its attractions and amenities are within easy walking distance, with many restaurants, pubs and specialist shops including the famous "Gingerbread Shop", you will be spoilt for choice. Fir Tree Cottage is situated in the same location as Dovecot Cottage Property Ref. 7046. Accommodation: Entrance into stone and slate hallway with room for coats and boots. The lounge at the front of the house has a slate floor and log burning stove (TV, DVD, free Wi-Fi). The separate dining room, which was the original dairy has a feature stone fireplace and large dining table. The kitchen has farmhouse style free-standing kitchen units, double gas oven and gas hob and an extra breakfast dining area. Ground floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and wc (slightly restricted headroom over the bath). There are two staircases to the three bedrooms, one of which is off the kitchen and the other is off the hallway. Upstairs there is a spacious landing area and three good sized bedrooms - one twin, one super-king and one king size, all overlooking the lovely cottage garden at the front of the property. Bathroom with large cast iron Victorian roll top bath, antique vanity basin and wc. Fir Tree Cottage has a good feeling of space, is well-equipped and comfortable for a holiday in any season. It is thoughtfully furnished and decorated throughout with your comfort in mind, with many personal touches. Uneven slate and polished wood floors with rugs throughout. Outside: Shared laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer (also used by Dovecot Cottage next door). Parking for two cars in driveway immediately to the side of the property. To the front and side is a pretty enclosed cottage garden with garden furniture - a lovely place to enjoy a glass of wine and breathe in the Lakeland air. Nearest pub at The Swan hotel less than 5 mins stroll. Grasmere centre three quarters of a mile.

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

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About the location

GRASMERE

Ambleside 5 miles; Windermere 9 miles; Keswick 13 miles.

Situated in the heart of the Lake District National Park is the lovely village of Grasmere, probably best known as the home of William Wordsworth, a place he once described as "The most loveliest spot that man hath found". Any visit to Grasmere needs to include The Grasmere Gingerbread shop, where the Wilson family has been making gingerbread for over 60 years. Also in the village are a number of shops, pubs, a church which dates back to the 13th century, and Grasmere Lake. Grasmere Sports takes place every August, where you can watch participants compete in a variety of sports, including Cumberland wrestling. Just five miles away is the town of Ambleside and Lake Winderemere where you will find shops, pubs, restaurants and the 17th century Bridge House, which is one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District. Cruises, boat trips and watersports can all be enjoyed on Lake Windermere, and the towns of Windermere and Keswick are also within driving distance. Grasmere is a wonderful base for your Lake District retreat.

Note: There is slightly limited headroom over the ground floor bath, please take care
Note: This property does have low door frames and one of the two staircases is narrow and steep

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“The shower is slippery as it’s in the bath and needs a mat.”

“Beautiful cottage!”

“Best cottage we've ever stayed in!”

“Considering the prices now being charged a starter pack of wood would of been nice on a dark damp arrival.”

“We love Fir Tree cottage.”

“We had a lovely 4 day break.”

“The cottage was lovely and had good, uncluttered space.”

“Beautiful old cottage refurbished to a really high standard, such a comfortable ...”

“The cottage can only be described as adequate.”

“Perfect location, once parked we did not need to drive out anywhere.”

“Beautiful spacious cottage with a lovely enclosed garden.”

“Characterful old cottage in a quiet, peaceful location ,away from the main road but an easy walk to the village of Grasmere and also a nice local pub.”

“Love Fir Tree Cottage.”

“Great rustic cottage with a comfy super-king bed and very nicely fitted bathrooms in an excellent position.”

“This is a beautiful cottage with top quality fittings and fixtures - beds really comfortable and spacious.”

“We really enjoyed our stay in Fir Tree Cottage.”

“Amazing cottage big spacious full of original features.”

“Absolutely fabulous cottage.”

“A beautiful cottage with so many original features which we loved.”

“Beautiful , spacious , characterful property in a lovely setting.”

“We loved our stay at Firtree Cottage and would recommend to others.”

“We were very pleased with the rental but it was let down by the management of it.”

“Loved it and was sad to leave.”

“Been to this cottage numerous times.”

“Super cottage in peaceful setting and lovely front garden.”

“A lovely character cottage and an excellent location.”

“Very comfortable traditional cottage.”

Summary

The property

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About the location

GRASMERE