Kingfisher Barn Kendal, Cumbria

The location of Kingfisher barn is perfect- on the edge of the village, with beautiful countryside views, a river, and easy access from M6 and to get to different areas of the Lake District. Staveley is a lovely village, and with good amenities - shop, pub, butchers, pharmacy, amazing coffee shop and bakery near the brewery- a short walk from apartment. Kitchen facilities were good (when worked!), although no dishwasher. HOWEVER, we had several issues with the property, which resulted in it not meeting our expectations, and spoiling our holiday somewhat, plus adding a lot of unnecessary stress. As soon as we arrived it was apparent that the apartment needed a long awaited deep clean- there was a dirty odour in the apartment and there were large food crumbs visible all over the seats of the settee and armchairs!! I had to hoover these as soon as we arrived before we could sit down! Although the kitchen was clean on the surface, there were a few items which had not been washed up properly- including the plastic chopping board in the cupboard with dried food on it (which I therefore left without using all week!). We washed the mugs and cutlery ourselves before using as did not feel comfortable to use otherwise. The grubbiness worried us to the extend that we would not even put our bags on the floors, but kept up on surfaces! Upon arrival the boiler was not working and had a red warning triangle, so there was no hot water. We had to contact Sykes cottages whom arranged for an engineer to come round- whom fixed the issue that day. However, we were unable to have the showers we had hoped for upon arrival after travelling for 11 hours. The hand towel for the downstairs toilet was folded up on top of the toilet seat (instead of hung in the towel ring)!! Not great for drying hands as then adding a whole new layer of germs! The bath did not appear very clean and had hairs, and bits in the bath, and watermarks on taps. Again, we had to clean the bath too before using. There were cobwebs down side of bedside cabinets and in some corners. However, luckily the beds did appear clean, as at this point we were contemplating not staying. The highchair in the corner of lounge (which we were not using as a group of 3 adults) was dirty , and the cover of the travel cot in corner of lounge (again obviously not using) was thick with dust. The next issue was that the fridge was not working, which we did not notice until a couple of days in. We were given a free standing fridge on day 2 but lost £54 worth food in the non-working fridge! As we had a big Tesco order arrive the morning after our arrival we had planned our meals and the fridge was full- we ended up spending extra having to eat out one night and eating cheaper more basic food which we had to shop for the rest of holiday. Our £54 lost has been repaid by Sykes for which we are grateful, but our whole holiday was spoilt with the issues we had. I would not recommend, or visit this accommodation again unless it has a complete deep clean and update of carpets/flooring. Very disappointed and such as shame as was looking forward to our first holiday in 3 years- and this place could be made so nice, and clean!!.

Loved the Kingfisher Barn cannot wait to book again.. My only negative is I didn’t want to come home

We really didn't like the toilet in a cupboard in the kitchen.. The upstairs toilet was not comfortable for a man to use - very short on head space due to the extreme sloping roof. The shower side panel over the bath is too short and consequently, the floor could get very wet!! When we arrived, the first thing we noticed was a cupboard door missing in the kitchen, together with one of the drawer fronts. These were found in the entrance porch on top of a cupboard! There were also two light bulbs not working. All this was reported to your office a couple of days after we arrived and we were told that something would be done, but nobody arrived in the next three days. The downstairs was spacious and well equipped, but the toilet and bathroom facilities were not sufficient for four adults. We had a good holiday and the weather was really good.

In light of the coronovirus pandemic you should have cancelled our booking and either refunded our money or held our booking over to another date.. As it was we left a day early. This spoilt our visit.

We found upon arrival that we needed a code to obtain the keys from a secure holder next to the door.. The booking.com call centre was eventually helpful but it involved a long waiting period where we weren't confident that anyone would eventually answer. This system assumes that you have mobile internet access, good English and plenty of phone time. The apartment itself was lovely and spacious. The bathroom upstairs was good but tall or heavily built visitors may find the space somewhat limited.

We had a lovely week in Kingfisher Barn, however our feedback echoes that in the visitor book within the cottage - the king size mattress urgently needs replacing as it’s terribly saggy and gave us both a stiff back, and the hot water on the shower has only one temperature, scorching.. Also, it would be helpful if your instructions mentioned where to park.

Lovely comfortable cottage.. Great village with excellent pub, The Eagle & Child. I found everyone that I spoke to in the village exceedingly friendly I thoroughly recommend it.

2nd time at Kingfisher Barn, so we knew what to expect - all excellent again..

Not having a designated parking space was the only issue, parking on the road was not ideal due to tractors and their trailers passing at speed a couple of times per day.. Location and accommodation very good.

There was just something about King Fisher Barn that has made it my favourite.. I felt really comfortable living there, a home from home with added quirkiness. Some lovely peaceful walks on the doorstep added to the experience.

Lovely location, however parking was not well-explained in the online information.. Very comfortable, well-equipped, although wi-fi and TV a little variable. Plentiful local information leaflets (some prices a little out of date) and helpful apartment information. Piano was a bonus!

Lovely lounge and kitchen.. Good place to be based for exploring the Lakes. However the bathroom needed some attention - mould around bath where sealed to wall, shower screen too short for position of shower head so water on the floor, toilet seat loose, no toilet roll holder. Bedroom smelt of damp, WiFi not working for half of our stay. I would not stay at this property again.

We had a fabulous time in Kingfisher barn Staveley Cumbria.. It was everything we hope for and more, tastefully furnished and like home from home. Great location for walking in the fells and only 10 minutes drive from Lake Windermere with it's bustling atmosphere and a wide variety of restaurants. An amazing place for star gazing as it has very low light pollution. The staff at the Cumbria office were extremely helpful and friendly, offering advice on places to dine that were nearest to the cottage which really helped. We would definitely recommend it, and would happily stay here again. regards the courtney family.

We had a great week walking and eating in the local pub.. The apartment was very comfortable and dog friendly. Had an extremely enjoyable week.

Had a brilliant week in a fantastic location made even better by the weather.. Would like to have been better informed about lack of parking as we had two cars. No complaints otherwise

We had a great relaxing holiday.. Cottage was well equipped, cosy and comfy and very well situated in a quiet area in the village. We particularly like the way the owners have utilised the space. Brewery, bakery and butcher close by and recommended. Been to Staveley several times and just love the area. Thanks again

Cleaners turned up and knocked the door at 9:40 - made up feel pressured to leaving.. Cobwebs on ceiling in each room, had to hoover ourselves.

The accommodation was of the high standard we've come to expect with Sykes Cottages..

Excellent cottage, extremely well equipped and perfect location ..

The cottage was centrally located in the Lake district. The property had all the facilities that are required for a comfortable stay.

The cottage was situated in a lovely village and was handy for the surrounding places of interest in the Lakes. Overall we had an excellent holiday.

The cottage was centrally located in the Lake district.. The property had all the facilities that are required for a comfortable stay.

The cottage was situated in a lovely village and was handy for the surrounding places of interest in the Lakes.. Overall we had an excellent holiday.

Very relaxing week. Our third visit to Staveley using different cottages each time. We were out on plenty of walks and sat outside the Hawkshead Brewery a couple of times. A really good break.

Very relaxing week.. Our third visit to Staveley using different cottages each time. We were out on plenty of walks and sat outside the Hawkshead Brewery a couple of times. A really good break.

We had a fantastic honeymoon in this lovely cottage and even the weather was kind to us. Kingfisher Barn was everything we had hoped for and more.

An ideal location for walking and exploring the South Lake District.

We had a fantastic honeymoon in this lovely cottage and even the weather was kind to us.. Kingfisher Barn was everything we had hoped for and more.

An ideal location for walking and exploring the South Lake District..

The location was fantastic, just outside the village centre, not far from a great pub with easy train access to Windermere. it was clean and recently re-furbished, great view from the kitchen up the valley. Good quality all round. I have already recommend it to friends.

The location of the cottage in the village of Staveley was perfect. The cottage was very comfortable and clean. We love the surrounding area for walking and being able to take the dog. Being able to park up the car and not use it for the whole week was perfect.

The location was fantastic, just outside the village centre, not far from a great pub with easy train access to Windermere.. it was clean and recently re-furbished, great view from the kitchen up the valley. Good quality all round. I have already recommend it to friends.

The location of the cottage in the village of Staveley was perfect.. The cottage was very comfortable and clean. We love the surrounding area for walking and being able to take the dog. Being able to park up the car and not use it for the whole week was perfect.

The accommodation was overall of a high standard, the owners have thought of everything, even down to a hair dryer! The furnishings were lovely, especially loved their choice of pictures of the surrounding lakes district. Staveley is a great little village in a picturesque landscape. I loved being near to the weir waterfall and hearing the water rushing whilst in the kitchen. The view towards Kentmere is pretty in the morning too.