Amble along to the Old Vicarage... (The Old Vicarage (Ambleside))

Member Name: Maggie1981

Product:	The Old Vicarage (Ambleside)
Date:	10/04/09 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cosy, comfortable and excellent location

Disadvantages: Not the cheapest B&B in the Lake District!

When we decided to go to Ambleside for a few nights we originally planned to go camping, as our trip approached we were a bit unsure about how good the weather would be and at the last moment did a search for a cheap B&B. The Old Vicarage at Ambleside wasn't the cheapest of the B&Bs we found in our search, however it definitely stood out as somewhere we both wanted to stay. At £45 per night each it was a little more expensive than we'd planned (bearing in mind we had originally wanted to go camping) however it was well worth the money!

Arriving in Ambelside we were pleased to discover the B&B wasn't slap bang in the middle of this busy, bustling tourist destination. While we did need to drive through the centre, the B&B itself was down a quieter road which was ideal for us. The car park itself was fairly compact and not the easiest to manoeuvre around when busy however there is ample parking spaces and as it was a private car park, off the main road we were happy to leave the car without worrying about security. We took our bikes with us and as soon as we arrived we were given the option of storing them in a secure shed.

Walking into the B&B we were greeted a by a very friendly lady who checked us in quickly and made us feel very welcome. It was apparent from the outset that this is a family establishment, with children and animals more than welcome.

The room itself was quite big, fairly old fashioned and what I would describe to be "chintzy" but it had a very comfortable bed and a lovely big bathroom. If anything the old fashioned style gave the place extra charm - I don't however know if all of the rooms are similar styles. Within the room we also had access to a fridge, some comfortable chairs and a tv and VCR. In the hall and landing there were bookcases full of books and videos which you are more than welcome to pick up and use if you would like to.

Breakfast is served in the main dining room and was lovely. In my opinion we were provided with a delicious, hearty meal every morning to start the day.

We found the location to be ideal, outside of the centre of Ambleside but only a short walk to the numerous pubs, restaurants and shops. The nearest lake is Windemere and we found the easiest way to get there was via bus however you could walk or cycle if you want to, we just decided to be lazy! It is also an ideal location to use as a base if you to visit other parts of the Lake District including Wordsworth's House at Rydal Mounts, Coniston Water and the breathtaking mountains.

While the room, breakfasts and location are all extremely good reasons to choose the Old Vicarage the thing that attracted us to this charming little B&B was the fact that it had an indoor pool and we were certainly not disappointed! The Lake District is notorious for rain and sure enough while we were there it rained quite heavily. We spent an afternoon relaxing in the pool and jacuzzi and thoroughly enjoyed the facilities.

Overall our stay at the Old Vicarage was comfortable and very enjoyable. The staff were friendly and helpful, the room was cosy, the breakfast was tasty and the facilities were of the highest quality. In my opinion it is well worth a visit!

Summary: A lovely, charming little B&B in the heart of the Lake District