Dancing Beck Cottage

4.3★

6 Guests
4 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Pets No
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Features

Off road parking
Open fire
Garden / Patio
Cot available
Highchair available
Washing machine
Dishwasher
Broadband / WiFi

Reviews & Ratings

Accuracy of the listing

Cleanliness

Comfort

Facilities and Maintenance

* Based on a combined average customer score

24 Customer Review(s)

Tracey
August 2024

“We had an excellent stay, it more than lived up to our expectations.”

I wish I'd written in the visitor book but completely forgot. The cottage is awesome, so luxurious with a fabulous homely feel. So much space, we never felt on top of each other. It was just fantastic, thank you so much for having us.

I wish I'd written in the visitor book but completely forgot. The cottage is awesome, so luxurious with a fabulous homely feel. So much space, we never felt on top of each other. It was just fantastic, thank you so much for having us.

- Tracey, August 2024
Jenny May 2024

“Absolutely fabulous time at Dancing Beck.”

Fabulous views and cottage had everything we needed. 10 minutes by car from Keswick and some lovely walks locally.

- Jenny, May 2024

Thank you for your feedback, I'm delighted to hear that you had a fabulous time at the cottage and enjoyed the views and the lovely walks in the area. Property Owner
Mary December 2023

“Great house, had the feeling of cosyness but space too.”

Managed to use the aga cooker even for Christmas dinner! Rooms very tastfully decorated. Lovely and warm. Excellent range of kitchen equipment and serving dishes etc. No issue with the wifi. Hot water was sometimes an issue but we read the instructions and kept it on for longer. 6 adults staying. EBI - outside light by front door not working. Would be nice to have a complimetary set of logs and matches! Would defintely recommend and come again. Great location for Keswick- jsut off the main route (but on a quiet road).

- Mary, December 2023

Thank you for your feedback, it's good to know that you would recommend the cottage and consider staying again. Thank you also for bringing the outside light to our attention, this has now been replaced with a new light. Logs and other supplies for the wood burner are readily available in Keswick which is only a few minutes' drive away, and we have taken the view that most guests would prefer these to be optional rather than increase the basic holiday price to include them for all bookings. Property Owner
Sean December 2023

“I've styed a few times now and love the place, couple of improvements required.”

The Wifi is shocking only available in half the house and causes issues with the TV, un-needed stress. I also think a nice touch would be to have at least enough wood for one fire rather than 3 matches 2 pieses of kindling and nothing else, it's not a lot to ask!! Still it's a nice quiet place, ten mins from Keswick.

- Sean, December 2023

Thank you for your feedback, it's great to know that you love the cottage. With regard to the WiFi, we are limited by what is available in the area and as stated in the property description we cannot guarantee a connection at all times. We are awaiting the installation of fibre broadband which should improve the WiFi. Logs and other supplies for the wood burner are readily available in Keswick which is only a few minutes' drive away, and we have taken the view that most guests would prefer these to be optional rather than increase the basic holiday price to include them for all bookings. Property Owner
Lyndsay October 2023

“Absolutely stunning property, clean & well equipped.”

The only problem we encountered was having no hot water for two days & not being able to get a reply back from Sykes on any of the contact numbers or chats, nor the property manager number provided at the house. Instructions for the hot water must be made clearer! Other than that, we really loved our stay. The location & views were absolutely perfect for us too.

- Lyndsay, October 2023

Thank you for your feedback and I am glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. I have been in touch with Sykes but unfortunately they were unable to find any record of your contact. The property manager was first contacted on the Monday and then sent someone out on the same day, however the issue had already been resolved by yourselves. We do provide full instructions for the hot water and heating but the property manager is always happy to provide assistance if you are having difficulties, her contact number is provided both in the information folder and on the noticeboard. Property Owner
Tash August 2023

“We had a wonderful week staying at Dancing Beck.”

Our children, 11 and 9 loved the cottage so much so they went into every room on the day we left saying goodbye. None of us wanted to leave. We were extremely lucky with the weather and explored many different activities including hiking up Catbells Fell, White Water Rafting in Windermere, walking Llamas, cycling in Keswick, paddling in Lake Derwent and having a brilliant day on the beach at St Bees. We were extremely happy and comfortable in the cottage. The welcome pack was lovely (thank you!), the bedrooms were comfortable and the master bedroom upstairs was a real treat to stay in. The views from the bedroom and lounge were tremendous. Just a few helpful pointers. Be careful if it has been raining when opening the back door by the Beck. The step is very slippery and I fell quite badly on the first day. Be mindful that the hot water will run out if you don’t read the instructions properly! The kitchen space is a little tricky as there is not much surface space to prepare meals however given that we ate out a lot it really wasn’t an issue. Just pointing it out for fellow residents. Overall we agreed as a family that we had the best holiday we have ever had and we would highly recommend Dancing Beck Cottage for a family holiday. I shall miss sitting with my morning coffee on the bench looking out at the wonderful landscape of the Lakes. Thank you for making our annual holiday one to remember.

- Tash, August 2023

Thank you for your feedback and I am pleased to hear that you had a wonderful family holiday at Dancing Beck Cottage. The hot water is set on a daily timer, but instructions are provided to switch it on for longer periods if required. With regard to the kitchen space, there is an additional small table in the rear hall which could be moved into the kitchen to provide a little extra surface space if required. Property Owner
Peter July 2023

“The cottage is generally clean, pleasant and comfortable.”

We had some niggles (such as no wifi for the week, the vacuum cleaner falls to pieces every time you use it and the hot water being off on arrival meaning cold showers on the first morning) but we enjoyed our stay all the same. My constructive feedback to the owner would be - this could be a great cottage were it not for the clunky kitchen. I suggest you either build an island or else a wrap-around counter to separate the space from the lounge. Please also provide some side tables & coasters in the lounge - I don't want to have to get out of my seat with each sip of wine! A good kitchen designer would help you think about and overcome the following friction points - * It's poorly laid out - nothing flows. Despite it being a large kitchen everything feels like it's all either on top of each other or else at the opposite side of the room * Lighting - feels a bit stark and/or dingy * The appliances all take some fathoming. The aga-style cooker is probably somewhat intimidating to the average guest; reading a load of user manuals before cooking the kids' tea isn't my idea of a holiday. * This leaves just two hobs and a tiny standalone oven for meal preparation, both of which are cramped into the corner of a massive room * Inexplicably, wooden spoons and utensils are at the opposite side of the room. There's enough cutlery to feed a small army but corners have been cut with useful things - flimsy broken cheese grater, no bottle stopper for opened wine, etc. * Child friendly plates & cups would be very welcome * The dishwasher opens across the very cupboard you want to put things away into * The fridge stands out like an eyesore * A few small touches like a coffee machine or an instant hot water tap would go along way * In that vein, please don't be tight; providing a thimbleful sized bottle of washing up liquid takes the biscuit (which means to say I'd rather you remove the complimentary biscuits if it came down to a choice) * I suggest you add a quick user guide/poster on the wall by key appliances - lots of people have never used an induction hob for example

- Peter, July 2023

Thank you for your detailed feedback and I am glad that you enjoyed your stay at the cottage. The wifi code is provided in the guest information folder; unfortunately, due to the location we cannot guarantee a connection at all times, as stated in the property details. The hot water is set on an automatic timer to come on in the mornings and evenings, but guests are welcome to switch it on at additional times if required. We do provide plenty of coasters and guests are welcome to use these on the coffee table in the lounge area. As I am sure you will understand, the kitchen layout and appliance types are to some extent a matter of personal preference and it would not be feasible to redesign and rebuild the kitchen each week to suit guests’ individual preferences. We do receive very positive feedback regarding the kitchen facilities and equipment and many of our regular guests seem to like the open plan layout, which is pictured in the property details to assist guests in selecting their holiday accommodation. There is a coffee machine, and we do provide simplified instructions for key appliances in the guest information folder as well as the full user manuals should these be required. Property Owner
Karen May 2023

“Dancing Beck Cottage is a very well kept property in a beautiful location.”

It was very quiet and the views were fantastic. The property had everything you could need. It was clean and comfortable. The ceilings are very low on the top floor so beware if you are tall. I am only 5ft 5 and banged my head walking round the end of the bed.

- Karen, May 2023

Thank you for your feedback, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed the location and views and found that the cottage had everything you needed. I do appreciate that the sloping ceilings in the upstairs bedrooms take a bit of getting used to, but hope you felt that the views made it worthwhile, particularly from the master bedroom. Property Owner
Penny April 2023

“Mostly cottage was excellent though multiple forms of heating and controls took a bit to sort out and manage, as did using cooking multiple cooking facilities.”

The upstairs bedrooms were very cold and very noisy on a stormy night. However the views from the windows are fantastic and the ground floor space excellent for an extended family. The little ones loved the decking/ garden area and the adjacent wood.

- Penny, April 2023

Thank you for your feedback, I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the open plan ground floor space and the outdoor areas. We do provide full instructions for the heating and cooking facilities but I appreciate it can take a bit of getting used to. The upstairs bedrooms needn't be cold if the heating is on, but due to the sloping ceilings it is not possible to eliminate all outside noise on a stormy night. Property Owner
Hayley August 2022

“The property is great, very comfortable and has everything you need.”

It’s a short drive from Keswick so nice and quiet, away from the crowds, but close enough to explore and pick up shopping etc. There are amazing views from the cottage and you can walk up Skiddaw from the front door. We all had a very enjoyable stay

- Hayley, August 2022

Thank you for your feedback, I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay. Property Owner
Allan July 2022

“Good location and all facilities lived up to expectation.”

The only problem was the non collection of the refuse bin ( which was full on arrival). I contacted the cottage admin to arrange a collection, but it never happened by our departure day. Even the weather was good,

- Allan, July 2022

Thank you for your feedback and I am sorry that the refuse was not collected during your stay. Refuse collection services are provided by Allerdale Borough Council; I did contact them to find out why the collection had been missed - apparently this was due to a temporary road closure, and they were unable to offer an alternative collection date during the same week. As you will appreciate, the collection arrangements with the council are outside of our control and the cottage management team do not have facilities to collect and dispose of refuse on behalf of the council. I hope this did not detract too much from the enjoyment of your holiday. Property Owner
Yvonne July 2022

“Really enjoyed our stay in Dancing Beck cottage.”

We have been travelling to the Lake District for holidays for over 10 years and have always stayed in good properties but we were very impressed with this one. The facilities were very good, especially kitchen wise. Often the equipment is basic and inadequate for self catering meals but this was certainly not. All of the furniture and fittings were of very good quality and really felt like 'home from home'. The location was great for walking - both straight from the cottage round Bassenthwaite or a short drive to popular hikes like Blencathra & Walla Crag etc. and is close to the facilities of Keswick and has easy access to both the coast and Ambleside, Grasmere and the Southern lakes. The views are stunning from the cottage and it is a quiet location. We will definitely be re-booking next year!

- Yvonne, July 2022

Thank you for your feedback, I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and hope you will enjoy any future visits to Dancing Beck Cottage just as much. Property Owner
Stephen April 2022

“Lovely holiday cottage, beautifully located.”

Suggest if a family request a cot bed and high chair that you make them more visible on their arrival. (When we arrived they were tucked in a cupboard upstairs behind a chair and will a young child, getting routinely to sleep is very important. After I requested both items, I received no confirmation that they were available.)

- Stephen, April 2022

Thank you for your feedback and I am very sorry that the cot and highchair were not taken out for you. It would be normal practice for the changeover team to take these out of the cupboard when they have been requested in advance, however on this occasion the request was unfortunately not passed on. The management company will be reviewing communication procedures to ensure that requests for the cot and highchair are always passed on to the changeover team for action. Property Owner
David December 2021

“A superb cottage in a superb location.”

Everything about the accommodation was perfect and enabled us to enjoy a truly memorable stay. We will definitely be revisiting.

- David, December 2021

Thank you for your feedback, we are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stay and we hope you will enjoy any future visits just as much. Property Owner
Charles November 2021

“Great holiday here again.”

Was concerned about falling through the kitchen floor that I gather has been damaged by a leak from the dishwasher (was not informed about this issue). Everything needed for a lovely holiday is provided inside, which is great as we always cook for ourselves. The decking is out of action, waiting to be repaired, not a problem in mid November. Furnishing are absolutely top drawer. Hopefully return again in the near future.

- Charles, November 2021

Thank you for your comments. The kitchen floor has now been repaired - unfortunately we were unable to carry out our usual maintenance visits last winter due to covid travel restrictions so we were left with a choice of cancelling guests' holidays or waiting until a vacant week to carry out these repairs. We do apologise for any inconvenience. We anticipate that the decking will be repaired during this coming winter, subject to availability of tradespeople and materials. Property Owner
Mat July 2021

“Such a shame.”

The advert was lovely - the place looked great - we gambled on not having a garden but instead relied on the decking area for our kids to be able to have outside space. We were sadly disappointed. With no warning, we arrived to discover the decking out of bounds - not a good start. We then went in to discover general cleanliness wasn't great despite the warnings galore about leaving the place in as good a condition as you found it - crumbs over the worktops and a facemask down beside a sofa weren't in our definition of clean... The house is getting tired - a few years ago I'm sure it was all decorated to the highest standard, but there are cracks everywhere and the floor in the kitchen seemed to have fallen away. We raised all this with the team, who seemed uninterested in pursuing this past giving our complaint to the owners who wouldn't consider any kind of partial refund; despite a large draw for the property (the decking) being out of bounds. It's a shame as the experience has rather soured our memory of the holiday and given Heart of the Lakes lack of interest in their customers, I think it unlikely we'll use them again either.

- Mat, July 2021

We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the decking area, which was due to health & safety reasons. All guests were given prior notice about this issue and given the option of cancelling their holiday if they did not wish to stay at the cottage without access to the decking area. There were delays in addressing maintenance issues over the past year due to covid travel restrictions and a lack of availability of tradespeople and materials. However, we are happy to report that the kitchen floor has now been repaired and a new deck has been installed. We also have a new cleaning team in place and feel confident that our guests will have a great holiday experience at the cottage. Property Owner
Peter May 2021

“This is a beautiful house with fantastic views across to the Newlands Valley.”

The property is very well equipped and it's a good idea to have a notice board rather than books that you need to handle. However, more detail about the hot water/heating would have been useful. We would highly recommend this property, it is outstanding.

- Peter, May 2021
Sharon May 2021

“My sister sat on a chair on the decking outside, and it fell through rotten decking.”

We had a very strong smell of paraffin coming from the again, we had to open all windows and doors to rid of the smell. Phoned site manager who arranged for a handy man to come out, this was late evening. Handyman cut off oil supply, so this stopped central heating and hot water. Did supply us with two small (that were not very good) connector heaters, for a four bedroom, upstairs, downstairs house. Once the handy man left we discovered he had turned off the water supply. There was some bottled water in the cupboard so we used this, but we couldn't even flush the toilets. After phoning a few times next morning, site manager got back to me and instructed me how to turn the water back on. Heating engineer arrived almost 24 hours after initial phone call. My 86 year old mother had to have blankets wrapped round to keep warm. We will not return to this property.

- Sharon, May 2021

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience experienced during your stay. We do everything possible to ensure that the cottage is maintained to a high standard, and indeed the boiler and the water system had both been fully serviced within a few weeks prior to your stay. As a small self-catering business, unfortunately we don't have the resources to keep a dedicated heating engineer on standby around the clock, however I note from your comments that an engineer was able to attend within 24 hours of the property manager being notified of the issue. We do provide alternative electric heaters in case of an unexpected boiler breakdown, and there is an electric immersion heater to provide hot water. Thank you for alerting us so promptly to the issue with the decking; we are now closing the decking area and repairs will be carried out as soon as possible. Property Owner
Peter April 2021

“There was a 6hour local powercut on 22nd April 2021.”

The central heating system did not work when power was restored. The showers ran hot and cold due to the pumped cold water system, making the shower almost unusable. There was no handbook to help us understand how the above could be sorted by us. Apart from that the cottage was in a lovely location with great views.

- Peter, April 2021

The power cut was unfortunately outside of our control and was due to work being carried out by Electricity North West, however guests were informed in advance of this power cut. Guest information books have been withdrawn in line with covid-19 requirements however the property manager and the Heart of the Lakes team are always available to assist. As far as I am aware the guests did not attempt to contact either the property manager, whose number is provided on the noticeboard in the cottage, or Heart of the Lakes, who would have been happy to provide assistance in resolving these issues. Property Owner
Alison October 2020

“Fabulous cottage, just off road with parking space easily found.”

Spotless and gorgeous inside, with lots of space to relax and views outside across the fields to the hills. Great access to biking trails, walks and shops too. Boys were happy with wifi access in living room - obviously important for teenagers!

- Alison, October 2020
Mr De Backer Dec 2019

“An excellent cottage which we have booked again.”

- Mr De Backer, Dec 2019
Kennedy Family Dec 2019

“A delightful place to stay with every comfort and convenience catered for.”

- Kennedy Family, Dec 2019
Heath Family Dec 2019

“A wonderful cottage in a beautiful location.”

- Heath Family, Dec 2019
Fuller Family Dec 2019

“Very well equipped cottage in an amazing location for lots of activities.”

- Fuller Family, Dec 2019

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Summary

Four bedrooms: 1 x king-size with en-suite bath, walk-in shower, basin and WC, 1 x ground-floor king-size, 1 x single, 1 x ground-floor single
Ground-floor shower room with walk-in shower, basin, heated towel rail and WC
Open-plan living area with kitchen, dining and sitting area with woodburning stove
Utility
Oil-fired central heating with underfloor heating and woodburning stove
AGA cooker and separate two ring ceramic hob, microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher, TV with Freeview and DVD player, WiFi
Fuel and power inc. in rent (excluding logs for wood burner)
Bed linen and towels inc. in rent
Travel cot and highchair available, please request
Off-road parking for two cars
Secure bike storage
Decked patio with seating
Sorry, no pets and no smoking
Note: Due to the stream in the grounds of the cottage, children should be supervised outside
Internet connection can be intermittent due to area, streaming may not be possible and we cannot guarantee a connection at all times.

The property

Dancing Beck Cottage is a beautifully renovated detached character cottage nestling at the foot of Skiddaw, with the most spectacular views across to the North Western fells and a glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake.

Formerly a Victorian stable serving the nearby school it has been tastefully converted to create a beautiful cottage brimming with charm and character.

In a peaceful location yet only a few minutes' drive from the centre of Keswick where there is an abundance of shops, restaurants, pubs and a cinema along with a great park for the younger members of the family .

There is excellent walking in the surrounding hills, lake cruises on beautiful Derwentwater, valley rambles, live theatre and much more, making this an ideal destination for all seasons. Accommodation : Entrance into porch with underfloor heating - ideal to leave coats and boots.

Spacious open plan living area (TV with freeview, DVD, free Wi-Fi and log burning stove) with spectacular views and adjacent kitchen and dining areas.

Kitchen is very well equipped and appointed in a contemporary style with oil fired Aga style cooker and additional hob, microwave and electric oven.

Dining area with large table to seat six.

Off the kitchen is a small breakfast area with storage and sliding doors to rear patio and utility room with sink and washer dryer.

Downstairs there are two bedrooms - a large king-size bedroom with beautiful views and a smaller single room also having views across to the North Western fells.

Spacious shower room with large shower cubicle, wc, basin, bidet, two towel rails and underfloor heating. Open tread staircase leads to two further bedrooms with shaped rooflines - A master king size with character beams, dormer window showcasing the beautiful views, dressing room and en-suite bathroom with bath, separate shower, basin, wc, bidet and underfloor heating.

The second bedroom is a spacious single room with views overlooking the stream and forested slopes to the rear. Furnishings, colour schemes and fabrics throughout are high quality and carefully chosen to complement the style of the property whilst the host of personal touches reflect the owners' taste and pride in their family Lake District home.

There is double glazing throughout, oil central heating and underfloor heating to many of the rooms. Outside : Neat patio area to the front with bench, and larger decked patio area to the rear next to the babbling beck.

Wildlife including red squirrels can sometimes be observed in the grounds and you are welcome to leave seeds/nuts in the feeder.

Parking for two cars in the driveway, steps from the rear of the parking area lead up to the main entrance.

Lockable covered bike storage to one side of the cottage.

Please note, young children should be supervised due to the stream in the grounds of the cottage.

Keswick centre five minutes' drive.

Note: This property has a Good Housekeeping bond of £200.

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About the location

KESWICK

Bassenthwaite 7 miles, Ullswater 16.6 miles; Cockermouth 13 miles.

The popular town of Keswick is the holiday centre of the North of the Lake District and has plenty to offer the visitor at any time of year. The town boasts numerous shops and restaurants to suit all tastes, as well as offering miniature golf, excellent parks, the famous Theatre by the Lake, a charming cinema, the Pencil Museum, a climbing wall, fishing and great mountain biking opportunities, whilst the beautiful lake of Derwentwater at the head of the stunning Borrowdale Valley is only a few minutes walk from the town centre. Nearby, between Braithwaite and Buttermere is the beautiful Newlands Valley, while picturesque Bassenthwaite Lake is well worth a visit. From a gentle countryside ramble to a challenging hike up Skiddaw or the famous Catbells, there really is something for everyone. Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Jennings Brewery and Mirehouse, a grand house and gardens on the shores of the Bassenthwaite Lake, or take a fabulous boat trip around Derwentwater. With plenty of attractions for the kids, lovely parks and the nearby Lake District Wildlife Park this is a great Lakeland destination whatever the time of year.

Note: Due to the stream in the grounds of the cottage, children should be supervised outside.
Note: Internet connection can be intermittent due to area, streaming may not be possible and
we cannot guarantee a connection at all times.

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Reviews & Ratings

“We had an excellent stay, it more than lived up to our expectations.”

“Absolutely fabulous time at Dancing Beck.”

“Great house, had the feeling of cosyness but space too.”

“I've styed a few times now and love the place, couple of improvements required.”

“Absolutely stunning property, clean & well equipped.”

“We had a wonderful week staying at Dancing Beck.”

“The cottage is generally clean, pleasant and comfortable.”