Ambleside
Cottage Stays

2026 Self-Catering Breaks in Windermere, Grasmere, Coniston & More!

Home
Cottages Latest Cottages Favourites Contact Us List Your Property
Home North of England Cumbria Top Notch
Top Notch Overview Reviews Photos Attractions

Top Notch, Ambleside

Guest Rating
Rating
4.0
out of 5
Guest Rating
Rating
4.0
out of 5
Cumbria » Ambleside
Sleeps up to 4
Bedrooms: 2

Top Notch is a two-bedroom apartment in Ambleside with panoramic views across Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Horseshoe. This property sits close to the town centre with a south-westerly aspect that catches the sun throughout the day. The balcony offers exceptional views over the rooftops towards Red Screes.

Ambleside sits in the heart of the Lake District National Park. You're a two-minute walk from the main bus station and town centre. Lake Windermere lies 4. 7 miles away. Grasmere is 4. 4 miles north.

The apartment sleeps four across two bedrooms. The first bedroom has a king-size bed. The second bedroom contains twin beds. Both rooms include ample storage. The bathroom features a bath with shower over.

Read More
Check Prices & Availability »
At Sykes Cottages
Check Prices & Availability »
 

About Top Notch

Top Notch is a two-bedroom apartment in Ambleside with panoramic views across Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Horseshoe. This property sits close to the town centre with a south-westerly aspect that catches the sun throughout the day. The balcony offers exceptional views over the rooftops towards Red Screes.

Ambleside sits in the heart of the Lake District National Park. You're a two-minute walk from the main bus station and town centre. Lake Windermere lies 4.7 miles away. Grasmere is 4.4 miles north.

The apartment sleeps four across two bedrooms. The first bedroom has a king-size bed. The second bedroom contains twin beds. Both rooms include ample storage. The bathroom features a bath with shower over. The fitted galley kitchen comes equipped with an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer. The living-dining room has a plush sofa, wall-mounted Smart TV and gas fire. Off-road parking for one small car is included.

Stock Ghyll Force waterfall sits in the town (0.2 miles, 2 minutes). Bridge House National Trust Information Centre is 0.3 miles away (3 minutes). Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's former farmhouse, is 6.8 miles south (18 minutes). Borrans Park lies 0.5 miles from the property (4 minutes).

Perfect for couples or small families wanting easy access to Lake District walks and attractions. The views and location make this apartment stand out.

Check Prices & Availability »
At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

More Cottages You May Like

Stone Howe >
WiFi Near Pub

Stone Howe

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms

Pretty Ambleside bungalow with stunning wrap-around views. Perfect family accomodation with one super king size room and one twin. Short stroll from village centre.

View Cottage
Bay Tree Cottage >
WiFi Near Pub Open Fire

Bay Tree Cottage

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms Pet Friendly

Luxury double-fronted Lakeland cottage. Family Friendly. Enclosed pation with furniture. Private parking. WiFi. Pub 5 min walk. Grasmere 4 miles.

View Cottage
Byways >
WiFi Fishing Near Pub Open Fire

Byways

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms

Byways is a lovely holiday cottage resting in the scenic town of Ambleside in The Lake District National Park. Smart TV. National Park. Woodburning stove. Grasmere 4.2 miles; Windermere 5 miles;...

View Cottage
Bracken Howe >
Hot Tub WiFi Fishing Near Pub Open Fire

Bracken Howe

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 10 5 Bedrooms

Bracken Howe is the perfect property for a group celebration in the stunning Lake District National Park, in the bustling town of Ambleside, Cumbria. Grasmere 4.3 miles; Windermere 4.9 miles;...

View Cottage
Wynford >
WiFi Near Pub Open Fire

Wynford

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 12 6 Bedrooms Pet Friendly

Large contemporary residence. Great views. Underfloor heating in all bathrooms. French doors to pretty patio. Five minute walk to Ambleside village.

View Cottage
Deer Corner >
WiFi Near Pub Open Fire

Deer Corner

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 6 3 Bedrooms

This pretty two-storey property sits within a small cluster of eye-catching cottages at the entrance to Pullwood Bay Estate, and is ideal for families and friends seeking a tranquil get-together...

View Cottage
Larna Place >
WiFi Romantic Fishing Near Pub

Larna Place

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms

Highly commended Four-Star accommodation. Architect-designed accommodation. Close to the centre of Ambleside. Spectacular views. Large patio. Social open plan living space. Private parking and...

View Cottage
Highfold >
WiFi Near Pub Open Fire

Highfold

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms

Highfold is a character cottage in Ambleside, close to all the shops & restaurants, and a short walk to the Lake. Perfect for families. Woodburning stove. Patio garden.

View Cottage
Cloud Cottage >
WiFi Fishing Near Pub Open Fire

Cloud Cottage

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 6 3 Bedrooms

Cloud Cottage is a charming property in Ambleside, Cumbria, with a woodburning stove, open-plan living area and is a short drive away from Lake Windermere. Grasmere 4.3 miles; Windermere 4.8...

View Cottage
The Old Laundry >
WiFi Romantic

The Old Laundry

North of England, Cumbria

Sleeps 4 2 Bedrooms Pet Friendly

Superb single-storey cottage in Clappersgate near Ambleside. Feature inglenook with gas fire, en-suite bedrooms. Two dogs welcome. Fell and riverside walks from door. Ambleside 1 mile. Hawkshead 4...

View Cottage

Top Notch Attractions & Days Out

Explore the wonderful attractions and activities surrounding Top Notch 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: 0.2 miles
LA22 9BP
Bridge House National Trust
Distance: 0.3 miles
LA22 9DT
Hill Top (Beatrix Potter)
Distance: 6.8 miles
LA22 0LF
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9NG
Fairfield Horseshoe
Distance: 1.5 miles
LA22 9NN
Rydal Water
Distance: 1.8 miles
LA22 9LX
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 0.2 miles
LA22 9BS
Booths Supermarket
Distance: 0.4 miles
LA22 9BT
Windermere Village
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1AF
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 5.2 miles
LA23 1LB
Grasmere Village
Distance: 4.4 miles
LA22 9SH
Keswick Town
Distance: 16.7 miles
CA12 5JR
Stock Ghyll Force
Distance: 0.2 miles
LA22 9BP
Bridge House National Trust
Distance: 0.3 miles
LA22 9DT
Hill Top (Beatrix Potter)
Distance: 6.8 miles
LA22 0LF
Loughrigg Fell
Distance: 2.1 miles
LA22 9NG
Fairfield Horseshoe
Distance: 1.5 miles
LA22 9NN
Rydal Water
Distance: 1.8 miles
LA22 9LX
Ambleside Town Centre
Distance: 0.2 miles
LA22 9BS
Booths Supermarket
Distance: 0.4 miles
LA22 9BT
Windermere Village
Distance: 4.7 miles
LA23 1AF
Windermere Lake Cruises
Distance: 5.2 miles
LA23 1LB
Grasmere Village
Distance: 4.4 miles
LA22 9SH
Keswick Town
Distance: 16.7 miles
CA12 5JR

Is Top Notch Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families
Top Notch works well for small families with children. A cot and highchair are available on request. The Smart TV has Netflix and a good selection of channels for entertainment. Ambleside town centre is a two-minute walk away with shops and cafes. Stock Ghyll Force waterfall is 0.2 miles from the property. Lake Windermere offers boat trips and watersports 4.7 miles south.
For Couples
The apartment suits couples wanting a Lake District retreat. The balcony offers panoramic views across Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Horseshoe. The south-westerly aspect catches the sun throughout the day. The living room has a plush sofa and gas fire for cosy evenings. Ambleside's restaurants and pubs are a two-minute walk away. The king-size bedroom provides comfortable accommodation after days exploring the fells.
Pet Friendly
Top Notch does not accept pets. The property operates a strict no-pets policy for all guests. If you're looking for accommodation that welcomes dogs, you'll need to search for alternative properties in the Ambleside area. Many Lake District cottages and apartments do accept pets, but this particular apartment is not suitable for guests travelling with animals.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Top Notch

The Giggling Goose

Located 0.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BU

Zeffirellis Restaurant

Located 0.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BZ

The Apple Pie Cafe

Located 0.3 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 9BS

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Top Notch

Does this cottage have a hot tub?
No, Top Notch does not have a hot tub. The apartment does have a bathroom with a bath and shower over for relaxing after days out walking.
Is it pet friendly?
No, pets are not permitted at Top Notch. The property operates a strict no-pets policy for all guests.
How many people does Top Notch sleep?
Top Notch sleeps four guests across two bedrooms. The first bedroom has a king-size bed and the second has twin beds.
What parking is available?
Off-road parking for one small or medium-sized car is included. The parking space is tight so larger vehicles may struggle to fit or manoeuvre.
Is the apartment suitable for families with children?
Yes, the apartment works well for small families of four. A cot and highchair are available on request for younger children.
What facilities are in the kitchen?
The galley kitchen includes an electric oven and hob, microwave, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer. Everything needed for preparing home-cooked meals is provided.
How far is Top Notch from Ambleside town centre?
The apartment is a two-minute walk from the main bus station and town centre. Shops, restaurants and pubs are all easily accessible on foot.
Is WiFi available at the property?
Yes, WiFi is available at Top Notch. The apartment also has a Smart TV with access to streaming services like Netflix.

Top Notch Reviews

Oliver
Great view, comfortable flat, the flat and the balcony get the sun all afternoon. Overall worked well for us. Quick trot into town for shops and cafes as well as other walks doable from Ambleside. A few simple upgrades in the kitchen would be welcome e.g. a better peeler. Car parking is tight but doable with hatchback.
Alison
Top Notch is in a great location. It is laid out very well. The heating is very good and the views are great. The furniture is very comfortable and is a nice place to relax. There were a few issues that we had in the kitchen. The dishwasher was half full of crockery and glasses that hadn't been put away. Inside the cupboard there were mugs that had been put away dirty. The frying pan had a thick layer of rust on it, we tried to scrub it clean but gave up. One of the saucepans has a number of splits around the edge making cleanliness impossible. In the twin bedroom there was thick dust down the side of the bed. We have been stopping in cottages in Ambleside for the last 30 years and know what an acceptable level of cleanliness is, but this time Top Notch fell far below on this occasion.
Oliver
Great location, love the views across Ambleside. Heating worked great and had a handy porch. Everything worked fine and decent TV. Place needs updating a little but generally lovely house and will hopefully be back in the future.
Rachel
A lovely apartments with fantastic views.
Katherine
Lovely small apartment. great views of the fells. Good position for the centre of Ambleside. Parking very tight especially when all spaces are occupied.
Great location, great view from the property. Would stay there again.
Booked through Vrbo, then up pops sykes and tries to charge me more. had to do a lot of digging to get a meaningful contact number and speak to a person who could sort it out! Apartment great , one of the single beds a bit lumpy, springs could be felt through the topper that had been put on top. Parking was a challenge and needed the cooperation of all of the occupiers of the appartments.
Katherine
A lovely week long stay for two. The beds are comfortable, kitchen fitted with everything you could possibly need, and the whole place was spotless. The provision of a few dishwasher tabs and bin bags was a big help, too. It's set just out of the way yet only a two minute walk from the main bus station of Ambleside and town centre. Plus, the views are amazing!
Top Notch is a squeaky clean, comfortable apartment in a great central location in Ambleside. It also has wonderful views. Would have given it five stars for everything had the shower been working. Seems it hasn't worked for a little while looking back at other reviews so owners must be aware. Other than that it was a lovely little place.
A lovely little apartment with great views, added extras to entertain the kids. Great television choice. So close to the town with everything on your doorstep. The steps down to the town are very steep and so many. The car parking is very tight, we did struggle to get in. The shower wasnt working, a plumber came out but it still didnt work. Luckily it wasnt an issue for us we had baths. We would definitely return to this apartment.
Monica
We enjoyed our stay in this very cosy cottage with picturesque views from the living and kitchen areas. The cottage was well equipped and has been clearly cared for. The kitchen had everything needed for cooking, the bedrooms were comfortable and it was a quiet place. We would not hesitate to book here again if returning to Ambleside.
Great central location. Very clean and tidy. Everything we needed, from leaving wet walking gear in the entrance conservatory, to relaxing on the balcony. Gorgeous views at the front. Small dark bedrooms at the back, but very quiet. Parking a tight squeeze with a Mini, but just about okay. Best to get the bus for day trips.
Monica
Parking is extremely tight and would be a problem for an inexperienced driver or a nervous driver. Impossible to fill all parking spaces if all apartments occupied. Shower did work, apparently waiting for a part, we were disappointed with this. Location good if you grab a parking space first!
Bridget
We enjoyed a lovely week at Top Notch with wonderful views over Ambleside and towards Loughrigg from the balcony A perfect position in Ambleside What can I say about the parking? Even with a small car it was difficult to manoeuvre in and out of the allocated space even though the little park was never full There was a very large car parked along by the wall and we were barley able to drive past it on our last day We could not find the hairdryer but could have brought our own one if wed known this so a minor problem I emailed and phoned the office on arrival day on Friday but by Tuesday I havent heard anything back so went to the office in Ambleside where the very pleasant Steve gave me a new one for the apartment The internet then went down for nearly 18 hours but miraculously reappeared at around 0400 hours! We would definitely like to stay here again Bridget
Excellent location, parking is very narrow, not an issue for us but larger cars may struggle.
Caroline
What a beautiful apartment, very clean and beautifully decorated, comfy sofa and soft towels and bedding and pillows were to a very high standard, Ive stayed in plenty of Sykes cottages over the past 20 years, I can easily say this one has been the best, very sad to leave, will definitely return.
Daniel
This is our second time this year we have stayed at Top Notch. It was sad to see that 2 of the windows have been damaged but this wouldnt stop us from coming back! The property is in a lovely location looking over the roof tops of Ambleside and is within easy access of Windermere, Thirlmere and Ullswater. We stayed as a family and would stay again.
The lack of household items was poor,could do with handles on the bath ,toilet seat not stable. Tv not receiving a signal and parking space difficult to access also building work being done at the entrance to the property apart from that it has lovely views and is convenient for the town.
Great little apartment for a family of 4. The balcony views are fantastic better than the photos.
A lovely apartment with a balcony with fantastic views of fells around Ambleside. The self checkin is nice and easy and the private parking is very handy. It was spotlessly clean and plenty of room for storage. The beds are comfy, kitchen well equipped oven & hob worked well, good TV and a comfortable sofa. We really enjoyed our week in Top Notch.
Top Notch has everything you could want. We loved the balcony and the views. We arrived by public transport and got a Hello Fresh recipe box and a Waitrose wine delivery for provisions highly recommend! When not cooking we ate at Sheilas Cottage, the Tap Yard and Chesters, which are all worth a Google. Thanks to HofTL and the owners for a great week.
Robert
The parking spaces are too small, as is the room for turning the car around. It would be impossible for a car like a landrover discovery to fit in the parking space.
Rebecca
Ideal location and the little balcony really made the difference to this little apartment. Facilities were very basic, but all we needed. Had to go & buy bleach and cleaning products before we could use anything which is annoying. Could really do with an update and the bedrooms were grim to say the least, dark and dated think frosted glass and dark brown curtains. Wouldn't take much to really make this lovely. Take heed of the small car warning. We were lucky noone else was there, but it's v tight. A basic stay with amazing views would sum it up.
Excellent apartment which had everything you needed for a comfortable stay. Will book again. Perfect for us as a couple.
A small,conveniently located flat with good facilities. Stunning view from the balcony. My only criticism would be the parkingif you drive anything other than a small car its very tricky! We really enjoyed our week here!
Jillian
Disappointed that there was no DVD player even though one was listed. Looks like someone had damaged the connection so also unable to use your own DVD player. No light above bathroom sink. Various lightbulbs not working or missing. Water leaks in the conservatory.
Dear Team, having spent a thoroughly enjoyable week in Top Notch the only niggle was that the cable from the Dvd player had been damaged and parted company with the T. V. also an internittant problem with the ariel coax. Other than that everything was Top Notch. A really great little property.
Great position 5 minutes from restaurantspubsshopping but still quiet
The accommodation was fine, our only comments would be to say that there was no WiFi available during our stay. I hunted high and low for the Hub to reboot it, but couldn't find it anywhere. Also we thought the utensils were not up to 4 star rating, minor observation but worth noting as they should be updated. Finally, just as other tenants have mentioned the parking is a problem, especially for us as we have a large family saloon. Luckily the space next to ours was empty so we had room to reverse out.... Just. We've stayed in this area of Ambleside a few times before so we understand the difficulties with parking. All in all we had a lovely time.
The parking was the biggest flaw when staying at Top Notch. You really need a compact car but then so do all the owners and guests of the other apartments! The apartment could do with a bit of an upgrade and there are areas that could be cleaned more thoroughly towel rail in the bathroom, behind furniture, previous guests dishes... Certainly not as good as any other 4 property we have stayed at.
This is an excelent appartment with great views from the Baclony and Kitchen. The description given is accurate, however I would empashise the following. The parking is difficult to access and only suitable for a very small car. If larger cars are in adjacent spots parking could become almost impossible. Luckily the parking slot next to us was empty all week. The steps down to the town are steep and uneven care is needed. To walk arround only adds about 5mins and then you are right into the shopd.
Florin
We booked this cottage as a last minute stay as we were in the Lake District already and had decided to extend our stay. The description of the cottage mentioned Perfect for a small family, which is not appropriate, and here is why the carpet was filled with very long blond hair, that my son kept picking up from the floor to show us... is this family friendly ? there is absolutely no baby facilities in this cottage no high chair, or cot. We had, however, requested one at booking, which after being initially forgotten, had been brought to us the living room is very small the bathroom as mould on the seal around the tub the bed in the main bedroom is not a king bed, as written in the description. the overall place was far from being clean. The price night for this cottage was at 220, which was equivalent to a night in 4 hotels in the same area. The only problem is that this was far from being a 4 stay, or from bringing the peace of mind of a 4 stay, despite the view, which is, indeed, incredible.
Leave a Review
Been to Top Notch? Please leave a review and share your holiday experiences.
Name
Month of stay
Year of stay
Review

Related Categories

Holiday Cottages in ambleside With ParkingSykes Cottages Ambleside
Popular Cottages
Useful pages
Follow Us
Subscribe
Join our newsletter and get fantastic deals on UK cottages you won't find anywhere else. We respect your privacy and adhere to strict no-spam policies.
Copyright © 2026 - Ambleside Cottage Stays
Millans Park, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AG