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POPULAR REGION! A property was booked in Lake District 18 minutes ago

9 people have viewed this property in the last 24 hours

Roa Island House

Roa Island, Cumbria & The Lake District (Ref. 8088)

Customer rating

4.6

How reviews work

A property's star rating is the average of the star ratings received from guests that wish for their review to be published

Lakelovers rating

  • 16 Guests

  • 7 Bedrooms

  • 6 Bathrooms

  • Pets Yes

  • Show on map

Features

  • Hot tub
  • Off road parking
  • Ground floor bedroom
  • Sauna
  • Open fire
  • Garden / Patio
  • Cot available
  • Highchair available
  • Washing machine
  • Dishwasher
  • Seaside
  • Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing
Cleanliness
Comfort
Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

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121 Customer Review(s)

  • Stuart

    “I was unsure whether to rate this as 3 or 4 stars.”

    We go away every year for our annual Christmas getaway, as a group of 8 adults and 5 children. This property offered pretty much everything we required. The 2 ovens and 2 dishwashers definitely made the cooking and washing up a breeze. So, why was I torn between the 3 and 4 stars!! I feel that the property is perhaps a little tired in areas, hence why I was swaying towards the 3 stars. However, when you consider the size of the property and the price, I think that 4 stars is a fair ...

    We go away every year for our annual Christmas getaway, as a group of 8 adults and 5 children. This property offered pretty much everything we required. The 2 ovens and 2 dishwashers definitely made the cooking and washing up a breeze. So, why was I torn between the 3 and 4 stars!! I feel that the property is perhaps a little tired in areas, hence why I was swaying towards the 3 stars. However, when you consider the size of the property and the price, I think that 4 stars is a fair rating. The place is huge, the kids had plenty of fun playing hide and seek. Kitchen - is well equipped (that’s usually an area that most places drop points, but that definitely wasn’t the case here). Extra marks for this area. The hot tub, we felt, wasn’t at its specified temperature. We are frequent users of hot tubs and this felt like sitting in a warm bath, and it didn’t retain the temperature well at all. We didn’t raise it as an issue at the time, as we only used it twice, but it might be worth the owners checking it. Bedrooms - The rooms had mixed reviews from our party. Our particular room was rather cold, even with the heating on. We did however find a heater tucked away under the stairs to the top floor, and once we used that it was plenty warm enough. Other members of the group mentioned some loud noises through the windows due to the wind, but I’m not exactly sure what could be done about that (short of replacing the windows). Living room - plenty big enough for all of the group to sit and watch a film. If I was to be critical, the sofas are looking a little tired and worn. Dining room - another point gained here. Table is huge and was big enough to accommodate all of our group. Again, this is an area that usually falls short, but this met our requirements. Cleanliness - absolutely no concerns. The place, from what I saw, was spotless. The gardens - unfortunately due to the time of year, we didn’t really venture into the gardens much, but the view was lovely. I’d imagine on a nice summers day it would be pretty great. Additional comments - We had a little wander around the island, which is smaller than I expected it to be (not a negative). There’s a little cafe next door to the property. They do food and hot drinks.

    - Stuart, November 2025

    Thank you for your very detailed feedback. We take it on board. One thing we would like to highlight however is the outstanding value Roa Island House represents. The value for money would be hard to match for a group like that staying in comparable accommodation in a similarly breathtaking location. It is a little bit frustrating for us that this is not really highlighted by Sykes. We are actually not persuing any particular star rating as we are not a B&B or Hotel. But we do the best we can with the available funds and we appreciate that most of our guests appreciate this effort. But admittedly we are not offering luxury accommodation as this would mean that only a limited number of people would have the pleasure to stay in this unique property. Property Owner

Summary

  • Seven bedrooms (6 with TVs): 1 x ground floor family room with 3 single beds, two single beds can be zip linked to make a super king size bed on request, 1 x ground floor double, 1 x king-size double with en-suite bath, shower over, basin, WC and small office with feature window, 3 x double with en-suite shower, basin and WC, 1 x twin (zip/link, can be double on request) with additional single bed and en-suite bath with shower over, basin and WC
  • Ground floor shower room with walk-in shower (disabled friendly), basin and WC
  • Ground floor basin and WC
  • Kitchen and spacious dining area (seats 8) with small conservatory area (seats 4), utility and store
  • Large dining room (seats 16)
  • Large sitting room (seats 14) with open fire
  • Second floor observation tower (seats 5)
  • Large, wrap-around conservatory with panoramic views (seats 22)
  • Large entrance hall with table football.
  • Gas central heating with open fire in sitting room and wood burner in bedroom
  • Electric double oven, gas hob, additional electric oven, microwave, 2 x fridges, freezer, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, 7 x TVs, 1 with Freeview/DVD, radio/CD, WiFi, books/games/DVDs
  • Fuel, power and starter packs for open fire and wood burner inc. in rent
  • Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
  • Travel cot and highchairs available
  • Lawned grounds with roof covered hot tub, furniture and BBQ
  • Wood fired sauna that can sit 6 people
  • Off road parking for 8 cars
  • This property accepts 3 well behaved dogs
  • Sorry no smoking
  • Shop 4 miles, pub 1 mile
  • Note: Hot tub unavailable from 3pm on Thursdays for weekly cleaning/maintenance
  • Note: No stag/ hen parties or similar at this property
  • Note: Roa Island is reached via a tarmac causeway
  • From 27/1/2022 some of the utility needs of the property are met by a provider who sources their energies from renewable sources and is carbon neutral, this process will be completed by around the middle of 2022
  • All waste is already collected, then checked and separated by our waste disposal provider and the highest degree of recycling is thus assured
  • Charging of electric vehicles (including bikes) is not permitted at this property, if electric charging is detected a charge of £100 will be deducted from the Good housekeeping bond
  • This property has a £450 Good housekeeping bond
  • Please note: There is an 11 pm curfew at this property after which time all guests must stop using the hot tub and strictly observe the hours of rest and not cause any form of disturbance to neighbours, Guests found to be in breach of these rules will be asked to leave the property with no refund given
  • You will be asked to confirm the number of guests staying at the property when you book, When there is evidence of a potential over-occupancy and it is subsequently verified by the owner, this will result in all occupants being asked to leave the property, as this impacts the owner’s insurance as well as being a breach of the rental agreement
  • Guests are kindly reminded - in line with the rental agreement - that at the end of the holiday the property must be left in the same or similar state of order and cleanliness in which it was found
  • Failure to leave the property in a reasonable state may results in the additional cleaning charge being invoked (minimum charge £150). Bookings over the Christmas and New Year period must be a minimum of 5 nights and the owner cannot accommodate check in on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, NYE or NYD. Bookings over the Easter period must be a minimum of 5 nights and the owner cannot accommodate check in on the four days of the Easter weekend, including Good Friday
  • Please note, 7-night bookings and weekend short breaks may only check in on Fridays, short breaks are also welcome mid-week
  • Please note: Early check-ins are not available due to our cleaning team’s schedule, we appreciate your understanding.

The property

An imposing detached landmark property in a unique location!

This large residence is located on Roa Island, on the southernmost tip of the Furness Peninsula, 8 miles from the traditional Lakeland market town of Ulverston and 5 miles from Barrow-in-Furness with its extensive shopping facilities.

Overlooking the sea with a south-facing aspect, this Roa Island cottage has been lovingly decorated and furnished, oozing charm and character, with stone floors, high ceilings and palatial rooms.

Very much a home-from-home, this Roa Island cottage offers original wooden floors, inglenook fireplaces and many other original features in keeping with the style of this gorgeous house.

The sitting room is very spacious, with large windows, an open fire and a working piano.

The huge dining room of this Roa Island cottage adjoins a fabulous conservatory which extends onto three sides of the building, whilst the spacious kitchen/diner is well-equipped, ideal for cooking for large groups.

One of Roa Island House’s unique features is its amazing observation tower which provides 270-degree views of Morecambe Bay, Piel Island with its mysterious Piel Castle, the beautiful coastline and the many ships sailing past.

Outside, a large lawned area with a roof covered hot tub provides that something extra, and the chance to take in the splendour of this fabulous location whilst totally relaxing.

Just across the causeway is a delightful old pub, and summer ferries are available to explore Piel Island and Piel Castle, take a fishing trip, or enjoy trips to the seal colonies.

The amenities of Ulverston, the shopping facilities of Barrow-in-Furness, the beaches of the Furness Coast and the outdoor activities of Coniston and Grizedale Forest are all just a short drive away.

An excellent Roa Island cottage base, for friends and family alike.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £450.

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About the location

ROA ISLAND

Ulverston 6 miles; Barrow-in-Furness 6 miles.

Roa Island is located on the Lake District's magnificent coastline, over half a mile south of the village of Rampside on the southernmost point of the Furness Peninsula. With an area of about 30 acres the island is the sixteenth most populated Island in Great Britain with just over one hundred inhabitants. Until 1847 Roa Island was a true island, being accessible only by boat or on foot across the sands at low tide. John Abel Smith, a London banker, bought Roa in 1840. He built a causeway to the mainland, completed in 1846, and an 810 foot (247 m) deep-water pier known as Piel Pier where steamers sailed to Fleetwood. The pier connected with the Furness Railway line to Kirkby via Furness Abbey, making use of the causeway. Other interesting buildings include Trinity Terrace, a row of terraced houses built to provide accommodation for the ten Trinity House pilots; and The Watch Tower, a Customs and Excise House built in 1847. Roa Island is home to a lifeboat station of the RNLI, serving Morecambe Bay and the Irish Sea. Just a short boat trip across the inlet is Piel Island, a small fifty acre island with its own castle, made famous by Martin Clune's (of men behaving badly and Doc Martin) The Island programme. Gifted to the people of Barrow-in-Furness by the Duke of Buccleuch in the early 20th century, the island is kept in order by the selection of the "King" of Piel, who is the landlord of the island's public house, the Ship Inn. Located in an outstanding area the village is close to the spectacular Furness Abbey, and the ancient market town of Ulverston is just 5 miles away, and still has an authentic feel and community spirit. The town boasts a street market every Thursday and Saturday and many festivals throughout the year, including an amazing lantern procession in November and a superb Dickensian weekend in early December. It is also the birthplace of Stan Laurel and home to the only Laurel and Hardy museum in the world! With all the attractions of the Lake District National Park and the sandy beaches and good birdwatching of the Furness coast close by, this quiet and peaceful area has plenty to offer.

Bookings over the Christmas and New Year period must be a minimum of 5 nights and the owner cannot accommodate check in on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, NYE or NYD

Bookings over the Easter period must be a minimum of 5 nights and the owner cannot accommodate check in on the four days of the Easter weekend, including GF

Note: Strictly no stag or hen parties

Charging of electric vehicles (including bikes) is not permitted at this property, if electric charging is detected a charge of £100 will be deducted from the bond

Please note: there is an 11 pm curfew at this property after which time all guests must stop using the hot tub and strictly observe the hours of rest and not cause any form of disturbance to neighbours. Guests found to be in breach of these rules will be asked to leave the property with no refund given

Please note, 7-night bookings and weekend short breaks may only check in on Fridays, short breaks are also welcome mid-week

Please note: Early check-ins are not available due to our cleaning team’s schedule, we appreciate your understanding.

This property offers the following short breaks:

  • Winter
  • Off-season
  • Last minute
  • Christmas