「I have grave misgivings about hotels in the busiest parts of the Lake District, especially at holiday times. Obviously they will be relentlessly overcrowded, with harassed and unfriendly staff. I’ve wanted to go back to the Proper Lake District for a while though so took a risk on the King’s Head. It’s easy to find on the ear popping main road up from Grasmere, just beyond the impressive hulk of Steel Fell, close to Thirlemere. Parking anywhere in the Lakes is hideous and expensive. Not here. Relaxed and plenty of room. It’s a long building with a pleasant bar restaurant area and beer garden. I found a rather pleasant residents lounge where a lady called Jo checked me in and made me feel welcome. It does get busy with passing trade but the staff look after their residents. They flogged me decent real ale and Jura whisky (the proper stuff). Breakfast is briskly table served from a menu and is well presented. I didn’t eat otherwise there but the food is popular and well priced. The road outside is busy and a bit of a racetrack, and the occasional fighter jet roars between the mountains on low altitude practice, but the relentless bleating of the sheep opposite soon returns things to normal. I was a little sorry to depart, but the manager said he hoped I would come again. I believe I will, and will even bring my wife.」
We booked the Superior Double Room and I felt it was well worth the extra for the gorgeous view we had from 2 large windows - whether the skies were sunny or cloudy.
The location was excellent - within 5 to 10mins walk to the town and to Derwent Water and parking was well explained and ample. On entering Fellpack House, it was pleasant, well cared for and inviting. Our room on the top floor (stairs all the way up) was straight out of a home & decor magazine. The amenities, furnishing, towels and beverages were quality stuff and we saw that they also used locally sourced soaps and beverages. Housekeeping was daily and I loved that the gave us delicious chewy chocolate chip cookies each day!
The breakfast was fresh & flavourful. That they started off as a restaurant (that operates across the road and is highly rated) carries through in their breakfast - I ate so much and it was worth every calorie!
Best of all were the staff. We met many over the course of our stay and every one of them were warm, chatty, highly customer-oriented and witty!
Can you tell how much I loved our stay there 😀