In the second of our owner Q&A series we meet John Hobson who owns four holiday lodges in the Lake District and epitomises what holiday lettings are all about…
“We don’t want to lose the personal touch that sets us apart from the rental agencies.”
1) Tell us a little about your holiday lodges
We have 4 luxury holiday lodges at Limefitt Park in the heart of the English Lake District. Two of them are traditional dog-friendly lodges set on the beck that meanders through the park and the other two are modern style lodges. We started off with one lodge 4 years ago and have expanded by buying one more lodge each year since.
We think 4 is the limit for us though as we don’t want to lose the personal touch that sets us apart from the rental agencies.
2) What made you buy them – was it financial, emotional, a connection with the area, or something else?
We have always been in love with the Lake District and we had already bought a lodge ourselves so that we could enjoy the fantastic scenery and lovely walks with our dog. We loved it so we were sure that others would too. We took a bit of a gamble by buying our first rental lodge and our instincts were proved right. It is fantastic to see so many other people now getting the same enjoyment from the area that we do.
3) What’s the best thing about the region your lodges are in? Is it the scenery, the pace of life, the locals, the activities, etc?
The Lake District is a year round holiday destination and it is packed with different activities. Troutbeck where the lodges are sited is a traditional Lake District village with two traditional pubs. The tranquil valley in which the park is set has stunning scenery, and yet the lodges are only just over three miles from the major tourist centres of Windermere and Ambleside. There are so many things to do and places to see in the local area and yet you can have a fantastic holiday without getting back into your car once you have arrived.
4) What are the 3 special touches you add to enhance the guest experience?
1. We provide complimentary leisure passes to the facilities at nearby White Cross Bay.
2. We have organised discounts with local artists and leisure suppliers so our guest’s holiday money can stretch that little bit further.
3. With the lake district attracting so many ramblers we provide detailed routes for many local walks and can email guests Memory map files of the walks so that they can load them up to a compatible GPS unit.
5) If a guest had just one day in your rental what would you recommend they do for the perfect experience?
Start the day with breakfast on the decking at Kingfisher Lodge listening to the water flowing by beneath us. Then walk up to Troutbeck village and round the front of Wansfell Pike to take in the stunning view of Windermere laid out before you. On the way back visit the beautiful National Trust property at Townend and then call in at The Mortal Man for a pint of the local Black Sheep ale and a ploughman’s lunch. In the afternoon, and if you have kids, take them down to the river pool to splash about and let off steam and then maybe drive into Windermere to pick up some food for a barbecue and wander around the shops and galleries.
In the evening fire up the barbecue and watch the sun set over the fells as you chat over a glass or two of wine and make plans for the next day – maybe a trip to Go Ape at nearby Grizedale or a mountain bike ride. As darkness falls make peanut butter sandwiches, cut them up, throw them onto the grass and wait for the badgers to visit.
Simple pleasures!
To rent Troutbeck View Lodge from John, or any of his other 3 holiday lodges, please complete the contact form which can be found through the above link.
on July 14, 2010 at 11:09 pm
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on July 15, 2010 at 6:50 am
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