Ghyll Bank Cow Shed | Staveley | The Lake District And Cumbria

Customer rating

4.6★

6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Pets Yes
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Features

Off road parking
Ground floor bedroom
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

52 Customer Review(s)

Mina
August 2025

“From the moment we walked through the door, we felt at home.”

The Cowbarn :) was clean and tidy; set in beautiful countryside with panoramic views. It was out in the wilds but close enough to Staverley to make it comfortable, even if you are walking. There were six of us who stayed and there was plenty of room and the amenities were more than sufficient; allowing hot water in all showers and the kitchen, even at peak times. What a great base for a great holiday :)

The Cowbarn :) was clean and tidy; set in beautiful countryside with panoramic views. It was out in the wilds but close enough to Staverley to make it comfortable, even if you are walking. There were six of us who stayed and there was plenty of room and the amenities were more than sufficient; allowing hot water in all showers and the kitchen, even at peak times. What a great base for a great holiday :)

- Mina, August 2025
Nora July 2025

“Lovely cottage giving us the peace and quiet we were looking for.”

Everything we needed was provided. Wonderful views

- Nora, July 2025
David April 2025

“Very nice location.”

Accommodation really good. Close to Windermere town. Happy to return and explore more.

- David, April 2025
Alan December 2024

“Lovely stay yet again for our party of 3 couples.”

Cottage is very good and view brilliant.

- Alan, December 2024
Martin September 2024

“Great location,stunning views.”

Plenty of space although no clothes storage /wardrobe in the twin bedded room for some reason (??). Spotlessly clean (credit to the cleaners), comfortable super king-sized bed too. Needs a few little details to be addressed-e.g. door stop behind front door needs replacing to stop damage to wall (plasterwork was already damaged) and same for the door on to the patio area. Noticed also that the kickboard along units below cooker was actually UNATTACHED and fell off easily-needs securing asap. Would also help to have privacy glass or curtain on the front door, especially at night when lights are on. Information leaflets- located in the understairs cupboard- need updating (some were from 2018!). Some damp stains on ceiling near some of the the Velux windows too which should be dealt with before serious damage to ceilings etc.Just sorting out those little things would make a huge difference and keep the property "fresh".Noted that previous renters have made similar comments but nothing seems to have been done to address identified issues - and at these prices, why not? Needs a little bit of TLC.

- Martin, September 2024
Barry John September 2024

“Excellent service & would definitely book again ,great location 10 mins drive to ...”

Excellent service & would definitely book again ,great location 10 mins drive to Windermere & Staveley village has everything shops bars chippy bakers etc ,,,

- Barry John, September 2024
Helen May 2024

“Excellent property and Host!”

!

- Helen, May 2024
Alan December 2023

“Third time staying at Ghyll Bank Cow Shed over New Year.”

Cottage is still good, in a wonderful position, with walks from the front door and fabulous views. Unfortunately holiday was spoilt a bit by very wet weather and the 2 other couples due to join us were unable to do so.

- Alan, December 2023
Paul September 2023

“Excellent accommodation and comfort.”

Listing did not give the impression that there were stairs. Certain things were missing e.g waste paper baskets in lounge and bedrooms. There was no trays for carrying drinks or food down to dining area. Non-slip mats in the upstairs bathrooms would be a good addition. Difficult single track road to and from the property.

- Paul, September 2023
Philip September 2023

“This was a fantastic trip which we intend to return to one day.”

The property was a beautiful comfortable barn conversion carried out to a high degree. Rustic enough to be authentic, modern enough to offer a subtle luxury. The downstairs bedroom was a bonus for my partially disabled wife. The only observation I would have was the upstairs toilets don’t flush very well. The views were breathtaking, the walking was as good as advertised.

- Philip, September 2023
Kate August 2023

“This is a fantastic cottage - newly converted semi-detached barn conversion.”

It was perfect for us as we were grandparents staying with our adult children and 2 small grandchildren. The space was ideal for family with children and had 3 bathrooms and 3 comfortable bedrooms. The outdoor space had exceptional views and an area to enjoy them! There are suggestions for walks leaving from the cottage. The village of Staveley was charming and had a number of eateries, a brand new park for the kids, a brewery and the best gelato we have ever eater at Kimi’s. It was peaceful with no urban light pollution making it perfect for star gazing. We also enjoyed watching shearing activity at the working sheep farm next door. Activities in the Lakes are within east reach and there are plenty of pamphlets at the property with suggestions of things to do in sunny and inclement weather. Thank you to the owners who checked on us to ensure we had everything we needed! Thank you also for fitting us in at short notice when our camping experience with a 3 and a 1 year old went awry in the very wet weather!!!

- Kate, August 2023
Rachel July 2023

“I had a wonderful seven week stay at the Cowshed with my cat.”

The views were fabulous and the cottage itself very comfortable. Donald and Sylvia were wonderful landlords, coming regularly and keeping the communal areas in good condition and mending things when necessary. We always had a chat and I will miss the property and them. A few minor things which I hope is constructive - it would be useful to have salt and pepper, and perhaps some oil, tea and coffee bags available for use on arrival. Some new kitchen knives and a new large frying pan (the existing have largely lost their non-stick) wouldn't go amiss. Some clearly labelled recycling facilities too. Thank you!

- Rachel, July 2023
Carl April 2023

“Fabulous property in a stunning location.”

The 3 bathrooms is a great bonus for when you are busy getting ready of a morning. Would love to return in the future. Thank you for a Wonderful stay.

- Carl, April 2023
Janet October 2022

“The property is in a fantastic location.”

Few things that do need addressing are more assortment of pans needed rather than just massive ones. The cleaners also need to perhaps move furniture and clean under, dropped something which went under the settee it was filthy under settee with also dog treats under it. The door to get out to the back was very hard to lock although the owner came to see we still struggled to lock the door think it needs adjusting. On a positive the rooms are well appointed with everything you need and beds comfy. Would stay again though. Staveley is a lovely village.

- Janet, October 2022
Neil September 2022

“We enjoyed the stay.”

The views were relaxing and the sheep came right upto the window. The underfloor heating worked well and we were never cold. Bed was very comfy. This is a terrace of 3 cottages so you will meet your neighbours. Sufficient kitchenware, though a bit used, bowed pans and patchy frying pans. I do begrudge bringing our own soap, but that seems to be a thing these days. As said in other reviews you have to flush twice :) It was excellent value for money compared with what else was available. Its a modern conversion and its only the personal touches which are niggles.

- Neil, September 2022
John September 2022

“What a wonderful place, the views are never going to be forgotten.”

The property is so very well kept and the owners were so helpful, on behalf of my whole family and the dog,Thank you very much for helping to make this a holiday to remember, and as we visit the area annually we may return here. John & Pat

- John, September 2022
Kate August 2022

“Lovely cottage and amazing location.”

Was great to meet the owner who warned us of a road closure. Would definitely recommend.

- Kate, August 2022
Alun July 2022

“Very well equipped cottage with great views.”

Dogs must be kept on lead near cottage due to proximity of sheep.

- Alun, July 2022
Sharin April 2022

“Thank you for the lovely stay.”

Everything was well thought of. We would love to visit again.

- Sharin, April 2022
Paul April 2022

“Fantastic location, beautiful views, lovely and warm, had everything we needed.”

The only thing that wasn’t perfect was the fact that it was hard to flush the loos properly and one of the bathrooms smelt musty. However, we would probably stay again, the location was brilliant.

- Paul, April 2022
Marilyn March 2022

“Lovely stay at the cottage, it needs some new pans the toilets were very hard to flush and the back door needs attention as couldn’t shut it had to bang it shut .”

We were bothered about the neighbours when having to bang it shut . But all in all a lovely stay

- Marilyn, March 2022
Nikita November 2021

“Really nice and cosy place to stay and the location was great for getting around the Lake District, only 10mins to Windermere.”

Cottage was as described, great wifi and plenty of facilities. Only minor issue was that the underfloor heating was almost too warm! Especially in the bathrooms. But probably just us not managing to figure out the controls! Overall a great place to stay.

- Nikita, November 2021
Barbara September 2021

“Very comfortable home .”

Helpful people running it .Recommend it as a lovely place to stay

- Barbara, September 2021
Zia July 2021

“Very comfortable cottage.”

WiFi was excellent.

- Zia, July 2021
Anna July 2021

“Lovely cottage, amazing location, breathtaking views”

- Anna, July 2021
Barbara October 2020

“The view was wonderful.”

Everywhere we went, we felt welcomed and safe. The shops, public houses and National Trust properties were well organised with regard to COVID. As expected the WiFi was temperamental.

- Barbara, October 2020
Rosemary September 2020

“Overall we found this barn conversion an excellent holiday Home and location and a lot of thought had been put into making it home from home.”

The views were also spectacular. A really great base. However We understood the rooms were en suite but in fact We had to go out of bedroom door for facilities. I needed therefore to have taken a dressing gown. We all had our own bathroom which is why I chose the property they just weren’t en suite. - so why say they were? Also we thought were just 3 lets on site. But once there found another 2!!! One of which held up to 18!! Luckily for us the party had cancelled but yet again Sykes were found to be economical with the truth. The photos showed no indication of the other 2 houses. The Planned peaceful holiday could have been a disaster but thanks to rule of 6 it wasn’t. 37 on site plus The extra vehicles is quite different to 17. Please Just be honest Sykes with your descriptions.

- Rosemary, September 2020
Suzanne September 2020

“We enjoyed a lovely week at Ghyll Bank.”

The Cow Shed was in a beautiful location, with stunning views and ideally situated for days out in The Lake District. The cottage was well equipped and perfect for our needs.

- Suzanne, September 2020
Anne August 2020

“An extremely comfortable and well appointed cottage.”

The views are spectacular, very quiet location and within easy distance of the lovely village of Staveley. We would definitely return again.

- Anne, August 2020
Susanne July 2020

“We had a lovely time and really enjoyed the cottage.”

Wonderful views, close proximity to lake Windermere and lots of walking options made this the perfect place to stay with two teenagers and a dog.

- Susanne, July 2020
Chris December 2019

“Lovely cottage in beautiful location with excellent panoramic view of the hills”

- Chris, December 2019
Diane November 2019

“Loved our holiday break.”

Totally suitable for 6 people and a dog. Sofa could have done with a clean but maybe that is the standard of accommodation with dogs. First time taken dog on holiday We have previously rented accommodation with Kate and Toms, with this company there is a welcome package in the kitchen. This would have been much appreciated in this cottage as it was a drive to the shops. Just a few sachets of coffee couple of tea bags and milk would have been welcome. Maybe this could be added to the accommodation it would only cost the owners a few pounds

- Diane, November 2019
Tracey November 2019

“Amazing, as always.”

See you again next year.

- Tracey, November 2019
Adrian July 2019

“Disappointed to have to leave for home the day before our last day due electricity outage”

- Adrian, July 2019
Jayne February 2019

“Lovely cottage!”

Perfect size and layout for the 6 guests it’s designed for. Lovely decoration and bathrooms. Beautiful location, the walk down to Staveley is lovely - harder work back uphill but a visit to the pub (great food and lovely roaring fire) will help! Great walks around and about. Local Spar in Staveley is very useful as is the post office / general store. We will be back again having already stayed in the Ghill Bank Byre. Lovely!

- Jayne, February 2019
John October 2018

“Very rural location but that made it better, views great, but don’t expect to walk to a pub, but still well located to get around the lakes.”

Only downside Wi-fi a little hit and miss! Spec of property was good. Would recommend..

- John, October 2018
Paul July 2018

“Cottage was outstanding.”

Loved it

- Paul, July 2018
Brian July 2018

“Very last minute booking as I had already booked somewhere else but had my father in law with us who is in a wheel chair, the place we had booked was not suitable as it couldn't accommodate the wheel chair as in space doors/walkways to narrow etc.”

I phoned Sykes cottages and the service I received was excellent, the lady I spoke on the phone explained what she had in the area with ground floor bedroom and bathroom and was most helpful.

- Brian, July 2018
John June 2018

“We felt that the lounge could do with a refurbishment carpets where grubby and could do with a lick of paint .”

- John, June 2018
Anneke April 2018

“The information was correct, everything was in good order.”

The only 'problem' was the quality of the frying pans. We bought a new one.

- Anneke, April 2018
Dave March 2018

“Hi Having stayed in this cottage about two years ago it was as nice as it was then, however there are a few things that need attention.”

Firstly - for a cottage that can house up to 7 people I believe, there was one small pan and one large pot. This is not enough at all for this size accommodation and really needs this to be refreshed and added to. Second - the kettle was leaking - not a major issue, but had to keep mopping up. I would recommend this is replaced. The most noticeable was the carpets downstairs and upholstery. The settees are very comfortable but really need cleaning to restore colour and freshness. Similarly the carpets clearly need a good professional clean. Apart from those things the place is very warn and extremely quiet. It is well insulated from outside and neighbour noises. The bathrooms and showers are great. The owners that greet us are very pleasant and I would stay here again.

- Dave, March 2018
Andrew March 2018

“Ghyll Bank is a lovely trio of properties.”

We have stayed there twice now and would highly recommend them. Renovated to a very high standard, the cottages are clean, warm, very comfortable and a delight to call home for a few days. Perhaps of more importance is the helpfulness of the owner, Mr Beatty. We were booked in during the recent snowy weather and asked him about access. Although we couldn't get our car up, he ferried my wife and I plus all our belongings in his 4x4, did exactly the same for my son and his wife when they arrived later and even gave me a tow out when I become stuck later in the week! True devotion to duty and wouldn't take a penny from me for his time and trouble.

- Andrew, March 2018
Bex February 2018

“Great location and great cottage.”

It would of been nice to of had better pillows, as rather old and very flat which didn’t help with a good nights sleep. Other than that a fabulous cottage.

- Bex, February 2018
Allison December 2017

“Sykes responded to our requests promptly and efficiently.”

However, there were a number of issues with the property that should be addressed given it is a 4 tick property. The main concern was the cleanliness. The lounge carpet is filthy. I accept it is a rural location but I have photos of the dirt and stains on the carpet. I really do recommend the carpet is cleaned or the flooring is replaced with slate or tile. The house was clean on the first inspection but as I moved furniture and items around it was apparent that it was not given a thorough clean eg underneath the sofa to retrieve toys or breadcrumbs under the marble chopping board. I thought the bathrooms were fantastic and clean. The other niggle was the main kitchen bin was broken so the clip lid was not working and had to be prised open and shut. I called and asked for it to be replaced. It was replaced with a bin with no lid which is equally inappropriate as this would then expose the contents and smell of the bin in the kitchen. I loved the location and the kitchen was well equipped but I do think the cleanliness and replacement of broken items took the polish off the property. Despite the above, my family and I had a wonderful holiday in the lakes and Sykes contributed to making this happen.

- Allison, December 2017
Susan July 2017

“Lovey location - if not a little hard to find.”

Would definitely book again

- Susan, July 2017
Sue May 2017

“Had a really lovely family holiday.”

- Sue, May 2017
Jane April 2017

“Brilliant location for walks and then touring further afield with great accommodation.”

- Jane, April 2017
Sheilagh November 2016

“Perhaps it would be useful to point out that access is along a single track road with a hair pin bend which can be tricky in frosty/icy weather as in our case.”

- Sheilagh, November 2016
Clare October 2016

“Fabulous well insulated cottage with amazing views.”

Only suggestion would be that there was a more accurate description of where livestock are. We had sheep up to the door, which is great unless you have a young dog who's incredibly interested. If we'd known this we would have booked somewhere that didn't have sheep actually in the garden. Other minor suggestion is that the towels were small & thin. Larger bath sheets to go with the luxury bathrooms would be great.

- Clare, October 2016
Robert September 2016

“Accommodation was clean, comfortable and well equipped.”

However for the comfort of future guests we would suggest waste bins in the bedrooms and soap/shower gel holders in the showers. This property was one of the nicest places we have used.

- Robert, September 2016
Caroline June 2016

“The peaceful and tranquil locality of the house was fantastic; it was a totally relaxing holiday.”

The cottage was also furnished to a high standard for a group of five adults; we all thought it was a beautiful place and can't wait to visit again.

- Caroline, June 2016
Nick March 2016

“The whole package was great value for money!”

Would recommend to anyone! The cottage is beautiful and all of the facilities are brilliant.

- Nick, March 2016

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Summary

Three bedrooms: 1 x ground floor double, 1 x super king-size double (zip/link, can be twin on request), 1 x twin (zip/link, can be super king-size double on request)
Ground floor bathroom with bath, shower over, basin and WC
Two shower rooms with shower, basin and WC
Kitchen with dining area
Sitting room with dining area.
Oil central heating with ground floor underfloor heating
Electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, DVD
High speed, super fast broadband
Fuel and power inc. in rent
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Cot and highchair on request
Ample off road parking
Front terrace with furniture and BBQ
One well-behaved dog welcome
Sorry, no smoking
Shop and pub 1.5 miles
Note: No fireworks due to the proximity of animals
Note: Three steps from kitchen to sitting room, and one step down into the kitchen and bathroom
Note: If you wish to charge your electric vehicle at the property, please consult with the owner
Please note: The property accepts a minimum of 3 nights stay

The property

Ghyll Bank Barn Conversions

Staveley 1.5 miles. Situated in gorgeous countryside and less than five miles from wonderful Lake Windermere is Ghyll Bank, which was originally a traditional Lakeland farm. Boasting stunning views across the Lake District Fells, these three barn conversions provide ideal accommodation for a family or group of friends. These three barn conversions provide different types of accommodation, including one with en-suite bedrooms and all have flexible sleeping arrangements, either with a mix of zip/link beds, double and twin beds, making them ideal for a number of different groups. Also all three are pet-friendly, and have WiFi, ample off road parking and a front terrace with furniture and barbecue. There are excellent walks from the doorstep of these charming barn conversions, which will take you over ancient bridleways to Brunt Knott, Craggy Wood, Reston Scarr and Kentmere Horseshoe. There are also a number of other activities that can be enjoyed in the area, including cycling and fishing, as well as sailing on Lake Windermere. These three properties are the perfect base for exploring all that this part of the Lake District has to offer.

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About the location

STAVELEY

Windermere 5 miles; Kendal 5 miles.

The thriving Lakeland village of Staveley is situated on the eastern fringes of the Lake District National Park and offers superb access to the whole region. The beautiful Kentmere Valley is just a short walk away and with the River Kent tumbling its way through the valley to Staveley, it is very popular with mountain bikers and walkers alike. Staveley Mill Yard is a former wood turning mill at the heart of the village, which is now a thriving tourist attraction with cycle hire and outdoor shops, artisan bakery, brewery and the renowned Wilf's Cafe. This complements the excellent range of amenities in the village, which include a variety of shops, two village pubs, craft shops, a children's playground, a regular bus service and a railway station. Close by, the bustling towns of Kendal, Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside are popular with visitors, providing a range of amenities to suit all tastes. Lake Windermere offers boat trips, including a ferry to the Lakeside Aquarium and Grizedale Forest Park. The 'Windermere Steamboat Museum' displays a fascinating collection of boats whilst children will enjoy the 'World of Beatrix Potter' in Bowness, where technology brings her characters to life. Within easy reach of Coniston Water, Kendal, Keswick and the Lakeland Mountains, Staveley is ideally situated for exploring all that the region has to offer.

This property offers the following short breaks:

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Features

Reviews & Ratings

“From the moment we walked through the door, we felt at home.”

“Lovely cottage giving us the peace and quiet we were looking for.”

“Very nice location.”

“Lovely stay yet again for our party of 3 couples.”

“Great location,stunning views.”

“Excellent service & would definitely book again ,great location 10 mins drive to ...”

“Excellent property and Host!”

“Third time staying at Ghyll Bank Cow Shed over New Year.”

“Excellent accommodation and comfort.”

“This was a fantastic trip which we intend to return to one day.”

“This is a fantastic cottage - newly converted semi-detached barn conversion.”

“I had a wonderful seven week stay at the Cowshed with my cat.”

“Fabulous property in a stunning location.”

“The property is in a fantastic location.”

“We enjoyed the stay.”

“What a wonderful place, the views are never going to be forgotten.”

“Lovely cottage and amazing location.”

“Very well equipped cottage with great views.”

“Thank you for the lovely stay.”

“Fantastic location, beautiful views, lovely and warm, had everything we needed.”

“Lovely stay at the cottage, it needs some new pans the toilets were very hard to flush and the back door needs attention as couldn’t shut it had to bang it shut .”

“Really nice and cosy place to stay and the location was great for getting around the Lake District, only 10mins to Windermere.”

“Very comfortable home .”

“Very comfortable cottage.”

“Lovely cottage, amazing location, breathtaking views”

“The view was wonderful.”

“Overall we found this barn conversion an excellent holiday Home and location and a lot of thought had been put into making it home from home.”

“We enjoyed a lovely week at Ghyll Bank.”

“An extremely comfortable and well appointed cottage.”

“We had a lovely time and really enjoyed the cottage.”

“Lovely cottage in beautiful location with excellent panoramic view of the hills”

“Loved our holiday break.”

“Amazing, as always.”

“Disappointed to have to leave for home the day before our last day due electricity outage”

“Lovely cottage!”

“Very rural location but that made it better, views great, but don’t expect to walk to a pub, but still well located to get around the lakes.”

“Cottage was outstanding.”

“Very last minute booking as I had already booked somewhere else but had my father in law with us who is in a wheel chair, the place we had booked was not suitable as it couldn't accommodate the wheel chair as in space doors/walkways to narrow etc.”

“We felt that the lounge could do with a refurbishment carpets where grubby and could do with a lick of paint .”

“The information was correct, everything was in good order.”

“Hi Having stayed in this cottage about two years ago it was as nice as it was then, however there are a few things that need attention.”

“Ghyll Bank is a lovely trio of properties.”

“Great location and great cottage.”

“Sykes responded to our requests promptly and efficiently.”

“Lovey location - if not a little hard to find.”

“Had a really lovely family holiday.”

“Brilliant location for walks and then touring further afield with great accommodation.”

“Perhaps it would be useful to point out that access is along a single track road with a hair pin bend which can be tricky in frosty/icy weather as in our case.”

“Fabulous well insulated cottage with amazing views.”

“Accommodation was clean, comfortable and well equipped.”