£2,235
Short Breaks Available
Bonscale House
Book now for arrivals July onwards - Steeped in history and set high above the shimmering waters of Ullswater, Bonscale House is a beautifully restored eighteenth-century Lakeland farmhouse offering an exceptional holiday retreat in one of the Lake District’s most breathtaking locations. Perched on the fellside beneath Bonscale Pike, the house enjoys an elevated position with uninterrupted 180-degree views across Ullswater and the surrounding fells – views that are simply mesmerising in every season.
Lovingly refurbished from top to bottom, Bonscale House seamlessly blends period character with contemporary comfort. Original exposed beams, sash windows and historic features sit alongside stylish furnishings, modern bathrooms and high-quality appliances, creating a warm and welcoming home that is ideal for relaxed self-catering holidays with family or friends.
The layout is wonderfully flexible and full of interest, with the house arranged in two interlinked halves connected through the main living room. This unique configuration, with two staircases, allows guests to spread out and enjoy both shared and private spaces with ease. Whether you are gathering around the Everhot Stove after a day on the fells or enjoying a lively evening in the games room, there is space for everyone to unwind.
Outside, the west-facing terraced garden and patio provide a front-row seat to Ullswater’s ever-changing scenery. From sun-drenched afternoons to glowing sunsets over the lake, this is a truly spectacular place to sit back and soak up the peace and beauty of the eastern Lakes.
For lovers of the outdoors, walks begin right from the doorstep, including high- and low-level routes such as the Ullswater Way. The Howtown boat pier is just a 15-minute walk away, offering scenic cruises with Ullswater Steamers to Pooley Bridge, Aira Force and Glenridding. With private lake access included, Bonscale House is perfectly placed for unforgettable Lake District adventures.
Additional properties on the farm: Swarthbeck House - Sleeps 14
Secure Your Summer Stay at Bonscale House
The Owners are currently putting the finishing touches on Bonscale House, and we expect it to be a firm favourite. While we wait for the final professional photography to be completed in June, we are inviting guests to reserve their preferred summer dates early.
How it works:
- Reserve with a £200 deposit: Contact us to secure your dates now for arrivals from July onwards.
- Review in June: As soon as the photo gallery is live, we will notify you.
- Peace of mind: Once you’ve seen the photos, you can choose to confirm your stay and pay the remaining balance, or receive a full refund of your £200 deposit if the property isn’t quite what you were looking for.
Property Highlights
Dogs Permitted 
Garden / Patio 
Parking 
Washing Machine 
Dishwasher 
Hairdryer 
Wireless Internet 
Family Friendly Availability
(dates highlighted in green)
(dates highlighted in green)
inc 2% booking fee
Take a closer look at Bonscale House
- Entrance Hallway: Central hallway to the living room, kitchen, dining room and staircase to the first floor.
- Living Room: Open-plan living space with four-seat sofa, armchair, window seat, wall-mounted Smart TV with streaming services, Everhot electric stove, original exposed beams and views of the garden and Ullswater.
- Kitchen: Beautiful country kitchen with Cookmaster range cooker, dishwasher, American-style double-door fridge-freezer, kettle, toaster and generous cupboard storage.
- Dining Room: Elegant dining room with a large rectangular mahogany table and chairs, featuring a restored Court Cupboard (dating to 1659), exposed beams and sash windows overlooking Ullswater.
Accessed via 7 steps to the mid-landing, further 7 steps to the first floor.
- Bedroom 1: Twin bedroom with two 3ft single beds, shared bedside table, located at the rear under sloping eaves with a skylight window.
- Bedroom 2: Twin bedroom with two 3ft single beds, bedside tables, a window seat and views of Ullswater and Mulberry Home ‘Duck Pond’ Wallpaper design on the feature wall
- Bedroom 3: Twin bedroom with two 3ft single beds, shared bedside table, window seat and views of Ullswater.
- Bedroom 4: King-size double bedroom with bedside tables, wardrobes, dressing table, window seat, and views of Ullswater. Colefax & Fowler Fuchsia Wallpaper decorates all walls.
- House Bathroom: Family bathroom with mains-plumbed bath with shower over, toilet, double basins and heated towel rail.
Through the living room to:
- Boot Room: Practical boot room with coat racks and a Belfast sink with hot and cold taps for muddy boots and paws. Rear door to the outside.
- Games Room: Characterful room with original wood flooring, pool table (convertible to table tennis), large 4-seat sofa, Smart TV and window seat with lake views.
- Utility Room: Former cold store with washing machine, tumble dryer and additional storage.
- Shower Room (Off from the Boot Room): Electric shower, toilet, basin and heated towel rail.
- Bedroom 5: Principal Suite: Located on the first floor; spacious king-size bedroom with a French-winged bed, bedside tables, wardrobe, dressing table, and a window seat offering stunning Ullswater views, all decorated with Colefax & Fowler ‘Woodfern green’ wallpaper on the walls. Includes en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath beneath a roof window, walk-in mains-plumbed shower, toilet, basin and heated towel rail. A double sofa bed (children only) is available by arrangement. The first floor is accessed via carpeted stairs: 10 steps to the mid-landing, further 5 steps to the first floor.
- Sleeps up to 10 guests, with an optional children’s sofa bed in the Principal Suite available for an additional £75 per stay (includes bedding), taking the total accommodation to 12.
- Two dogs are welcome; additional dogs may be permitted by prior arrangement, subject to breed and size. Dogs must not be left unattended or allowed on furniture, and all dog waste must be disposed of properly.
- Fibre-to-the-premises broadband with download speeds of up to 500Mbps.
- Heating is provided by modern electric radiators throughout; there is no oil or gas supply.
- Electric vehicle charging is strictly prohibited due to the rural electricity supply. The nearest electric vehicle charging points are at the Rheged Centre.
- Access is via a gravel drive, suitable for most vehicles.
- Bed linen, towels, utilities, a starter supply of guest consumables and one disposable BBQ are included in the rental price.
- Undercover bike storage is available.
- The surrounding barns are not accessible to guests, and entry must not be attempted for safety reasons.
- The garden is fenced, but guests must keep all gates closed due to the surrounding farmland and roaming sheep.
About the location
From the house, guests can enjoy immediate access to fell walks, lakeside paths and scenic routes such as the Ullswater Way. The nearby Howtown Pier allows guests to board the Ullswater Steamers, a delightful way to explore the lake and visit attractions such as Aira Force waterfall, Glenridding and Pooley Bridge without needing to drive.
Guests at Bonscale can also benefit from private access to a beautiful stretch of Ullswater shoreline just 700 metres down the road (shared with one other holiday cottage), which is perfect for picnics and water-related activities, including wild swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing (non-motorised craft only).
With dramatic landscapes, tranquil waters and classic Lakeland villages close by, Bonscale House offers an unforgettable base for exploring the eastern Lake District.
Nearby towns and villages:
- Glenridding – approx. 6 miles
- Pooley Bridge – approx. 7 miles
- Penrith – approx. 12 miles
- Patterdale – approx. 5 miles
- Keswick – approx. 18 miles
Reviews
Things to do nearby
Ullswater Steamers
Lowther Castle & Gardens
Lake District Gyroplanes
Theatre by the Lake
Alpacaly Ever After
Brockhole on Windermere
Honister Mine – Via Ferrata Classic
E-Bike Rentals
Lakeland Farm Visitor Centre
