One dreary September day my wife and I took our two dear children to meet relatives in this beautiful part of the world, an area in which I had spent so much of my youth but have not returned to for sadly many years. We met at the Travel Lodge opposite Ash cottage and spent a lovely family day there shooting the breeze and dodging the torrential rainthat had beset the day, under the watchful gaze of the beautiful mountain back drop , busy doing nothing. During a brief rain interlude we decided to have a little walk through the beautiful Lakeland stone cottages to find somewhere nice for dinner. Surely to compliment and give thanks to such a place which Mother Nature has so beautifully furnished one would find the highest quality local fayre as one expects when one travels through such areas in France, Switzerland and Italy. The town was deathly quiet under steely slate grey skies, the heavy rain having quickly despatched all but the hardiest of visitor. Being short of time we entered the Ash Cottage Hotel.The decor is modern, American 50's dineresque and functional.There were three people in the bar, a couple with their young son, and two people in the restaurant. We approached the bar lady ' Good evening, could we please have a table for 6', with nearly a flicker of a smile at the corners of her mouth ( or it might have been wind)... 'No childrens please...' can the rapid retort.... 'Sorry...' 'yes please very sorry we hafing no childrens in restaurant'. My two girls are 9 and 16, they have travelled all over the world with us we have eaten in some over the finest restaurants and never had an issue'... 'Very sorry, no childrens this is rules...' 'can I see the mamager'...'yes please'... Off she trotted and 5 minuted later she returned with what I thought was one of the unkempt Little Britain cast, whom I presumed was the manager. I asked him why I could not bring my family into the retaurant for dinner....' no children thats the rules...' 'But we have been all over the world and have never ever been refused entry to a restaurant with the children, and the place is dead whay harm could they do. They are well behaved I told him and he had my cast iron guarantee that they would be no problem to his single other diner. 'No thats the rules, like it or lump it'.... 'but what about the the man at the bar busy quaffing several pints of Stella with his son of about the same age as my youngest (obviously a local)?'..... 'Thats the rules.' was the curt retort
I fully appreciate that not everybody likes to go out for dinner and for there to be chuldren present... especially if they are ill behaved ill manned and out of control, I'm sure we have all been in this situation, but these are the exception and the rule is proven by the many many familes with children like mine who can conduct themselves to a very high standards in any enviroment. In short this made me feel that little small minded Britain is still alive and kicking. If you are looking for a place which appears to be a cross between Fawlty Towers and Little Britain this could be what you've been looking for! Dont go there for dinner with children; turn right infront of the place and go to the little Italian restaurant a mile further down the road, good food, good atmosphere welcoming and as all Italian restraunts should be... family friendly!

Just returned from our third stay at Ash Cottage. This hotel is very friendly and relaxed with lovely rooms and good staff. Very clean and modern with excellent entertainment on Saturday evenings. The prices are reasonable and the hotel is in the centre of the village. We look forward to our next stay.

Just returned from a 5 days' stay at Ash Cottage. When I was shown my room, it was love at first sight for me! Furnished with taste, comfortable, clean; everything one can wish for. Modern and well equippped bathroom. Very good quality for money. As a solo traveller it is not always easy to find pleasant accommodation, and I am very, very, very particular about rooms..... ! Barry and his staff are the nicest hosts you can imagine and will do everything to make you feel at home. Freshly prepared full English breakfast (no greasy stuff!), proper toast - all one can wish for! I do not know about the restaurant, but while staying there, I had 4 bar meals, and they were all very tasty indeed. It is especially rewarding to sit on the terrace with a glass of wine in front of you, with the last rays of sunshine in your face, while the terrace opposite is already dark and cold! Ash Cottage and Grasmere are my personal "Rivendell" and I greatly miss it! Carla

Had a few drinks here post Royal wedding last Friday. On a sunny afternoon there were many royalists reveling but mostly to the disdain of the patron who preferred to leave the bar work to his very sullen eastern block barmaid while he strummed his guitar in the front dining room!