Limited availability, could end at any time. T&Cs Apply
Sustainable Property
Sustonica, the first global sustainability standard for holiday lets.
Our aim is to create lasting holiday memories and we intend to do so both responsibly and sustainably.
To deliver on this we've set out a number of environmental and social pledges which help to focus our efforts;
you can read more about them in our Impact Report.
This is why we've partnered with Sustonica, the first global certification for holiday lets,
to support our owners to be more sustainable.
The Sustonica certification focuses on four key areas: energy conservation, water conservation,
waste reduction and promoting inclusiveness. They are on a mission to become the most widely
recognised sustainability standard for holiday rentals and a catalyst to reduce emissions of holiday
lets and influence guests to reduce their own household consumption too.
Properties that display the Sustonica badge have successfully passed the criteria,
which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council standards,
and their owner has made a commitment to look after our planet as well as you.
"We absolutely loved staying at The Old Village Shop."
The bed and sofa were so comfortable, the kitchen well equipped and the bathroom perfect. The Smart TV is a rare thing to find in cottages and was excellent to have.
One thing future guests should be aware of is the road noise where the bedroom faces directly onto the road. Even with the window closed, three mornings out of five we were woken up early (5/6am) by rubbish collections or deliveries to the pub which parked directly outside and went about their noisy business. We were hoping for lie ins so found it quite annoying!
It would also be great for the kitchen to have some scales.
Otherwise, a really lovely stay, and we wouldn't hesitate to book here again.
Reviewed by Sian5.0★Mar 2025
"Very nice property and very well located."
The parking situation is generally fine but a little tricky for dropping luggage off and loading the car on departure. We would definitely recommend The Old Village Shop and woudl happily stay there again.
Reviewed by Chris5.0★Nov 2024
"Being all on one level and including a walk-in shower the property seemed ideal since my wife has mobility issues."
However the front door steps with no grab/support rail were a nightmare, especially since they open directly onto the road.
Whilst not uncommon to not have parking the lack of somewhere to drop off and collect was also a major issue.
Both these aspects should be made clear.
Thank you for your feedback.
We are updating the property info to make the location clearer and the fact that the locals are understanding about temporarily offloading outside the property.
We are also installing a grab rail next to the steps leading up to the property, in the next few weeks, to allow easier access. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Chris4.1★Sep 2024
"Superb cottage."
Among the best we’ve rented in over 50 years of visiting the Lakes. Excellent modern facilities…except for the couch which has very poor support. Recommend getting a new couch.
Everything else was of a very high standard.
Thank you for your feedback, we are glad that you enjoyed the property. We have ordered a new sofa and this will be arriving in early December.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Kevin4.4★Sep 2024
"Had a three night stay in a well-maintained and lovely cottage."
Everything was as described and the welcome basket was a nice touch.
We were especially grateful for the parking permit as my partner does have struggles with mobility.
It was close to amenities and although it is in the heart of Ambleside, there are very little noise issues and we slept well in a comfy bed.
We will recommend to others and would consider booking again!
Reviewed by Christine5.0★Aug 2024
"A perfect holiday brilliant location and fantastic accommodation… we will be booking again for next year if available"
Reviewed by Vince5.0★Jul 2024
"We enjoyed our stay, but there was evidence the place had not been cleaned properly e."
G. debris on carpet, stains on sofa and dust on bedside tables. There is black mould around the window frame in the bedroom. We gave the place a good airing and turned the heating up as it all seemed a bit dank. When we eventually found the bin it had another property name on it too other than OVS (something Nook?), and was completely full, so we couldn't put the rubbish in it on our final morning.
Thank you for your feedback and we are very sorry you were disappointed. We have taken up the cleaning issues with our housekeeper.
We were so concerned by your other comments that we have reviewed these independently. There is no mould around the window but we think what you were referring to was discoloured silicone which has now been replaced. We are sorry you felt the property was a bit dank. We are now enhancing the extraction system to assist with any issues in this regard. In relation to the bins, again we are sorry you had issues. The bin has both “OVS” and “Briar Nook” on it, as this was its previous name. We have had problems with the waste removal company and are now changing providers. The bins need to be taken to the top of the drive at the back for removal on a Wednesday morning and we are also now communicating this more effectively to guests. We are glad you still enjoyed your stay and thank you again for your feedback.
Property Owner
Reviewed by Natalie3.4★Jul 2024
"A lovely space for a break in the lake district."
The property is clean and comfortable. The bath and shower are both lovely and the kitchen is well equipped (though we did miss having a microwave and kettle - the on-demand hot tap isn't quite hot enough for a decent cup of coffee). The welcome hamper was also a really nice touch. Have to agree with other reviews that the sofa is not usable (it's not the one pictured). We made do with armchairs. Appreciated all the guides about the local areas. For a location, you can't get much better.
Reviewed by Sarah4.7★Jun 2024
"Perfect location, we didn't use the car all weekend."
Spotlessly clean, lovely welcome pack. As others have said, the sofa is very uncomfortable, It would make me reconsider booking again which is a shame because everything else is lovely.
Reviewed by Adrian4.7★May 2024
"Lovely property in a great location so handy for the centre of Ambleside and with a car park pass so you could safely park your car in the large car park a couple of minutes from the property."
The road the property is on is very narrow and double yellow lined so it is slightly problematic when arriving with luggage. The road is also very noisy on occasion. Right opposite a pub and the dustbin wagon woke us very early one morning.
There was a big problem with the main TV in the lounge which was described as a Sky/Smart TV meaning you could watch on demand services. We noticed very quickly that there were no streaming capabilities but the very helpful housekeeper had her husband visit us on the Saturday morning to attempt to resolve it when it was discovered that not only was it not a Smart TV, it neither had any of the Sky functionality either due to the owner's account issues with Sky.
In fairness, the father of the owner did try and resolve the issues but it went from getting a new TV on day 2 to finally getting a Roku streaming stick on day 4.
The facilities at the property were very good - no microwave but a double oven, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher etc. The bed linens and towels were of excellent quality but, as some other reviews have mentioned, the sofa is pretty uncomfortable.
Reviewed by Jeremy3.8★Apr 2024
"Absolutely lovely property and we had a fantastic stay."
We were both impressed with the cleanliness and the attention to detail throughout. The kitchen was lovely and more than adequate for our two meals in (the other one we ate out) and the bathroom was fantastic … bath/shower and separate shower! Toiletries were provided and lovely big towels. The bed was not so comfortable for me (bad back/arthritic knees) but that was just me. The only grumble was the settee was quite uncomfortable for both of us but my husband managed on a chair and I sank into the settee but didn’t feel comfortable. Wouldn’t stop me coming back though! The owners kindly provided us with a lovely hamper which was much appreciated, and we love the location too. Parking is always going to be a problem in Ambleside but we were provided with a parking disc to allow us free parking during our stay. We would love to come back … Ambleside is one of our happy places and the Old Village Shop is a wonderful place to stay. Thank you, we had a wonderful relaxing stay and used buses to get around! Perfect and lovely!
Reviewed by Kathleen Elizabeth5.0★Mar 2024
"Lovely cottage in a great location, had everything you needed for a great stay and more!"
"We had a problem with the heating the day before we left but it was sorted very quickly and efficiently by Tracey."
We loved the property and would like to stay again.
Reviewed by Angela4.7★Oct 2023
"We have stayed at The Old Village Shop twice now and thoroughly enjoyed our stay both times."
The accommodation is extremely well located for walking into Ambleside in a couple of minutes (there's a Tesco Express and a Co-op nearby, as well as a bakery and plenty of cafes and restaurants). Parking can be a bit of a challenge, but the permit is much appreciated.
There was a lovely welcome package when we arrived which was very thoughtful, and everything was clean and tidy. Plenty of leaflets available with local attractions, and the local walk books are handy too! This is a perfect bolthole if you're looking to explore the beauty of Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness, Grasmere, Rydal etc.
Reviewed by Rebecca5.0★Sep 2023
"Generally very clean and modern with up to date facilities."
Only exception was the living area chair and sofa which has seen better days and we couldn't get comfortable on.
Reviewed by Raymond4.1★Jul 2023
"Lovely stay in a beautiful part of the world."
Excellent accommodation & beautifuly maintained.
Reviewed by Neil5.0★Jul 2023
"This was a top class holiday destination, it was a pleasure to stay there & clearly great thought had gone into providing above average facilities."
Ambleside is such a lovely town, so a great combination! Our only negative is that the sofa is uncomfortable.
Reviewed by David4.7★Jun 2023
"Lovely place, very comfortable and stylish."
We will definitely return!
Reviewed by Sharon5.0★May 2023
"First impressions fab… loved the kitchen,bedroom and bathroom."
The only negative was the settee.. too low and we both struggled to get on and off it… it definitely needs a new one
Reviewed by Heather4.4★Feb 2023
"Beautiful cottage, small but perfectly formed, fitted out to an extremely high ..."
Beautiful cottage, small but perfectly formed, fitted out to an extremely high standard and very obviously loved by its owners, in an amazing location, just a 2 minute walk into the town, would highly recommend
Reviewed by Denise5.0★Dec 2022
"Visited Ambleside many times but this was our first stay at The Old Village Shop and it is by far our favourite."
Super spacious, perfectly positioned, beautifully furnished, and well equipped. We’ve had a fabulous week & wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this property. Will be looking to stay here again ASAP.
Reviewed by Kirsten5.0★Oct 2022
"Great place to stay, all facilities top rat."
Location superb, would highly commend
Reviewed by P5.0★Oct 2022
"Fab cottage, high quality, clean, well equipped would have liked opportunity of extra pillows for the bed as they were a bit flat, lovely to have the welcome treats."
Will hopefully stay again.
Reviewed by Paula5.0★Sep 2022
"We loved the property."
it was well appointed and had everything we needed .It was an easy walk into Ambleside but very quiet.
Reviewed by Jan5.0★Sep 2022
"Very nice property in a great town centre location."
Well furnished and comfortable, albeit a bit noisy but this is due to it's location in the town.
We had a nice welcome box of goodies awaiting us on arrival which was very nice.
Reviewed by Stephen4.7★Aug 2022
"In general it is a modern apartment with the full facilities which was really nice."
We were slightly disappointed to find hairs in the bathroom. It was also a bit off putting to see cobwebs on the majority of the ceilings and corners. It seemed as though beneath the dining table mats had not been cleaned for a while as there were a lot breadcrumbs under them.
Like some of the other guests have stated the sofa wasn't pleasant. It had a damp feel about it and wasn't comfortable.
The location is right next to the road so it can get noisy very early in the morning with cars driving past (or like in our case the bin lorries and bin men doing their round). It would have been even more noisy if we had opened the windows.
The best past was the bathroom. One of the best showers I have had! It could do with better storage options, however in general the bathroom was very inviting.
I may be a bit critical however when paying over £300 a night it could have done without the issues mentioned above.
Reviewed by Jagdev3.4★Jul 2022
"Excellent property - where everything worked!"
!!!
Reviewed by Judi5.0★Jun 2022
"This is a lovely property in a great location."
The photos on the Lakelovers site are accurate and the standard of the accommodation will not disappoint.
Reviewed by Janet5.0★May 2022
"Superb location in the centre of Ambleside."
The provision of a parking permit is really helpful. Property itself was very clean and comfortable and of a high standard. Would highly recommend.
Reviewed by Elizabeth5.0★May 2022
"Good apartment in a good location."
Well equipped and great that all the basics were provided, tea, milk etc.
We found the towel rail did not heat up with the heating system and could only be used in the electric mode.
We both found the bed and sofa uncomfortable, but that's probably just personal preference.
Reviewed by Rod3.4★Mar 2022
"Superb property in a fantastic location"
Reviewed by Ian4.7★Dec 2021
"Excellent property, one of the best we’ve stayed in in the Lakes."
Lovely and clean, a perfect location, great quality linens, well equipped kitchen and great bathroom.
Reviewed by Jo5.0★Oct 2021
"The Old Village Shop is ideally situated in Ambleside."
The accommodation has top quality facilities and feels very luxurious. Welcome hamper and basics such as washing up liquid, lovely hand soap and shower gel were provided too. Definitely recommend to anybody wishing to stay in the area.
Reviewed by John5.0★Sep 2021
"Well equipped stylish accommodation in an excellent location."
Reviewed by Gill4.7★Jul 2021
"Full marks for interior design - we loved everything about it."
We have been visiting the Lakes for many years and this house is the best we have stayed in.
Mrs BaxterJun 2019
"Location and finish of the property superb."
Gorgeous cottage, lovely welcome hamper would highly recommend
Miss WillsApr 2019
"We've had an amazing few days in Ambleside."
This is such a beautiful apartment with absolutely everything you could possibly need. I wish we could take the bed and shower home with us! Thanks for the invite and hospitality Harry and Les 'Si' Grove. Here's to a healthy and happy 2019
This property is part of the Lakelovers collection.
We have properties to suit every occasion throughout the southern and central Lake District including; Ambleside Cottages, Bowness Cottages, Coniston Cottages, Grasmere Cottages, Hawkshead Cottages, Lakeside Cottages, Langdale Cottages, Troutbeck Cottages, Ulswater Cottages, Windermere Cottages and smaller hamlets between, which although seldom heard of are none the less equally wonderful. With hundreds of properties available, Lakelovers are sure to have a property to meet your needs.
Summary
Property accepts Mon/Fri or Fri/Mon short breaks
All ground floor
One bedroom: 1 x king-size double (can accommodate a cot for an infant) with TV, en-suite bath, separate shower, basin and WC
Permit that allows free parking in the main Ambleside car park 200 yards from the cottage in addition to street parking outside cottage
Sorry, no smoking
Short stroll to shop and pub
Note: One infant is also welcome
Property will generally be decorated for Christmas after the third week of November each year.
The property
The Old Village Shop is an outstanding ground floor apartment in the heart of beautiful Ambleside, combining traditional features with sumptuous contemporary décor.
Couples will love the thoughtful touches that have been provided throughout this property.
The beautifully presented open plan living space features a cosy wall-mounted fire, plush sofa and large Smart TV next to a modern kitchen and dining space.
The spacious bedroom with king size bed can also accommodate a cot for one infant, which is available upon request.
The superb bathroom features both a walk in shower and sumptuous bath.
A permit is provided with free parking in the main Ambleside Car Park, which is just 200 yards from the cottage.
Located in the centre of Ambleside, the Old Village Shop is the perfect base from which to enjoy all the village has to offer including wonderful shops, traditional pubs, contemporary eateries and even two fabulous cinemas.
Take a walk up Loughrigg Fell from the centre of Ambleside for spectacular views across Lake Windermere that will take your breath away.
If you prefer a more leisurely stroll, a relaxed twenty minute walk from the Old Village Shop will take you to the shores of Lake Windermere where Steamers and Launches cruise daily throughout the year with connections for the Lakeside Steam Railway, Aquarium of the Lakes and Lakeland Motor Museum.
With Rydal, Grasmere, Langdale and Windermere all in close proximity of Ambleside, The Old Village Shop makes the perfect getaway if you’re looking for high quality accommodation in the heart of one of the Lake District’s finest villages.
Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.
Lying at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake, Ambleside makes a superb base for touring the central Lakes, with Grasmere and the Langdale Valley just a short drive away. There is plenty to do here - cruises, boat trips and watersports on Lake Windermere itself and numerous shops, restaurants and pubs in the village to suit all tastes. On the lakeside at Waterhead, the parkland offers lovely views down the lake and a short stretch of beach, whilst a walk in the other direction, following Stock Ghyll through woodland, will bring you to the entrancing waterfall of Stock Ghyll Force. Along with the Lake and the great walking on offer, Ambleside is also famous for its annual rushbearing ceremony and the diminutive 17th century “Bridge House” - one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District and now the National Trust Information Centre.
