Ellenboro House: A Weekend of Cultural Highlights in the Lakes – Review
By Roger Crow, March 2026
It’s a Friday evening in late February, and after a couple of hours on the road, all I want is a good cuppa and the chance to put my feet up.
Considering the Lakes is one of my favourite places on Earth, I can’t understand why I haven’t been for so long. Maybe lockdown put paid to that, but that was years ago and there’s been no excuse since. So, when I’m offered the chance to stay at Ellenboro House, Newton-in-Cartmel, it’s the perfect opportunity to get reacquainted with a beloved region.
Our luxurious temporary residence in Grange Over Sands is easy to find. It’s a beautifully furnished des res we check into on Friday night just before sunset. The owners recommend reversing in off the main street, which was easy enough in the light. Not so easy in the dark. But our temporary home soon became very cosy.
image – and top image: Laik
“Feel of a high-end hotel”
The underfloor heating is a joy whether preparing dinner or making a cuppa. The kitchen has everything you need for a great stay, while the upstairs features a terrific bathroom. There’s a beautiful bath which lights up underneath, or if you prefer a wet room-style waterfall shower, that’s also hugely appealing. With a heated towel rail and elegant tiling, the whole thing has the feel of a high-end hotel – in the heart of the Lakes.
The main room is a mix of bedroom, dining area and lounge. A supremely comfy bed, and sofa, with a great TV and log burner ensure there’s all you need for a terrific stay.
Best to take USB-c chargers as the bedside clock is a bit old school (though I still love my old iPod and would have happily charged it up on the dock).
First thing Saturday, we drive to Ambleside; found that rarest of things, a free parking spot, and caught a cruise to Bowness-on-Windermere. A return trip costs around £36 for two, and it was worth it for the witty commentary from our guide alone.
image: Windermere Lake Cruises
“Something here for everyone”
It’s almost a decade since we’d last been here, and not much has changed. It’s still a feast of cool gift shops, artsy crafty places, as well as the Beatrix Potter Museum, and now the Victoria Wood theatre, which sadly we didn’t have time for, but I imagine it stocks copies of Woman’s Weekly. (If you a fan of ‘Barry and Frida’, that should make perfect sense).
After an hour of pottering, we’re back on a bigger vessel for the return journey, and then it’s off to the Lakeland Motor Museum around half an hour away. This absolute must for petrolheads features an array of vehicles from across the decades. So whether you’re a fan of funky vehicles like the old Messerschmitt (as featured in cult classic movie Brazil), or 1985’s far bigger movie Back to the Future, and the iconic DeLorean, there’s something here for everyone. That includes bicycles, motorbikes and more. And as the region is synonymous with Donald Campbell’s Bluebird, a separate section devoted to that speed-loving genius is one of the highlights. Naturally there’s also a terrific cafe where you can grab a bite and a cuppa. (The ‘Bronuts’ are highly recommended if you need a chocolate fix).
image: Lakeland Motor Museum
“Perfect end”
We’re on a tight schedule as the Laurel and Hardy Museum in Ulverston beckons, so by early afternoon we’re off again. Within half an hour I’ve parked up, and we’re at said tribute to two of the funniest men who ever lived. It’s aptly set in a glorious converted cinema, which looks incredible. Admission is around £7.50, and inside is a haven for fans of Stan and Ollie, heaving with memorabilia as you might imagine. As someone who used to watch their black and white short films every night in the late 1970s, when they were a staple of BBC2, it’s heartening that they’re still as funny as ever. We sit through a screening of Brats from 1930, which I probably last saw 40 years ago. The gags are still achingly funny almost 100 years after it first delighted the masses. Little wonder creators of The Simpsons took inspiration from the region’s most famous export. (Homer’s “D’oh!” was inspired by the L&H films). It’s also a treat to see some of the clothes and props from that golden era of cinema, and the excellent merch won’t break the bank.
There’s no shortage of decent places to eat in town, and after after a posh burger, it’s opening time at the Stan Laurel Inn, one of Ulverston’s most unique pubs. There’s also no shortage of interesting tipples on offer. Lonesome Pine, and Laughing Gravy to name but two, which probably won’t mean much to many, but this fan of one of the funniest Brits of the past century, it’s the perfect end to a perfect day. As I’m driving I settle for a coffee. Half an hour earlier we’d visited Stan’s birthplace, a five-10 minute walk away which Mrs Crow had happened upon because of a chat with the owner of a vintage clothing shop.
image: Cumbria Tourism
“Sight to behold”
Paying tribute to Stan Laurel is one of many highlights in a packed weekend, and the fact we’re only in the Lakes for less than two days is remarkable. By the time we leave it feels like we’ve been here a week.
By Sunday we’re packed up by 9.30am. Check-out is an hour later, so there’s just time to pop up the road to see Yew Tree Barn. On the outside it doesn’t promise much, but the interior is a treasure trove of gifts, antiques and more. Thankfully we’re early so manage to grab a table for breakfast as the place starts to fill up. This is the one Sunday of the month that locals gather for lunch, and it’s a shame we have to leave. (The place is fully booked, so it’s worth trying to get a place in advance if you are staying at Ellenboro House around the end of the month). I have a full English and a latte, which eventually leaves me defeated. Rachel’s rhubarb and custard French toast is a sight to behold. Service is excellent and even if you have to drive a few miles to get here, it’s well worth it. The fact we just had a five-minute walk was a massive bonus.
I’d also recommend a trip to Heft, a cosy pub a few minutes up the road on the right hand side. They have a restaurant or you can have bar snacks. We just opted for a swift drink on night one before walking ‘home’ in the dark. It’s worth taking a torch or just ensuring your phone has plenty of charge. And don’t be surprised if some of the local sheep in the neighbouring fields give you a good telling off if you don’t say hello.
image: Laik
“Perfect for couples”
With a heavy heart we head off on Sunday morning, but wouldn’t need much of an excuse to stay at Ellenboro House again. It’s a terrific place which is perfect for couples, and though you ideally need a car to explore the riches of the lakes, it’s pretty easy to get from A to B.
A fabulous weekend staying in a terrific place. We’ll try not to leave it so long next time.
For more info visit: laik.co.uk/properties/ellenboro-house/
There is a minimum two night stay policy with prices starting from approximately £300 for 2-nights. Note that prices vary according to dates.
Tickets to the Motor Museum are £13.25 for adults, while a Yellow Cruise with Windermere Lake Cruises from Lakeside to Bowness costs from £19.40 per adult.
Laik is a forward-thinking holiday let design and management company that specialises in transforming outdated rentals into modern, high-quality accommodations. By partnering with property owners in the Lake District, Laik is committed to elevating the standard of holiday lets in the region, increasing occupancy rates, and helping to address the local housing crisis. The company’s philosophy is that by working closely with owners they can ensure that properties are not standing empty but are used purposefully in a way that benefits the area and supports local business. By maintaining high occupancy rates, it helps to ensure a constant flow of spending in local businesses and attractions frequented by visiting clients. With a focus on sustainability and community impact, Laik is revolutionising the way holiday rentals are designed and managed in the Lake District.
Adopted Yorkshireman Roger Crow developed a passion for film and TV in the 1970s and 1980s. He has been a published film and TV reviewer since the 1990s; a world travel and restaurant critic since the noughties, and for the past decade has assessed the pros and cons of live gigs and theatre productions around the UK. His ideal day would involve reviewing a performance of Bat Out of Hell, followed by a Pad Thai while being serenaded by Texas on a cruise around Europe.
crowsfeat.com; nostalgiahhh film podcast
