Victorian House Hotel

One of the charms of Victorian House, which sits a few minutes’ walk from the centre of pretty Grasmere, is that it combines a quiet style with a cross-section appeal. Families, dog-owners, walkers, retirement and weekending couples seem to feel at ease. The large slate-built villa has been turned into a laidback guest house that mixes a vintage look with rustic simplicity. Rugs on slate floors, mis-matched oak dining tables, velvet sofas and large pot-plants furnish the semi open-plan ground floor. Victorian prints and modern art hang on the walls; Victorian pottery is displayed in glass-fronted dressers. The bar and dining area leads to a welcoming conservatory – just the place to chill with a beer after a day’s hike – overlooking a lawn that leads to the river.

Bedrooms are furnished in low-key country style with Farrow and Ball-coloured walls, plain velvet curtains, bright-patterned headboards and minimal furniture – perhaps a vintage desk or dressing table – to make the most of small areas. Bathrooms, too, can be tight. Choose one of the separate cottage rooms for more space. Four rooms have corner windows for stargazing – telescope provided – plus there’s a shepherd’s hut in the garden with a fire-pit and river views.

Apart from breakfast – reasonable cooked choice – there are no meals apart from snacking cheese and charcuterie platters. Grasmere has plenty of variety – pubs to bistros – within walking distance.

 

Written by Helen Pickles

• Pet friendly
• Dogs are allowed in the ground floor rooms at a one-time fee of £25
• Restaurant
• A small menu of small plates and sharing boards are offered all day
• Family Suites
• Comes with a sofa bed
• Child friendly
• Bar
• Walking distance restaurants

• Not suitable for disabled guests
• Sit-out Terrace
• Wifi
• Concierge
• Garden

• Great walks
• A good network of walking trails starting from near the property whether you want an amble or something longer
• Cycling
• This is ideal cycling country and the hotel offers storage and a bike washing area
• Museums
• The Wordsworth Museum and Dove Cottage in Grasmere are within walking distance

• Mountain biking
• Sailing
• Riding

Why do people love staying in your hotel? We offer a laid-back home-from-home. Our aim is to do the simple things well. We love to welcome families and dogs and are well equipped for cyclists and muddy boots too. We also offer complimentary cake in the Summer months and complimentary soup and sourdough in the Winter months which our guests seem to love.

What is there to do in the area? Lots! We have an exceptional location right in the heart of Grasmere village. In the village itself you can visit the resting place of Wordsworth and see Dove Cottage, you can also buy Grasmere Gingerbread in the teeny shop close by. The Heaton Cooper Studio is must visit too - some lovely art supplies and gifts.

What kind of breakfast do you offer? Examples include tuffle mushrooms on toast, overnight oats, eggs benedict, pancake stacks and of course, a full Cumberland Grill.

Do you offer other meals? And can you recommend good places to eat out locally? We offer small plates and platters - things like cheese and charcuterie boards that are perfect with cocktails. There are lots of great places to eat locally too.

Which are your most popular room types, and why? Our Shepherd's Hut is particularly popular, it's very romantic for couples and quirky too.

What facilities do you have for children and can you fit extra beds in your rooms ? We love welcoming kids and offer spacious family and interconnecting rooms.

What message would you like to give The Hotel Guru readers? We look forward to welcoming you!