Little How | Grasmere | The Lake District And Cumbria

4.5★

4 Guests
2 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Highchair available
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

29 Customer Review(s)

Ian
November 2024

“Needs new toilet seat upstairs.”

Deep pot hole has you turn in by big rock in road which I filled in with stones.

Deep pot hole has you turn in by big rock in road which I filled in with stones.

- Ian, November 2024
Tracey November 2024

“Stayed here twice now and always lovely.”

The beds are so comfy.The owner called round with some new pans and baking trays.There is building work going on next door but this didn’t bother us as we were out most of the time.The turning into the cottage is tight but I got a vw camper round it just take it steady and watch the low roof as you turn . Thanks again Syke cottages Tracey and Mike

- Tracey, November 2024
Simon September 2024

“We had read the reviews from previous guests about the size of towels, cutlery and building work taking place.”

So our review is based on our thoughts aware of this. We took our own towels and were glad as the ‘bath’ towels are very small. The cutlery is, as others have said, of very poor quality, and considering the quality and equipment of other items in the kitchen, was disappointing. The saucepans are also not ideal as the non-stick surface is damaged. As a minor detail it would also be nice to have ice cube trays in the freezer. The noise from the builders does start bang on 8:00am but as we’re early risers it didn’t affect us. However, we did take our dog (which they met) but on their arrival, every day, they opened the gate (not sure why they needed to) so the courtyard was no longer enclosed. Fortunately, when they did this the first time she was on a lead but guests should be mindful of this as it would be awful for anybody who let their dog out thinking the area is secure when it no longer is because the builders didn’t consider this. Also, the noise from the property next door, it wasn’t an issue for us but the sound does easily travel! In the main bathroom upstairs there are no shelves or anywhere to store your toiletries. Even the size of the sink makes it difficult to leave a toothbrush on the side. The ‘bumpy’ drive is also accurately described by other reviews but again driving an SUV, while we still had to be careful it didn’t do any damage, a low car may not have faired as well! The turning angle into the drive is also very tight with the wall so again care is needed. We read about the lack of ‘welcome pack’ and while that is lovely, it is not something we would ever expect from a holiday home. A welcome note would have been nice though! That said it’s a fabulous location and we did have a lovely holiday! We visit the Lake District regularly but wouldn’t necessarily book this again.

- Simon, September 2024

Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We do take all feedback and suggestions on board, and will ensure that they are passed onto the relevant teams. We hope that you will return to the Lakes again Lakelovers Owner Relations Property Owner
Brian August 2024

“Location and modernisation of the property was fantastic, within easy walking distance of Grasmere town centre.”

Lovely large front garden, good for dogs and children. Car parking was an issue as we could not get our car round a tight corner and due to big rocks in the ground (apparently we were advised that we could, but this was not possible without damaging our car). No welcome pack, which was disappointing as we felt the property lacked attention to detail (previous accommodations we have stayed in have always done this). Bigger towels (as previous guests have also said) would have been better as we were only provided with little hand towels to get dried with. Accommodation is also shared with whoever is staying next door, which means it can become noisy as the fire doors do not block out sound. But overall, despite these things, the accommodation was modern and clean so thank you.

- Brian, August 2024
Louise June 2024

“Beautiful cottage, in a lovely peaceful location.”

Nicely furnished & decorated. Track to property is very uneven, caught the bottom of my car a couple of times. Garden is a lovely peaceful haven to relax in with a glass of wine at the end of the day. Dog towels was a nice touch & much appreciated. A hand towel in the downstairs bathroom & kitchen would have been helpful.

- Louise, June 2024
Laurence May 2024

“We had a great week with both Little How and Thorney How.”

But Little How is ideally set up for a small family or a pair of couples. Very comfortable, a great garden, and a simply fabulous location.

- Laurence, May 2024
Michael April 2024

“Great facilities made our stay very comfortable.”

The house had everything needed. Very comfortable beds and bathrooms were of a high standard. Excellent kitchen dining area with full facilities.

- Michael, April 2024
Joyce March 2024

“Lovely location, remote feeling but quick walk in to Grasmere.”

Warm, cosy house with excellent facilities. Fab shower! Walking through the Lancrigg Estate next door was beautiful and easy access to Easedale Tarn. The downside was very poor internet. I am self employed so need internet access. The WiFi is shared with Thorney How and this is not ideal as it just didn’t work properly for us at Little How. Would return in a heartbeat if this issue is sorted.

- Joyce, March 2024
Joanne January 2024

“Beautiful, cosy and well equipped cottage in a stunning location.”

Would love to return.

- Joanne, January 2024
Paul December 2023

“An exceptional cottage in a stunning location!”

The cottage has been sensitively refurbished to retain character yet with modern comforts. The kitchen/diner area (where we spent the most time) is so cosy with all the modern fixtures you could wish. The view out on to the garden delivered a deer, a red squirrel as well as all manner of birds. The lounge is large but also cosy and we made full use of the log burner in the evenings (note there was no starter pack for the log burner, however we had our own supplies). Both beds were huge with excellent mattresses and lovely bed linen. The bathrooms were stylishly furnished and had superb simple to use powerful showers. If I was being really picky the cutlery could do with being upgraded! To summarise, having arrived on Friday afternoon following a 7 hour drive, cooked a meal and slept soundly, we immediately booked for next year. Our only regret was not to have booked the previous week and be snowed in for a couple of days! Thank you for a most splendid week in your lovely cottage.

- Paul, December 2023
Samantha November 2023

“Little How is absolutely STUNNING!”

Very cosy whilst being spacious and comfortable. It’s beautifully decorated and thoughtfully furnished around its wonderful original features. The views from the garden are glorious, and our Labrador loved exploring. It’s also a stones throw from the village of Grasmere where there are lots of little shops and dog friendly pubs that we loved, it was so nice not to have to drive for a couple of days and truly relax. The owners are so lovely, and were on hand if we had any problems. It truly felt like a home from home! We already planning our trip back! Thank you so much for a wonderful winter holiday!

- Samantha, November 2023
Tracey November 2023

“This is a beautiful cottage in a beautiful location.”

So nice we booked again.You won’t be disappointed.The beds are so big and comfortable. It’s a lovely walk into the village about 15 minutes but it was nice to be out of the village for a change. Don’t forget your torch for the way back.Thank you again Syke cottages for another fabulous holiday Tracey

- Tracey, November 2023
Amy November 2023

“We booked Little How to stay for a few days for our mini-moon break.”

Upon arrival everything seemed great apart from no logs with a log burner (every property we've stayed in previously supplied a few logs for the first fire), so we had the additional expense of purchasing logs for burning throughout the stay. The cleanliness was good, with most areas being clean. Noticeably there were a few cobwebs/dusty cupboards in most of the rooms. Beds were super comfy and very quiet at night which was perfect. Unfortunately the heating did break whilst we were there, meaning we had no hot water or heating for one of our 3 days of the holiday, so the cottage was cold from morning-night. The owner contacted us to rectify and kept us informed throughout the day.

- Amy, November 2023
Simon September 2023

“Location & property great, zip-lock beds not made up as singles as requested, adjoiningThorney How property occupied by young group partying until the early hours, which significantly impacted the peace & tranquility of the beautiful location.”

I think this will be a constant issue due to the nature of adjoining a 8 bedroom property with shared internal doors so noise travels both inside & out.

- Simon, September 2023
Jane July 2023

“We enjoyed our stay.”

Generally the cottage is comfortable and it is in a really lovely position. We had deer and red squirrels in the garden. However I have the following comments: 1. No coat hangers are provided, only a peg board to hang clothes from. This is a problem if like me you take a few nice clothes to wear to restaurants in the evening 2. The sitting room has a musty smell which opening the window does not cure 3. The towels provided are very small 4. There is a door from the hall to the large adjoining property and this is mentioned in the property description. There is no real soundproofing. Luckily, we had considerate neighbours so no issues getting to sleep but we could clearly hear conversation through the door and it travelled up the stairs to the bedrooms. If the neighbours had been up very late, this would have been a problem.

- Jane, July 2023
Michael May 2023

“Hello, We arrived at the property on the Sunday, all the windows were open and the smell of curry was very strong.”

We contacted you, spoke to Holly, she sent out a maintenance person, who gave us some spray and seemed fairly disinterested, but suggested speaking to customer service, which we did, we asked about moving or compensation, moving was not an option, Holly asked what compensation we would suggest, I said 25% £331, she said she would speak to the owner, as of today 6 days , no response, I phoned and spoke to Alex, he said he will chase up, we are home now, the property still smelt when we left, please respond as so far we have had to make all the contact ourselves.

- Michael, May 2023
Gill April 2023

“Lovely, clean, comfortable, warm and peaceful cottage in beautiful location just a 15-minute walk to the centre of Grasmere.”

Very well equipped, but the toaster and place mats could do with being replaced (the toaster only toasts properly on one side of the bread and the place mats are just a little tired looking). There are no instructions on how to use the DVD player and we could not get it to work. The access road is rather lumpy and bumpy.

- Gill, April 2023
George & pauline April 2023

“Lovely accommodation clean warm and cosy.”

Disappointed there was No hair dryer No holiday information for local area No maps or walking books etc No spare cling film , foil etc ( we’ve always found these extras in past property’s) Hand wash in kitchen and shower room almost empty After saying all that we still enjoyed the cottage and the south facing garden to relax in .

- George & pauline, April 2023
Jo March 2023

“Little How is a gorgeous cottage with great facilities and in a perfect location.”

The driveway is very tight so if you have a big car like us, be prepared. It would add a little extra if there was some basic supplies in the kitchen such as tea bags, coffee, salt and pepper, but apart from that the cottage is perfect. We will certainly be booking again.

- Jo, March 2023
Rachel March 2023

“The rental process was very efficient and the property very clean.”

The cottage was in a beautiful spot and Grasmere is a lovely village. The beds were very comfortable, the upstairs shower was brilliant and the smart TV had lots of channels. The kitchen was well equipped and spotless clean. The fire doors were quite annoying to live with especially with a dog who kept getting shut in or out of rooms. It also made the cottage feel less cosy but clearly fire safety was a big priority. Housekeeping on our departure day were very friendly and understanding when we were not ready on the dot of 10am. Some local information about walk in the area would have been very nice to have looked through. Also some milk in the fridge and tea, coffee, sugar and some kind of snack would have been lovely after a 6 hour drive from Bristol.

- Rachel, March 2023
Natasha February 2023

“The cottage was gorgeous and everything we needed and felt very homely.”

There was an issue with the drains whilst we were there but the owner was lovely and got this sorted as soon as he could so couldn't have really asked for more!

- Natasha, February 2023
Roman February 2023

“Pros: We loved the location of the house as we can hike into the woodlands without having to drive somewhere.”

Also live the peaceful and quiet neighbourhood and we slept so well in the comfortable beds. Kitchen has enough of everything to whip up a quick meal. Beautiful cottage and having herding sheeps in the garden visiting us was a big plus! We will definitely be back :) Cons: We found dirty socks in one of the drawers and it stank badly. Also the hallway upstairs smell a little of dog urine, but i am usually sensitive to smells. Others might not find it smelly. Overall a big plus tot his cottage that we love so much. Thank you!

- Roman, February 2023

Thanks for the feedback and glad you enjoyed your stay. We have asked our cleaning team to ensure they check the drawers in future to avoid a repeat of the sock incident ! Re the upstairs landing - the guests this week didn't note anything but as a precaution we took a look today and couldn't see/smell anything suggesting dog urine. We have also plugged in an electric air freshener just in case. Thanks again The Thorney How Team Property Owner
Laura January 2023

“The cottage was lovely and we really enjoyed our stay.”

We could have moved in and stayed there. It’s so cosy and everything has been done to such a high standard. The cottage is in a perfect location and great for walking straight from the front door. Thank you for providing all the soaps, dishwasher tablets etc, it’s a nice touch. Plus the dog blankets in the living room for the sofas. We will definitely be coming back. Just a few things we noticed which if changed would make the stay even better: The hot water pressure downstairs was slow, even after resetting the water pump in the boiler every time we ran a bath. (Think this was being looked at just after we left) The downstairs bathroom and utility is very cold, even with the heating on. As the utility is open to the kitchen, the cold draft is felt in there too. The door separating the two cottages doesn’t provide much for acoustic separation. We could often hear the people staying in the cottage next door. A shelf in the upstairs bathroom would have been good to put toiletries, toothbrush etc. There’s a small patch of mould below the upstairs bathroom window and the roof light is left ajar, with debris coming in with high winds. Wardrobes or hangers would be good in the bedrooms.

- Laura, January 2023
Debbie November 2022

“Little How is a beautiful cottage in a lovely location.”

A 10 minute walk on country lanes takes you into Grassmere where there are a good variety of cafes, restaurants and shops. The cottage is very cosy with a very efficient log burner however no logs were provided. As you are not expected to access the property before 4pm, it would have been good to have had a few logs to start with especially on a cold November afternoon. The cottage is a generous size with a well equipped kitchen and a much appreciated utility room for walking gear etc. Dogs are also catered for with bowls and blankets. A bit of a surprise to find there wasn't a hairdryer! Also no bin in one of the bathrooms. We loved our break and we definitely would recommend Little How cottage.

- Debbie, November 2022
Julie November 2022

“Very desirable cottage to spend a short break away suggestion of large Bath sheets instead of bath towels and fluffy towelling robes.”

Some nice toiletries in bathrooms don't cost a fortune and information pack as to local attractions and restaurants would enhance this property to high level of luxury .

- Julie, November 2022
Linda October 2022

“Had to reset the water pump everyday otherwise the water pressure downstairs was very poor.”

The owners seem to be aware of the problem as the welcome pack had instructions how to reset the pump. Fantastic cottage but the water pressure issue slightly tarnished the holiday.

- Linda, October 2022
Sophie October 2022

“We had such a lovely holiday here.”

The cottage was beautiful and we loved the garden. Thank you!

- Sophie, October 2022
Jon October 2022

“A fantastic peaceful cottage in a beautiful part of the Lake District.”

The cottage is well equipped and very cosy. We all slept very well in the comfortable beds.

- Jon, October 2022
S September 2022

“Absolutely beautiful cottage, fantastic setting and attention to detail from the owners in every room.”

Appreciated the lovely kitchen, big comfortable beds and super living room. Very warm and cosy and it is a large property. Some of us saw red squirrels in the garden! Extremely high cleanliness. I would like to live there...

- S, September 2022

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Summary

Two super king bedrooms (zip/link, can be twin on request please advise at the time of booking)
Ground-floor bathroom, with bath, shower over, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Kitchen/diner
Sitting room with woodburning stove (wood not supplied)
Study
Boot room
Biomass central heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, and condensing tumble dryer
Smart TV and WiFi
Fuel, power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Highchair can be provided on request, please note no cot is provided
Off-road parking for 2 cars
Large garden (some shared areas)
One well behaved pet
Sorry no smoking
Shop and pub 0.8 miles
Note: This property has a locked door leading to another property Thorney How Ref: 1110308 Note: Please take care on the open-tread staircase with low ceiling
"During December to March 2025 there will be building work on an adjacent property, which is mainly internal"; Although we are actively managing the impact of this there may be some noise during the working week"

The property

Please note that the owner can only facilitate an arrival on a Friday or Monday.

Arrivals on any other day may be cancelled Little How is concealed on the outskirts of Grasmere in the Lake District National Park in Cumbria.

This quaint cottage features exposed granite stone walls, a fireplace with a wood-burning stove, and exposed beams; it can accommodate up to four guests in two bedrooms, making it an ideal base for friends or couples seeking a romantic getaway in the Lake District.

After exploring the surrounding countryside, relax on the plush sofas in the living room while watching the Smart TV and listening to the woodburning stove crackle in the background.

While the designated chef prepares a delicious meal in the fully-equipped kitchen/diner, guests can relax at the dining table overlooking the garden and and nearby woodland.

Soak up the last rays of sunlight in the shared garden or pop open a bottle of champagne at the picnic table and raise a glass to your holiday.

When the evening draws to a close, retire to one of the two spacious superking rooms, each of which is serviced by a shower room with a beautiful stone accent wall and a contemporary bathroom on the ground floor.

Be sure to get some sleep prior to another day of fun in the Lakes.

Little How is an idyllic location for a getaway in Cumbria.

Please note that the owner can only facilitate an arrival on a Friday or Monday. Arrivals on any other day may be cancelled

Highchair available on request please advise if required. No cot is provided, guests will need to bring their own

"During April to December 2024 there will be building work on an adjacent property. Although the owners are actively managing the impact of this there may be some noise during the working week. "

Thorney How

Thorney How and Little How are beautifully presented properties resting on the outskirts of Grasmere in Cumbria’s Lake District National Park. The collection boasts character features including charming exposed beams, stone work and welcoming woodburning stoves as well as ample off-road parking and a spacious shared garden with picnic table and access to nearby woodlands. The village of Grasmere is renowned for its stunning natural scenery and literary connections and is home to a number of charming cafes and restaurants, as well as the Grasmere Tea Gardens, which are a must-visit for any tea lover. For hikers and nature lovers, Grasmere is the perfect base for exploring the stunning surrounding landscape, including the nearby Wordsworth Grasmere and Faeryland Grasmere. And for history enthusiasts, there are a number of National Trust properties in the area, including Allan Bank and Grasmere. Explore nearby Ambleside where you can marvel the area's natural beauty by hiking or biking the many trails, or by exploring the historic attractions. Wray Castle and Stock Ghyll Force are both National Trust sites, and the Roman Fort is a well-preserved example of the area's history. For a bite to eat or a pint after a long day of exploring, Zeffirellis is a popular local spot. Venture further afield to Keswick home to a variety of attractions, including Hope Park, the Derwent Pencil Museum, and the Keswick Museum. Restaurants and bars in the town include Merienda, which offers a variety of Spanish tapas dishes. Windermere, Bowness and Coniston are also within a short scenic drive. Thorney How is well placed to explore the wonders of the Lake District.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £350.

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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.

"During April to December 2024 there will be building work on an adjacent property. Although the owners are actively managing the impact of this there may be some noise during the working week. "

This property offers the following short breaks:

Winter
Off-season
Last minute
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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“Needs new toilet seat upstairs.”

“Stayed here twice now and always lovely.”

“We had read the reviews from previous guests about the size of towels, cutlery and building work taking place.”

“Location and modernisation of the property was fantastic, within easy walking distance of Grasmere town centre.”

“Beautiful cottage, in a lovely peaceful location.”

“We had a great week with both Little How and Thorney How.”

“Great facilities made our stay very comfortable.”

“Lovely location, remote feeling but quick walk in to Grasmere.”

“Beautiful, cosy and well equipped cottage in a stunning location.”

“An exceptional cottage in a stunning location!”

“Little How is absolutely STUNNING!”

“This is a beautiful cottage in a beautiful location.”

“We booked Little How to stay for a few days for our mini-moon break.”

“Location & property great, zip-lock beds not made up as singles as requested, adjoiningThorney How property occupied by young group partying until the early hours, which significantly impacted the peace & tranquility of the beautiful location.”

“We enjoyed our stay.”

“Hello, We arrived at the property on the Sunday, all the windows were open and the smell of curry was very strong.”

“Lovely, clean, comfortable, warm and peaceful cottage in beautiful location just a 15-minute walk to the centre of Grasmere.”

“Lovely accommodation clean warm and cosy.”

“Little How is a gorgeous cottage with great facilities and in a perfect location.”

“The rental process was very efficient and the property very clean.”

“The cottage was gorgeous and everything we needed and felt very homely.”

“Pros: We loved the location of the house as we can hike into the woodlands without having to drive somewhere.”

“The cottage was lovely and we really enjoyed our stay.”

“Little How is a beautiful cottage in a lovely location.”

“Very desirable cottage to spend a short break away suggestion of large Bath sheets instead of bath towels and fluffy towelling robes.”

“Had to reset the water pump everyday otherwise the water pressure downstairs was very poor.”

“We had such a lovely holiday here.”