About Stepping Stones House

Stepping Stones House is an elegant period residence in the Rydal Vale near Ambleside. This 400-year-old property once belonged to William Wordsworth's son. The house sits beside the River Rothay with direct access to walks leading to Rydal Water and Loughrigg Fell.

The location puts you within walking distance of Ambleside. A private road follows the river into the village. Grasmere lies 4.4 miles away. Windermere is 4.7 miles distant. You can walk to Rydal Caves and tackle the Fairfield horseshoe from the doorstep.

The accommodation sleeps 10 across five bedrooms. Two king-size rooms have en-suites with baths and overhead showers. Another king-size room and one double with en-suite bath provide additional sleeping space. An attic twin bedroom suits children aged 5-11 only. A family shower room serves the main bedrooms.

Stock Ghyll Force waterfall (1.5 miles, 5 minutes) makes a quick outing. Bridge House in Ambleside (1.5 miles, 5 minutes) is a local landmark. Rydal Mount (2 miles, 6 minutes) was Wordsworth's home. Grasmere village (4.4 miles, 12 minutes) offers shops and cafes.

Grand rooms with high ceilings and large windows create an impressive base for multi-generation families. The landscaped garden and parking for three cars add practical benefits. Stepping Stones House welcomes two pets.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Gas central heating and feature fireplace
✓Range cooker, 2 gas ovens, gas hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, tvs, dvd, piano, wifi
✓Fuel and power included in rent
✓Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓Private parking for three cars
✓Landscaped garden, patio and furniture
✓Two pets welcome
✓Sorry, no smoking
✓Shop 1.5 miles, pub 0.5 miles
✓Note: the property is semi detached
✓Please note that due to the area of the property, the wifi signal is not always very strong in every room

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Stepping Stones House Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding Stepping Stones House 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.

Stock Ghyll Force

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9PN

Bridge House Ambleside

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9DU

Rydal Mount

Distance: 2 miles

LA22 9LU

Rydal Water

Distance: 0.5 miles

LA22 9LX

Loughrigg Fell

Distance: 1 mile

LA22 9NN

Rydal Caves

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9LR

Ambleside Village Centre

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9BS

Co-op Ambleside

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9BT

Grasmere Village Shops

Distance: 4.4 miles

LA22 9SW

Windermere Town

Distance: 4.7 miles

LA23 1AF

Grasmere Village

Distance: 4.4 miles

LA22 9SX

Keswick

Distance: 16.7 miles

CA12 5JR

Stock Ghyll Force

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9PN

Bridge House Ambleside

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9DU

Rydal Mount

Distance: 2 miles

LA22 9LU

Rydal Water

Distance: 0.5 miles

LA22 9LX

Loughrigg Fell

Distance: 1 mile

LA22 9NN

Rydal Caves

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9LR

Ambleside Village Centre

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9BS

Co-op Ambleside

Distance: 1.5 miles

LA22 9BT

Grasmere Village Shops

Distance: 4.4 miles

LA22 9SW

Windermere Town

Distance: 4.7 miles

LA23 1AF

Grasmere Village

Distance: 4.4 miles

LA22 9SX

Keswick

Distance: 16.7 miles

CA12 5JR

Is Stepping Stones House Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families

Children aged 5-11 will love the attic twin bedroom with its steep stairs creating an adventure space. The snug provides a cosy area for games and puzzles. The riverside garden offers safe outdoor play with water views. Direct access to gentle walks along the River Rothay towards Rydal Water suits family outings. Ambleside's shops and Stock Ghyll Force waterfall make easy excursions.

For Couples

This property is not ideal for couples seeking an intimate retreat. The grand five-bedroom house with formal dining room and drawing room suits large family groups rather than romantic getaways. The scale and layout create too much space for two people. Couples would find smaller Lake District cottages more appropriate for romantic breaks.

Pet Friendly

Two dogs are welcome at Stepping Stones House. The landscaped garden provides secure outdoor space with river views. Direct footpath access from the property means you can walk to Rydal Water, Loughrigg Fell and along the River Rothay without car journeys. The 20-minute riverside walk into Ambleside suits daily exercise. Parking for three cars accommodates pet-owning families travelling together.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Stepping Stones House

The Drunken Duck Inn

Located 3.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 0NG

Zeffirellis Ambleside

Located 1.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BZ

The Badger Bar Rydal

Located 0.5 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9LR

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Stepping Stones House

Does this cottage have a hot tub?

No, Stepping Stones House does not have a hot tub. The property focuses on its period character and riverside location instead.

Is it pet friendly?

Yes, Stepping Stones House welcomes two pets. The landscaped garden and direct access to riverside walks make it excellent for dogs.

How many people does Stepping Stones House sleep?

The property sleeps 10 guests across five bedrooms including two king-size en-suites, one king-size, one double en-suite and an attic twin. The attic bedroom suits only children aged 5-11 due to steep stairs.

What cooking facilities are available?

The kitchen has a range cooker with two gas ovens and gas hob, plus a microwave, dishwasher, fridge, freezer and Nespresso machine. Extensive cookware, crockery and glassware are provided for large groups.

How far is Ambleside from the property?

Ambleside is within walking distance via a private road alongside the river taking approximately 20 minutes on foot. By car the village is 1.5 miles away.

What walks can you do from the house?

You can walk directly to Rydal Water, Rydal Caves, Loughrigg Fell and access the Fairfield horseshoe from the doorstep. Grasmere is reachable on foot at 4.4 miles.

Is there parking at Stepping Stones House?

Yes, private off-road parking for three cars is available. This is particularly useful for multi-generation family groups arriving in separate vehicles.

What living spaces does the property have?

The house includes an elegant drawing room, formal dining room, character kitchen, cosy snug and a pantry. High ceilings and large windows feature throughout the grand period rooms.

Stepping Stones House Reviews

The property was wonderful and very well equipped. The furnishings and appliances were all of a very high standard. The welcome pack was a lovely addition and a really nice touch. The location was perfect for walks around Loughrigg and the AmblesideRydal area.

This house and location are perfect, and as a result weve stayed here several times and will continue to do so. However, there was an unfortunate issue. We were due to take over the property at 4 p.m. on the Friday as per our booking. We received a telephone message at 115 p.m. advising us of pipelaying to the front of the property and that there was an issue with access. We were told we would be offered alternative accommodation if we decided we didnt want to take the property. We went to the property and the front was a real mess. In short, after several difficult phone calls, we decided to take the property as it was exactly what we wanted. There were clearly mitigating circumstances regarding the work, and the owner himself was very helpful. Our main gripe was with Lakelovers who, in fairness, were trying their best, but we felt we werent informed of the works until less than three hours before we arrived. We made the most of it despite the awkward access and would thoroughly recommend it.

The listing is ambiguous. It suggests 4 double bedrooms and a twin. In fact, the twin is in the attic, not on a stated second floor. We spent some time looking for a second floor. The attic is stated as unsuitable for adults, so it is a four doublebedroom house sleeping 8, plus a fourbed attic suitable for ages 515 perhaps. Needs clarifying. We managed, but two people ended up sleeping on the floor. As we were in jolly spirits and only there for the weekend, that was fine. Others may think otherwise. The house overall is fabulous and easily accommodates a large group.

Rachel

The property was great very warm surprising for such a big house in February. The only negative was trying to speak to an actual person before the holiday . I was trying to find out if logs would be at the house it has a wood burner it took numerous phone calls and emails to get an answer.

Lovely house. Plenty of room and in a beautiful setting. The bedrooms are huge and very comfortable.

Natasha

Left things behind in the house, its a week later and Im trying to gr through to speak to someone about this and each day theyre starting me off me a new person with no updates! !!! Terrible customer service. The actualy property is great and I would have given fab reviews but the after service is shocking!!!!! Its impossible to speak to someone, they will only let me text someone which they dont always reply to

Lovely house. Second time we have stayed. Great location

It was our 2nd stay at Stepping Stones as we love the area & position of the house. We noticed that there has been some decorating & updating, but felt that some rooms were quite shabby looking & definitely in need of decoration & refurbishing. The front porch wood is quite rotten & gives a bad first impression, much worse than when we last stayed. Some light bulbs werent working & were mismatched on chandeliers which looked odd. The shower screen was missing over one of the baths so the shower could not be used, & also plugs not attached on basins & baths! There looked to be quite a lot of black mould in the kitchen which affected a couple of the party with allergies. There was a planned electric cut on the Thursday & it was off all day as thought but when it came back on, quite a few sockets would not work so we had no TV in the lounge, or lamps or microwave for the last night & Friday morning. A lovely setting & house, but it needs some decoration & attention to detail, so would not choose to go back as it is.

Stepping Stones is a stunning cottage, where you feel like you are the lord or of your own manor. The rooms are stunning, with high ceilings and large windows, giving you that feeling of grandure. Breathtaking scenery on your doorstep, and all the amenities that makes it feels like a home away from home. We booked this stay, as part of our wedding week, getting married at the nearby Venue of Cote How. The Cottage is truly stunning, and we will be likely be returning in the future, as a home base for enjoying the Lake district.

Richard

Absolutely superb property for our recent stay in the Lakes. We loved the space two families sharing but also the ability to all eat together and chill together in the garden or in the living room. Its a perfect location with a 20 minute walk into Ambleside and walks on the doorstep around and over Loughrigg Fell and Fairfield horseshoe. Also great we could bring our dogs to enjoy their walks and family time too.

Jennifer

Excellent property suited my family very well. The little ones loved the loft area. All the little extra made it a real home from home. The garden and sitting out area was an added bonus.

A fabulous property in a wonderful location, with everything you need for a fantastic holiday. We loved our stay here. Some beautiful walks directly from the property which is situated in the heart of the Lakes. There was nothing I could see that was not available at the property. We were a large family group and we all had a fantastic holiday.

Christopher

Undoubtedly a fantastic location, but bad smells from the sewer system, noisy generator or pump operating all night, and general repairs required. Had reported these to Sykes, but no reply!

Richard

Great property, loved staying there! So much bigger thank we thought, it was perfect for our family holiday. Thank you

Its such a shame that there are still small issues still not rectified from previous years No lights on first floor landing. The door to the lounge will not latchto. The outside of the porch is rotting away which is a great shame as its almost a first impression of the property. These are maintenance issues, the location and facilities of Stepping Stones House are excellent.

Cosy warm very comfortable house which very clean for such a big house. Great facilities. No complaints whatsoever.

Andrew

Beautiful old style cottage superb location good sized bedrooms nice garden ... Beautiful old style cottage superb location good sized bedrooms nice garden lovely little snug for children ideal attic room for kids just stairs a little steep not for toddlers spotlessly clean kitchen well equipped best we have had porch needs a little attention with frame work but not a show stopper just first impression when entering nice little gift left for local shop and coffee and tea were left would stay again

Lovely we just keep going back this is the 5th year back

We have visited stepping stones house now over 7 times and really appreciate the updates to the house including the living room furniture and the kitchen. The live Christmas tree and beautiful decorations in the house was such a wonderful surprise and we really appreciated it all week as well as the well stocked logs. The bedding and towels are of beautiful quality and the adding touches of room diffusers and toiletries much appreciated. There are just a few minor replacements needed the outside lights were not coming on. Also a few of the bathrooms need chains fixing for the plugs in the sinks. The mattress in the red room seems to have given up. The hand towel holder in the blue room bathroom is held together by tape. Overall just small things to snag. We love this house

Overall fantastic stay and excellent spacious property which is perfectly located to experience the lakes. Walking distance into Ambleside for eating outsupply runs. Kitchen was also very well equipped. Slight inconveniences being the wifi struggled to get to the snug and upstairs bedrooms and the mattresses were on the firmer side but we all still had a great week.

Valerie

We had an amazing time at stepping stones house celebrating my 70th birthday with our children and grandchildren . We visit the lakes around this time every year and we all agreed this is one of the nicest properties we have stayed at plenty of room for everyone everything we needed and more at the house and perfect location for our family walks.Will definatley look at booking again .Val John and family from Liverpool

The property is lovely. .. spacious, a good mix of traditional and modern furnishings and decor, bedrooms delightful with fab views. The garden and views over the river and the fells is sublime. Although most rooms are ensuite, one bedroom has only a bath with shower attachment, this is cumbersome to wash hair for example and not everyone has time to have a bath vs shower, so one of my family had to use someone else's shower. You just need fix it with a screen and put shower on the wall over the bath to sort that. Internet signal was virtually non existent for 80 percent of the week and needs fixing. We did inform and request, but suffered same all week which meant using mobile data and far less channels on TV.

Charmaine

Absolutely loved our stay in the stepping stones. Nice and spacious and had everything we needed. The views were gorgeous and it was lovely and peaceful in the surrounding area. The garden was great for the dogs and a fab area to sit out. The water was a bit temperamental in the upstairs bathsshowers due to the boiler having to reheat but we just staggered our showers. WiFi didnt work much but it wasnt a problem for us particularly. Even sat next to the router some times it would work and sometimes not. The pantry is nice and big to store all of your food and the appliances are very easy to use. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Thank you and we will hopefully be back in the future.

Anthony

Brilliant location and everything provided, kitchen sink tap was loose but this was a minor fault. Would definitely book again.

Alison

We were a 3 generation extended family group with a 7, 3 and 2 year old. The house was extremely well furnished and equipped and the location is fantastic. We were lucky to have good weather all week but even if it had been bad the house offered lots of wet weather distractions. Suggest the house facilities description be up dated to include reference to the barbecuefirepit, the Nespresso machine, the childs high chairs and the lockable summer house for bikes buggies etc. The smart TV struggled to work as the internet is slow, so iPads are essential if your toddlers need a daily fix of Hey Duggee. Final suggestion a cheap bike would be usefulso someone can nip out to the shops in Ambleside for essentials.

Lesley

We were blown away with the character of this very spacious 400 year old house. All equipment was provided for cooking and picnics for a large family. May have been helpful to have camping chairs. The garden furniture is old two seater is broken and wasnt particularly clean, accepting this can be difficult with the changing weather conditions. We had our mum with us who is 78, she struggled with the steep steps and some of the patio slabs were loose and unsafe. The views were amazing and the kids loved being near the stream. I would definitely recommend staying here and we would book again.

Third time staying at the house and absolutely love it absolutely superb place for a week on holiday. Issues include no shower screen in our bedroom and no notification of this so really quite disappointing as we couldntwouldnt shower in our room for fear of excessive water spillage, multiple loose paving slabs at front and back which could easily cause injury and these have been like this for three years, plus a very minor complaint is lack of larger water glasses I.e tumblerspint glasses or similar.

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Stepping Stones House, Ambleside

About Stepping Stones House

Need To Know

More Cottages With Hot Tubs You May Like

Stepping Stones House Attractions & Days Out

Is Stepping Stones House Right For You?

For Families

For Couples

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

The Drunken Duck Inn

Zeffirellis Ambleside

The Badger Bar Rydal

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Stepping Stones House Reviews