Hammerhole in Graythwaite near Hawkshead | Must-See Cumbria Hot Tub Cottage

About Hammerhole

Hammerhole is a lakeside lodge in Cumbria's Lake District, right on the shores of Windermere. This five-bedroom property offers direct lake access with a private jetty and stunning water views. The Graythwaite Estate location gives you seclusion while still being just 4.3 miles from Hawkshead village.

The setting is fantastic. You're literally steps from the water with your own beach area and small wood. Wild swimmers will be in heaven with the lake as your front garden. After a day exploring, fire up the wood-fired hot tub and watch the sunset over Windermere with a favourite drink. The estate also offers a shared indoor swimming pool, fishing lake and play areas.

The accommodation features five bedrooms sleeping ten guests total. There are four upstairs bedrooms (two king-size and two twins) plus a ground floor king-size for less mobile guests. Four bedrooms have en-suites and there's an additional ground floor shower room. The open-plan kitchen-dining area has two electric ovens and connects to a sitting room with gas fire and patio doors leading straight to the lake.

Nearby attractions include Grizedale Forest (15 minutes' drive) for mountain biking and the Go Ape treetop adventure. Windermere Lake Cruises depart from Bowness (25 minutes away) for scenic tours. The Aquarium of the Lakes (20 minutes) showcases local underwater life. Hawkshead village (4.3 miles) offers pubs and shops for essentials.

Hammerhole gives you premium lakeside living without the crowds. Big comfy beds, multiple bathrooms and that hot tub make this perfect for family gatherings or friend reunions. The location is so good you might just stay put at Hammerhole all week.

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At Sykes Cottages

Need To Know

✓Oil central heating with gas fire
✓ Two electric ovens, gas hob, microwave, fridge/freezer and washer/dryer in external utility, dishwasher, TV with Freeview, WiFi
✓ Fuel and power included in rent
✓ Bed linen and towels included in rent
✓ Travel cot and highchair
✓ Ample off road parking
✓ Patio garden with furniture
✓ Wood fired hot tub (the hot tub is cleaned and ready to fill on arrival, as itâ€™s wood-fired, it takes up to 2 hours to fill and heat, and cannot be prepared in advance
✓ Please note that logs, kindling, firelighters, and matches are not included in your stay but can be ordered using the Goodeats link in your key collection information
✓ Shared use of estate grounds and facilities 10 mins drive away included indoor heated swimming pool (Please bring swim towels, as the towels provided are only for use in the property), table tennis room (please bring your own racquets and balls)
✓ Two well-behaved dogs welcome
✓ Sorry, no smoking
✓ Shops 4.3 miles, pubs 3.8 miles
✓ Water from private supply, fed from freshwater lake
✓ To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking Graythwaite Adventure in advance
✓ Graythwaite fishery is free for all guests and equipment can be hired locally, a small fee is applicable to keep your catch, rod fishing license required
✓ Mobile phone signal may be limited due to the location of the property
✓ Please Note: This property has a £500 Good Housekeeping Bond
✓ Please note that we canâ€™t accept check in on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day

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What Guests Love

Discover why our guests keep coming back to Hammerhole

Lakeside Location

Direct access to Windermere with private jetty and beach area. Perfect for wild swimming and morning coffee with unbeatable views.

Hot Tub Experience

Wood-fired hot tub overlooking the lake. Guests love warming up while watching the sunset with drinks after a day of exploring.

Comfortable Bedrooms

Big comfy beds with most rooms having en-suite facilities. The ground floor bedroom is ideal for guests with mobility issues.

Estate Facilities

Access to the indoor heated swimming pool, fishing lake and play areas on the Graythwaite Estate makes this perfect for families.

Secluded Setting

Private garden with woodland area provides peace and quiet while still being just a short drive from local villages.

Open Plan Living

Spacious kitchen-dining area with huge table perfect for family meals, connecting to comfortable sitting room with lake views.

Getting To Hammerhole

Find your way to your perfect countryside retreat

By Car

To reach Hammerhole by car, follow directions to the Graythwaite Estate in the Lake District. The property is located on the western shore of Lake Windermere with good access from the A590 and B5285 roads.

By Train

For rail travelers, the nearest station is Windermere, about 10 miles from Hammerhole. From there, you'll need to take a taxi to the Graythwaite Estate where the property is located.

Off-road parking for multiple cars

Windermere station (10 miles)

Accessible from the A590 and B5285

Attractions & More Nearby

Everything you need within easy reach

Grizedale Forest

Distance: 5 miles

LA22 0QJ

Windermere Lake Cruises

Distance: 8 miles

LA23 3HQ

Aquarium of the Lakes

Distance: 7 miles

LA12 8AS

Graythwaite Estate Trails

Distance: 0.1 miles

LA12 8BA

Grizedale Forest Trails

Distance: 5 miles

LA22 0QJ

Windermere Shoreline Path

Distance: 0.1 miles

LA12 8BA

Hawkshead Village Shops

Distance: 4.3 miles

LA22 0NT

Graythwaite Estate Shop

Distance: 1 mile

LA12 8BA

Ambleside Town Centre

Distance: 10 miles

LA22 9BS

Graythwaite Estate Swimming Pool

Distance: 1 mile

LA12 8BA

Lakeside Hotel & Spa

Distance: 2 miles

LA12 8AT

Hawkshead Village

Distance: 4.3 miles

LA22 0NT

Grizedale Forest

Distance: 5 miles

LA22 0QJ

Windermere Lake Cruises

Distance: 8 miles

LA23 3HQ

Aquarium of the Lakes

Distance: 7 miles

LA12 8AS

Graythwaite Estate Trails

Distance: 0.1 miles

LA12 8BA

Grizedale Forest Trails

Distance: 5 miles

LA22 0QJ

Windermere Shoreline Path

Distance: 0.1 miles

LA12 8BA

Hawkshead Village Shops

Distance: 4.3 miles

LA22 0NT

Graythwaite Estate Shop

Distance: 1 mile

LA12 8BA

Ambleside Town Centre

Distance: 10 miles

LA22 9BS

Graythwaite Estate Swimming Pool

Distance: 1 mile

LA12 8BA

Lakeside Hotel & Spa

Distance: 2 miles

LA12 8AT

Hawkshead Village

Distance: 4.3 miles

LA22 0NT

Is Hammerhole Right For You?

Discover why this cottage is ideal for different types of visitors

For Families

Kids will love Hammerhole's lakeside location with private beach area for paddling and swimming. The Graythwaite Estate offers a heated indoor swimming pool, table tennis room and children's play area. Nearby Grizedale Forest has family-friendly trails and a Go Ape treetop adventure course. The Aquarium of the Lakes is just 7 miles away.

For Couples

Couples can enjoy romantic lakeside walks directly from the property and sunset soaks in the wood-fired hot tub overlooking Windermere. The king-size bedrooms with en-suites offer privacy and comfort. Take advantage of the Lakeside Hotel & Spa just 2 miles away, or book a private lake cruise from your own jetty for a special occasion.

Pet Friendly

Dogs will love the lakeside location with immediate access to water for swimming and shoreline for walking. The private garden and small woodland area provide safe spaces to explore. Two well-behaved dogs are welcome at Hammerhole and the wider Graythwaite Estate offers excellent walking opportunities. Grizedale Forest is just 5 miles away with miles of dog-friendly trails.

Dining & Cafes

Taste the local flavours during your stay at Hammerhole

The Tower Bank Arms

Located 3.8 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA22 0JZ

Lakeside Hotel Restaurant

Located 2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA12 8AT

The Eagle's Head

Located 5.2 miles from your accommodation.

Postcode: LA12 8NN

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to our most common questions about Hammerhole

Does this cottage have a hot tub?

Yes, Hammerhole has a wood-fired hot tub in the garden overlooking Lake Windermere. Logs are provided free of charge for heating the hot tub during your stay.

Is it pet friendly?

Yes, Hammerhole welcomes two well-behaved dogs. The property has a private garden area and is right on the lake with woodland nearby for walks.

How many people can the property sleep?

Hammerhole sleeps up to 10 guests across five bedrooms. There are three king-size rooms and two twin rooms, with four having en-suite facilities.

Is there parking available?

Yes, there is off-road parking available at Hammerhole for multiple vehicles. The parking area is located close to the property for easy access.

What facilities are available on the Graythwaite Estate?

The estate offers an indoor heated swimming pool, a 2.5-acre trout fishing lake, a table tennis room and children's play areas. Guests can also use the Lakeside Hotel & Spa located 2 miles from the estate.

Is there WiFi at the property?

Yes, Hammerhole has WiFi throughout the property. Some guests have noted it can be a bit complicated to access initially.

Is there a ground floor bedroom?

Yes, there is a king-size bedroom on the ground floor with an en-suite bathroom. There's also an additional ground floor shower room with WC.

What's the nearest town for shops and restaurants?

Hawkshead village is 4.3 miles away with shops and pubs. The nearest pub is 3.8 miles from the property.

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Bowness-on-Windermere

Middleton-In-Teesdale

Hammerhole Reviews

A fantastic property in a beautiful lake side setting. Ideal for family gatherings. Small issues e.g. mould on shower grout and stained protective mattress cover but nothing major.

Gathering at Hammerhole for our mothers 93rd birthday was a very special time for us all, but especially for her. The house being situated so beautifully on the edge of Lake Windermere was idyllic. The house itself did have a few issues, which had been mentioned in previous reviews, and its a great pity these have not been addressed, the most frustrating of which was the kitchen tap! The house had been recently decorated, which was lovely. Unfortunately all the silicone in the bathrooms needs replacing because of unsightly black mould, a tap cover needs replacing, and there were springs poking through the bottom of an armchair. I could go on listing a few more issues, including a dog, presumably local, using the garden as its toilet morning and evening, but really all that aside we had a special, wonderful stay and hope that this house is given a bit more loving care, because it certainly deserves it! Would we revisit? Try and stop us!!

Andrea

The house is in a gorgeous location and the bedrooms and bathrooms were fine. I wanted to contact you though as the house is in no way worth the 5750 we paid for a week over Christmas. Ill list some of the issues Chipped mugs, mucky sofa and chair, clogged up hot tub I have photos, really mean welcome pack 4 firelighters, 7 dishwasher tablets, 1 loo roll in each loo some processed orange juice, nice biscuits and coffee. Bit mean for 10 of us at that cost, bathroom extractors not working as full of fluff, food left in a cupboard, fridge freezer in need of defrosting and extra freezer outside was muddy inside! Kitchen tap loose. Nowhere near enough hooks for coats, outside lighting not suitable for hot tub. The hot tub is obviously not cleaned out between visits. It was not warming the water anywhere near enough and the water was not flowing round the system. Eventually we flushed the filters with the hose and a large amount of stinking dead skin and hair came out! It did work after that but not really what one would expect from what is purported to be a luxury holiday venue. This was a big treat holiday for us and we made the most of it because we were all together after the death of our Mum but the facilities and cleanliness for that astonishing amount of money is dreadful. You really need to review the cottages you recommend more closely. I imagine that the estate and you dont really care if you dont get repeat bookings and there will always be someone new drawn in by what appears to be a perfect place. Ill be interested in your response.

Elizabeth

Wonderful house spotlessly clean. Big comfy beds just needed a little touch up with some of the decor but this did not detract from this wonderful house. Would highly recommend it and we would book here again.

We have just returned from a wonderful family holiday! The property was ideal for us with a downstairs bedroom and ensuite for our elderly parents. The dining table was great and the open plan layout meant we could all be together whilst cooking. The downstairs shower room and toilet was very useful. The beds were extremely comfy and the house was warm and cosy. The location and views were amazing and we benefited from lovely weather during our stay. We were able to sit outside and the fire pit was well used, with a plentiful supply of logs. However given the price of the property we did have some niggles. The dishwasher did not work properly which meant we had to rewash many of the dishes. The dishwasher had been mentioned in other reviews so should have been replaced by now. The cleanliness in the bathrooms could be improved mould and cobwebs. The barbecue was filthy so we didnt use it luckily we had brought disposable ones. The shelf in the fridge door was faulty meaning bottles fell out when you opened it. These problems did not spoil our holiday but just need to be rectified for other guests. The price was premium, the view was premium but the house a little unloved!

Weve just returned from a wonderful stay at Hammerhole. The cottage, facilities and location are absolutely tip top. Weve had a wonderful time kayaking on Windermere, enjoying the beautiful local walks in stunning, picture book scenery and exploring some of the local towns. We also took advantage of the indoor swimming pool which is nearby and great for kids and adults alike. The cottage itself is warm, well appointed and comfortable. Theres almost an ensuite for every bedroom and the additional downstairs shower room was a boon for the slightly less mobile among us. Theres also a well appointed kitchen, a huge dining table and comfy sitting room area. Outdoor space is absolutely blissful with a private garden abutting the lake, a beach area, small wood, lawned area and your own jetty. We didnt use the hot tub this time but would definitely fire it up next stay!. Theres also a useful utilitydryingstorage room alongside the cottage. The Graythwaite company and owners have been excellent to deal with, and we honestly couldnt have asked for a better experience.

Carlie

It was a beautiful cottage with really comfy beds and a lovely welcome box too. Wed love to return.

We got snowed in at the house , such a stunning place we didnt mind! ! The facilities , location and surroundings are wonderful. The estate staff are amazing , so helpful and supportive feel like we made new friends.

Patricia

Excellent accommodation, beautiful location. Well maintained property and facilities. Highly rated Book now !

A gem of a property, we had a fabulous stay thank you Graythwaite. We made use of the Estates facilities including shop and swimming pool. The property details which Lakelovers have are not 100 correct, we had to call the Estate Office to check a couple of matters, the lady we spoke to at Graythwaite was very helpful.

Fabulous cottage. We were a group of wild swimmers and the location and facilitates were just perfect .what a fabulous location .the hot tub was amazing a word of caution one of our group stepped out and the steps upended and took a very nasty fall , if the steps have not been secured down or a wider set purchased please take a lot of care getting out ..two weeks later she still cant sit down ! We also ran out of wood and didnt read about getting it from the shop so make sure you take spare or buy it in AdVance Otherwise was fabulous highly recommend ,

Firstly this a beautiful cottage situated on the lakeside and we had a fabulous weekend stay with friends however as a premium listing with a premium price we expected more For 10 people there were just enough mugs , not enough wine champagne glasses for everyone to enjoy a glass of fizz , only 4 dishwasher tablets provided for the whole weekend and no basic condiments which we have previously had in similar properties ! We also had to go out to buy pan scrubs , fire lighters only 4 provided and more toilet rolls It would have been nice to sit outside as the weather was very pleasant , however the garden furniture was dirty and unkept so this wasnt possible The WiFi was unnecessarily complicated to access and there was no spare key for the property , which we reported to the Graythwaite estate on arrival via their helpline unfortunately this issue wasnt resolved before leaving By ensuring basic items were provided would have definitely made a noticeable difference to our weekend stay

Alison

Beautiful cottage right on the lake with fabulous views. The hot tub was a real winner.very quick to heat up and lovely and cosy on a September evening! All rooms were beautifully furnished and beds very comfortable. The only small problem was that the dishwasher did not always clean the plates properly but this wasnt a huge issue and certainly didnt spoil the wonderful few days we spent at the cottage

Sheelagh

The house is beautifully located beside Lake Windermere, the rooms are nice and the decor and furniture etc are very pleasing. Couple of things that we found disappointing were the lack of supplies such as toilet paper, dishwasher tablets, tea towels, ordinary towels, even wine glasses, all were rationed, and it felt like the owners were skimping and providing the least possible. This was at odds with the premium price that was charged for the stay. We would have brought beach towels had we known that they would not be supplied, and there was strictly one towel each in the house. Separately the system for logging on to the wifi was complex and defeated most people in the group.

Andrew

House was in need of refurb. Walls grubby, dishwasher didnt work and had clearly not been checked, lights in kitchen didnt work, sink leaked and a washing up bowl had been placed to catch the water under the sink. Owner slow to rectify and indeed couldnt rectify the dishwasher. Incorrect information provided about non allergenic bedding. Grass on lawn uncut. On the plus side the location was fantastic Come on Graythwaite get your act together this was not a premium property and should be amended within the Sykes listing until this is brought up to standard

Andrew

We had a great stay at Hammerhole, the position on the lake is idyllic and the cottage was clean and reasonably comfortable, although there was only six of us and whilst there are beds for 10 it would have been a bit cramped in the living area for 10. I would say the price for a weeks stay would warrant a little more on the amenities front such as canoekayak especially as it has its own jetty, but the hot tub and plentiful supply of wood was really good. Overall we would rate the stay as good although a little overpriced and the only real bug bear would be the check in and out which was far too late and far too early!!

Beautiful house in a stunning secluded location. Perfect for big family get togethers for families of all ages. The location was amazing right on the lake with lovely views. Added perk of being able to use the swimming pool exclusively for a prebooked time slot. We hope to be back one day and would definitely recommend!

Lindsay

It would be helpful if theyd let us know that the logs would be replenished FOC, we only found this out the day before we left and after buying our own logs, no big deal but handy to know if you rent Hammerhole. Overall we had a great stay in a beautiful setting and it snowed on Christmas Day!!

Stunning house in a beautiful location

Michael

Cottage is one we have visited before. It has recently been renovated to a high standard. Beautiful location and lovely relaxing cottage.

Adrian

Great location, comfortable cottage with nice space and of course great access to the lake. We were very happy. That said there are some suggestions below Lack of WiFi should be more obvious in the listing. Some board games and books and dvds would be good. Both map packs had maps missing. Bigger mugs would be great, all bar one mug were tiny! Great water pressure but so strong that the shower head moved of its own accord and soaked the ceiling. The water pressure also caused the pipes to bang loudly. Two of the toilets the cisterns needed adjusting because they wouldnt stop filling until the ball valves were adjusted. The swimming pool was unavailable for 2 days as it was being refilled and 20 was quite a lot for the gym given it was pretty limited.

We have been to Hammerhole many times with our family and once again enjoyed our stay. However we had reason to change the bedding sheets on this occasion and frankly were very unhappy with the condition of the eiderdown blankets inside which were very dirty and in poor condition. We did complain at reception and received one replacement but quite honestly feel that these items should be checkedreplaced regularly to overcome such problems. We have booked Hammerhole again next year but will require reassurance that action has been taken in this regard.

The cottage , its position and facilities were wonderful and just as described. This was a three generation family holiday, and we all wanted to canoe, sail and walk. It fitted the bill perfectly. The support staff at the Greythwaite estate were lovely. When a leak happened from one of the toilet cisterns it was fixed immediately. We also had plenty of dried logs for the log burner and milk delivered to the door. Only one issue disappointed and this was beyond the control of the staff. We arrived in the dark and encountered some dog mess on getting out of the car. In the morning we saw that the whole of the garden and driveway was covered in it! We couldn't unload properly or rig boats and we had to restrain an excited grandchild from going outside until we had cleaned it up. It took 3 of us an hour to do, such was the extent of the mess. Not a pleasant start to the holiday. Later on a staff member told us the previous occupants had 4 dogs and had left the property in a horrible state. All credit to the team for deep cleaning the inside in time for our arrival. There were still some poo stains on the floor inside, and the living room carpet smelt a bit doggy, but otherwise the standard of cleanliness was high. We are all dog owners and feel this was incredibly irresponsible of the previous occupants. Not only was it unpleasant but a health hazard. We hope you do not let them rent from you again.

Fantastic location. Loved the jetty and the large comfortable home. Everything we needed was provided. Magical experience for our family and dogs. Thank You!

This is the perfect place on the lake. Quieter than Windermere and Ambleside swimming and boating is a delight. Our dog loved it and everyone wants to go back again.

Great place, fantastic setting. Facilities very good, loved our second time at Hammerhole. Just one little mention about bathrooms. As it sleeps 10 would be much better if all four showers were available. Two are in the baths and only hand held. A screen and overhead bracket would make all the difference

Beautiful location and scenery. Perfect for a family holiday in the Lakes, even in January there was plenty to do.

Location was wonderful. Photos didn't do it justice. Magical.

Stunningly beautiful location the pictures reflect the cottage exactly. Expensive but worth it for special occasions

Kimberley

The cottage owners should list the location of the fuse box in the cottage manual. We spent a few hours without lights because if this and saw another comment in the comment book mentioning the same problem.

I booked this house based on a it being able to accommodate 10 people & 2 dogs & b its location. It did not disappoint.

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Hammerhole, Graythwaite

About Hammerhole

Need To Know

More Cottages With Hot Tubs You May Like

What Guests Love

Lakeside Location

Hot Tub Experience

Comfortable Bedrooms

Estate Facilities

Secluded Setting

Open Plan Living

Getting To Hammerhole

By Car

By Train

Attractions & More Nearby

Is Hammerhole Right For You?

For Families

For Couples

Pet Friendly

Dining & Cafes

The Tower Bank Arms

Lakeside Hotel Restaurant

The Eagle's Head

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Name

Popular Stays Near This Cottage

Hammerhole Reviews