Wake Up to the Fells, Two Minutes Above Ambleside
Open the curtains at Barnes Fell Apartments and the view does the selling for you: slate roofs falling away to the church spire, then Loughrigg and the long ridge of the Fairfield Horseshoe filling the rest of the window. You are on Low Gale, a quiet lane that sits just above the rooftops of Ambleside, yet the walk down into the village takes about two minutes. It is the kind of elevated, view-first position that is the first reason to book.
The second is the parking. In a village where finding a space can shape your whole day, every apartment here comes with its own guaranteed designated space, so you arrive, unload and forget about it. The third is Ethna, the host, who greets you in person and is the single most-praised thing in the reviews, the sort of welcome that runs to fresh milk, homemade jam and a jar of sweets. The house itself is a handsome Victorian stone building from 1872, converted to adults-only, self-catering apartments, and it keeps the character of the period with bay windows, soft carpets and individually decorated rooms.
Barnes Fell works well for couples and solo travellers who want a quiet, characterful, view-filled base within strolling distance of Ambleside's shops, restaurants and fells, with a parking space waiting and a host who actually knows the area.
Two Apartments, a Roll-Top Bath and a Room-Only Double
There are three places to stay, and they are individually decorated rather than templated. Fairfield, on the first floor, has a bay-windowed lounge that frames Loughrigg, the Conistons and the Fairfield Horseshoe; Loughrigg, on the top floor, looks across the fell to Wetherlam and the Old Man of Coniston, and keeps a roll-top bath positioned for the view, the detail guests photograph and remember. The Wansfell is a comfortable en-suite double, room-only, for guests who would rather eat out than cook.
Each apartment has its own kitchenette, fitted to put together a proper breakfast before a day on the fells, throw a simple supper together after one, or just keep the wine cold. You also get a private bathroom, a TV with a DVD player, free Wi-Fi and the welcome supplies Ethna leaves out. Reviewers come back to the same words again and again: spotless, beautifully kept, and quiet. Choose a kitchenette apartment if you want to settle in for a few days, or the Wansfell double if a kitchen is one thing you will not miss with the village two minutes downhill.
A Personal Welcome and a Village You Can Walk
What turns a smart apartment into a returner's favourite here is the host and the position. Ethna greets guests in person, shows them where to park, and shares the kind of local steer no listing can give, from which fell to walk to where to book a table. There is no staffed reception and no daily housekeeping, which is the trade with self-catering, but the welcome more than makes up for it, and luggage drop or a locked car port for bikes can be arranged on request.
From the door it is a two-minute walk down to the centre, where you have an unusual depth of food for the size of the place: two Michelin-starred restaurants in The Old Stamp House and Lake Road Kitchen, the long-running Zeffirelli's cinema, the Apple Pie bakery and a clutch of independent cafes and pubs. Stock Ghyll Force waterfall is about twenty minutes on foot, Waterhead and the Windermere cruise boats around fifteen, and the lower slopes of Loughrigg and Wansfell start almost at the end of the lane. Stock up at the village shops and you have everything you need within a short, walkable radius.
Why Book Barnes Fell Apartments?
Barnes Fell Apartments is at its best for couples and solo travellers who want a quiet, characterful, view-filled self-catering base a short walk above Ambleside, with a guaranteed parking space and a host who knows the Lakes.
Fell views from your window
Both apartments and the lounge look out over Ambleside to Loughrigg and the Fairfield Horseshoe, with the Loughrigg roll-top bath positioned for the view.
Two minutes above the centre
A short walk down to Ambleside's shops, restaurants and pubs, with a location guests call close to perfect and the fells starting almost at the end of the lane.
Guaranteed parking and a warm host
Each apartment has its own designated space, a real Ambleside bonus, and host Ethna greets guests in person, the most-praised feature in the reviews.
Best-fit guests
Best for couples and solo travellers wanting a quiet, adults-only, self-catering base with fell views, who do not need children's facilities, a full oven or step-free access.
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Interesting Points About Barnes Fell Apartments
- Each apartment comes with its own guaranteed designated parking space, a genuine rarity in Ambleside where public parking is limited and busy; the locked car port can also store bikes if you let host Ethna know in advance
- The house was built in 1872 and was converted from a guest house to self-catering apartments around 2021; the Loughrigg apartment keeps a roll-top bath positioned for the fell view, a detail guests single out
- It is a two-minute walk down to the village, where two Michelin-starred restaurants, The Old Stamp House and Lake Road Kitchen, sit within an easy stroll, alongside the Apple Pie bakery and Zeffirelli's cinema
- Host Ethna greets guests personally and is the single most-praised feature in reviews, known for fresh milk, homemade jam, fresh flowers and a jar of sweets on arrival
Rooms & Accommodation at Barnes Fell Apartments
Fairfield Apartment
Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · Kitchenette · Fell view · Parking space
A first-floor one-bedroom apartment with a separate bay-windowed lounge that frames Loughrigg, the Conistons and the Fairfield Horseshoe, plus an en-suite shower room and a kitchenette with a 2-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher and crockery for four. Choose this if you want a self-catering base for two with the classic Ambleside fell view from the sofa and a guaranteed parking space. It sits on an upper floor reached by stairs only.
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Loughrigg Apartment
Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · Roll-top bath · Fell view · Parking space
A top-floor one-bedroom apartment with a lounge looking over Loughrigg Fell to Wetherlam and the Old Man of Coniston, and a bathroom with a shower and a roll-top bath set for the view, the feature guests rave about. The kitchenette matches Fairfield, with a 2-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher and crockery for four. Choose this if the bath with a fell view and a top-floor outlook are the point of the trip. It is reached by stairs only and comes with its own designated parking space.
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Double Room (Wansfell)
Sleeps 2 · Room-only · En-suite · Garden view · TV
An en-suite double on a room-only basis, with heating, a TV, a coffee and tea maker, a small fridge, a dining table and a private bathroom with a bath or shower, looking onto the garden. Choose this if you do not need a kitchen and would rather eat out, with the village two minutes downhill. Note this room does not have a designated parking space, and like the apartments it is on an upper floor reached by stairs only.
Check PricesIs Barnes Fell Apartments Right for You?
Best Suited For
- Couples on a romantic Lakeland break: adults-only, quiet, characterful and view-filled, with a roll-top bath positioned for the fells in the Loughrigg apartment
- Solo travellers: a safe, central, walkable base with a host who greets you in person and knows the area
- Drivers who hate the Ambleside parking scramble: each apartment has its own guaranteed designated space
- Self-caterers on short stays: kitchenettes handle breakfasts and simple suppers, with the village restaurants two minutes away
- Fell-walkers: the lower slopes of Loughrigg and Wansfell start almost at the end of the lane, with Stock Ghyll Force a 20-minute walk
- Guests who value a personal welcome: host Ethna is the single most-praised feature across the reviews
Worth Considering Alternatives If
- You are travelling with children or a pet: this is an adults-only property and pets are not accommodated
- You need step-free access: the apartments are on upper floors reached by stairs only, with 7 steps to the front door and a steep walk up from the village
- You want a full oven and a big kitchen: the kitchenettes have a 2-ring hob and are best for simple cooking, not long self-catering stays
- You want flexibility to cancel: bookings here are non-refundable, so confirm your dates before you book
- You need a parking space and pick the Wansfell double: only the two apartments come with a designated space, not the room-only double
Amenities & Facilities
In Each Apartment
- Fell or garden views, individually decorated
- Heating and carpeted floors
- Private bathroom with free toiletries and hair dryer
- Roll-top bath in the Loughrigg apartment
- TV with DVD player and radio
- Iron and ironing facilities, wardrobe, fresh linen
Kitchen & Dining
- Kitchenette in each apartment: 2-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, toaster, kettle and coffee machine
- Crockery, cutlery and glassware for four
- Welcome supplies including tea, coffee and fresh milk
- Coffee and tea maker and a small fridge in the Wansfell double
- Not available: Full oven
- Not available: On-site restaurant or breakfast
Connectivity
- Free Wi-Fi throughout
Parking & Transport
- Free designated parking, one guaranteed space per apartment
- Locked car port for bikes by arrangement
- Bus stop about 200 metres away, with the 555 and 505 services
- Windermere railway station about 3.5 miles by road or bus
- Not available: Designated space for the Wansfell double
Services & Policies
- Personal greeting and self-check-in by host Ethna; arrival time arranged in advance
- Luggage drop and secure bike storage on request
- Payment by Visa, Mastercard or cash
- Adults only, non-smoking throughout, non-refundable bookings
- Not available: Children or pets
- Not available: Lift, ramp or step-free access
- Not available: Daily housekeeping
On Low Gale, Two Minutes Above Ambleside
Barnes Fell Apartments sits on Low Gale, an elevated, quiet lane just above the centre of Ambleside, the much-loved walking and touring town at the northern tip of Lake Windermere in the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the lane it is about a two-minute walk down into the village, where independent shops, galleries, cafes and restaurants cluster around the famous 17th-century Bridge House, the tiny National Trust building straddling Stock Beck and one of Lakeland's most photographed sights.
For its size the town punches well above its weight on food. Two Michelin-starred restaurants sit within an easy stroll, The Old Stamp House in the cellars where Wordsworth once worked, and Lake Road Kitchen with its Nordic-meets-Lakeland tasting menus, alongside the Apple Pie bakery, Doi Intanon for Thai in the old Market Hall, and the long-running Zeffirelli's cinema. Walkers are spoilt: the lower slopes of Loughrigg Fell and Wansfell start almost at the end of the lane, Stock Ghyll Force waterfall is about twenty minutes on foot, and Waterhead Pier, where the Windermere cruise boats leave for Bowness and Lakeside, is around fifteen. Further out lie Wordsworth's Rydal Mount, about 1.5 miles north, and the gingerbread village of Grasmere, around four miles on.
A car is the simplest way to reach Low Gale and explore the wider Lakes, and the guaranteed on-site space removes the usual Ambleside parking headache. For car-free trips, take the train to Windermere then the 555 bus or a taxi into Ambleside, with the village bus terminal on Kelsick Road about 200 metres away; the centre itself is very walkable. Stock up at the village shops and you have everything within a short radius.
- Ambleside town centre & Bridge House: 2 min walk to the centre, about 5 min to Bridge House. The 17th-century National Trust house over Stock Beck is one of Lakeland's most photographed buildings.
- Stock Ghyll Force waterfall: About 20 min walk. A wooded gorge waterfall dropping around 70 feet on an easy circular trail from the village centre.
- Loughrigg Fell: Lower slopes a short walk from the lane. The classic, accessible Lakeland fell that fills the view from the apartments.
- Waterhead Pier & Windermere cruises: About 15 to 20 min walk. The launch point for cruises across Windermere to Bowness, Brockhole and Lakeside.
- Galava Roman Fort & Borrans Park: Short walk towards Waterhead. The grassy remains of a Roman fort beside a lakeside park, next to Stagshaw woodland garden.
- Rydal Mount & Dora's Field: About 1.5 miles north. Wordsworth's much-loved home and garden, with daffodils in Dora's Field below in spring.
- Grasmere village: About 4 miles north. Wordsworth's village, famous for its gingerbread and the Grasmere and Rydal Water walks.
- Hayes Garden World: Easy stroll from the centre. A large, well-known garden centre on the edge of Ambleside with a cafe.
Getting to Key Locations
Photo: Peter S, CC BY-SA 2.0
Stock Ghyll Force
20 min walk
About twenty minutes on foot from the lane, Stock Ghyll Force drops some 70 feet through a wooded gorge right behind the village. An easy circular trail loops past the falls, best in autumn when the woodland turns gold or after rain when the water is in full spate. Pick up a parking disc in the village if you would rather drive to the layby below.
View on Map
Photo: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0
Ambleside Town Centre
Two minutes downhill and you are in the thick of it: independent outdoor shops, galleries, bakeries and the tiny National Trust Bridge House perched over Stock Beck. Two Michelin-starred restaurants and the Zeffirelli's cinema sit within the same easy stroll, so an evening out never needs the car. It is the kind of compact, walkable village that makes Barnes Fell's position so easy to like.
View on Map
Photo: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0
Galava Roman Fort & Borrans Park
A short walk towards Waterhead brings you to Borrans Park, a lakeside green beside the grassy earthworks of Galava Roman Fort, with the Stagshaw woodland garden just up the road. It is a quiet spot for a picnic by Windermere before catching a cruise boat from the nearby pier, and a gentle counterpoint to a day on the fells.
View on MapHow to Get to Barnes Fell Apartments from Windermere Station
- From Windermere railway station: Windermere is the nearest mainline station, reached via Oxenholme on the West Coast Main Line. From the station you can take a bus or a taxi the last few miles into Ambleside.
- Bus or taxi into Ambleside: Take the 555 or 599 bus towards Ambleside and Grasmere, running roughly every 30 minutes and taking around 10 to 15 minutes, and alight near Kelsick Road in the centre. A taxi covers the same stretch directly.
- Walk up to Low Gale: From the centre it is a short, slightly steep uphill walk of a couple of minutes up to Low Gale, with 7 steps to the front door. Pack light if you can, and confirm your arrival time with the host in advance.
- By car from Windermere: If you drive, follow the A591 north-west for about 3.5 miles into Ambleside and on to Low Gale, then use your guaranteed designated parking space, the locked car port can also store bikes by arrangement.
Ambleside Area Guide
Ambleside is the quintessential Lake District base: compact, lively and ringed by some of England's most famous fells. From the village you can step almost straight onto the lower slopes of Loughrigg and Wansfell, walk to Stock Ghyll Force in about twenty minutes, or stroll down to Waterhead for a cruise on Windermere. For its size it is remarkable on food, with two Michelin-starred restaurants, and on culture, with the Armitt Museum, independent galleries and the long-running Zeffirelli's cinema. Staying above the centre on Low Gale, like Barnes Fell does, gives you the quiet and the views with all of this a few minutes' walk downhill.
Spring brings daffodils, lambs and long light; summer fills the cruise boats and the trails but draws the biggest crowds; autumn turns the Stock Ghyll woodland gold; and the festive period has its own atmosphere. January, February and November are the quietest and cheapest months. Time a visit around the centuries-old Ambleside Rushbearing in early July, Ambleside Sports with its Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling in August, or the Christmas lights in November. Bring sturdy footwear and waterproofs whatever the season, and book the popular restaurants well ahead. For another Ambleside base, see our nearby Waterhead Bath Suites down by the lake.
Is Barnes Fell Apartments worth it?
Yes, if you want a quiet, adults-only, self-catering base with stunning fell views and a guaranteed parking space a two-minute walk above Ambleside, run by a warm, hands-on host. Guests rate it exceptional, with the location earning near-perfect praise, and the personal welcome and the views are what they remember. Skip it if you are travelling with children or a pet, need step-free access, want a full oven, or need the flexibility to cancel, as bookings here are non-refundable.
What Guests Say About Barnes Fell Apartments
Scores and review counts are aggregated from verified guest bookings on major travel platforms.
Exceptional
Guests love the warm personal welcome from host Ethna, the panoramic fell views and the rare convenience of a guaranteed parking space moments from the centre of Ambleside. The apartments are praised again and again as spotless, characterful and beautifully kept, and the setting draws the warmest feedback of all. The only honest caveats are the compact kitchenette and the steep, stair-only access, neither of which dents the enthusiasm.
A clean apartment with a lovely, helpful host, and close to the pubs and restaurants. Everything you need for a weekend in Ambleside.
Sally
A clean apartment with a lovely, helpful host, and close to the pubs and restaurants. Everything you need for a weekend in Ambleside.
2026-05-12A lovely, convenient apartment a couple of minutes from the centre, spacious and clean with stunning Lakeland-hill views. Ethna made us feel very welcome.
2026-04-18A fabulous, warm and cosy place with a well-appointed kitchen and a very comfortable bed. Ethna is a great host, full of helpful information.
2025-10-09A great apartment in a handy location, spotlessly clean with everything we needed. Ethna is a friendly host who goes the extra mile.
2025-09-02Central yet quiet, with fantastic views over Ambleside and Windermere. Ethna was welcoming and friendly, showed us the parking and shared recommendations, and the bed was comfy. A perfect getaway.
2025-07-20A lovely apartment with tea, coffee and toiletries provided, close-by parking and a friendly host. Nothing to dislike.
2025-06-15Excellent location and wonderful views. The kitchen is a touch small for a long stay and the heating was briefly inconsistent, but the owner addressed it well.
2025-05-03A perfect short break: an exceptional host and a beautiful, clean, fresh apartment with a gorgeous view.
2025-04-07Good to Know Before You Book
Adults only, for a quiet grown-up break
Barnes Fell is an adults-only property, so it stays calm and peaceful, ideal for couples and solo travellers. Children are not accommodated and pets are not allowed, which keeps the apartments quiet and spotless.
Self-catering with a compact kitchenette
Each apartment has a 2-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher and crockery for four, perfect for breakfasts, snacks and simple meals rather than a full roast. With dozens of restaurants a two-minute walk away, most guests find that no hardship at all.
Free parking is guaranteed, a real Ambleside bonus
Each apartment comes with its own designated space, a genuine rarity in a village where public parking is busy. The room-only Wansfell double does not have a space, and the locked car port can also store bikes if you let the host know your plans.
Stairs, a steep approach and non-refundable terms
The apartments are on upper floors reached by stairs only, with 7 steps to the front door and a steep walk up from the village, so this is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. Bookings are non-refundable and exact terms vary by rate, so confirm your dates before you book.
Photos of Barnes Fell Apartments
Frequently Asked Questions
Barnes Fell Apartments is on Low Gale, postcode LA22 0BD, an elevated quiet lane just above the centre of Ambleside in the Lake District. The walk down into the village is about two minutes, so the shops, restaurants and Bridge House are all within an easy stroll, while the lower slopes of Loughrigg and Wansfell start almost at the end of the lane.
Each apartment comes with its own free designated parking space, guaranteed by the host, which is a genuine rarity in Ambleside where public parking is limited and busy. The locked car port can also store bikes by arrangement. The one exception is the room-only Wansfell double, which does not have a designated space.
Barnes Fell is an adults-only property, so children are not accommodated and pets are not allowed. This keeps the apartments quiet, clean and well suited to couples and solo travellers wanting a peaceful Lakeland break.
The Fairfield and Loughrigg apartments are self-catering, each with a kitchenette holding a 2-ring hob, microwave, fridge, dishwasher, toaster, kettle, coffee machine and crockery for four. There is no full oven, so the kitchenettes are best for breakfasts, snacks and simple meals, with the village restaurants two minutes away. The Wansfell double is room-only with a coffee and tea maker and a small fridge.
Check-in runs from 15:00 to 19:00 and check-out is by 10:00, with a window from 09:00. Host Ethna greets guests in person, so it helps to confirm your arrival time in advance so she can be there to meet you and show you the parking.
Bookings at Barnes Fell are non-refundable and the host does not offer free cancellation, so you should confirm your dates before you book. Exact terms vary by rate and are shown at the point of booking, and there is usually a minimum stay of two nights, or three over public holidays.
Barnes Fell is not step-free and is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. There are 7 steps up to the front door, no lift, ramp or ground-floor letting room, and each apartment is on an upper floor reached by stairs only, with a steep approach up from the village.
Fairfield is a first-floor one-bedroom apartment with a bay-windowed lounge and fell views, while Loughrigg is the top-floor one-bedroom apartment with a roll-top bath set for the view. Both are self-catering with their own designated parking space. Wansfell is a room-only en-suite double for guests who do not need a kitchen and does not have a parking space.
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Ready to Book Barnes Fell Apartments?
Adults-only, self-catering apartments with fell views and a guaranteed parking space, a two-minute walk above the centre of Ambleside, run by a warm, hands-on host. Guests rate it exceptional and single out the location above all.
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