We have truly enjoyed our stay at The Old School. Lesley and John are wonderful hosts. The room was exceptionally clean and had all the facilities that one needs during holidays. In addition each day a lovely cake would await us in the fridge. The breakfast was delicious with home made bread, freshly baked by Lesley. She has also booked tables for us in the local pubs/restaurants which was very helpful taking into account that was a long weekend. On top of that we enjoyed wonderful views from the terrace accompanied by hosts' pets Lucy, the cat and Bruce, the dog. We highly recommend this place and will definitely come back.
IAN HINKS294 days ago
This is my second stay with Lesley, John and Boris the pup. I first came in October of 2021, recommended by my previous regular B&B when they closed. This trip is May 2022, post pandemic. You arrive at the Old School via a long metalled track surrounded by stuningly beautiful scenery of Wasdale, Muncaster Fell and farmland. The stone building is nestled in lovely gardens. Lesley and John meet you with genuine warm greetings, and you instantly feel you are among friends you have known for years. Then Boris, their adorable pup seals the deal with his own hello. The house and rooms are so friendly and cosy, beautifully presented, spotlessly clean. I shared a room with Marmalade bear, a sweet teddy that greets all his guests with love, and quickly captures your heart. Everywhere are signs of welcome, from little notes, home baked biscuits sweets and other treats. Glass bottles of Corporation pop that tastes better than any plastic bottled offering are refilled whenever required. Yes, tap water is, clean, delicious and no plastic waste, enjoy what we all used to before supermarket brain washing. An astonishing supply of teas, coffees and other hot drinks makings are provided in the rooms. On the Landing is a little shared fridge where each rooms little bottle of fresh milk is stored. You can also place a few items of your own to keep fresh. The en-suite is large, no banging of elbows here and a wonderful shower refreshes you on your return from whatever you have been upto on your travels. The beds and bedding are so comfortable, sleep is assured. Then with all the pampering luxury we come to breakfast. There is not enough room in all the servers or the Cloud to do it full justice. Everyone is catered for, the meat eater, the non meat eater, the cooked food officianardos and the uncooked fans. I will stick with my choices here, but other visitors describe more choices. Fresh, home cooked bread, top quality, bacon, sausages, black pudding, haggis. Eggs however you like them, fried, scrambled or poached to perfection. Beans, tomartoes, mushrooms if you like, I don't, but I would bet anyone that does would love them. Lesley and John are both good cooks. On my first morning I usually have the full cooked brekky, then I love to have Lesley surprise me on the other days. Whatever she wants to prepare. I've had eggs Benedict, scrambled egg and samon on toast, poached eggs, eggs Royale and the porridge, cooked overnight in the Aga, ohhhhhh. You are set for whatever your day brings. Lesley will also make you packed lunches to take with you. All kinds of sandwiches on that home baked bread, homemade flapjacks, crisps, juice, and fruit. She will even lend you a thermos if you don't have one to take tea and coffee. I won't say if anyone doesn't love staying here they must be mad, because I cannot imagine that possibility. The finest place I have ever stayed, and I have stayed in many fine ones all over the world. You are invited to return and when you do you become family and cannot wait for the next visit. Mine is already booked for Sept 2022
Lesley Harrod355 days ago
Well what can I say! What a wonderful warm welcome we were given by Lesley. The room was lovely with lots of extras. Fresh home made short bread was delicious. Fresh milk in the guest fridge daily. An excellent choice at breakfast. Beautiful gardens with lots of areas to sit and relax. The summer house is so comfortable and I so enjoyed listening to Lesley's music. Many birds visited the garden. I could go on and on about the Old School. I highly recommend a stay here.
Phil B355 days ago
The old school is picturesque and the location is stunning. Lesley is one of the best hosts you'll ever come across and went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable.The room we had was lovely and the breakfast was one of the best I've ever had, from homemade granola to the locally sourced top quality bacon sausage and eggs, not to mention the gorgeous homemade bread or the stornaway black pudding and haggis, it was divine! Hands down the best b+b I have ever stayed in.
Lorraine Fraser1 year ago
I'm out of superlatives to describe the stay here: the attention to detail, the warm welcome from Boris the dog, Lesley and John. The place was in a beautiful location, pristine, well-maintained and comfortable. We didn't want for anything. The breakfasts were delicious and there was plenty of choice. As a vegan, I often find places offer a token gesture but Lesley catered for me perfectly, even the toiletries in the bathroom were suitable! We had use of the beautiful summerhouse in the peaceful, gorgeous garden with great views. We ate our evening takeaway in there and it felt chilled and romantic. I cannot recommend this B&B enough.
Tony Leach1 year ago
Only stayed for one night but it was everything we expected and more, Lesley is an excellent host, the room was spacious, clean with nice touches throughout with all you could need. Breakfast offered a good choice of local produce, was served with a smile and nothing was too much trouble. Location is superb if you want a quiet stay with views that are truly beautiful, 5 stars in every respect.
Rosemary McDonald1 year ago
The amazing hosts Lesley & John are, who live in a beautiful large, but warm & friendly home & grounds, in the most idyllic of areas with "all round spectacular views". Free parking on the grounds & a fabulous home cooked breakfast, with lots of choices to choose from, served in a wonderful comfortable conservatory. Help & Information about the surrounding areas are always at hand with Lesley.
Judith Sweetland1 year ago
Fabulous accommodation, wonderful hosts, the gardens were well kept as was the scenery. A walk to the beautiful church nearby well worth a visit. Our room so well appointed luxurious bathroom, perfect pressure from the shower & complimentary toiletries. The bed was exceedingly comfortable & the house so quiet for a good night's sleep. Plenty of wardrobe space & drawers to choose from. Delicious homemade biscuits & plenty of choices of different teas and coffee options to choose from. Fresh milk always available from fridge just outside the door. Lesleys wonderful homemade bread at breakfast was a nice addition, the variety of breakfasts available were delicious. The house is set in a beautiful country location with amazing views of mountains in the distance, Holmrook nearby easy to get to & well stocked garage shop nearby but the countryside setting is perfect for a tranquil get away and many choices of Inns & restaurants for evening meals. We recommend Bowen House. We visited Wasdale Head at the foot of Scarfel Pike... Breathtaking mountainous /Lake views... Stunning. Can highly recommend The Old School House on every level of expectation, will definitely return.
You arrive at the Old School via a long metalled track surrounded by stuningly beautiful scenery of Wasdale, Muncaster Fell and farmland. The stone building is nestled in lovely gardens.
Lesley and John meet you with genuine warm greetings, and you instantly feel you are among friends you have known for years. Then Boris, their adorable pup seals the deal with his own hello.
The house and rooms are so friendly and cosy, beautifully presented, spotlessly clean. I shared a room with Marmalade bear, a sweet teddy that greets all his guests with love, and quickly captures your heart.
Everywhere are signs of welcome, from little notes, home baked biscuits sweets and other treats. Glass bottles of Corporation pop that tastes better than any plastic bottled offering are refilled whenever required. Yes, tap water is, clean, delicious and no plastic waste, enjoy what we all used to before supermarket brain washing.
An astonishing supply of teas, coffees and other hot drinks makings are provided in the rooms. On the Landing is a little shared fridge where each rooms little bottle of fresh milk is stored. You can also place a few items of your own to keep fresh.
The en-suite is large, no banging of elbows here and a wonderful shower refreshes you on your return from whatever you have been upto on your travels.
The beds and bedding are so comfortable, sleep is assured.
Then with all the pampering luxury we come to breakfast. There is not enough room in all the servers or the Cloud to do it full justice. Everyone is catered for, the meat eater, the non meat eater, the cooked food officianardos and the uncooked fans.
I will stick with my choices here, but other visitors describe more choices.
Fresh, home cooked bread, top quality, bacon, sausages, black pudding, haggis. Eggs however you like them, fried, scrambled or poached to perfection. Beans, tomartoes, mushrooms if you like, I don't, but I would bet anyone that does would love them. Lesley and John are both good cooks.
On my first morning I usually have the full cooked brekky, then I love to have Lesley surprise me on the other days. Whatever she wants to prepare. I've had eggs Benedict, scrambled egg and samon on toast, poached eggs, eggs Royale and the porridge, cooked overnight in the Aga, ohhhhhh.
You are set for whatever your day brings. Lesley will also make you packed lunches to take with you. All kinds of sandwiches on that home baked bread, homemade flapjacks, crisps, juice, and fruit. She will even lend you a thermos if you don't have one to take tea and coffee.
I won't say if anyone doesn't love staying here they must be mad, because I cannot imagine that possibility.
The finest place I have ever stayed, and I have stayed in many fine ones all over the world.
You are invited to return and when you do you become family and cannot wait for the next visit. Mine is already booked for Sept 2022
We had use of the beautiful summerhouse in the peaceful, gorgeous garden with great views. We ate our evening takeaway in there and it felt chilled and romantic. I cannot recommend this B&B enough.