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How Head Cottage, Ambleside

Guest Rating
Rating
4.1
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.1
out of 5
Sleeps 2
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 1

How Head Cottage is a traditional Lakeland stone cottage set in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. This authentic property sits in the peaceful hamlet of How Head, offering genuine countryside living with easy access to Windermere and Ambleside.

The location provides direct access to fell walks and lake activities. You can explore woodland trails from your doorstep or drive to Windermere's shores in minutes. The surrounding area features classic Lake District scenery with dramatic fells and quiet valleys.

The cottage sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms. It features a well-equipped kitchen with traditional range cooker, comfortable sitting room with wood burning stove and a separate dining area.

 

About How Head Cottage

How Head Cottage is a traditional Lakeland stone cottage set in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria. This authentic property sits in the peaceful hamlet of How Head, offering genuine countryside living with easy access to Windermere and Ambleside.

The location provides direct access to fell walks and lake activities. You can explore woodland trails from your doorstep or drive to Windermere's shores in minutes. The surrounding area features classic Lake District scenery with dramatic fells and quiet valleys.

The cottage sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms. It features a well-equipped kitchen with traditional range cooker, comfortable sitting room with wood burning stove and a separate dining area. Outside you'll find private gardens with stunning fell views and off-road parking for two vehicles.

Windermere Lake (2.5 miles, 8 minutes) offers boat trips and watersports. Ambleside (3 miles, 10 minutes) has shops and cafes. Beatrix Potter's Hill Top (4 miles, 12 minutes) and Wray Castle (3.5 miles, 11 minutes) make excellent family days out.

How Head Cottage suits families and groups wanting authentic Lake District living with immediate fell access and traditional cottage character.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

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How Head Cottage Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding How Head Cottage 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 Lake Cruises
Distance: 2.5 miles
LA23 1BJ
Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's House
Distance: 4 miles
LA22 0LF
Wray Castle
Distance: 3.5 miles
LA22 0JA
Claife Heights
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0LW
Latterbarrow
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NG
Tarn Hows
Distance: 3.5 miles
LA22 0PP
Hawkshead Village Shops
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NT
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 3 miles
LA22 9BU
Windermere Village
Distance: 4 miles
LA23 1AF
Grizedale Forest
Distance: 4 miles
LA22 0QJ
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NT
The World of Beatrix Potter
Distance: 4.5 miles
LA23 3BX
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 2.5 miles
LA23 1BJ
Hill Top - Beatrix Potter's House
Distance: 4 miles
LA22 0LF
Wray Castle
Distance: 3.5 miles
LA22 0JA
Claife Heights
Distance: 1 mile
LA22 0LW
Latterbarrow
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NG
Tarn Hows
Distance: 3.5 miles
LA22 0PP
Hawkshead Village Shops
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NT
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 3 miles
LA22 9BU
Windermere Village
Distance: 4 miles
LA23 1AF
Grizedale Forest
Distance: 4 miles
LA22 0QJ
Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
Distance: 2 miles
LA22 0NT
The World of Beatrix Potter
Distance: 4.5 miles
LA23 3BX

Is How Head Cottage Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
Children have immediate access to safe garden space and gentle walking routes from the cottage door. Nearby attractions include Beatrix Potter's Hill Top (4 miles) and The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction in Windermere. Windermere Lake offers boat trips and beach areas. Grizedale Forest provides adventure playgrounds and cycling trails just 4 miles away.
For Couples
The cottage offers a cosy wood burning stove and peaceful hamlet setting perfect for romantic escapes. Couples can enjoy private gardens with fell views and immediate access to quiet walking routes. The traditional Lakeland character creates an authentic atmosphere. Nearby Ambleside and Windermere provide restaurant options while the location maintains countryside tranquility for relaxing evenings together.
Pet Friendly
Dogs are welcome at How Head Cottage with immediate access to excellent walking routes from the property. The surrounding fells and woodland provide varied terrain for daily walks. Private gardens give secure outdoor space. The location sits within the Lake District National Park offering endless dog-walking opportunities across fells, forests and lakeside paths all within easy reach.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at How Head Cottage

The Drunken Duck Inn

Located 1.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 0NG

Queen's Head Hotel Hawkshead

Located 2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 0NS

Graze on the Green

Located 3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BT

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about How Head Cottage

Does this cottage have a hot tub?
No, How Head Cottage does not have a hot tub. The property focuses on traditional Lake District cottage features including a wood burning stove and private gardens.
Is it pet friendly?
Yes, the cottage welcomes pets so your dogs can join you on this Lake District adventure. The location provides immediate access to excellent walking routes straight from the door.
How many people does the cottage sleep?
The cottage accommodates up to six guests across three bedrooms. This makes it suitable for families or small groups wanting to explore the Lake District together.
What parking is available?
Off-road parking for two cars is provided at the property. This gives you secure parking and easy access for unloading after your journey.
Is the cottage suitable for children?
Yes, the three-bedroom layout works well for families with children. The private gardens provide safe outdoor space and numerous family attractions sit within a short drive.
What heating does the cottage have?
The cottage features central heating throughout plus a wood burning stove in the sitting room. This combination keeps the property warm and creates a traditional cottage atmosphere.
How far is it to Windermere?
Windermere Lake sits just 2.5 miles away, approximately 8 minutes by car. The town of Windermere with its shops and restaurants is equally accessible.
What walking routes are nearby?
Footpaths lead directly from the cottage into the surrounding fells. The location provides access to both gentle valley walks and more challenging fell routes depending on your preference.

How Head Cottage Reviews

Very very nice cottage ,warm and cosy ,just for two, parking was ok we got ... Very very nice cottage ,warm and cosy ,just for two, parking was ok we got parked every night ,could be better with internet ,also could do with an airfryer
Joshua
Very comfortable stay, with warm once the radiators got going. It would be nice if there was some simple things hand soap, dish soap, salt and pepper. There was a package that had dishwasher tabs, but no dishwasher... Also maybe some information on walks etc in the area would be nice. Had to oil the door hinges to stop them creaking excessively. Despite the above comments, we really enjoyed our stay, thank you.
Lovely cottage in great location. we always have a lovely time thank you.
Well located cottage with all of the amenities, although a little tired, needed. A good base to explore the Lakes from. Parking can be a little challenging, and we parked further up the road near Kirkstone cottages with ease.
Nicola
Great little cottage, very comfy. The new bathroom is lovely and the two arm chairs are perfect to put your feet up after a long walk. We'll be back again. Thank you
I didnt even stay a night. Im not sure if no WiFi was listed when I booked, but there isnt any. The pictures & listings show there is a bath whilst the new shower room is v nice I wanted a bath. There is no sofa again on pics and listings and downstairs is very dowdy and not at all cosy. No facilities to dry wet clothes with no dryer or radiators storage heaters only. I couldnt make the downstairs TV work & there was a visible tangle of wires & plug boards. No freezer freezer compartment and a tiny little table not a dining area!. The kitchen waste bin was placed on the lounge carpet, which overlapped with a tuckedup rug. Kitchen poorly stocked & the microwave needs replacing. Disappointed as I loved the old world charm but it could be so much more cosy and better equipped downstairs.
Valerie
Lovely cottage nice location, well equipped and comfortable. The limited space has been used well and it makes a fabulous base for a break. Not our first visit to this property and hopefully not our last
Gareth
Nice property. Bathroom looked like it had just been renovated, as it was different to the photo in the listing with a walkin shower replacing the shower over a bath. As others have mentioned parking can be problematic or should I say the way others park their cars in the spaces available is the problem. A good location to explore the local walks to High Sweden Bridge & Stock Ghyll Force. I would definitely return.
Bad for parking no toilet rolls gas fire didnt work could be cleaner
Lovely cottage kitchen has all that you need we had a fabulous holiday clean, comfortable and quiet yet just a minute fron ambleside center. look forward to staying again highly recommended.
Valerie
Very relaxing stay and would definitely go back. Glad I read previous reviews as no facility for any frozen food at all. Needs a proper tin opener too. Quite a few cobwebs and dusting around ornaments evident that's not a criticism it reminded me of home
Rebecca
Great location with lots of walks on the doorstep and just a short saunter down the hill into town.
Michael
A really nice cottage well located to local amenities just requires a new mattress and white light bulbs in the bathroom and kitchen to get 5 stars. I would defo book again
We would like to bring to your attention a couple of issues we had with the property, hoping they can be resolved before your next letting. Firstly, upon getting into bed on the first night we found that the bed had almost entirely collapsed in the center. And definitely couldn't support my weight, nevermind mine and my partners. We took the mattress off to inspect and found that the bed had obviously been previously broken and badly repaired on more than one occasion My partner managed to rewedge the makeshift repaired wooden support beams into place so that we could sleep. We were then worried about the stability of the bed for the duration of our stay and were afraid to move too much once we were laid down. We definitely hadn't expected to need to take the mattress off and repair the bed on our holiday before we could use it. We feel that the bed desperately needs replacing, not repairing. The nest of tables in the lounge area was also broken. The inside of the microwave was dirty, and therefore I refused to use it. Also, we felt that the floor in the kitchen wasn't very clean. We couldn't walk barefoot on it, as it felt sticky and there were obvious cobwebs in the corners of the room on the floorby the kitchen cabinets. The cottage was charming with its 16th century accents and the location was fantastic! We didn't have timeability to complain whilst we were staying here, as we were up and out of the cottage very early each morning exploring and not back until late. Meaning we were mostly out of signal range during opening hours, and had no WiFi available at the property. Because of these issues, we wouldn't want to return to this property, or recommend it to friends. Which is a shame Because as I said, the location was fantastic and we will definitely be returning to the area at a later date.
Lesley
I have just had a lovely stay at How Head. I live nearby but my usual accommodation gets too hot in the Summer which affects my health. How Head was a lovely, cool retreat with its amazingly thick walls! I really like its quiet simplicity and with its quite spacious fridge managed O.K. without a freezer. I was on an online choir course but I managed to access the internet through my phone so the lack of WIFI was fairly easily overcome too. I can also recommend the benches just across the road. It felt like the lap of luxury being able to sit there with my morning cup of tea and enjoy the view. I will certainly visit How Head again in the future
Stephen
This is a wonderful place to stay in Ambleside. Convenient location to the town only a short walk away. Lots of places to dine out or you can eat in using the kitchenette in the cottage. It's a little dark inside but accept that is in keeping with the period and character of the cottage. Wifi not available and for international travellers that good be an issue. Overall we enjoyed our stay and would recommend it.
Stephen
My third time at this cottage. One problem, as indicated by a previous client, was the cold tap in the bathroom. Unable to turn it fully off so a continous stream of water. I would call it more than a dripping tap. ? Storage heaters. The one in the main room hidden behind the sofa therefore not usable. The one in the bedroom no information on how to use it but wasn't required. Bathroom heater no problem.
Deborah
The cottage is great, lovely location. Could do with a freezer at least a freezer box in the fridge for ice trays. I understand its the character of the cottage, but it is rather dark. Also, the light above the mirror in the bathroom doesnt always work it buzzes and the cold tap doesnt turn off fully and squeaks. Its just a bit tired. We did, however, have a wonderful stay and will be back.
Andrew
Had a wonderful time in Ambleside, it is a lovely place and a great central hub from which to explore the Lakes. Fabulous and cosy How Head Cottage, just lovely to come back to and relax, has everything you could wish for apart from a freezer for ice cream lol. Parking was as was expected tricky at times but we were parked right outside the front door mainly. An absolutely lovely place to stay and had a great week.
Overall we had a great time and I've been visiting Ambleside for 40 years. The cottage is in an ideal location for walking and less than a 2 minutes walk to the nearest pub! The cottage is a little tired but thats just being picky as I commented to my wife 'thats what gives it its character' any modernisation would spoil it! We would definitely stay again and I will be highly recommending it to my family and friends.
Although just a one up and one down this cottage was quite spacious for 2 people and we found it very comfortable. The location was peaceful despite being near the centre of Ambleside. It has no outdoor space so better for a short trip. Easy access on foot to the mountains Red Screes, Fairfield, Stony Cove Pike and Ill Bell ridge for a long day.
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Millans Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AG