Nestling in a stunning rural setting in the historic Rydal Valley amidst the fells, this grand Victorian building was built as a farm house in 1848 from the stones of ancient Rydal Hall, before being converted into a Country House Hotel in the early 1930's. Today it has been sympathetically renovated to provide you with a perfect base to explore the beautiful Lake Distict, providing Bed & Breakfast and evening meals by arrangement.

There are few better sited country houses in the area, located in two and a half acres of private woodland gardens we are surrounded by the magnificent Fairfield Horseshoe and Loughrigg Fell, with splendid views out towards the green fields of Rydal Valley to the front of the house. Set peacefully away from the road we are half a mile from Ambleside and ten minutes drive from Grasmere.

Please note that due to the nature of the house we unfortunately do not accept children under 12 years of age.

Rydal Road
Ambleside
Cumbria
LA22 9PN

Tel:  015394 32193

E-mail:  stay@crowhow.co.uk

Bedrooms

All of our bedrooms are individually & tastefully furnished, each room complete with colour televisions, hospitality trays, hairdryers and alarm clocks. Every room is en-suite, with most providing both shower and bath facilities. All have great views of the surrounding countyside and hills, are all non-smoking and are fully centrally heated to ensure that you will be kept warm and cosy in even the coldest of weather!

Superior Rooms are more spacious with King Size or Super King Size beds and flat screen TV's with good seating areas.

Premier Rooms offer the same as our Superior Rooms but with luxurious bathrooms along with generious seating and large flat screen TV's.

	Bedroom 1 Premier Rm Four Poster luxury bathroom
	Bedroom 2 Superior Double Room with a King Size bed
	Bedroom 3 Superior Double Room with a King Size bed
	Bedroom 4 Spacious Double Room with wonderful views
	Bedroom 5 Double Room with Shower En-Suite
	Bedroom 6 Superior Double Room with a King Size bed
	Bedroom 7 Double Room with good views
	Bedroom 8 Superior Room with a Super King Size bed
	Bedroom 9 Superior Room with a King Size & single bed

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Location

Located in the heart of the Lake District, we are in a peaceful and secluded position, surrounded by mountains and fells but only 10 minutes walk away from Ambleside with its shops, cafes and restaurants. Grasmere is only 10 minutes drive away, with Keswick a further 10 minutes away. Windermere, Kendal , Coniston and Hawkshead are also easily accessed within half an hour. Waterhead is only 20 minutes walk away where you can catch frequent boat trips to Bowness and Lakeside, where the Aquarium is situated. We have complete timetables for both the boats and for buses.

Surrounded by fells and mountains and with three beautiful lakes virtually on your doorstep you are spoilt for choice with walks and hikes to suit all abilities, all easily reached by leaving the car at the hotel.

We are ideally located for all the major mountains and walks with good walking books and leaflets to help you in your choice of walk. Mountain bikes can be hired from Ambleside and we have good undercover storage facilities. There are five golf courses within half an hour drive, from the long and demanding Keswick Golf Course to the tight and tricky Windermere Golf Course.

Unfortunately we are not blessed with sunshine all the time, but we have excellent drying facilities to make sure that your clothes and boots are fully dried for the next day's activities.

History

Crow How Country House Hotel in Ambleside was built as a Farm House in 1848 from the stone of Old Rydal Hall, situated behind the cricket ground, which dated back to the Romans and considered to have been a Watch Tower guarding Rydal Valley. The Old Hall (the site reputed to be haunted) fell into disrepair in the 1500 's, the stone used for the building of houses and barns in the area. Parts of the present Rydal Hall date back to the early 1600's when the De Lancasters moved in, later additions made by the Le Fleming family, who owned the Hall for over 300 years, creating the building that stands today and which is now owned by the Church of England Diocese of Carlisle.

Mr Fidler first lived in Crow How with his wife and family, farming around 200 acres for over 20 years, the farm being locally known as Fiddlers Farm. It remained as a Farm House until 1933 when it was turned into a Country House, separate from the farm (now called Rydal Farm) and complete with a heated garage and tennis court set in 5 acres of gardens.

During the Second World War it reverted back to a private house, then soon after flats until the late 1960's when it became a Hotel once again. Today we are a Country House set in 2.5 acres of gardens, with heated bedrooms instead of garages!

About Us

Crow How is a family run, fully licensed, Country House, run by Mr & Mrs Doano (John & Eddy) and their family. We have over 20 years experience in hospitality and catering, both in the Lake District. We take pride in our house and look upon it as a home, rather than a hotel in Ambleside. We have a very relaxed style and are happy to give any advice and/or help where needed.

Be aware that at times we too like to enjoy our gardens, so do not be surprised to see a sign on reception indicating where to find us in the garden. Please have no hesitation in finding us for whatever reason, we will be happy to assist you. You may find that you are escorted by one or perhaps both of our inherited cats, Chilli and Beany, who are extremely friendly and enjoy walking with guests throughout the garden.

Having moved into Crow How Hotel in January 2005 we have undergone a large renovation programme over the past 2 years. This has seen a new central heating system installed, providing all the house with warmth in the coldest of weather. The house has been re-carpetted and re-painted throughout, with new furniture in the lounge and snug area. A new Premier King Size Four Poster Bedroom has been added, complete with luxury bathroom, along with the replacement and re-furbishment of two more standard en-suites. Further bedrooms have been re-decorated and re-carpetted, with new bedroom and bathroom fittings added.

By the end of 2006 we opened up the North Wing of the house, restoring the layout as it used to be 100 years ago. This provided us with two new bedrooms (9 in total) which were decorated and re-furbished to a very high standard.

In 2008 we have already re-furbished another three bedrooms, with another two planned for December (Rooms 4 & 7). One of which will be a Premier Room. The dining room will also be re-decorated at the end of the year with new tables & chairs.

We hope you enjoy Crow How as much as we do.