The Cragg

Customer rating

4.2★

8 Guests
4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
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

21 Customer Review(s)

Michelle
September 2026

“Just returned from a wonderful 5 day stay at The Cragg - within a couple of miles of the lovely village of Hawkshead.”

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the quirks of staying in a grade II listed cottage. The lovely open kitchen with double aga oven was well equipped with all the utensils, crockery, mugs and glasses you could wish for. Everything was clean too. We found the little welcome cleaning pack to be very helpful too (contained extra bin bag, dishwasher tablets, cleaning cloth and sponge). Rooms were all very spacious and comfortable with ample towels provided - again very helpful. One of the ...

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and the quirks of staying in a grade II listed cottage. The lovely open kitchen with double aga oven was well equipped with all the utensils, crockery, mugs and glasses you could wish for. Everything was clean too. We found the little welcome cleaning pack to be very helpful too (contained extra bin bag, dishwasher tablets, cleaning cloth and sponge). Rooms were all very spacious and comfortable with ample towels provided - again very helpful. One of the toilets was very noisy when flushing but I think this can just be one of those things that comes with such an old property...a bit like the need to duck the head on entry into some of the rooms lol! We had one issue where one of the blinds would not go up or down in one of the bedrooms. No trouble though - we called the office number provided and maintenance attended while we were out for the day to fix it...all done by our return. The only thing i would note for any visitors is there is no supply of toilet roll - one in each toilet but no surplus which I hadn't thought about. So a quick trip to the shop to stock up. We could not have been happier - beautifully peaceful and secluded and yet close enough to main towns (within 20mins drive) or easy enough walk into the lovely village of Hawkshead. Would definitely recommend.

- Michelle, September 2026
Chris September 2026

“We had a fantastic time at the Cragg and thoroughly enjoyed the property.”

The kitchen diner and snug were our favourite rooms, though upstairs some of us found the low beams to be an unwelcome feature! The property oozes period charm, though was still clean and functional and the outside space was very handy on a sunny day. The drive was a little tricky to navigate, but parking space was ample once you got there.

- Chris, September 2026
Simon September 2026

“The Crag is 'almost' a lovely holiday cottage - it is so close - just needs a few small 'things' addressing.”

The furniture is comfy enough, but there are no cushions which make the sofas less comfortable. The ceiling lighting is harsh - and the rooms would benefit with additional table lamps - it would make it much cosier. The mattresses are past their best, and one in particular was very uncomfortable - we appreciate this is personal taste - but they could do with replacing. The kitchen is very well equipped - apart from the fact there is only one sharp knife - which is weird as there are loads of other cutlery (dozens of knives and forks) - but only one knife was frustrating. Aslo some of the ovenware was not particularly clean, and needed cleaning before use. Lastly - the TV was old and small. We appreciate you don't necessarily want to watch a load of TV when on holiday, but they are so cheap these days, it would be much better to have a decent one. These are all small things - and overall we really enjoyed our stay at the cottage. If these things were addressed it would become a really good place to stay.

- Simon, September 2026
Molly August 2026

“I loved this cottage - so full of character and history.”

The delightful wood panelling and stone floors made our stay really special. It was just as described and perfect for our large family holiday. The setting is also ideal, close to the lovely town of Hawkshead and in wide open countryside. The garden is large and full of nooks and crannies for playing hide and seek. I'll add a few specific points to inform others rather than as criticisms, because they didn't detract from our holiday. Most important, we found absolutely nothing in the house, not even salt, soap or loo paper - so bring everything yourself. Secondly, the plumbing is primitive and noisy and the old wood panelling means noise travels. Worth bearing in mind if quiet is important to you. Lastly, the waste situation is not ideal, with no composting or food waste and fortnightly collections meaning you could end up with having to dump your rubbish in the bins in town, if previous guests have failed to leave the bins out on the right Sunday.

- Molly, August 2026
Lynne June 2026

“Beautiful location - my second stay love the cottage Easy walk into Hawshead ...”

Beautiful location - my second stay love the cottage Easy walk into Hawshead and plenty places short drive away Fabulous garden (would be good to have a parasol )and some cushions Dishwasher needs some maintenance as not cleaning dishes properly We will be going again next year

- Lynne, June 2026
Ellen June 2026

“Beautiful old house in a great location with easy access to some great sports around the lakes.”

Thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Noticed that quite a few reviews mentioned the property wasn’t clean however it was perfectly clean for us. Aga was on when we arrived. The only thing that could be improved is for washing up liquid to be provided on site and soap in the bathrooms. For the cost of the stay small touches like that would make the stay even better. Would happily return ☺️

- Ellen, June 2026
Susan March 2026

“Eight family members stayed at The Cragg for a weekend.”

The property is quirky and rustic which suited our family but it is not pristine. Once we'd sussed out the heating it was lovely and warm but a starter pack for the wood burner would have been appreciated. The kitchen had everything we needed apart from sharp knives needed for the preparation of meals. We would stay again as we all really enjoyed the house and the lovely surrounding area.

- Susan, March 2026
Andrew January 2026

“Fantastic location unfortunately the cleanliness of the property left a lot to be desired.”

The ovens were filthy, the windows (inside and outside) were barely visible through and all sorts of debris under the settee cushions. Could be so much better with a little attention !

- Andrew, January 2026
Peter November 2025

“The cottage is very quirky and warm.”

It is a spacious and listed property so be aware of creaking floorboards and low beams - that actually adds to the ambience of the cottage. Has all amenities and facilities within the property including a great log burner and ample car parking space. There are a couple of issues that need addressing - toilet seat needs refixing in the bathroom and little nook and crannies need a better clean. The location whilst a 15 minute walk into Hawkshead (the road leading into the village was flooded for a couple of days during our stay) is still ideal for nearby fells.

- Peter, November 2025
Sarah September 2025

“Overall the property was great, it had real character and real history to it, which we loved.”

Generally the cleanliness was good. Bedding, carpets, floors, kitchen all good. But on a closer look there were lots of cobwebs and thick dust on the wood panels between the living room and kitchen and the 2 bedrooms. We appreciate how old the building is and how quickly it must get dusty but these are the attention to details that have stopped me from rating 5 stars. Also the heating would not work, which we read on another review while there. It was a wet weekend and the first night we didn’t have any fire wood. The bedrooms and bathrooms were very cold. Had we know this prior to arrival we would have gone out of our way to have wood with us. The beds were really comfortable, good quality pillows, everyone slept well. One of the frying pans had to be cleaned before use, not necessarily dirty but a bit worn and black bits flaking off it. Overall we had a great stay. Just a couple of little niggles that are easily rectified. For a free weekend stay we’d come back and deep clean it for you

- Sarah, September 2025
Alexandra September 2025

“The Cragg is a beautiful old cottage, very sympathetically decorated.”

It is spacious for a large party. Well equipped kitchen and very warm. The driveway is very steep which could be off putting for others. With the age of the property comes aged related issues, so wouldn’t recommend if you want modern and contemporary. For us it was just lovely.

- Alexandra, September 2025
Carl September 2025

“Hi, The accommodation suited our party of 4 anglers perfect.”

The only gripe is we tried to book the Cragg for the same dates next year and was gob smacked to find its gone up by £200.

- Carl, September 2025
Simon September 2025

“There were 9 of us staying and the place was great, very quirky and in keeping with the age of the prosperity.”

We have an issue tho, one of our party left something behind and we reported this, I had a call saying they would get back to us the next day but no one has so I think this part of the service is VERY poor.

- Simon, September 2025
Alistair September 2025

“Lovely house in a great place.”

Very quirky in an old house sort of way. The wood panel walls with cracks you can see through are unusual but only an issue between the twin room and the adjacent double. Low doors and ceiling beams means you’ll bump your head a few times. Could do with having the settee in the sitting room fixed as it’s currently legless, and the arms need to be put on the garden furniture rather than being on the floor of the utility. It would also be useful to be able to control the central heating. No welcome goodies or starter pack for the fire. However, all in all, it was a good place to be.

- Alistair, September 2025
Phillip August 2025

“It was a great place to relax and the perfect base in the Lake District.”

Loved it.

- Phillip, August 2025
Kim August 2025

“We loved the cottage and location.”

Ideal for walking into Hawkshead. It was perfect for our group of 4 adult couples.

- Kim, August 2025
Graham August 2025

“It was great and absolutely essential that we were able to control the central heating, a stay in this really old and quaint house would have been impossible otherwise.”

Bed linen, towels clean, beds comfy. Cleaning of the house was perfunctory to say the least. Cobwebs in the shower room and every other room. Hair from previous guests in the shower.Dust on all the furniture, all the glasses and much of the cutlery sticky and had to be put through a wash before use. The washing machine was also unusable until I had cleaned out the rubber seal of mildew ing food stuff, ( I have taken a photo of this). Needed to wash empty on a 95 degree wash before it could be used. Mould on rubber seals in shower which washed off when shower was used, unpleasant. A mouse ran across the kitchen floor and disappeared down a crack by the kitchen units. The property renovated in 2004, i think, seems not have had any decoration or upgrading since. All is tired and worn looking. Table top in kitchen has quite a wobble and basic items in the kitchen were missing, eg potato masher. I live in an old cottage so I do appreciate that if a room is left empty for a week, spiders will make their homes, wildlife in the kit then is u desirable especially when there are no sealed bins to keep cereals, bus units etc in. The fridge in the kitchen is small, inadequate and missing a shelf, it also runs too warm. The fridgein the utility also runs too warm is also small. The freezer is iced up. All the maintenance issues could be over looked, but not the cleaning, what is also totally unacceptable is the Sykes were informed during our stay of the issues, we had an email to confirm it had been escalated and there has been no contact since. Shocking customer service especially during August when costs for this property are at their premium. It is also difficult to talk to anybody from Sykes, whoever they employ to clean are rubbish! I expect feedback from this review.

- Graham, August 2025
Paul July 2025

“We stayed at The Cragg for a week, lovely old cottage set in the countryside but also close to Hawkshead village and others not too far away, the cottage is lovely, original beams and walls, nice space through and the kitchen is well stocked with everything you need, including a dishwasher, there's also a washing machine and dryer in the utility room, nice place and we all enjoyed our stay.”

- Paul, July 2025
Tanya July 2025

“We had an absolutely amazing stay at The Cragg.”

I booked it for myself and my children to celebrate my eldest sons 30th birthday and couldn't be happier with the cottage, it was exactly what we wanted. It is so cozy and welcoming in the perfect location. The garden is stunning with amazing views. Location was perfect for exploring the Lake District.

- Tanya, July 2025
Hamilton June 2025

“Wonderful cottage and beautiful garden We were sad to leave Would definitely stay there again xxx”

- Hamilton, June 2025
Zinah May 2025

“Staying in this cottage was nothing short of magical.”

From the moment I stepped inside, I felt as if I had been transported back in time—almost like stepping into an episode of Outlander. The attention to detail is remarkable. Every beam, stone, and creaky floorboard tells a story, and yet the place is so lovingly maintained that it feels both authentic and welcoming. The blend of rustic charm with thoughtful touches made my stay incredibly special. The candlelit ambiance, the antique furnishings, and the historic atmosphere created an immersive experience I’ll never forget. I could almost picture 18th-century life unfolding around me. It’s rare to find a place that captures the soul of the past so vividly while still offering comfort and peace. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates history, storytelling, or just wants to feel like they’ve stepped into another world. A truly unforgettable stay.

- Zinah, May 2025

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Summary

Four bedrooms: 1 x family room with one super-king-size and one single, 1 x king-size, 1 x double, 1 x twin
Bathroom with roll top bath, handheld shower, basin and WC
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin and WC
Kitchen/diner
Utility
Sitting room
Snug with woodburning stove
Central heating and woodburning stove
AGA, electric oven and ceramic hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview and DVD, radio and WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
High chair at the property
Off-road parking for four cars
Private patio and lawned garden with furniture and secure bike storage
One well-behaved pet welcome
Sorry, no smoking.

The property

It is easy to see why this beautiful Grade Two listed character farmhouse will be a popular holiday venue for our guests.

Dating from 1695, and set in Beatrix Potter country, The Cragg oozes character, combined with a peaceful, relaxing feel, a large garden and plenty of home comforts - everything you need for a perfect holiday in any season.

There are walks and cycle rides from the door along quiet country lanes, and footpaths to nearby Hawkshead and also to Claife Heights and Latterbarrow.

Don't miss a visit to Wray Castle, an exciting lake shore venue especially if you have children - the adventure playground is one of the best in the area.

Hawkshead has everything you need for day to day shopping as well as several excellent pubs and cafes.

You are also well placed for visits to Beatrix Potter's Hilltop home at Near Sawrey.

Accommodation: The covered entrance porch leads into the stone flagged, oak panelled dining kitchen with its cosy AGA (additional electric cooker with ceramic hob) and circular dining table for family meals.

There are two sitting rooms - a quiet room to the front with log burner - an ideal spot for a relaxing read or a quiet glass of wine.

The snug to the rear of the house has flat screen TV (Freeview, DVD), comfy seating and back door to the garden.

Wi-fi.

Well-equipped utility room. Upstairs you will find four good bedrooms - a king double, a twin and a further double whilst the fourth bedroom has super king double and an extra single bed (please note maximum 8 people in the property.

Family bathroom with roll top bath, basin and WC and additional shower room with shower, basin and WC.

The Cragg is comfortably furnished with fitted carpets upstairs and rugs to flagged floors on the ground floor.

The original oak panelling throughout the house is a real feature, complemented by the deep set windows, beamed ceilings and spice cupboards.

Outside: Garden areas extend to around an acre with mature shrubs, patio with garden seating and plenty of grassy lawns to front and rear.

Parking within the grounds for up to three or four cars.

Bike storage available on site.

Shopping and eating out in Hawkshead 1 mile approx.

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

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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.

Note: Logs for woodburning stove are available to buy locally. Note: This property sleeps a maximum of eight guests

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
Christmas

Hawkshead, Cumbria & The Lake District (Ref. 1173253)

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Just returned from a wonderful 5 day stay at The Cragg - within a couple of miles of the lovely village of Hawkshead.”

“We had a fantastic time at the Cragg and thoroughly enjoyed the property.”

“The Crag is 'almost' a lovely holiday cottage - it is so close - just needs a few small 'things' addressing.”

“I loved this cottage - so full of character and history.”

“Beautiful location - my second stay love the cottage Easy walk into Hawshead ...”

“Beautiful old house in a great location with easy access to some great sports around the lakes.”

“Eight family members stayed at The Cragg for a weekend.”

“Fantastic location unfortunately the cleanliness of the property left a lot to be desired.”

“The cottage is very quirky and warm.”

“Overall the property was great, it had real character and real history to it, which we loved.”

“The Cragg is a beautiful old cottage, very sympathetically decorated.”

“Hi, The accommodation suited our party of 4 anglers perfect.”

“There were 9 of us staying and the place was great, very quirky and in keeping with the age of the prosperity.”

“Lovely house in a great place.”

“It was a great place to relax and the perfect base in the Lake District.”

“We loved the cottage and location.”

“It was great and absolutely essential that we were able to control the central heating, a stay in this really old and quaint house would have been impossible otherwise.”

“We had an absolutely amazing stay at The Cragg.”

“Wonderful cottage and beautiful garden We were sad to leave Would definitely stay there again xxx”

“Staying in this cottage was nothing short of magical.”

Summary

The property

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About the location

AMBLESIDE