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

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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 2376.7 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Mountain view

Explore the area

View in a map
Ullswater, Cumbria
  • Place, Ullswater
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Lowther Castle and Gardens
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Lake Windermere
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Airport, Carlisle (CAX)
    ‪44 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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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. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Ullswater and Yorkshire Dales National Park, while Penrith & Eden Museum and Keswick Museum and Art Gallery are cultural highlights. Lakeland Bird of Prey Centre and Penrith Leisure Centre are also worth visiting.
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Map
Ullswater, Cumbria

What's nearby

  • Ullswater - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Lowther Castle and Gardens - 9 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Whinfell Forest - 18 min drive - 19.9 km
  • Derwentwater - 25 min drive - 32.7 km
  • Lake Windermere - 35 min drive - 38.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Arturo Lounge - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪The Rooster - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Boot & Shoe - ‬7 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 29 Mar, 2026, 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 18 Apr, 2026 start from S$902, including 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.

How much is parking at Luxury, romantic boathouse on the shores of Lake Ullswater, perfect for special occasions.?

On-site parking is available 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

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 49 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 63 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Best property in the lake district

We have been coming to the lakes for many years, and thie Duke of portland is by far our favourite place to stay....and it's just not down to it's location alown, it's the attention to detail, it's the Decor inside...its absolutely stunning....the owners should be extremely proud of what they have achieved with his property......
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Last Minute Getaway

What a stunning spot. I have always wanted to stay here and this week my wish came true. Exceptional accommodation everything is beautiful and well thought out. Location is stunning and we got perfect weather. Watching the moon and stars then the sunrise from the balcony heaven. Hopefully we will be able to stay again some day.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

February Break

Absolutely beautiful building and location on Ullswater, spotlessly clean. Complimentary bottle off fizz on arrival was a nice touch. Road noise can be a slight issue but does die down of an evening and can’t really be heard from inside. Generator only runs for a short while sporadically and again isn’t a real problem. Would highly recommend at the time of year we went -views are fantastic. I would definitely return!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Duke of Portland boathouse.

A beautiful cosy piece of heaven. Fantastic accommodation with stunning views. Time has totally stood still (you forget about time or what time it is) 100% relaxed as soon as walk through the door. Would highly recommend staying at this location and property.
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful location

Gorgeous location even in the rain!! Very comfortable - stayed in to eat both nights! Only suggestion for improvement might be better quality blankets for sitting out or a patio heater for Autumn/Winter. A small music speaker also would be nice.
From a partner site

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
From a partner site

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 .
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful property in perfect location

Beautiful location,charming property ,near a small village with lovely pubs and coffee shops ,highly recommended
Verified

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
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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!
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amelia J.

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

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
From a partner site

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!!!!
From a partner site

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.
From a partner site

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
From a partner site

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.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olivia G.

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

Amazing

The most beautiful stay ever!! We had the most amazing stay!! Absolutely loved it, from start to finish - didn’t want it to end! We will definitely be back. The most perfect hideaway!! Thank you x
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2020
From a partner site

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.

About the host

Hosted by Gail

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