Guests say
Highbank in Bowness-On-Windermere receives high praise for its cleanliness, prime location, and overall comfort. Guests appreciate the well-equipped kitchen, privacy offered by multiple bathrooms, and the property's proximity to local attractions. While parking can be challenging, it is manageable, and the property's amenities contribute to a pleasant stay.
The majority of guests report that Highbank is very clean, with several positive comments on its tidiness. However, a few guests noted areas where cleaning could be improved, such as under sofas and behind cushions.
The location is consistently praised for being excellent, with easy access to Bowness centre, local shops, and restaurants. Its convenience for exploring the Lake District is a highlight for many guests.
Guests find the property comfortable, with spacious rooms and a cosy atmosphere. Some guests mentioned issues with bed firmness and noise from a toilet cistern, but overall, the comfort level is rated highly.
Facilities are generally well-received, especially the kitchen amenities. However, there are mentions of maintenance issues such as loose window locks, exposed carpet grippers, and the need for better kitchen utensils. Some guests also suggested additional security measures.
While some guests appreciated the cleaning products provided, there are no consistent mentions of welcome gifts or additional thoughtful touches that would warrant a score in this category.
About this property
Highbank is a well presented, traditional slate Victorian Lakeland terrace house just a few minutes' walk from lively Bowness and Lake Windermere.
The front door opens to the hallway with coat hook and boot racks. To the front there is a beautiful lounge, with comfy sofas around the feature Victorian fireplace, with open fire. A large bay window allows the light to flood in. Large screen TV completes the room. To the rear, there is a spacious dining room with a large family dining table and a cosy log burning stove, ideal for a social dinner together. The extended kitchen is well equipped with everything you need and an informal breakfast bar - ideal for the kids in the mornings! The stylish bedrooms are arranged over the first and the second floor. On the first floor the welcoming master bedroom has a king-size bed and small ens-uite shower room. The second bedroom is a bright and airy double room and across the landing is the smart family bathroom with bath with shower over, basin and WC. On the first floor, the third bedroom is a twin room with a high-level window looking out toward the Lakeland fells and a south-facing Velux for extra light. This bedroom benefits from a small en-suite shower room with shower, basin and WC. The rear south facing courtyard is furnished with bistro-style table and chair and is a lovely spot to relax with a morning coffee or a glass of wine.
On the eastern shores of Lake Windermere, Bowness is a sophisticated Lakeland village with so much to explore and enjoy. Within minutes from Highbank, you can be enjoying walks with magnificent views such as to Biskey Howe, Brant Fell and School Knott. Stroll to the lakeshore to hire a rowboat or powerboat or take an elegant cruise on one of the Lake Windermere steamers. Windermere Lake Cruises depart regularly to Ambleside and Lakeside; a wonderful way to explore without even using your car. There are many excellent restaurants in Bowness and Windermere, all within walking distance, including champagne bars, contemporary wine bars and traditional pubs offering a range of great British and international cuisine. There is something for everyone, both in the village centre and the surrounding countryside. Windermere Golf Club is just outside Bowness village, on the way to the Lyth Valley. This area is also renowned for gentle but very scenic walking, with a wealth of acclaimed Lake District country pubs to choose from. Another great idea is to take the car-ferry crossing over Lake Windermere from Bowness, to visit the former home of Beatrix Potter in Near Sawrey, and the nearby picturesque village of Hawkshead. Or go as a pedestrian and just explore Claife Heights and the lakeshore paths.
The vibrant twin towns of Bowness and Windermere hold enduring appeal for visitors to the Lake District National Park, with each providing a range of nearby attractions, amenities, shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. A variety of boat trips and boat hire are available from Windermere Lake Cruises in Bowness to Brockhole, Ambleside and Lakeside (at the southern end of the lake where the Lakeside Aquarium and the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway are situated). The World of Beatrix Potter attraction and the Old Laundry theatre are 1.5 miles away. Orrest Head, where Alfred Wainwright was inspired to write his series of iconic guidebooks, is a 30-minute walk to enjoy the spectacular panorama of far-reaching views over the lake and surrounding fells. Brockhole, which offers high wire tree top experiences, is less than two miles away, and the historic villages of Grasmere, Ambleside and Troutbeck are a short drive away. There are also a variety of watersports on offer for the more energetic at marine centres along the lake. The area is ideally situated for exploring all that this region has to offer, whether by foot, bike, car, railway or bus; and is within easy reach of attractions such as the spectacular Langdales, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top House at Far Sawrey, Coniston, Grizedale Forest Park, with its delightful walks and famous outdoor sculptures, mountain biking and “Go-Ape” adventure park, Ullswater, Kendal, Keswick, stone circles, Roman forts and England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike.
Accommodation
Three bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite shower room with basin and WC, 1 x double, 1 x twin with en-suite shower room with basin and WC.
Bathroom with shower over bath, basin and WC.
Kitchen.
Dining room with woodburning stove.
Sitting room with open fire.
Gas central heating with open fire and woodburning stove.
Double electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washing machine, Smart Tv, DVD player, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Cot and highchair available in property.
Enclosed courtyard patio with furniture.
One well behaved dog welcome.
Unrestricted on-street parking.
Pub 8 min walk.
Shop 7 min walk.
Bowness Pier and Lake Windermere 13 min walk.
Nearby points of interest
- Lake Windermere
Reviews (37)
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Gill
On road parking was great and easy access to public transport. Well furnished and kitchen had everything we needed for a very enjoyable weekend. The property was very clean and comfortable beds and an added bonus large fluffy towels!! Would recommend to stay.
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Lynn
Parts of the house need attention, especially the flooring in the dining room. My mother tripped on the tape used as a quick repair . Also my mum had left her hearing aids at the property, so I tried to contact sykes to let them know through, telephone calls, email and text message, with no success. This is very poor customer service. It is extremely difficult to get in touch with anyone when you have a problem.
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Lynn
Beds comfy. Showers adequate. Few little jobs need to be looked at especially drainage on the en-suite showers⦠maybe need an extra clean to unblock them, the toilet seats are loose and need changing or tightening (tried to do this but they soon loosened off again). The fridge/freezer appeared to have a little leak, easily sorted with the mop. We are the guests who enquired about the picture! Sorry that you donât want to part with it :-( mum is sad about that.