Guests say
Horton Lodge Boathouse is a unique property with stunning lake views and wildlife, offering a tranquil setting ideal for relaxation. Guests appreciate the outdoor activities available, such as kayaking and the use of a hot tub. The property's charm and the host's hospitality are frequently mentioned, with some guests receiving welcome gifts upon arrival.
Reviews on cleanliness are mixed, with several guests finding the property to be dusty and in need of a thorough clean, while others did not raise any concerns. The presence of both positive and negative feedback suggests that cleanliness levels may vary.
The location is highly praised for its beauty and tranquillity, with the property situated right on the lake, offering spectacular views and a serene atmosphere. Proximity to local amenities and the opportunity for outdoor activities contribute to its high rating.
Comfort receives a good score as many guests found the property comfortable, with a particularly large bed and cosy setting. However, some guests mentioned issues with heating and noise from the property above, which affects the overall comfort experience.
Facilities are appreciated, especially the kayaks, hot tub, and boat. However, there are several mentions of maintenance issues such as loose steps, a broken shower, and a lack of hot water, which suggests room for improvement in this area.
The host's thoughtfulness is evident in the welcome gifts mentioned by several guests, such as Prosecco and cheese, which added a special touch to their stay. However, it is important to note that such gestures are at the host's discretion and may not be a consistent offering for all guests.
About this property
Set within a beautiful Victorian boathouse perfectly positioned on Rudyard Lake, Horton Lodge Boathouse is a ground-floor apartment in the Staffordshire Moorlands, home to original features, ideal for a couple's romantic break. This one-bedroom dwelling benefits from stunning lake views and even has its own private decking and jetty, with kayaks and a rowing boat provided by the owner for leisurely lake cruising. Accessed via a private driveway with two off-road parking spaces, the property is reached by climbing down around forty steps, with the charming front door leading you straight into the homely open-plan living space. Delight in relaxation within this carefully-styled setting, with a cute kitchen area home to a combination microwave oven, fridge with a freezer box and a two-ring induction hob, it's perfect for whipping up home-cooked romantic meals for two! Dine at the pretty dining table before settling on the sofa before the Smart TV, with the decking offering a tempting spot at any time of the year, head out here to find lovely outdoor dining furniture and a gorgeous sunken Scandinavian wood-fired hot tub to relax in! Stargaze on the decking before heading back inside to find your beautiful bedroom, passing a window looking into the inside of the boathouse, whilst the roomy super-king-size bed faces towards the window overlooking the ornate iron gates of the boathouse over the lake, with a resident kingfisher to look out for too. Freshen up within the rustic yet contemporary shower room with its exposed brick wall and Victorian style fixtures, you can stand under the rainfall shower to wake up in no time. Admire the amazing original fixings within the ceiling that would have been in use in the property's past life, now serving as unique decoration within a romantic retreat. Delight in launching the rowing boat from your private beach area onto the lake and taking in the beautiful scenery as you drift along the waters, with fishing allowed on the lake, with all fishing rights included from the garden and the rowing boat provided. Head into the charming market town of Leek for anything you might need during your stay, with several shops, pubs and restaurants to discover, along with more excellent places to explore like the Ladderedge Country Park. Enjoy a wonderful day out over at the National Trust's Biddulph Grange Garden inspired by the East, it is home to a beautiful dahlia walk along with a host of plants from around the world, with the Biddulph Grange Country Park being perfect for scenic strolls. Spend a day meeting some new furry friends at Peak Wildlife Park with a collection of small mammals and birds, or take a scenic train ride back in time on the Churnet Valley Railway. Venture into the beautiful Peak District for incredible scenery, plenty of walking trails and some amazing attractions, with a day trip to Buxton being a must, making sure to go to Poole's Cavern & Buxton Country Park, The Pavilion Gardens and the Buxton Crescent. Thrill seekers will love being within easy reach of the fantastic Alton Towers theme park, where rides and rollercoasters will provide tons of excitement! Make memories to last a lifetime with your loved one at Horton Lodge Boathouse on Rudyard Lake.
Rudyard Lake lies in a thickly wooded hillside area of the Staffordshire Moorlands. The 2.5 mile-long lake, part of which is a conservation area, offers many activities including sailing, boating and fishing, as well as many lovely walks and cycle routes and is a haven for wildlife, flora and fauna. There is a small shop and cafe on the lake, as well as a steam railway, a sailing club which offers courses for all abilities, and a hotel with a friendly bar and restaurant. Just 3 miles away is the hillside market town of Leek, known as 'The Queen of the Moorlands'.
Accommodation
Ground-floor apartment.
One super-king-size bedroom with en-suite rainfall shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC.
Open-plan living space with kitchen, dining area and sitting area with electric fire
Gas central heating with electric fire.
Combination microwave oven, fridge, Smart TV, Bluetooth speakers, WiFi.
Fuel and power included in rent.
Complimentary welcome pack provided.
Bed linen and towels included in rent.
Off-road parking for two cars.
Private decking with outdoor furniture and access to lakeshore to launch boats.
Hot Tub.
Rowing boat and two kayaks provided for guests' use at own risk.
One well behaved household pet allowed..
No smoking.
Shop 3.6 miles, pub 3.5 miles.
Note: Approximately 50 steps needed to access the property, therefore it is not suitable for those with limited mobility.
Property accepts adults only.
Children of any age are not allowed.
Nearby points of interest
- Thor's Cave
- Alton Towers
- Dovedale
Reviews (37)
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Hollie
Such a unique property in an amazing location with plenty of places to explore, lots of wildlife and stunning views. We wish we did more exploring around the area however the accommodation, the lake and the hot tub were so good we struggled to leave the place!! The host Tony was also very kind and helpful. Would highly recommend and we wish to return in the future x
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Judie
The Boathouse has all you need for a comfortable stay, with the added bonus of outdoor space, the lake and a hot tub. Tony, the owner could not have been more helpful if we had a query about the local area, and parted with local knowledge frequently. Our dog was absolutely shattered by the time we got home from all the lovely local walks, and he did love his fusses at the Hotel Rudyard where we had a meal one night, also first class - we could not recommend highly enough, and hope to come back one day. Jude and Kev.
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Carl
It was very cold in the mornings & as we had no control over the heating, except for the fire in the lounge/kitchen, we had to keep contacting owner to put it on for us. The owners actually live above the boathouse, which we were not aware of & were very noisy. You can hear every foot step across the floor & going up & down the stairs, one evening until 12.45am! The shower appears to drain directly into the lake below. Not sure whether this is permitted, but we were personally not happy about this, considering the wildlife on the lake. There were a few cleanliness issues. Kettle definitely badly needed de-scaling, the kitchen sink was very stained. There was half open packets of food in the freezer, obviously from previous guests. The exposed brick work was a nice feature, but clearly needed a good dust. Flooring by table in kitchen was giving way & needed repairing. There was a tiny sink in the bathroom & was very difficult to use without water spilling over onto the floor, which we believe was laminate, and was peeling & separating because of the water spillage. The hot tub didnât appear to be monitored/checked as we believe it should be. Overall seemed like a thorough clean was needed & some general maintenance work. We had a lovely time in the general area but decided to leave early due to these issues with the property.