The Big "W" Ranch House

Quirky and beautiful - a stunning and remote location.

We stayed in the largest of the cottages - all renovated farm buildings. A magnificent view via a huge glass wall over the Wasdale valley and out to sea. The huge house was quirkyly renovated with chunky stone walls and ancient flooring - but well equipped and well appointed. And populated throughout with a huge and eclectic collection of pictures and carvings from the owners past lives in The Americas, Asia and Africa - many life size (think Komodo Dragons, Hippos and Crocodiles!). Great entertainment on a rainy day. Even an EV charge point for our car. In close proximity to Scafell, Great Gable, Wast Water, Seascale Beach and numerous other classic Lakes locations.

No washing machine.

Before you book, I strongly urge you to read all the replies this host has written in response to any negative feedback. This will tell you all you need to know about this person; a defensive, aggressive and downright paranoid individual. We eagerly wait for a scathing reply full of accusations and lies - no doubt he will be pending one. The main issue with the property is the host who is incapable of taking responsibility for anything and refuses to solve simple problems instead resorting to screaming and shouting, blaming, lying and aggression. We were dumbfounded by his behaviour and can honestly say we have never witnessed anything quite like it and hope to never encounter him again. These were our issues regarding our stay: Fridge/freezer was turned off on arrival and took hours to cool to temperature - host dismissed the issue initially then claimed it was our fault. One of the bedroom doors locked, we couldn’t find a key or get a hold off the host - host also blamed us for this and said that we should have found the key which was stuffed under a sock in a porcelain dish at the bottom of a shelf. Host entered the property to check the fridge and then accused us of stealing coffee pods that we had brought with us from home (we hadn’t even used the complimentary ones that were provided). Spa was not maintained for the duration of our stay (6 nights) and began to smell after 3 days and was unusable for the rest of the stay - by this stage we did not want to be subjected to any more of the host’s verbal abuse and accusations so did not contact him. Highly unsanitary. The house is full of notes and lists of rules - although not unreasonable, extremely unwelcoming. The host is too busy with other jobs to maintain this property - would suggest hiring a professional company to run it since it seemed to be such a nuisance when he’d rather be making hay.

The host

Location, decor, hot tub

Nothing

The house was full of character and in a beautiful location. There was plenty of space for our party and it was a great base. We were grateful for the hot tub after long walks.

It wasn't very clean but it was just a base.

location was very good and access was fine. the bathroom facilities were good

not clean on arrival hot tub not set up correctly and should be outside (no chemicals used therefore not really set up corrrectly) in fact better not to have and provide more space in house not the best equipped kitchen not as welcoming as it could have been with lots of warning messages if you dont do things how the owners expect (appreciate they may have had bad experiences) which detached from relaxation especially with a 3 and 6 year old

Unfortunately the keys had been left in the door inside and so we couldn't get in from the outside meaning it was almost a couple of hours before we could get access which was frustrating but apart from that, I absolutely recommend this property. The host was very apologetic and allowed us a late check out for the inconvenience.

Unusual, quirky, big enough for the family. In a great location

Shame the log burner didn’t work

Superb location overlooking Wasdale

Showers were a little unpredictable temperature-wise

The view was exceptional & a good location for walking Scafell Pike. Comfortable beds, large modern bathrooms, hot tub was a bonus

A lot of large wooden animal sculptures & pictures everywhere, kitchen a bit tired.