“There's a lot to like about Newsham Lodge.”
It is located in a very quiet area on a site with about 20 other lodges twenty minutes north west of Penrith. The facilities are good. A 55 inch smart TV, excellent Wi-Fi, plenty of board games for families to play and a nice decking area to sit on when the weather is good. The settees are comfortable, as is the bed. However, I was very disappointed to receive a text message several hours AFTER I'd arrived from the housekeeper to say the dishwasher was broken and they were waiting for a part to fix it. I would not have stayed at the property if I'd known this in advance as I'm awaiting back surgery and standing up for any length of time in a fixed position - washing dishes, for example, in a sink - is not good for my posture. I note that a previous occupant that had stayed in the lodge in JUNE also had a similar experience and was told it would be fixed. Clearly that hasn't happened and when you're paying a significant amount of money to stay somewhere such things are not acceptable. And there are other problems with the lodge. It is oppressively dark inside due, in part to the wood, but also to the fact it is not well lit. A problem that could easily be fixed with the right lighting. The kitchen is tired looking, though it has everything you need. The bathroom needs a major upgrade. The bath is small and the shower of very poor quality. I do not wish to be overly critical here, but having stayed in a number of the Lake District Lodge Holidays lodges this is not comparable with the very best ones that are more modern and are bright, with fixtures and fittings of the highest quality. I do not mind paying for such things. That was not the case here and it is definitely not a 4 or 5* property whatever some other reviewers have said. Those reviews are misleading. One last thing, you do need to plan ahead staying here. You can't, unlike at other locations, just step out your door and go for a walk. Most of the best countryside walks are a thirty to forty five minute drive away. In conclusion, I was very disappointed. Having paid over £800 to stay for a week the lodge did not live up to my expectations.