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

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and balcony

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Duke of Portland Boathouse Ullswater Romantic Cottage
Living area
Interior
Living area
Living area

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 235 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Free WiFi
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

View map
Ullswater, Cumbria
  • Place, Ullswater
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Dalemain
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Lowther Castle and Gardens
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Carlisle (CAX)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom #1

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom #1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

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.

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Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
Fireplace

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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

About the area

Penrith

Located in Penrith, this cottage is on a lake. High Cup Winery and Hesket Newmarket Brewery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Ullswater and Yorkshire Dales National Park. Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre and Rookin House Activity Centre are also worth visiting.
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Map
Ullswater, Cumbria

What's nearby

  • Ullswater - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Dalemain - 4 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Rheged - 6 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Penrith Castle - 8 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Lowther Castle and Gardens - 9 min drive - 9.6 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Rooster - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Arturo Lounge - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dockray Hall - ‬8 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.

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).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Sue K.

Romantic Stay

A beautiful romantic place to stay, perfect for us to get engaged. A great chance to stay in such an iconic building. Beautiful soft furnishings, very clean and an ideal bottle of champagne waiting for our arrival.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Wonderful break

This is such a special place. We had an unforgettable stay at the Duke of Portland Boathouse. Just incredible views, paddle boarding and swimming from the doorstep and wonderful walks and food in pooley bridge. Would 100% recommend for a really unique stay
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kym P.

Fantastic

Celebrating our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in the most amazing setting. Great views, ducks for company too, beautiful boathouse inside- what more could you want for a romantic getaway. Would thoroughly recommend and definitely stay again .
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Great location for that special occasion

Fantastic location with stunning views across Ullswater - magic sunsets. The location is very central to allowing one to explore the Northern lakes and the house is brilliant in it's internal furnishings and layout. A truly great place to stay at for those special occasions. What could be improved - cleaning of the external side of the windows (covered in spider webs), servicing of the log burner (I have a Clearview and this one has clearly not been serviced in a while although it does work but dials are stiff) and a fresh 'lick' of paint etc on the decking area. From a Health & Safety point of view I noticed that a number of the supports for the jetty that extends into the lake have completely collapsed / rusted through - these should be replaced.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

So much more....

We stayed at the boathouse as a base for cycling, walking and exploring but it really was so much more... We swam from the slipway, fished from the jetty and watched the birds and the fish and the lake and the view. We really were Duke and Duchess for our short but memorable stay.

10/10 Excellent

Sue K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A piece of heaven

A beautiful 4 day stay in a gorgeous location. Very relaxing with stunning scenery. Easy to book and excellent clear arrival details. The boathouse is so unique with care paid to every detail to make our stay so enjoyable. We will recommend to friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark J.

A great place for a special occasion

We'd booked the Boathouse to celebrate a special birthday and we were not disappointed. It was already warm and cosy when we walked in, and the log burner topped up the heat when the evening got chilly. Everything was clean, tidy and well-looked after. The welcome pack was great, and much appreciated. The kitchen and island seating was fine for cooking and eating; the bedroom had fantastic views and was very comfortable. Minus points? Just a couple of things to be aware of, but nothing that spoilt our holiday at all. There is ample drawer space but some might find the hanging space a bit tight. And others have commented about getting in and out of the driveway, but in practice we didn't have a problem. You need to take care, yes, but for us it was fine. The location is great. An easy walk to Pooley Bridge, a short drive to Penrith's shops and supermarkets and direct access to the other Lakes from the road outside. But how can you beat being located right on the water? In it, in fact.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Duke of Portland Boathouse

We had a great few nights in the boathouse. The inside decor is beautiful and the views from the boathouse are stunning. The sound of the water lapping outside is lovely from the bedroom however the sound of the generator is quite loud in the sitting area as is the sound from the road immediately outside. The speed and noise of the vehicles on the road is unfortunate and rather took the shine off the property for us. It was nerve wracking trying to cross the road to get to our car which we parked in the lay-by. We had initially parked in the parking space by the boathouse but found that it was far too dangerous trying to reverse out onto the road. The blind bend and the speed of vehicles is worrying. I feel that, on balance, the boathouse is a beautiful haven once inside, albeit quite noisy, but the proximity to the fast road and the high cost of the stay mean that we will not be returning.
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.

8/10 Good

The Boat House

The Duke of Portland Boat House is a little gem situated in a prime position overlooking the Lake at Ullswater. It’s an intimate setting for two, with all amenities including a lovely log fire. Whilst the main road is just to the front of the property, you are not affected by the sound from it, however it was a little disappointing to learn on arrival that the Boat House doesn’t command the privacy it portrays on the photos and you could not be on the balcony looking over the lake without feeling somewhat overlooked, by cars and hikers. That aside, it was an amazing place
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.

8/10 Good

Martin L.

An overall lovely honeymoon trip...

This is a fabulous property in a stunning location which was a great getaway escape for a few days. The wood burner is obviously a plus as well as the quirky but homely decor. It was clean and well equipped with basic necessities and interesting books with info about the boathouse and surrounding area. The huge copper bath is a particular highlight! However a couple of things to note. there was very little wardrobe space/storage so perhaps not ideal for longer stays, but fine for our few days away. We went in peak spider season on a lake so bare that in mind. Our main gripe were that when we went out to enjoy our lovely 'private' balcony of a morning, both days we were greeted by several photographers taking photos and videos of the boathouse itself. Very close on the left of the boathouse is a busy road and tourists taking photographs of the lake and directly of the house, or perhaps wildlife around it but regardless it feels a tad invasive as they are so close. We didn't feel that it was as secluded and private as advertised as both mornings we had to ask people with tripods and professional cameras to stop taking photos or to come back later when we weren't trying to have our breakfast. These people weren't taking quick photos on phones they were out there for hours with equipment and some only turned their cameras away, when asked to stop. It made us feel self conscious and not able to enjoy the view as much as we'd have liked but this is a very unique building and that is part of its charm. Other than this we really enjoyed our stay and this was not the fault of the host, but something to keep in mind when booking.
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

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.

8/10 Good

Beautiful stay, stunning views

I booked 2 nights at the beautiful Boathouse. This was a real treat for me cause the price was way over my budget. But it was a birthday treat and I’ve been admiring this place for years! I opted for 2 nights because the 1 night option gives you very limited time. 3pm check in and a early 10am check out. I appreciate that cleaning etc needs to take place for the next guest but it’s very costly for 19 hours. The location is just stunning, it is pretty close to the road but once you are inside you just focus on the stunning lake view! The interior is lovely, bed is very comfy. The freestanding bath is bloody lovely Would certainly recommend, beautiful place, stunning views, great location!!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Unique memorable experience

I really enjoyed my stay, I especially appreciated that their is no multiple days minimum requirement, as it's not cost prohibitive and achievable for everybody to enjoy a night in a near million pounds property, that to my knowledge is the best scenically located and novel rental in all of Cumbria.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

roger h.

Pretty stay

Lovely place. Beautifully presented. Smaller than we expected from the brochure. Entering and exiting the driveway onto a busy A-road, on a blind corner, is a dangerous nightmare. We parked in the lay-by opposite but that was difficult if you returned during the day as the lay-by often had lots of cars in it and available space was tight. You still had to run across the busy road taking your life in your hands carrying your bags, shopping etc. During the day there was a lot of road noise which adversely impacted sitting on the balcony overlooking the lake. We had a lovely stay but we wouldn't stay there again because of the above road problems. Despite the gate being shut and the "private" signs we had an unwelcome visit by a large family group who felt they had the right to wander around the outside of the accommodation. We shouted at them and they quickly left leaving the gate swinging open - this was an unpleasant experience.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Idyllic and breathtaking place

This place is what dreams are made of. Its beautiful in its setting, the interior wows you as you enter and the surrounding views and nature takes your breath away. I had been looking at the Boathouse for a while and it exceeded all expectation. There were swallows nesting in the eaves so we got to watch them feeding their young. It was exceptionally clean and a nice touch was a bottle of bubbly in the fridge. We are planning our next trip...no more words needed!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Duke of Portland Boathouse

Beautiful, unique property in the most stunning location. Stayed for two nights in this lovely home. Tastefully and sympathetically restored with the most gorgeous furnishings. Looking out over the lake was just amazing! Will definitely be back!
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Absolutely beautiful one night stay!

I was extremely lucky to have won a one night stay in a facebook competition! We arrived on a cold and sunny day with the snow still on the ground and the views were breathtaking! It is a gorgeous boathouse outside, and the inside doesn't disappoint either! It was very clean, beautifully decorated and had everything we needed for our break! I loved the copper bath and we enjoyed getting cosy by the wood burning fire! We slept with the shutters open so we were able to wake up with views across the lake....stunning!! I cant remember the last time we both felt so relaxed. I can imagine the boathouse being an amazing place to stay any time of year. Thank you for your hospitality :)
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!
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

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

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

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.

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Hosted by Gail

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