Anneliese G
August 2014
Anvil Cottage is very well situated. Hill Top is just across the road, and Hawkshead, Ambleside, Coniston and Grasmere are a short drive away. The car ferry at Far Sawrey, meanwhile, takes you across Lake Windermere in about 4 minutes which cuts off the long drive around the lake. The Tower Bank Arms is a minute's walk away, serving great food.
The cottage itself is full of character and charm. It has a history all of its own which is well documented in the books and photos in the cottage (and which draws tourists who stand outside to take photos). It is dog-friendly with a lovely secure garden.
For us, however, there were a few downsides - it is a bit 'tired' and in need of a lick of paint and a good spring clean. The crockery and glasses were smeary when we arrived, but as there is no dishwasher we had to hand-wash everything. Half of the lamps in the bedrooms needed new bulbs. The washing machine didn't work (but this was very quickly fixed for us thankfully as we'd packed with the use of a washing machine in mind), then the Sky TV stopped working. There are two bathrooms (one just off the lounge?!), but no towel rails in either, so our towels were draped over radiators / doors. Small things, perhaps, but things that would have made the difference to us.
Perhaps the most noticeable thing for us is that while there are enough beds for seven people (two couples and 3 children), the lounge can really only accommodate 4-5 without bringing in chairs from the dining room, and the small garden table can only reasonably accommodate 2-3, making eating outdoors for 6 people practically impossible, which is a great shame as the garden is lovely. There is plenty of crockery, but there were only 4 water glasses. Again, not a major thing but something we felt should be standard in a 6-berth cottage.
I have to say that none of this detracted from our holiday. It is a very beautiful part of the country with plenty to do in all weathers, and we will definitely return, although perhaps not to this property.