Otter and Kingfisher Lodges » Otter Lodge

Our first guest comments at Otter Lodge

John Hobson — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 10:38:12 +0000

We just checked our visitors’ book and we were really delighted to read our firsts guests’ reactions, so we thought we’d share them here

What a “magical” stay we have had here at “Otter Lodge”. The lodge stands in one of the best positions in the park. The brochure photos don’t do it justice. The amenities on the site are superb. We must comment on the contents in the lodge. Talk about “home from home”. NOTHING has been missed out at all, and it was all spotless and clean. It really is a credit to the owners, John & Linda, – two really lovely people. 10/10 We shall be back.

We both had a great break away from the “norm” – The lodge has everything we needed.. especially the warm fire for the cold evening! Location is great – we are not strangers to the Lakes, but we have not stayed on this side before – lovely. Thanks to owners for a very well turned out lodge – we especially like the view out from the balcony – even a kingfisher or two!” (note from John- you were in the wrong lodge – you are only supposed to see Otters from this one )

We have had an amazing weekend here at Otter Lodge. The lodge is amazing – so cosy and warm with beautiful views. Our 6 month old puppy loved his 1st holiday. We will definitely be back

Are you looking for log cabins that are better value than Center Parcs :-)

John Hobson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 21:38:17 +0000

Anne Robinson has a bit of a go at Center Parcs tonight on Watchdog for their pricing policy.

I think she was being rather naive, and ignoring the fact that if people will pay their prices then Center Parcs would be daft to charge less. They are a business after all not a charity.

Having said that, not everyone wants to fork out large sums to cycle round pretending to be Dutch, and not all log cabins cost you an arm and a leg to stay in.

So, thought I’d compare a midweek break in November at Centre Parcs, Whinfell Forest with our own prices.

Monday November 9th – Friday November 13th (lucky for some, but maybe not those booking into Whinfell Forest as we shall see )

Center Parcs
Lakeside Lodge 2 Bedroom
Executive 2 Bedroom Lakeside Lodge Double x 1 / Twin x 1
Sleeps up to 4 people
Price £579.00

When I checked they didn’t seem to have any availability for dogs, but it seems that if they did 2 dogs would cost you £80 more! (“Extra fee covers cost of cleaning and maintenance.”)

So how much are we charging?

Limefitt Park
Otter Lodge
Riverside Lodge 2 Bedroom
Luxury 2 Bedroom Beckside Lodge Double x 1 / Bunk x 1
Sleeps up to 4 people + 2 dogs
Price £255.00

That’s £215 for a riverside two bedroom lodge + £35 cleaning charge with an extra £5 if you bring up to two dogs (“Extra fee covers cost of cleaning and maintenance.”). Grand total £255 compared with £659 at Center Parcs – and we throw in free leisure passes to White Cross Bay, so you can still go for a swim!

… and Watchdog seemed to think that the Center Parcs prices after half term were quite reasonable.

Now what would YOU do with that extra £400

You could hire a boat on Windermere for a full day for 4 people from the Low Wood Water Sports centre for £100
You could take the whole family to the Aquarium of the Lakes for £20
You could get a three hour family mountain boarding lesson for £100 at Surf the Turf in Kendal
You could all do Go Ape at Grizedale for £90
You could eat all out at The Mortal Man for about £60
You could get fish and chips from The Little Chippy in Windermere for about £25

and you’ve still got £5 left

We’ve rescued the dog field bench!

John Hobson — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:34:17 +0000

Until Spring this year there was a bench in the dog field which some of us dog-friendly owners at Limefitt Park had clubbed together to buy.

It disappeared earlier this year and I was told by more than one person that it had been stolen – I was even given details like “the gate was left open and there were tyre tracks so someone obviously came in a van to steal it”

Well, on Sunday we took the dogs out for a walk around Troutbeck in the glorious sunshine. We went up Robin lane and then cut down to the two bridges over Troutbeck. Suki and Molly were playing in the beck when Suki started hunting for sticks. Linda suddenly said “look at that” and we saw that Suki was trying to dislodge a large plank from a tree. On closer inspection it turned out to be our rustic dog bench which had presumably been washed down from the dog field by one of the early season floods.

The bench from the Limefitt Park dog field

A few wet feet later Ali and I were carrying it up to the road where Linda and Wendy waited with whilst we got the car. Clipping the kerb Ali gave his car a front left puncture, which seemed a little unfair as he was being so helpful.

15 minutes later we had the bench back at the lodge where it received a little TLC in the form of some wood screws, and was de-slugged and de-weeded before being left on the deck of Otter Lodge to dry out

We’ll get some brackets fitted to it before it gets returned to the dog field so it can be attached to the concrete slabs as I’m not planning on rescuing it again!

We felt like the famous five for an afternoon though (even though there were only four of us)

10 great reasons to go self catering in our dog friendly Lake District lodges

John Hobson — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:50:51 +0000

1. You’ll have space to stretch out – no cramped hotel bedroom is ever going to equal the luxury of your own private lodge with reclining leather sofas, flat screen TVs, games machines and super-comfy beds (Our “marsh mallow beds” as one guest commented!). No worries about whether the B&B allows dogs here. We love them.

2. You will get to cook for yourselves when you like and what you like. Imagine having a barbecue beside Troutbeck with the evening sun casting dappled shade as you drink a pint of Black Sheep or Bluebird ale. Not only is it great fun but you’ll save a fortune compared with eating out.

3. You’ll have amazing views of Troutbeck and the fells beyond from your private balcony .

4. It is a complete change from home and you’ll find it hard not to chill out as you listen to the beck babbling past and the birds singing in the trees.

5. You’ll be close to Nature – have you ever seen a badger or a kingfisher or an otter? The last two are quite elusive but the badgers are an everyday sight at Limefitt. (Or as they are nocturnal maybe that should be “everynight”!)

6.Whatever the weather you can enjoy the fresh air outside under our covered verandahs.

7. Great Lakeland pubs like the Mortal man and The Queens Head are waiting to be discovered just up the hill (Less than 10 minutes walk away)

8. There are spectacular fell walks that can be done straight from your lodge door that will have your canine friends wagging their tails throughout your break.

9. We have organised special discounts with a variety of local suppliers to make your holiday money go that little bit further.

10. We love dogs and don’t charge you any extra for bringing your four legged friends with you.

Welcome to our new dog-friendly web site

John Hobson — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 20:25:57 +0000

This is our new web site for Otter Lodge and Kingfisher Lodge – our two dog-friendly log cabins in Limefitt Park, Troutbeck in the English Lake District.

Our two Troutbeck lodges are cosy traditional log cabins which are both pet-friendly.

If you are looking for a lodges in which pets haven’t stayed please visit Windermere Lodge

Over time we are going to add pages here to keep you informed about our lodges and things to do in the Lake District.

In the meantime please bear with us as we add content as fast as we can