Rydal Lodge

Location: Rydal, Rydal, gb

Star Rating: 8.6 Stars

Property Type: Country house

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM

Check-out: 10:30 AM

Amenities & Facilities

• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Parking
• Non-smoking rooms
• Family rooms
• Pets allowed
• Fax/photocopying
• Packed lunches
• Non-smoking throughout
• Shared lounge/TV area
• Board games/puzzles
• Outdoor furniture
• Staff adhere to local safety protocols
• Cashless payment available
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit available
• Contactless check-in/check-out
• Invoice provided
• Guests can opt-out any cleaning services during stay
• Property cleaned by professional cleaning companies
• Key access
• Free wired internet
• Self parking (surcharge)
• Offsite parking discounted rates available
• Internet access
• Private picnics
• Wine release events
• Japanese garden
• Fishing nearby
• Horse riding nearby

Rooms Available

• Loughrigg Suite

  Located in the 16th Century part of the hotel, this suite features uneven floors and walls under low ceilings with beams. The lounge area contains armchairs and a writing desk, along with a 32-inch TV. The double bedroom has ample wardrobe, drawer space with a 22-inch TV and DVD player. The suite is at the back of the hotel, with peaceful views over the garden, the River Rothay, and Loughrigg Fell. It includes tea and coffee making facilities, still and sparkling water, fresh fruit, nuts, and sweets. The modern en-suite shower room also enjoys beautiful views. Distance to Rydal Water 656 feet, Grasmere 1.5 miles, Ambleside 1 mile.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Sofa
  • Dining area
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Dining table
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Sofa bed
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Rothay Suite

  This suite is consisted of of 1 living room, 1 separate bedroom and 1 bathroom with a bath and free toiletries. This suite features a tea and coffee maker, flat-screen TV, garden views, as well as chocolate for guests. The unit offers 3 beds.

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Sofa
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Sofa bed
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Superior Twin or Double Room

  This room with attached bathroom has a TV, DVD player and tea and coffee facilities. Please note that pets are allowed in this room. Distance to Rydal Water 656 feet, Grasmere 1.5 miles, Ambleside 1 mile.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Sofa bed
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Small Double Room

  This room with attached bathroom has a TV, DVD player and tea and coffee facilities. Please note that pets are allowed. Distance to Rydal Water 656 feet, Grasmere 1.5 miles, Ambleside 1 mile.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

• Grasmere Suite

  This room has a TV, DVD player and tea and coffee facilities. The dedicated bathroom for this room is adjacent, not en suite. Please note that pets are allowed in this room. Distance to Rydal Water 656 feet, Grasmere 1.5 miles, Ambleside 1 mile.

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Desk
  • Seating Area
  • Fan
  • Toilet
  • Private bathroom
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Cleaning products
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Board games/puzzles
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Sofa bed
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access
  • Window

• Double Room With Shower

  This double room features a electric kettle and DVD player. Please note that pets are allowed in this room. Distance to Rydal Water 200 meters, Grasmere 1.5 miles, Ambleside 1 mile.

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Shower
  • TV
  • Hair dryer
  • Radio
  • Toilet
  • Heating
  • Slippers
  • Additional toilet
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Linen
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Clothes rack
  • Toilet paper
  • Books, DVDs, or music for children
  • Chocolate or cookies
  • Trash cans
  • Shampoo
  • Body soap
  • Socket near the bed
  • Smoke alarm
  • Key access

Guest Reviews

• Martin (6/5): A suitable place for a weekend in the lakes - Excellent location for our trip as only 2 miles from Grasmere. The room was an adequate size for a short trip, the bed was comfy enough and the water temperature and pressure was great. The breakfast was very good and the car parking was ideal. The staff were very friendly and helpful. The windows block out about as much sound as a paper bag would, so you get a lot of road noise. Some of the locations of things in the room were peculiar like the coat hooks over the bedside table would have been more appropriate near the door. The place needs a vacuum cleaner running round it, and just generally in need of some TLC.
• Sara (7/5): Great location lovely host. - Location was fantastic to do the walks around Rydal and Grasmere, host was very accommodating, food was lovely and the room was clean and comfortable. The parking wasn't ideal on arriving as the hotel parking was being used by non guests. Although the room was clean they were a bit tired looking.
• NICK ROBSON (6/5): -
• Sneha Raghavendra (7/5): - Ian as a one man band did his best and made sure we had good breakfast. The rooms are basic and does the job. We went during easter so it was busy but you get one set of towels and we were there for 5 nights. No housekeeping during the stay.
• Janet (4/5): The whole experience was chaotic and uncomfortable . - Breakfast was chaotic . Good when finally arrived . Clean and comfortable room. Communal areas were run down , in need of repair, cold and had a smell of cooking and damp . There were spots of mould in the bathroom blind and the windows .
• Harry (5/5): Potential to be an excellent hotel if it had a bit of investment. - Excellent location (opposite a pub/restaurant, bus stop outside the front door, scenic grounds, halfway between Grasmere and Ambleside). The hotel has plenty of character in a lovely old building with lots of natural light. Unfortunately a bit rough round the edges in April 2026 and could do with paint/repairs/refurb/deep clean. Bathroom in the double bedroom was really very small - barely big enough to get out of the shower! Damp bedroom and very cold with the single pane sash windows.
• Justina (10/5): -
• Loek (9/5): -
• ANDREW (6/5): -
• Peter (8/5): Had a lovely stay. Iain was a very attentive host. Went above and beyond to make our dogs welcome, even cooking them sau - Great location with lovely gardens and river. Dogs allowed at a reasonable rate. Parking was provided.
• Denise (1/5): Disappointing - On arrival we were greeted with a guest who was staying their and we were informed that the host had unfortunately been taken into hospital. There was no heating or hot water and there would be no hot breakfast served. With this in mind, we decided not to stay as the price we paid would not be reflected on the accommodation. We requested a refund which we have still to receive, I have had no response regarding this from Booking.com or the host.
• martyn (4/5): Beautiful area accommodation was poor - The area was beautiful The owner was in hospital so there was nobody to check us in,he actually checked us in by phone from the hospital. The room had a very small toilet and had no milk for the tea and coffee. There was a bell to ring for help but no one answered. We were informed there would be no cooked breakfast due to the owner being in hospital and that a small continental would be provided, but as we paid for a full breakfast we could claim back for the breakfast we had to get else wear.
• Catherine (1/5): Good location - Superb location with lovely walks to Ambleside in one direction and Grasmere in the other. Very pet friendly. There was no heating! The first night, we needed to sleep with many extra layers. Property is extremely dated and the poor cleaner can only do so much in the hours she is contracted. We only saw the host once as he was ill and - we think - hospitalised. We had no breakfast and the hygiene of the kitchen was poor. This may all have been as he was unwell, though.
• Jonathan Faill (6/5): Alright - Lovely location in a very unspoilt part of the Lake District near to Rydal Lake, in my view one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District. It is in close proximity to the Badger Inn which provided lovely evening meals and the unique opportunity of seeing badgers. Quite a few items in the room were in a state of disrepair Although standing heaters were provided the room was still quite cold Breakfast was not provided as the hotel owner running the hotel was ill. It was agreed we would have breakfast elsewhere and he would re imburse us.
• edward (5/5): Never again - Great location, nice local knowledge from the owner Smells, dirty, very expensive esp for the poor quality, worth about half of the cost.
• Yiding (9/5): - Very cozy little lodge that may as well be in an Interwar detective story! Lovely host who upgraded our room for free and cooked us delightful full English breakfast. Very lovely place to stay! While very cozy and comfortable, the room may look to some as a bit dated and small. Northern English lodges ans guesthouses are not quite Ritz London so do keep that in mind before you judge!
• Julia (8/5): Great value for money! - Iain looked after his guests really well and his breakfast was amazing! The hotel is comfortable and is in a fantastic location for local walks and attractions.
• Kevin (10/5): A must stay - Iain was a very accomodating and nothing was too much trouble. Excellent breakfast and a beautiful garden next to a stream which if you walk along it will eventually lead to a woodland and lake.He is very knowledgeable about the area and was always up for a chat. Pi
• Julie (8/5): -
• Anne (8/5): Great countryside break from London. - Location, great breakfast, friendly helpful host
• Eva (10/5): Wonderful host, great breakfast, pleasant stay - The room and the bathroom were spotlessly clean, the bedding was comfy and crisp. The B&B is located just a short walk from a nice pub and the house of William Wordsworth. Ian was a perfect host and went far beyond his duties. Also, he makes a wonderful English breakfast!
• Richard (10/5): Had a great stay , slept so well , yummy breakfast - Great location, very comfy bed, amazing breakfast,(black pudding amazing, very friendly, feel like your in his home and so welcoming, great pub across the road private parking, bus stops outside, we will return
• melissa (10/5): Warm, comfortable, safe, home away from! Excellent location - Host Iain was very warm and welcoming. Doubled up as a guide and historian. Breakfasts were absolutely delicious and excellent. Had a wonderful, comfortable and fulfilling stay. Definitely recommend Rydal Lodge.
• Nicholas (5/5): - Smelt awful, felt dirty
• Balaji (10/5): - Ian is an wonderful host. Close to chillswim event start
• Celia (9/5): Encantador i proper als camins de muntanya i llacs per passejar amb família i amics. - Un hotel molt encant, tranquil i a molt a prop de Ambleside. Vam gaudir d’una habitació preciosa i gran. Els esmorzars van ser molt bons i amb molt qualitat i quantitat. Ens van atendre molt bé i ens recomanaven on anar a caminar. L’autobús para allà mateix i també pots te parking propi. El jardí al costat del riu es encantador i el vam disfrutar cada tarde. L’única pega es el cafè, que ens agrada mes intens i era molt fluixet.
• Damian (8/5): -
• Graham (7/5): -
• LEUNG (9/5): 適合自駕又想享受大自然朋友 - BnB位置Rydal water附近，環境清幽，小橋流水，門前已有巴士站，或自駕到附近景點。也可選擇行十數分鐘便進入湖區步行徑，店主會建議不同路線按個人能力遊湖。早餐超正！ 附近食店不多，可步行到Anbleside會有較多選擇。
• Paul (8/5): Fantastic location for a car-free break. - Rydal Lodge is excellently located for local walks and bus routes. With our old dog, we walked the Coffin Trail (overlooking Rydal Water), the Rydal/Grasmere shoreline, plus a visit to the Rydal Hall gardens and wonderful tearoom. There is also a route to Ambleside via Under Loughrigg - a quiet road. Buses to Kendal (via Ambleside, Bowness) and Keswick (via Grasmere) are frequent with a £3 per journey flat rate - good value for longer trips. Breakfast was very good, and served in a lovely dining room. The Glen Rothay Hotel / Badger Bar is 50 yds down the road for a drink and evening meals. The room was comfortable and the garden is next to the river. Being a grade 2 listed building, there is a balance between quaint rooms with leaning floors, low doors and stone floors and the lovely side entrance hall and dining room. Perhaps not as plush overall as a modern luxury hotel but ideal for a short break in a wonderful location with a welcoming host. Our dog was made welcome with a sausage at breakfast. First impression was a shock - entry through the front door into a rather austere hallway. But after that it only gets better. We used the side door from the garden for a more salubrious entrance.
• sean (9/5): Friendly welcoming stay in an excellent location - Very welcoming host. Incredible location close to the river and Ryde Lake within short walking distance to the pub well positioned between Ambleside and Grassmere. Excellent breakfast included even the dog got sausages. Nothing
• Sam (9/5): Wonderful stay, would definitely recommend! - The location is wonderful & the private gardens right by the stream are really beautiful. The short but little-known walk along the stream right to Rydal is a real highlight. The building is quirky and full of character. The bathroom could probably do with a spruce up and there was no shower gel or shampoo supplied but other than that it’s a lovely place to stay.
• Hannah (10/5): -
• Guest (7/5): Enjoyed our stay as the weather was exceptional - So close to Rydal lake and surrounding walks also accessibility to buses Breakfasts were a bit hit and miss as regards to what was available
• William (5/5): - The breakfast was lovely and the bed was comfortable Proprietor showed us places of interest on a large print Nobody there to greet you on arrival (said he fell asleep) Curtains in bedroom were hanging off the rail The shower was appalling no pressure and not warm The place could do with a good clean and update
• Asen (9/5): - Good location. Quiet area. We had two rooms for our family, both with ensuites. Ideal starting point for easy, medium, and hard hiking trails. Breakfast was delicious. Thank you Iain.
• Carl (6/5): Food was great, pleasant just enough to get by. - Locality was great to travel and walk The bathroom sink was filthy and broken towards the end of our stay. The bed was slanted as it was missing a key feature to the bed
• Adam (10/5): - From the moment we arrived, we felt completely at home. The host was welcoming, attentive, and went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable. The room was spotless, beautifully decorated and lots of local walks and beautiful places to see within walking distance. We left feeling rested, cared for, and already planning our next visit. If you’re looking for a cozy, charming, and truly hospitable place to stay, this BnB is an absolute gem.
• Jamie (10/5): Fantastic cozy experience close to everything you want with a wonderful innkeeper. - Absolutely wonderful! Location was great, Iain is wonderful and makes a fantastic (and accommodating) breakfast! 20 minute walk away from the rydal caves. Comfortable beds with lovely amenities. 100% would come again!
• Dawn (10/5): Rydal Lodge, very special - Highly recommend staying here. Ian was so welcoming and attentive as the host of Rydal Lodge. I was booked to stay in a double room but was given the option to have a suite for my 2 night stay. This was beautifully presented with views over the garden. The hospitality tray was amply stocked, with lovely daffodil mugs. The walled garden sits on the edge of the river Rothay with seating. There is a private walk through the gardens to the bridge leading to Rydal Water. Breakfast both mornings was excellent and I had cereal and a veggie full English. Ian is the chef as well as host, cooking up a treat. Rydal Lodge is set in easy reach of some stunning walks & attractions. I travelled by public transport for this visit bit there's parking on site. Highly recommend if you're looking for a personalised touch for you short or longer stay. Stay too short.
• heather (8/5): Great dog-friendly stay for a walking break - Fantastic location between Grasmere and Ambleside. Beautiful old property in lovely garden with river at the bottom. Fabulous walks from the property, and bus stop right outside for trips further afield. Stunning scenery. Clean room, hot shower, comfy bed and delicious breakfasts! Very dog friendly and Iain is an accommodating and engaging host, sharing useful information about the local area and providing laminated walking guides( to borrow). Good pub almost opposite with great food. Also a coffee shop a few minutes walk away at Rydal Hall. The room was quite snug, especially as we had our dog with us. An old towel and water bowl for the dog would have been useful. The property needs a bit of TLC, but it made for a relaxing stay because we weren’t too worried about everything being immaculate all the time!
• Gail (8/5): - Good location, especially if you want to walk. There are a lot of varied walks from the door. The breakfast at the accommodation is very nice. Generally a pleasant environment. There's a lovely garden to sit in. It's great that there's parking on site. There's a regular bus service.
• Michael (10/5): Iain is a super host, friendly and accommodating. I was grateful for the loan of a pair of walking poles as I’d forgotte - Comfortable bed and gorgeous views over the garden to the river. A great location for walking and an easy stroll into Ambleside without the hassle of finding a parking space.
• Andrew (8/5): lovely stay apart from the rain - great breakfast
• Andrew (10/5): Best you could find in the Lake District - Amazing place. Very interesting old property which has kept much of its original charm. Location is beautiful and well placed. The owner is the perfect host.
• Michael (8/5): - Clean and comfortable very friendly host, nothing was any trouble.. Bedroom a bit small, had to ask to have bedroom 'refreshed', otherwise no clean towels but still very cosy
• Emma (8/5): -
• pritchard (10/5): Great service, gorgeous location, not too far from anything. - The full english breakfast was fantastic, served by Ian who would keep us company and have a chat, making us feel welcome. The room was cosy and sufficient to out needs, if we needed anything, Ian was pleased to accommodate.
• Nagore (5/5): - There are a few routes starting from or very close to the lodge.
• Jennifer (10/5): Lovely lakes getaway. - In a perfect location for exploring the lake district. Within a few steps of a lovely pub, the Badger Bar, right next to a bus stop. Lovely walks right from the lodge to Rydal water, Grasmere, Loughrigg Fell and Ambleside. The room was spacious and comfortable with a lovely view of the garden and river. Breakfast was freshly made each morning and delicious. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would recommend. Nothing.
• Emily (10/5): Serenely beautiful. The perfect getaway. - The character, warm reception, excellent breakfast… and I had a local waterfall image on the wall on the way to the bathroom! Amazing. The location is absolutely perfect for exploring the Fairfield Horseshoe, or nipping between the main towns as there is a bus stop directly outside the front door (not that you’d know from inside, being lovely and quietly peaceful). Iain has created such a perfect spot in this corner of the Lakes and I can’t thank him enough for being such a wonderful host. Nothing. It was all just stunning.
• Fiona (10/5): - Ian was a fabulous host. The back garden is a very calm and relaxing space. The room was charming. The breakfast delicious. I'll definitely come back to Rydal Lodge
• William (8/5): -
• Anna (8/5): -
• Chris (10/5): Excellent host, good rooms, good breakfast, amazing location - The location is amazing, it has wonderful gardens, it packed on the river surrounded by wonderful trees and mountain vistas in the distance Nothing, the property was full of character
• Berta (3/5): Well, it was certainly an experience. Maybe I just made the mistake of expecting more for the price. - The owners were lovely and the breakfast was nice. They also gave us helpful tips on places to visit in the area. We’ve just returned from a 2-night stay at Rydal Lodge and unfortunately, it fell short of our expectations. This was a last-minute booking, and we chose Rydal Lodge primarily for its location, dog-friendly policy, and the appealing room photos shown online. While the setting is undeniably lovely, the experience did not live up to how it was presented. One major issue was the shower — the water flow was extremely weak, making it difficult and uncomfortable to use. For a property positioned as a premium stay, this was particularly frustrating. Overall, while we appreciated being able to bring our dog and enjoyed the surroundings, the room quality and amenities were underwhelming and not consistent with how they were advertised.
• Sarah (8/5): Great B&B for our 3 night stay. - We loved the location which was within easy reach of many Lake District attractions. Iain was great to chat to and was very helpful. Oh, and he cooked a delicious full English breakfast including good quality bacon, eggs, black pudding The beds were very comfortable.
• Andrea (10/5): - Friendly staff, great breakfast.
• Eadington (10/5): -
• Joanne (10/5): Fab stay, with a very good host Iain who provided us with walks and maps and cooked a great breakfast. Fab place stunni - Lovely quaint place in a very pretty setting with the river running alongside the garden full of wildlife . Perfect setting with so many stunning walks from the doorstep.
• Jennifer-Anne (10/5): Lovely house and grounds, lovely host and excellent Gluten free breakfast was provided (as requested - Lovely host who was knowledgeable about allergens and I had a lovely gluten free breakfast every day NA
• Amjad (8/5): -
• Jessica (7/5): Peaceful and tranquil - Excellent location, really good base for doing walks around the area, the start of the Fairfield Horseshoe is right outside which is brilliant for doing this. Also right on the bus route to travel easily to nearby Grasmere and Ambleside. Room was clean and tidy and the bed was comfy. Iain was very friendly and helpful, also cooks a great full English breakfast! Gardens are beautiful as well, very peaceful location
• Colin (9/5): Ideal location over too soon. - Breakfast great with Cumberland sausage. Lots of walks on the doorstep and the room warm and spacious. Needed a few more days to do more of the challenging walks.
• Claire (8/5): Great location for a weekend in the lakes - Great location for plenty of picturesque walks and Wordsworth country. Regular bus service right outside the door for trips further afield. Iain is the host and is friendly and welcoming. Happy to have a nice chat with his guests, although he is super busy when preparing a good breakfast for us all. The shower was a little lacking in pressure, we made Iain aware and I'm sure he will fix the issue soon. Certainly not a reason not to return!
• JILL (2/5): We were disappointed with the lodge. It was exceedingly cold and many areas require building work. O - The breakfast team were polite and friendly. The lodge was well-located for bus travel. The lodge was really cold with little to no heating. In the dining room, we could see our breath when eating. The shower didn’t work properly, intermittently providing either red hot or cold water. We had no choice but to have a bath which is far from ideal for hair washing. The communal area on the ground floor was very small and really cold.
• David (4/5): -
• Martin (1/5): Great location but a large investment needed .. - The location was amazing .. The lodge is tired and needs lot of work . Very expensive for the quality of the accommodation . Room was okay , but bathroom cold and shower was a dribble with hole in wall and power cable sticking through .. Breakfast was tasty but breakfast room was cold . The property has a lot of potential but currently it’s too expensive for what’s on offer . The reviews seem very positive but this doesn’t fit with our experience .
• HUGH (8/5): - Iian was very friendly and helpful and connected well with us. Made us feel at home.
• Lorraine Rothwell (5/5): A winter break inside and outside - Rydal lodge is a grade two listed building aesthetically pleasing but unfortunately comes with one major issue no appropriate heating our room had a small convector heater which ended up overheating and sparking on our last nite... The bedding was damp due to the condensation running down window the temp in bedroom The heating issue extended to the public areas of property reception dining room etc we had to attend breakfast with coats and scarves on the host Ian was very nice alittle overwhelmed at times but maybe expected with being a new owner etc breakfast was lovely but sadly the cold in dining room was uncomfortable as I said asthetically pleasing to the eye but sadly not practical at present Rydal lodge I am a very practical person and know the review system due to running a business but feel this review is relevant at present condition at Rydal lodge I know it was a winter break and had the relevant walking clothes for outside but draw the line at wearing in the accommodation due to lack of adequate heating No adequate heating in room 1 sadly and dining room
• Paul (9/5): Quirky & character full place to stay, with a great host, perfect location and an amazing breakfast - Quirky and full of character It retains much of its age heritage and offers something different while being perfectly placed to explore Rydal, Grasmere, Ambleside and beyond. Iain is a friendly and knowledgeable host who greeted us personally, showed us the room and even gave us a guide on some nearby walks. There are some stunning photographs in the reception and rooms. The breakfast is home cooked and fantastic. Our room was in the 16th century part and really quirky - even the low ceiling & slight angle to the lounge floor added to the character, but the facilities were really good - great bed, warm room and a fab shower! The dogs loved it too 🐾 Nothing It’s not your stereotypical hotel but doesn’t pretend to be as it’s all about the character and location.
• jack (10/5): -
• Nick (9/5): Convenient location in Rydal - Had a nice weekend stay at Rydal Lodge while attending a nearby function. Comfortable, warm room - recently decorated - with a clean bathroom and properly functioning shower. Nicely cooked full breakfast. Ample parking. Weather was terrible (January storms!), but the garden looked like it would be nice in the summer.
• Junchen (10/5): -
• mjgreeny77 (3/5): Very Disappointing - Comfortable bed I'm sorry to say that Rydal Lodge did not meet our expectations. Just got back from a 2-night stay. This was a last-minute booking, and Rydal Lodge was short-listed and picked based on the location and reviews along with how the rooms were portrayed within the selected room pictures. Firstly, the photo showing the building is the property opposite the Lodge, leading you to believe the Lodge was set back from the main road, when in fact it borders the main A road. This causes a little confusion when arriving in the dark on the first night. Im unsure if this property is linked to Rydal in any way, but it shouldn't be listed within photos showing the classic double we had picked at £145 a night. Our room was room 5 at the front of the property. There was no wifi in the room, and we had to step out the bedroom door for signal on both an S24 Ultra and iPhone 16. The room was miss matched, very tired and small, but clean. There were extension leads everywhere. No curtains and only one window had nets up. Both windows had old wooden shutters, which have been over painted and difficult to close. The bedside plug socket was an extension lead that had several appliances already plugged in. This was behind the bed, which required some yoga type positions to plug in your phone. Thank God I had a 2m lead. The windows are in desperate need of an upgrade, as you could hear the road noise from every car that drove past. We didn't have breakfast on either day after seeing the property food rating of just 2. It's not a requirement to display your food rating in England, so struggle to understand why you would, when it's so low. We were using this as a base for hiking and had not planned to be in the room much. Returning from a 7-hour hike, we returned at 4 pm, to find a hover and hose on the stairs blocking our path. We managed to get past carrying all our gear, but to our amazement, it was still there the next morning when checking out at 9am.
• Ranka (8/5): -
• Andy (9/5): Very enjoyable stay, great location, quirky room, will definitely be going back! - Fabulous location as a base for exploring the area - plenty of walks to start and finish at the Lodge. Breakfast provided a great start to the day and certainly kept us going past normal lunch. We stayed in the 16th Century part of the Lodge, so be prepared for quirky - and sloping floors! Being in the old end of the property meant the shower was fed by a pump, so you couldn't call it a power shower, but more than adequate. Downside to the rural location is the one pub in walking distance was very busy so we had to travel to eat in the evenings.
• Wendy (6/5): The hosts were very nice and helpful with our planned walks and cooked us a lovely breakfast. The view from the bedroom - Nice view from the bedroom window of the river Not very cosy
• patricia (1/5): Absolutely dreadful! - Nothing it was dreadful I can’t believe it has been rated Fabulous It had a horrible stale smell , dirty stair carpet with stains on it, room wasn’t serviced when we came in on Saturday evening Mountain of sheets in room opposite still there the next morning . Curtains off the tracks wires hanging , toothpaste on the bathroom curtains Breakfast was dreadful so much so we left Sunday morning without eating there We couldn’t wait to leave and if I hadn’t paid up front we would have walked out!
• Edward (9/5): - Very comfortable good breakfast
• Tania (9/5): A beautiful, well located and dog friendly place to stay - We stayed in the Rothay Suite which was very clean, bright and spacious with lovely views of the beautiful garden and the river beyond. The location of the property is fabulous as a starting point for many walks and is only a few minutes drive to the lovely town of Ambleside which has many good places to eat. The beautiful Rydal Water is just two minutes walk from the bottom of the garden and is one of the most picturesque lakes. As well as the walk around this lake, there are several walks that can be done directly from the property, including the walk up Loughrigg Fell with spectacular views of Grasmere. Our host Iain explained all the walks to us on arrival and also cooked us a delicious breakfast each morning. Our dog was also made very welcome and had his own breakfast sausage cooked for him in the mornings. The new owners are in the process of renovating the property so some areas are still in need of some updating. When we arrived the car parking area, as mentioned in someone else’s review from around the same time, was messy and although this was tidied up a little a few days later, it could be made into a much more welcoming space to create a better first impression on arrival.
• Christine (8/5): - Breakfast and staff were good. It is obviously a work in progress as Iain has only owned it for 11 months and is working hard to get the premises up to scratch.
• Ward (9/5): -
• Adam Reynolds (10/5): Great place in the central Lakes - Lovely old building, really comfy bed, excellent breakfast and friendly, helpful owners. Nice garden, right by the river. Lots of excellent walks on the doorstep close to Ambleside & Grasmere with bus stops right outside. Great pub just over the road. Will definitely stay again.
• Richard (2/5): A Dump. - Nothing If I hadn’t have paid for the room in advance, my wife and I would have walked out. In summary, the hotel is very tired and in need of a complete refurbishment. Dirty walls/ decoration. Carpets hoovered sometime in the distant past. An owner that clearly works hard but no clue. A dirty old mattress under the sign on entrance next to the bins, overflowing dog poo bin in the car park. The gate at the back propped up as the post had rotted. £165 for a so called suite, more Like your grannies front room and smells like your grannies toilet. Avoid. Not sure how this gets a 9?!
• Sahil (10/5): - A beautiful destination on its own, with its scenic backdrop of beautiful garden and water stream. Plus, Iain himself adds to the charm of the property. The best host you may ever come across.
• Malcolm Adam (10/5): My memorable stay at Rydal Lodge. - Ian welcomed me to his home with warmth and guided me to the many attractions around the village Rydal. The room was homely and cosy. The garden was beautiful and a lovely place to relax. My stay included breakfast. The breakfast was deliciously prepared. There was safe and secure parking at the property. Finally, I would like to add a special thank you to Ian and his team for making my stay pleasant.
• Jason (8/5): Excellent lodging in the heart of Wordsworth country. - Location was fantastic, with good hiking nearby. Staff was very helpful and friendly. Would have appreciated a box of tissues in the room.
• Henryk (9/5): - Beautiful place with very friendly staff. The breakfasts were great and the location is perfect.
• Jenny (9/5): - Really helpful staff, charming place.
• Caroline (9/5): - Excellent accueil et magnifique petit déjeuner !
• Beatriz (7/5): Mejorable - El dormitorio grande, cama muy cómoda . Las zonas comunes descuidadas. Es una pena. El edificio y el enclave son maravillosos.
• Susan (7/5): Great location but a few thing’s should’ve been better - The property is set in beautiful grounds and situated close to several iconic walks. We stayed here 2 years ago so were keen to return. It’s since been taken over and I believe the new owner, is planning on renovating this house, which is quite tired but no doubt will look great once work is done; there’s lots of potential. General service was ok but our breakfast experience wasn’t great any of the days. The food was good but the service was not great, the person serving seemed lack lustre with little attention to detail. Our room, was a good size, but was a little dusty in places, there was no milk for tea, no room service and there was mould over the bathroom ceiling, which wasn’t pleasant to see, an extractor fan would be helpful with the build up of condensation.
• Sam (8/5): -
• Ro (7/5): Beautiful location and very accommodating staff, incredible access to walks and local nature! c: - Location was outstanding, wonderful views and gorgeous walks nearby. Place was a stunning house with alot of character, breakfast and check were all exceptional. All of the staff were absolutely wonderful and super friendly.
• Helen (8/5): -
• Tan (10/5): - Yummy cooked breakfast, friendly and helpful host, good access to trails and places of interest!
• Dawn (4/5): Mediocre B&B. Wouldnt stay there again due to lack of cleanliness. - The room wasnt particularly clean and the noise from the busy road kept us awake. The room wasnt particularly clean and the noise from the busy road kept us awake.
• Robert (10/5): Tolle Lage schöne Unterkunft - Tolle Lage sehr netter Inhaber Alles gut
• michael (6/5): Bit dated - Right by ridal lake, across the Rd from another hill walking attraction It was dated, lots of mosquito so had to keep windows shut, I don't think the owners live there, you had to ring them for them to come and let you in? Quite expensive for our room compared to prices weve paid in say bowness and grassmere

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