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Gowanlea, Ambleside

Guest Rating
Rating
4.5
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.5
out of 5
Cumbria » Ambleside
Sleeps up to 6
Bedrooms: 3

Gowanlea is a Victorian terrace house in the heart of Ambleside village. This four-storey property sits within the Lake District National Park and offers a stylish base for exploring the fells and lakes. The house features local artwork throughout and provides comfortable accommodation for up to six guests.

Ambleside offers excellent access to walking routes from the doorstep. Shops and pubs are just 0. 1 miles away. Windermere lake is one mile from the property. Stock Ghyll Force waterfall and Bridge House are within a three-minute walk.

The house has three bedrooms across the upper floors. The second-floor king-size bedroom has zip-link beds that convert to twins with an en-suite walk-in shower.

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About Gowanlea

Gowanlea is a Victorian terrace house in the heart of Ambleside village. This four-storey property sits within the Lake District National Park and offers a stylish base for exploring the fells and lakes. The house features local artwork throughout and provides comfortable accommodation for up to six guests.

Ambleside offers excellent access to walking routes from the doorstep. Shops and pubs are just 0.1 miles away. Windermere lake is one mile from the property. Stock Ghyll Force waterfall and Bridge House are within a three-minute walk.

The house has three bedrooms across the upper floors. The second-floor king-size bedroom has zip-link beds that convert to twins with an en-suite walk-in shower. A second king-size bedroom includes an en-suite walk-in shower. The twin bedroom on the second floor has an en-suite walk-in shower and views of Fairfield and Wansfell. A family bathroom with bath and shower serves all floors.

Windermere Jetty Museum (4.7 miles, 15 minutes) showcases lake history. Aira Force Waterfall (11 miles, 25 minutes) offers woodland walks. Grasmere village (4.4 miles, 12 minutes) provides cafes and shops. Scafell Pike trailhead (14 miles, 30 minutes) attracts walkers.

Gowanlea works well for families and walking groups. Four bathrooms eliminate morning queues. The woodburning stove creates a cosy atmosphere after fell walks.

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Need To Know

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Gowanlea Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding Gowanlea during your stay. Find the best places to visit and things to do in the local area, all conveniently organised by distance and type. Charming villages to lively and exciting attractions - there's something for everyone to enjoy. Browse through our categories including attractions, walks & outdoor activities, shopping destinations and handy tips on getting around. Plan your perfect day out. Whether you're looking for family fun, romantic experiences, or pet-friendly adventures, this cottage provides an ideal base to explore Cumbria's fantastic days out. Click on any attraction for more detailed information including address, opening times and visitor tips.

Windermere Jetty Museum
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1BJ
Aira Force Waterfall
Distance: 11 miles
CA11 0JS
Stock Ghyll Force
Distance: 0.3 miles
LA22 9DL
Wansfell Pike
Distance: 1.2 miles
LA22 0EF
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9NG
Fairfield Horseshoe
Distance: 1.5 miles
LA22 9NN
Ambleside Village Centre
Distance: 0.1 miles
LA22 9BT
Waterhead Shops
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0EP
Windermere Town
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1AF
Grasmere Village
Distance: 4.4 miles
LA22 9SH
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0EY
Rydal Mount
Distance: 1.8 miles
LA22 9LU
Windermere Jetty Museum
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1BJ
Aira Force Waterfall
Distance: 11 miles
CA11 0JS
Stock Ghyll Force
Distance: 0.3 miles
LA22 9DL
Wansfell Pike
Distance: 1.2 miles
LA22 0EF
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9NG
Fairfield Horseshoe
Distance: 1.5 miles
LA22 9NN
Ambleside Village Centre
Distance: 0.1 miles
LA22 9BT
Waterhead Shops
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0EP
Windermere Town
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1AF
Grasmere Village
Distance: 4.4 miles
LA22 9SH
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0EY
Rydal Mount
Distance: 1.8 miles
LA22 9LU

Is Gowanlea Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
Gowanlea works for families with older children who can manage multiple staircases safely. The property has four floors requiring supervision for toddlers. Ambleside offers easy walks to Stock Ghyll Force waterfall and Waterhead beach on Windermere lake. The enclosed rear garden provides outdoor space. Four bathrooms eliminate queues during busy mornings. Low eaves in top bedrooms require care.
For Couples
This property is better suited to groups than couples. The four-storey layout and three bedrooms make it too large for a romantic break. Couples wanting a Lake District base would find smaller properties more appropriate. However, the central Ambleside location offers excellent access to walks, restaurants and pubs. The woodburning stove creates atmosphere in the sitting room.
Pet Friendly
Gowanlea does not accept pets. The property operates a strict no-pets policy throughout. Dog owners visiting the Lake District will need to find alternative accommodation that welcomes animals. Many walking routes around Ambleside are dog-friendly, but you cannot bring pets to this house. The enclosed rear garden would have suited dogs but the policy prevents this.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Gowanlea

The Lily Bar

Located 0.1 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BU

Sheila's Cottage

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BL

Misto Restaurant

Located 0.1 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BS

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Gowanlea

Does Gowanlea have a hot tub?
No, this property does not have a hot tub. The house has three en-suite walk-in showers and one family bathroom with a bath and shower over.
Is Gowanlea pet friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property. The house operates a strict no-pets policy alongside a no-smoking policy throughout.
How many people does Gowanlea sleep?
The property sleeps six guests across three bedrooms. There are two king-size bedrooms (one converts to twins on request) and one twin bedroom, all with en-suite facilities.
What parking is available at Gowanlea?
Two parking permits are included with your booking. You receive one permit for on-street parking near the property and one permit for Rydal Road car park.
How far is Gowanlea from Ambleside centre?
The house is a three-minute walk to Bridge House in the centre. Shops, pubs and restaurants are 0.1 miles away on the main street.
What facilities does the kitchen have?
The lower-ground kitchen has an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge, freezer and dishwasher. A separate utility room contains a washing machine and tumble dryer for walking kit.
Are there multiple living areas at Gowanlea?
Yes, the house has a plush sitting room with woodburning stove and Smart TV. A first-floor snug with TV provides additional living space plus a spacious dining room.
What accessibility considerations apply to Gowanlea?
The property has four floors with multiple staircases and may not suit those with limited mobility. The rear garden is accessed via stairs from the lower-ground floor and the kitchen ceiling is low.

Gowanlea Reviews

Joanne
Parking permits were not easy to figure out, especially after a long journey and we got a 25 parking ticket, toilet seats kept falling off, no milk on arrival and a 'dribble' of washing up liquid. Baking trays and pizza trays all needed washing before we used them. We had the option of the double being a twin, so we emailed to change to twin but this was not done. Location was good but we would not stay here again
En suite bathrooms with each bedroom are small but functional, augmented by a full size common bathroom with bath. Plenty of space to spread out with two lounge rooms, dining room, kitchen and outdoor patio. Excellent location to access all the Ambleside shops and facilities. A very comfortable and convenient base for our walking holiday. Recommended.
Donald
The accommodation was spot on for what we wanted, in the right place for local facilities. It was clean, comfortable and well equipped. We will certainly look to rebook it when next wanting a week in Ambleside fell walking. 1A recommendation to the owners would be to prior to the winter to have the radiators bled particularly on the top floorand obviously top up the system. 2 Possibly have a fault book for guests to use so that they are made aware of any problems encountered by the guests to rectify.
We had a great week in Gowanlea, the accommodation was a really good size for our party 5 adults, 1 child and a baby, there was plenty of space and was great having ensuites in every room. It is also perfect location and very central in Ambleside, parking worked well for us and we never had a problem finding a space. There is definitely a few things that could be improved there is a broken toilet seat which I saw on aw mentioned on older reviews but hasn't been sorted and some more basic kitchen equipment would have been helpful. We were surprised there was nothing left in the kitchen oil, sauce etc like you find in most other accommodation or that people have previously left. We were also unable to locate the hoover and fire starter kit that it states is provided, we had no communication back from the owner and the communication was poor from Skye's cottages.
Siobhan
This is our 2nd time staying here and it is a lovely cottage. Nice and warm with cosy beds and perfectly located for Ambleside. The only small things would be that the cooking equipment in the kitchen could be larger given the house sleeps 6 and therefore you can be cooking for 6. We often had to use multiple saucepans as there were none large enough. There is also no storage in one of the upstairs bedrooms perhaps a chest of drawers can be provided. Overall, we loved our stay and will definitely be back for a 3rd visit!
Had a lovely short stay, excellent central but peaceful location. Very spacious, clean and comfortable. Plenty of towels, not sure where to leave them Tiny ensuites but usable especially for our Grandson! Just 1 niggle, I had to clean 3 pans before we used them and the central heating had us completely flummoxed. We would definitely stay again.
Elizabeth
The property is in a brilliant location and has everything you need. It is warm in the winter and the fire place is nice. The cleanliness was fine not fab, floor in kitchen didnt look clean when we arrived but could be the type of tiles. Was no Hoover or dustpan and brush so we couldnt really clean up after ourselves and the cleaning pack only had a jay cloth and dishwasher tablets. We took our own toilet cleaner and cleaning spray etc. There wasnt the store cupboard of leftovers we usually find and add to cooking oil, mixed herbs etc, but the kitchen had plenty of crockery and glassware which is not always the case. Everything worked washer and dryer good to have. Location is king though and you cannot beat this place for location. Excellent access to town and to walks from the doorstep. Parking was fine great to have a permit.
Comfortable and warm house. We enjoyed our stay in the heart of Ambleside with all amenities and great walks from the front door.
Roseanna
The property is very well located with great facilities. We loved our stay here. It was great to have ensuites in every room, just be aware that the showers are best suited for smaller people. The family bathroom offers a bit more space. Overall I recommend the property and would stay there again.
Susanna
We absolutely loved staying at Gowanlea! It is a gorgeous house, very comfortable the beds were great, and all the equipment was lovely and clean and worked well. So handy for beautiful walks and the town. We particularly liked the paintings on the walls, which went so well with the decor. And 4 bathrooms! Amazing! That made it so easy to get out for the day, with no waiting for everyone to have a shower. We had absolutely no complaints at all. Thankyou.
Great place. Better than I expected. Could do with a shower curtain in the pink bathroom.
Tze Ting
We had 6 adults staying in Gowanlea for 2 nights. It was very clean and tidy. Also, the instructions are clear and we got everything we needed in the house. What I love the most is they have 4 bathrooms so we didnt have to fight. And most importantly, it is very close to the town centre, just 3 minutes walking to the Bridge House. 10 out of 10.
Such a lovely home! It was cosy, clean, big, beautiful, loads of bathrooms and a very nice kitchen where we were playing games after a long hike. We had such a great time. Thank you so much for this beautiful house. It was as beautiful as the surroundings. I hope you find lots of more guests who can enjoy it. Thank you
Victoria
The property is lovely and has everything needed for a long stay in the lakes. Only thing missing is a freezer. Theres a very small ice box in one fridge. The bathrooms are dated but clean and functional although the ensuites are tiny so, if youre 5ft 1 like me, its fine, but if youre 6ft 4 like my husband its quite tricky. There are 4 bathrooms and an extra toilet however so plenty of options. The extra living room is really useful , as is the large utility laundry area. The bedrooms are all spacious but low eaves in the top floor rooms . There were a few things that need some attention such as a broken toilet seat, some blinds etc that are coming to the end of their lives, but nothing that impacted our stay. The kitchen is well equipped with everything needed and there is plenty of storage both downstairs and in the bedrooms. Parking was also never a problem. Overall a lovely stay.
We loved our stay here! It was the perfect respite for our family and fit our family's needs very well. We loved the convenience of being a short walk from town as well as hikes nearby. We will be back!
Kitchen could be slightly better equipped in terms of pots and pans. Bedrooms should have better curtains, too much light was entering the rooms. But this is personal preference. Otherwise everything was great, nice and cosy house, quiet street.
William
Kitchen very dirty when we arrived. Floor in particular, but hair and dust on shelves and food stuck to cutlery. All glassware needed washing before use. Disappointing as we have used Lakelovers many times without many issues.
Excellent property Only suggestion is to add some tv operating instructions
Andrea
It was lovely the only 1 thing missing was a radio or speaker in the kitchen or dinning area.
Lovely cottage, well equipped, excellent location and good value would thoroughly recommend.
Great house to fit 56 people for a relaxed vocation. It is so convenience to 5 toilet for everyone! The house is very clean and location is just right at the perfect place with quiet environment but just 2 mins walking distance to the main road. The only issue we had was the power supply wasnt very stable when use washing machine and dryer at the same time. But overall is definitely a comeback place that recommend to stay.
Very clean and clothing washing facilities great,
Gowanlea was lovely and central. We had no problem parking. The sitting room is comfortable and the beds are too. Plenty of kitchen stuff and plates, cups etc. lovely decent sized wine glasses too. There are a lot of stairs which needs pointing out. And the bathroom are not easily accessible. The ensuite shower room on the first floor is tricky to manoeuvre around the double doors. And with them being Louvre doors you do need to be pretty close to your partner! The shower cubicles are pretty tight in all the ensuites. Maybe a shower caddy would be helpful. Also would be nice for some hand soap to be in the bathrooms. This was sadly lacking. The ceiling in the cellar kitchen is quite low although my hubby whose head touched it used that as his excuse not to cook or wash up! Mmmmm haha In saying all of that I would definitely go back there to stay.
William
Very good property nice and clean and central to all facilities ,there are ... Very good property nice and clean and central to all facilities ,there are things i would comment on, no bins to put the bagged up rubbish in the banister on the lower stair case was loose and we couldn't get what i would call normal TV and we are all in our seventies and didn't have any log in codes but apart from that it was wonderful
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