Entire home

Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.

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Exterior
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, dishwasher
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Outdoor dining

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 235 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Mountain view
The current price is €392
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.

This unique, iconic, luxury cottage is an 'ideal honeymoon cottage in a location to die for', stunning views of Lake Ullswater and the fells can be viewed whilst relaxing on the balcony of this traditional boathouse or from the bedroom through the patio doors.

Unsurprisingly, the Duke of Portland Boathouse has been voted "the best waterside retreat" by BBC Countryfile Magazine! It's location at the top of Ullswater gives it superb, unparalleled views across this beautiful lake.

It is one of the most iconic and most photographed buildings in the Lake District. The boathouse originally belonged to the 3rd Duke of Portland in the 18th century but he had to sell it along with his Cumberland estates to pay his legal bills. His loss is our gain!

Park beside the boathouse and climb the steps to enter a unique, romantic and cosy interior that provides everything needed for a perfect stay at every time of the year. Shades of Farrow and Ball are mixed with sumptuous furnishings and luxury fabrics.

The boathouse has an open plan layout with magnificent cruick beams and underfloor heating beneath a rustic oak floor and comprises:-
The bespoke painted kitchen with granite work tops provides all you need with a generous breakfast bar and comfortable stools for intimate dining a deux. There is an LPG oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, coffee machine (accepts vertuo nespresso coffee pods, not provided.) After dining you can sit back and relax on a sumptuous leather sofa in front of the wood burning stove. Smart TV and Bluetooth sound system are all provided for your entertainment. Unwind in the luxurious slate shower room with overhead shower, WC and hand basin. Fluffy towels and bathrobes are provided together with a range of toiletries. Enjoy the views down the length of the lake from the romantic bedroom. You can gaze out at a starlit sky from the comfortable king size bed with luxurious Egyptian Cotton bedding or relax in the slipper bath sipping a glass of champagne! Double doors open onto the balcony from which you can truly experience the breathtaking views! An amazing place to enjoy breakfast or just sit and contemplate the beautiful surroundings and its wildlife. Cosy rugs are provided for chillier evenings! The boathouse also has its own private jetty and owns a quarter of a mile of lakeshore with fishing rights. If you are tempted out of the boathouse, the renowned Another Place Hotel is a short drive down the lakeside for fine dining. Alternatively there are traditional Cumbrian pubs in nearby Pooley Bridge.PLEASE NOTE: Dogs are not accepted at this property.

Property manager

Gail

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Garden

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Service animals only (pets not allowed)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children
  • Unit size: 377 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Property is also known as

527731
Vrbo Property

About the area

Map
Ullswater, Cumbria

What's nearby

  • Ullswater - 1 min walk
  • Dalemain - 3 min drive
  • Aira Force - 7 min drive
  • Penrith Castle - 8 min drive
  • Lowther Castle and Gardens - 19 min drive

Getting around

  • Penrith Station - 11 min drive
  • Carlisle (CAX) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rheged Centre - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Sun Inn - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪The Rooster - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions. pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.?

As of 19 Feb 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions. on 23 Feb 2025 start from €392.1, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions. located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is steps from Ullswater and within 3 mi (5 km) of Dalemain and Dalemain Country Park. Rheged and Gowbarrow Fall are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions. Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 44 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 44 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 44 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 44 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 44 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful property in perfect location
Beautiful location,charming property ,near a small village with lovely pubs and coffee shops ,highly recommended
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol and greg J.

2 nights at the Duke of portland boathouse
Lovely comfortable relaxing stay, fab location and views. A very special place to stay as a birthday treat.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A unique and beautiful place to stay with stunning views and a peaceful ambience.
We had an amazing time at the boathouse. A unique and beautiful place to stay with stunning views and a peaceful ambience. We were impressed with the cleanliness and the duck food was a lovely touch! Highly recommended, we would love to stay again.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A beautiful accommodation in an idealic location.
A really wonderful place to stay. Beautifully presented, comfortable and cosy. A very much needed break from our crazy every day life. We will definitely return.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fiona M.

Wow! Just perfect
Thank you so much David, Julia, and Gail. We have always wanted to stay at the Boathouse so treated ourselves for our 25th wedding anniversary and were not disappointed. The boathouse lived up to our expectations, and more. Well equipped, warm and a real treat. We enjoyed walks from the boathouse each day, took in the views from the balcony over the Lake late afternoon/early evening (wrapped in the blankets thoughtfully supplied), enjoyed soaking in the copper bath, and relaxed in the warm interior in the evening! Bed was super comfy too and made for a lovely deep sleep. We will be booking again I'm sure!

10/10 Excellent

Amelia J.

Evening by the Lake
Lovely little spot. Very cozy and beautiful setting. I can imagine its even more special in the summers months
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

melody u.

Perfect
Fabulous location. Very cosy and the views are awesome. We managed to sit out on the balcony sipping the complimentary bubbles even in February!!!!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tabby K.

A perfect little getaway…
I’ve had my eye on staying at the boathouse for years and finally found the opportunity. It was as good as I anticipated. Beautifully renovated with lovely, comfortable facilities. The location is superb and allows for free swimming in the lake which I enjoyed - even if it was cold! It was the perfect distraction from life and a getaway I will definitely be repeating. Thank you.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Would definitely recommend the Duke of portland boathouse .fantastic views .beautiful decorated. X
Had a amazing time at the Duke of portland boathouse. Comfort, every thing you need is there for you. Would definitely recommend it the views are amazing. Even a fantastic pair of binoculars.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne B.

Amazing Location
3 night stay in April and we were very lucky to see blue skies. The boathouse is furnished in a traditional style with some lovely modern touches. Walking to the sound of the water and the view of the lake and mountains was unforgettable. Pooley Bridge is a short walk away but be careful of traffic as you leave the boathouse it is a busy road.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

A lovely hideaway on Ullswater
I stayed at the boathouse for 3 days, and found it to be delightful. All amenities were modern & covered my expectations. The weather was inclement, but the underfloor heating was soothing, as was watching the waterside life from the terrace ( well wrapped up ) I guess my only complaint was the entrance. Right on a blind bend a little bit scary at times
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

An amazing place to stay
An amazing place in a location to die for. Small but perfectly formed as the saying goes and lots of little extra touches to add to the general feeling of indulgence. Loved it. Gave 4 not 5 stars on customer service only because I kept getting contradictory information on check in and out times. I'd suggest that anyone staying parks in the layby opposite rather than on the drive as reversing out of the drive just after a bend in the road is best avoided if possible
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Clare A.

Duke of Portland Boathouse
Fantastic property in an unbelievable location. Loved the balcony looking over the lake. Not easy getting out of the gates onto main road. More expensive than we would usually spend on a short break but will definitely be back.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Soo Lucky
Amazing stay, we sat on the balcony and watched the stars and the ripples of the lake splashing below the deck all on a chilly winters evening. We then back into the boathouse to enjoy supper by the wood burner stove. What a memorable treat.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Dreamy
Our stay here was truly dreamy, a real escape with every home comfort. The boathouse is an incredibly unique bolt hole, feels totally secluded from the real world and yet is a 1
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kate F.

Spectacular!
Just the perfect night away. Of course what a wonderful view. But also the Boathouse is comfortable, cosy and has everything you need to make your stay enjoyable and very relaxing. We would definitely return.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Absolutely wonderful!
My husband and I had the most incredible stay at this beautiful boathouse! It exceeded expectations in every way - beautifully decorated inside with lovely little touches, so cosy (with a log burner and loads of wood provided) and the most stunning views from every single window. We could have happily stayed for weeks!! Thank you for a fantastic break. Highly highly recommend!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

gail c.

Dream come true
I have driven past this boathoyse every year since childhood and finally got the chance to stay. It was everything I expected and more. I could have spent the whole of my time just sitting on the balcony, the view is amazing and so relaxing listening to the water below and watching the ducks. I would love to return in the winter and sit in front of the wood burner, it would be so cosy. Highly recommend staying here.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gordon A.

Absolutely perfect.
If you want to enjoy a unique, romantic, and luxurious Lakeland experience then look no further. The Boathouse is a wonderful property both inside and out. The location is stunning. The views are amazing. And you are made to feel very special as soon as you set foot over the threshold. Highly recommended.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Magical
Had an amazing night. Everything perfect. The bath with the views was a wonderful experience. A magical place to stay and so warm and cozy. Had the opportunity to kayak in the morning directly from the house and the views and tranquility of the lake were amazing. A hidden gem To put on your bucket list of places to stay. Thank you for the champagne to add to a perfect stay.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Brooks

Duke of Portland
This is a beautifully appointed boathouse set in a stunning location. We were welcomed with a complimentary bottle of champagne to make our arrival very special. The boathouse is set on the main road and the balcony is exposed to the east side road traffic. A note of caution to future visitors is to take care driving on to the property as it is on a bend and should only be entered by driving beyond the property and then turning around. A very dangerous corner.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Absolutely Amazing
Absolutely amazing and unique place to stay. Spotlessly clean, every little detail has been carefully and aesthetically designed to ensure a cosy, comfortable and enjoyable stay. The most amazing views of Ullswater to wake up to in the morning. Thank you! We will be back!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Great 3 nights to celebrate our wedding anniversary
Septic tank needs dealing with as there was a smell from time to time. Otherwise a very relaxing time and will definitely come back.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David Y., Stockton On Tees

luxurious accommodation in a stunning location
We stayed for two nights wishing we had booked for 3+ nights. The accommodation is picture postcard perfect in every way from the unique location to the superb views and exquisitely equipped accommodation. We were that enamored by the Boathouse we had all our evening meals there not wanting to miss our time there, We are very familiar with Ullswater and had some lovely walks but the highlight was our morning paddlebording form the jetty. I have no doubt we will be back Dave & Moira
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne T.

Boathouse Bolthole
We very much enjoyed our stay at The Duke of Portland. Swimming in Ullswater at dawn and viewing the Northern Lights and a shooting star from the deck gave us incredible memories. The Boathouse itself is very highly presented. Luxurious touches such as the magnificent copper bath, robes, slippers and complimentary champagne made it even more special. The wonderful property does suffer for being on a bend on a busy road, but the Lake District is a popular holiday and watersport destination. When the traffic subsides however, you are cocooned in a beautiful building in a special location