Frequently Asked Questions
Questions, Questions, Questions…
What time is Check-In and Check-Out?
We ask that you arrive no earlier than 4pm so that we can thoroughly clean the accommodation prior to your arrival. If you arrive earlier, you are welcome to leave your car at Scale Hill if you would like to walk down to the Lake. Check-out is between 10-11am on the day of departure, and we ask that you vacate the accommodation no later than 11am on the last day of your holiday. If you would like to have an early check-in or late check-out please add these as ‘extra’s when booking online or contact us by email before your stay so we can help organise this. Early check-in is from 2pm and late check-out is from 12pm (Noon).
What kind of equipment is provided in the kitchen cottages?
All kitchens are fully modernised with electrical appliances, including a microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, ironing board and an iron. There are pots, pans, measuring jugs, glasses, tea pots, plates, bowls, mugs, cake tins, bread bins, - and all the usual things you need in a kitchen. There is also a hoover in each cottage and we also provide a starter-pack of cleaning products, with a Method Antibac Spray, a couple of bin liners, a few dishwasher tablets, and some washing-up liquid, a dishcloth and a couple of tea-towels.
Do you provide any toiletries?
We provide complimentary Noble Isle toiletries in all our accommodation. Expect to find a bottle of Whisky & Water Bath & Shower Gel, Perry Pear Shampoo & Perry Pear Conditioner in each Bathroom. There is Antibacterial Hand-wash provided in each Kitchen & Bathroom. In an effort to be increasingly eco-friendly we are trying to reduce the amount of plastic that we use, and we politely ask that you leave these bottles for us to refill and for future guests to enjoy. If you loved using our Noble Isle products, please do support them by visiting their website, where you can order their beautiful products online.
Can I have Breakfast?
Yes, we offer Breakfast to all our guests. If you are booked in to stay in the Coaching Inn, in our Double Ensuite Bedrooms, you will automatically be on a Bed + Breakfast Rate, and Breakfast is included in your stay. If you are staying in the Cottages, you can either book on a Breakfast rate or a self-catering rate. If you have booked a Cottage on a self-catering rate and would like to have Breakfast in the Main House, please just get in touch and we can amend your booking.
Do you provide essentials like Tea & Coffee?
We are proud to supply Tea and Coffee from John Watt & Sons, in Carlisle, who have been Coffee Roasters & Tea Blenders since 1865. You can read more about them on our page of Recommendations. We provide a packet of their Armistice Memorial Blend Tea which won 2-Stars in the 2018 Great Taste Awards, meaning that this is classified as an “outstanding” brew. Also in each cottage is a packet of their Nicaragua Single Origin Fairtrade Coffee which has won 1-Star in the 2017 Great Taste Awards. For those days when you get back from walking on the fells, and all you can think about is a hot drink, we also have their Hot Chocolate Flakes which you can mix into Hot Milk. Delicious! All of their products come in recycled, re-sealable packaging.
Do I need to bring my own towels or bed linen?
No! High Thread Count Cotton Sheets, Pillowcases, Natural Pillows, Duvets and Fluffy Towels, Flannels and Bath Robes are provided in all our accommodation. For any booking of more than one week, Fresh Linen & Towels will be provided.
Do you have a special rate for single occupancy?
Yes! We offer a discount per night on stays in Lanthwaite and Shell. This is automatically applied when you book online.
Do you have high-chairs and cots for children?
We do not provide cots or baby linen, so we do advise you bring your own, if necessary. We have one high-chair that can be used. If you would like to borrow this for your stay, please contact us by email before your stay so we can help organise this.
How many people can stay? Do you provide air beds or camp beds?
We can only provide the maximum occupancy for each cottage, as listed here and we ask that this is not exceeded. We allow one extra child, aged up to 12 years old to stay in Barty’s, Lanthwaite or Brackenthwaite for an additional charge and we ask that you bring your own air bed or shakedown in this instance. Extra bed linen and towels can be provided for an additional charge. Please let us know when you are booking.
Is there a TV in our cottage?
All cottages have a flat screen digital television and DVD player. We do not have TV’s in the Coaching Inn Bedrooms, but we have a few quiet places to sit and read and enjoy the views across the terrace and the local fells.
Can we use the garden?
Yes - the large gardens are beautifully maintained and offer quiet areas with seating. Everyone is welcome to use the garden and enjoy the views over the Loweswater Valley & River Cocker.
Is there central heating?
All our accommodation is centrally heated. We switched over to Biomass Fuel a few years ago now in an effort to be more environmentally friendly.
Are Dogs allowed at Scale Hill?
We welcome well behaved, small to medium sized dogs in 3 of our cottages – Lanthwaite, Howe House and Barty’s for an additional charge of £15 per night. If you bring your dog and are not booked in to Lanthwaite, Howe House and Barty’s we will not be able to accommodate your booking. We do ask that dogs are clean when they enter the accommodation (we have lots of freshly laundered dog towels for wet dogs in our Drying Room in the Annexe). Please bring your own dog bed or cage. We ask that dogs are NOT left in the accommodation on their own. Any damage to the property will be chargeable. We do not allow dogs in the Coaching Inn. Please see our Terms and Conditions.
Do you have a drying room?
Yes – there is a drying room. We also have a washing machine and drying machine for guest use.
Do you have a locked bike storage?
Yes, we are on the Coast to Coast (C2C) route and can provide a locked storage area for bikes. Just let us know when you are making a booking if you would like to use this.
Do you have a Car Park? Can the Car Park be used before check-in?
Yes, complimentary parking is provided for all of our guests. It is a modest size and for guests only so this would be subject to availability on the day, but we would do our upmost to find you space. You are very welcome to come early and go for a walk to Crummock Water while we are getting your accommodation ready.
Is there anywhere to store luggage?
We do not have any additional storage areas for luggage, nor can we hold valuables or cash on behalf of guests.
Do you have Twin Rooms?
Yes, we have the ability to make up Twin Beds in Lanthwaite and Sheila’s. All of the Bedrooms in the Coaching Inn are King Size Double Beds.
Do you have any Accommodation with Wheelchair Accessibility?
At present, we do not have any accommodation which are suitable for Wheelchair users. Lanthwaite Cottage is situated on the ground floor and has no internal steps, but there is a step into the cottage from the courtyard.
Do you have Baths and Showers in your accommodation?
Yes, all of our Cottages have Showers over Baths. The ensuite Bedrooms in the Coaching Inn are mixed - we have slipper baths, large rainfall showers and bath/shower combinations. Please let us know if you have a preference when you are making your booking and we will do our best to accommodate you.
How far is your nearest Town? Is it walking distance?
Keswick is 11 miles away over Whinlatter Pass and Cockermouth is 7 miles away via Lorton. You can read more about our Historic Market Towns here.
Where is the nearest Train Station?
In Penrith, 30 miles away. This is “Penrith North Lakes” as named by the National Railways and it is about a 45 minute drive from the Station to Scale Hill.
Can I get a Taxi from the Station?
There are local taxi’s who operate from a cab rank at the station. Additionally, you might like to get in touch with Cockermouth Taxis or Cockermouth Cabs who will be able to take a booking in advance.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Yes, complimentary Wi-Fi is provided for all of our guests and passwords to access the Wi-Fi are available in the accommodation.
Can I get mobile signal there?
Yes.
Do your Cottages have a lake view?
Our Cottages do not have a Lake view, but we are surrounded by local fells and Crummock Water can be reached through Lanthwaite Woods, just a short 5-10 minute walk away from the doorstep. Some of the Bedrooms in the Coaching Inn have views on to the cobbled yard and some have views onto the garden and the local fells.
Do you have any books or board games?
There are a few books provided in each cottage. Due to Covid-19 we have removed the bulk of board games, and jigsaws from each cottage but we do have plenty of these along with a huge (we mean HUGE!) selection of DVD’s and a small library of local interest books, including Wainwright Guide Books that you are welcome to borrow. There is plenty of hand-sanitiser dotted around, too.
Is it possible to get a Newspaper delivered?
Yes! If you call Catherine at The Paper Shop in Cockermouth on 01900 822076, she can take your order via Card Payment over the Telephone. The Newspaper of your choice will then be delivered to Scale Hill with the Morning Post (around 10.30-12.00 each day).
Can I swim in the Lake? Can I bring a Paddleboard, or a Canoe? Is there somewhere to rent a Rowing Boat?
There is lots of information on the Lake District Website for individual Lakes, including information on Crummock Water, below:
🏊🏼♀️ Swimming: Yes
🛶 Canoes, kayaks and paddleboards: Yes, with a permit
🚣🏻♀️ Rowing boats: Yes, with a permit. Day permits are available from the car parks at Buttermere CA13 9UZ and Lanthwaite Wood CA13 9UX.
Sailing boats: No
Powered craft: No
You can also rent Rowing Boats on Derwentwater - there is a hut by the lakeshore, where you can hire a Rowing Boat, and get tickets for Derwentwater Launches.
How do I find out if my booking at Scale Hill has been affected by Covid-19?
For all queries relating to Covid-19 and your booking at Scale Hill please visit our Covid-19 Information page.