This is second time my husband and I have stayed at St John's Lodge; The first was in June 2008.
There is sufficient parking at the guest house, including two first come first served spaces immediately outside the house, plus a bus stop opposite which you can park in.
Once we entered, we were greeted by a really welcoming, softly spoken gentleman who seemed quite a character. He showed us a pack of leaflets they had compiled of local walks, with some suitable for all abilities. He also asked us what we wanted for breakfast for tomorrow morning. There was so much choice! There were 12 meat dishes, 10 vegetarian and vegan dishes, 12 continental breakfast and 4 fish dishes! Needless to say, they have won awards for their breakfasts! They also have awards in environmental practise with solar and only washing towels when you want them to and not automatically everyday.
The room was light and airy, with a big sash window overlooking the backyard where there was a bird feeding station. Plus you could see over the houses behind and up the hill to a local hotel.
Our room was on the top floor, so up a couple flights of curving staircases. I loved how the fabrics in the room all coordinated. Although the room was painted white with a neutral carpet, the blind, cushions and throw all tied in-together. We thought the room was big enough for what we needed - a place to sleep after all the strolling around local villages.
The en-suite was down a couple steps and was clean and light due to a skylight. There were fresh towels, and some bath products but they were really just of sample size so best to take your own too.
For breakfast, you go down to the dining room, which although small seemed to swallow up quite a few people. We did have to sit on a table with another couple for a morning or two, but generally got to sit to ourselves. One downside was it was ridiculously hot in there one morning - but I did have Thai sweetcorn fritters which were HOT!
It did rain most days during our stay, but this didn't prevent us from getting out and about. There were several golf umbrella's you could borrow stored in the porch, so that was handy!
Bowness was a 10 minute walk down the hill and Windermere was a 10 minute walk up the hill. We ate out every night: Beresford restaurant and pub, lazy daisy's, fat olives, jade delight... There are so many places to choose from!
We went on the Beatrice potter mountain goat bus tour. Although most of the people on the bus were golden oldies, we still thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the driver was very knowledgeable.
We spent a day in Kendal and visited a puzzling place where there are lots of hands on displays and optical illusions and we also went to cars of the stars (no photography was allowed in the latter one, so we wished we had gone to a different attraction instead...)
Ambleside is well worth a visit too with a lovely fudge shop!
Only negative during the stay was that my credit card wouldn't work - but there again it doesn't work in my local petrol station either!
We will definitely be back again in the future.

For veggies this b&b is a slice of heaven. Halfway between Bowness & Windermere, Barry & Sue are great hosts and the newly refurbished rooms are v cosy. Thoroughly recommend

We really loved everything about this comfy b&b. We loved the breakfast! We loved the location! And we definitely loved the personalised attention we got from the staff working there! We will def go back some day. We def recommend !

Good B&B in ideal location, only 10 mins walk to restaurants and pubs so no taxi fares!
Staff were friendly and helpful, and have to mention the breakfasts - amazing choice and quality - you can see why they win awards!
Had a budget room which was as described on the web - always a relief and suited our 2 night stay - will definitely be back, thanks Barry and Jules.