My boyfirend and I have just come back from a 3 night stay at the the old vicarage at Ambleside and i will certainly be returning!!
When we arrived there was the owner waiting to greet us and help us with our bags. He was so welcoming and even made a cup of coffee for us in the lounge so we could put our feet up and relax. The room was lovely and the bath with the wirlpool was very luxurious! If wanting a quiet night in there are hundreds of films situated around the hotel so there is always something to watch. The pool and hot tub was amazing and very relaxing after a hard days walk. We were spoilt as it was so quiet we had the pool and tub to our selves for most of the time so i definately reccommend going on the quiet times of the year. Although around the lakes the attractions were mostly seasonal we always found the clothes shops to be open and obviously plenty of walks to be done. The staff at the vicarage were always willing to help and reccomend places to eat. For the younger couple there is a small night club on Wed and Sat at the pub on the main street as you come out of B and B. The breakfast was simple but just right and freshly cooked.
I have had a fantstic time and will be definately coming back next year!

Probably the most hospitable place we have stayed. The owners and staff could not do enough for us, nothing was too much trouble. The family room is very spacious with a beautiful bathroom. It has a jacuzzi style bath and large shower cubicle. The complimentary dressing gowns and slippers were ideal for use in the pool area which is very relaxing and very clean. Breakfast is great and more than enough to set you up for the day. The building is beautiful and the extension is sympathetically buillt to blend in with the main building. Though just off the main road through, the B&B is secluded and very quiet. An ideal location and an ideal place to stay. Highly recommended. We will return.

We have been visiting the Old Vicarage in Ambleside since 2001. We started by going for a long weekend and gradually have extended our visits to a full week. We arrived home today after our second week long stay this year. Yes, we could probably travel abroad cheaper but that's not the kind of holiday we enjoy.
Please do not be put off by the negative reviews of this lovely B&B, in our eyes they are simply not true.
My husband, myself and our Border Collie have had a fabulous week and would happily stay in either the old section or the recent extension, both have bags of character. The indoor pool, jacuzzi and sauna are a godsend when you have spent the day walking the fells. The breakfasts are hearty and the choices are plenty. The owners go out of their way to make you welcome and nothing is too much trouble. The family are lovely and we feel that it is a true home away from home for us.
Yes, dogs are welcome and the owners have dogs of their own. It's not a secret. Again for us a godsend. I'd hate to have to holiday leaving our dog at home when the Lake District is such a dog friendly place. We don't have children but accept there will be children there, the same can be said about the dogs.
We have not stayed anywhere else than the Old Vicarage in 7 years and have no intention of staying anywhere else in the future.
Cheers to you Ian, Helen, Liana, Barry, Mig, Bailey and Riley. Not forgetting the dogs, Grace and Jake. See you all in the spring!

The location is great,the welcoming was nice.....but the room ,faulty light fitting,bathroom,grubby dispenser on the wall,mouldy round the bath and hand basin,shower did not work properly..two drips and thats your lot.!!.The price paid for our room was FAR too much for the quality recived .If you visit the old vicarage make sure you stay in the NEW extension which looks great on the web site!