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Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms

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The original black lead range open fire is perfect to get cosy in font of after a day of adventures
Snuggle up on the comfortable sofas after a long day
The window seat is the perfect place to sit with your morning coffee and watch the world go by
With a flatscreen tv, DVD player and Wifi there is plenty to keep you occupied during your stay
Relax and enjoy the view from the cosy window seat

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 590 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View map
Portinscale
  • Place, Derwentwater
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Derwent Pencil Museum
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Theatre By The Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Carlisle (CAX)
    ‪57 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom #1

Bathroom #2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

About this property

Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms

The accommodation is split over 3 floors: On the ground floor there is a cosy lounge holding two sofas, an easy chair, an original black lead range open fire, cushioned window seat and shutters. There is a flatscreen TV, DVD, and complimentary Wi-Fi.

The kitchen/diner is a spacious area that includes a range cooker and all appliances. Adjoining the kitchen is a boot room. Seating around the table is available for 5 people.

On the first floor there are two bedrooms, the first with double bed and the second with a single bed. Both bedrooms are full of character and come with plenty of storage space. The main family bathroom is also on the first floor between the two bedrooms. There is a beautiful roll top bath, large shower, basin, WC and heated towel rail.

Situated on the top floor is the master bedroom with a white wood clad chalet feel. The room has a king size bed, bespoke storage and uplighting plus great views of Skiddaw.The bedrooms are all beautifully dressed in luxury linen and towels. The attached ensuite shower room houses a shower, basin and WC.

The cottage has two allocated car parking spaces. Complimentary WI-FI throughout.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Keswick

Located in Keswick, this cottage is in the mountains. Ullswater and Dubwath Silver Meadows reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Womenrock and Keswick Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre. Go Ape Whinlatter and Raw War Paintball Games are also worth visiting.
View more Cottages in KeswickOpens in a new window
Map
Portinscale

What's nearby

  • Derwentwater - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Crosthwaite Church - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Derwent Pencil Museum - 2 min drive - 2.3 km
  • Hope Park - 2 min drive - 2.7 km
  • Theatre By The Lake - 3 min drive - 3.3 km

Getting around

  • Penrith Station - 21 min drive
  • Carlisle (CAX) - 56 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Crooked River Tap - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Jaspers Coffee House - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Royal Oak - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Lakeside Cafe Restaurant - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Farmers Arms - ‬1 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms?

As of 10 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms on 30 May 2026 start from AU$719, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Barf Cottage - a cottage that sleeps 5 guests in 3 bedrooms located?

Situated in the mountains, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Womenrock and Derwentwater. Crosthwaite Church and Derwent Pencil Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 23 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Graham D.

Another great stay at Barf Cottage

This well equipped and comfortable cottage is great accommodation from which to explore the Northern Lakes.
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar 2026
Hi, Graham! Thank you for your review of Barf Cottage--short and sweet, we love to see it. Was there anything you particularly loved? The kitchen is a big favourite of ours, as well as the views and fireplace. We'd love to welcome you back, it's been a pleasure to have you. Best wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Would recommend

Cottage was well presented and clean. Nice and warm with good bathroom and comfortable beds. Access and parking a bit tight but manageable.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Perfect cottage

Perfect location and far bigger than it looks! Would highly recommend for a family stay. Will be returning.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Graham D.

A cosy cottage close to Keswick

Barf Cottage is a cosy, well equipped and comfortable cottage from where to explore the Lake District and not far from the centre of Keswick.. It has designated parking for a car which is always desirable. Have stayed many times and have already booked for 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2025
Hello, Graham! That's what we like to hear! Barf Cottage comes with the perfect blend of character and modern luxury, with the original black lead range open fire, cushioned window seat and shutters pairing nicely with the flatscreen TV, heated towel rails, and, of course, free WiFi! We're so excited to see you again in 2026. Best wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

sharon b.

Excellent cottage

We went as a four and stayed at Barf cottage, for a long weekend, the cottage was lovely, beds very comfy and found it lovely and warm! Easy access to Keswick. Lots of cutlery and pots and pans , the only criticism would be it would have been nice to have a little cupboard essentials ie: oil, vinegar, foil, matches for fire and cleaning essentials so people can clean the cottage if needed. Other than that nothing we had a lovely time thank you .
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Dec 2025
Hi, Sharon, We're so glad that you enjoyed your visit to Barf Cottage! The cottage retains all the original features of a traditional Lakeland home, yet at the same time offers modern fixtures, comfort and style. We hope to see you again soon. Maybe you'd like to add our 'basics', or cleaning packs to your next stay! They're very handy, and are placed in the cottage before your arrival. We even offer a 'breakfast' pack! Best wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Nicola D.

Beautiful cottage

This is a lovely cottage, clean and tastefully decorated, perfect for a family break with dogs. The cottage is in a quiet location just a 15 minute walk from Keswick, has allocated parking and a small garden to let the dogs out. We have stayed here many times and undoubtedly will stay again!
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept 2025
Hi Nicola, Thank you for your review. Barf Cottage in Portinscale is the ideal cosy cottage for a break in the Lakes. The village is quiet but the hustle and bustle of Keswick is only a short walk or car journey away. There is a bus service that runs through the village if you would prefer to leave the car parked up. We were thrilled to welcome you back and we will hopefully see you again soon. Best wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

8/10 Good

fran m.

September break in the Lakes

We had a lovely relaxing stay at Barf cottage. Cottage is well equipped and well located. We struggled to get a steady temperature in the shower but otherwise it was perfect. We had a lot of rain during our week so we were glad the cottage was comfortable and quiet. Great communication from Keswick Cottages. We hope to return.
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Sept 2025
Hi Frances, Thank you for your review. We have certainly had a lot of rain recently but Barf Cottage is a lovely cottage that can be made extra cosy when you light the fire. There is also the Farmer's Arms pub just up the road where you will receive a warm welcome plus food and drink. We hope we can welcome you back again soon. Best wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Maureen V.

Wonderful stay

Barf cottage is a wonderful place to stay in Portinscale. Cosy cottage with lovely views of the mountains.
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Apr 2024
Hi Maureen, Thank you for this brilliant 5 star review of Barf Cottage. We are so pleased to hear you have a lovely stay in this cosy cottage and hope to welcome you back soon.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

Brilliant location, property and facilities

Had a brilliant time at Barf cottage, brilliant location. Within walking distance to Keswick and Braithwaite for pubs and food. People were complaining about food in Farmers Rest whilst having a drink so didn’t bother eating there. Cottage had everything you could want for self catering break and more
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2025
Thank you for taking the time to write a lovely 5* review of Barf Cottage, it sounds like you had a fantastic stay! The ideal property for groups of friends, couples and families, Barf is a characterful property central to all the surrounding towns and villages. With parking and outdoor spaces to soak up the sunshine it is a lovely Lake District retreat! We hope to welcome you back in the future! Best Wishes, Keswick Cottages
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gail C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming cottage; wonderful location

When looking for a place to stay, I always look for one with charm and character. Barf cottage did not disappoint!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Stephen A.

Great place great location

We enjoyed our stay at barf cottage it was in a great location not far from Keswick, whinlatter and a great pub on the doorstep serving good food and beer Accommodation was great with nice comfy beds, spacious kitchen and lounge The only thing I would want to change is a bigger and smart TV in the lounge, but apart from that we enjoyed our stay and would stay again and would recommend
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Feb 2024
Thank you for your 5-star review and recommendation! We are so happy you enjoyed your stay at Barf Cottage and found the location great. We are so glad you found the cottage had comfy nice beds and that the kitchen and lounge were spacious. Thank you for your comments about the TV, it is very helpful. We hope you enjoyed exploring Keswick, Whinlatter and eating at the Farmers Arms. We hope to welcome you back again. Best Wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Barf Cottage - Portinscale

Named after the mountain, this is a wonderfully located cottage, beautifully turned out too. Yet another wonderful stay, whether climbing mountains or just popping into Keswick to watch a film or go for a meal, great spot.
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Apr 2024
Hi Jo, thank you for taking the time to review your stay at Barf Cottage and for giving it a 5 star rating. we are so glad to hear you enjoyed your stay at this wonderfully quaint cottage. The location of Barf Cottage offers plenty of options to choose from whether that be an activity or strolling into Keswick. We hope to welcome you back soon.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Catherine H.

Fabulous

Fabulous cottage. Couldn't have asked for anything more. Toasty warm, spotlessly clean, all we needed for cooking. Had the loveliest week
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2024
Thank you so much for this 5-star review of Barf Cottage! We are so happy you found this a fabulous cottage to stay in and that you found it spotlessly clean and toasty warm. We're so glad you found it had everything you needed to enjoy your self catering holiday. We're so pleased to know you had the loveliest week and we hope to welcome you back again! Best Wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Lovely cottage for a Christmas break

A super cottage in a fantastic location. Our recent stay in Barf cottage exceeded expectations. It was warm, clean and had everything we needed. Even though the weather was rather damp it was so comforting to return to a warm and cosy cottage and have an open fire in the evenings. Excellent location for walks into Keswick, Lingholm (can recommend their breakfasts) plus Derwent Water and CatBells. Staff were friendly and most helpful when we decided to extend our stay.
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jan 2024
Thank you so much for this 5-star review! We love that Barf Cottage exceeded your expectations and you found it clean and warm with everything you needed. We can imagine how lovely it must have been to return to a cosy cottage after a wet day out exploring the Lake District, especially with the open fire on! Thank you so much for your kind words about our team, we always want our guests to have the best holiday. We hope you had a wonderful Christmas time at Barf Cottage. Best Wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

New years stay

This was our 3rd stay in this lovely cottage which is deceptively large . Well styled and comfortable. Appreciated roll topped bath , well stocked kitchen and books / games . We prefer being a walk away from the crowds in Keswick but with no local shop it is a good idea to take the essentials along
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan 2024
Thank you so much for your review! We love that you're returning guests to Barf Cottage! We are so happy that you found it comfortable and well styled. We are so glad that you found the kitchen well stocked and enjoyed the books and games provided. We hope you had a fantastic time and we hope to welcome you again when you return. Best Wishes, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Georgina S.

Beautiful cottage in a perfect location

We had such a lovely stay at Barf Cottage. It was really clean, in a great location with so much to see nearby. Walks directly from your doorstep, and so many great places to eat around too. The local pub is only a couple of doors down and has a great beer garden! The Keswick Cottages team were so helpful in recommending places to visit during our stay. I’d thoroughly recommend the cottage, as well as staying with Keswick Cottages again. Hopefully see you again soon!
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Barf cottage - a lovely place to stay

We have been to Barf Cottage 3 times and will come back again. It is a lovely location and handy for walks. the pub, tea rooms and a short walk to Keswick. There also regular bus services. We had an issue with the fire which meant we couldn't use it but staff were very responsive and helpful. The cottage is well equipped - especially the kitchen! The views from the upstairs bedroom are stunning
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Sarah H.

Lovely cottage in great location

Barf cottage is a lovely clean, comfortable cottage which is very well equipped. We were blessed with the weather and had a wonderful relaxing week here. The pub is about 1 minutes walk away, and there is a lovely cafe in the village, about 5 minutes walk. There are lots of lovely walks around - Keswick is just over a mile along a level footpath and there are lovely walks along the side of the lake, and up to Catbells. There is also a bus stop - we caught the bus to Seatoller and walked back to the cottage. We had a dog with us, and there is a small paved garden for them to use (keep an eye out if you have a small determined dog - our Jack Russell Terrier managed to find a hole through the bushes into the neighbour's garden and out into the lane. Luckily she came straight back). There is a parking spot, but it is a bit of an awkward manoeuvre if you have a large car. A small car would be ok. After the first day we parked on the road opposite the pub with no problems as it was easier. Would definitely stay again.
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Oct 2025
Hi Sarah, Thank you for your review. Barf Cottage is in a great location in the quiet village of Portinscale. It is a short flat walk in to Keswick town centre but there are regular buses that run through the village that can take you there or further afield. We hope you had a great stay and we hope that we can welcome you back again in the future. Best wishes, Keswick Cottages.
From a partner site

6/10 Okay

Claire F.

Disappointing

We were looking forward to staying at Barf cottage having read the good reviews. Sadly it didn't live up to expectations. It hadn't been cleaned very well on our arrival and there were areas that hadn't been cleaned for a long time. Having said that, when reported to the office the customer service team were very good. I really wanted to like this cottage and there were elements such as the character features that were lovely but all in all we found it disappointing for what we paid.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Nicola j.

Lovely cottage let down by cleanliness

We booked this very last minute and got it for a great price. The location is perfect for some lovely walks and only a 10 min walk to Keswick. The cottage comes with parking for 2 cars which is handy but the access lane is very tight so be careful. The layout of the cottage is great and it's lovely and warm. Kitchen fully equipped and a very useful boot/coat room. The second floor bedroom is lovely! The only thing that let this cottage down was the cleanliness. The second we opened the door and stepped in we could see none of the floors had been hoovered or cleaned from the previous occupants. There was literally dirt and crusted food on the kitchen floor and the carpets were littered in bits. I hoovered the whole house before we could unpack because I refused to take our stuff in. I rang Keswick cottages who were very good and sent someone round to mop the kitchen and bathroom floors but if a cleaner 'forgets' to hoover and disinfect the floors what else have they not done? The whole house needs a deep clean as there was also dust in places it really shouldn't be. I hope that Keswick Cottages address the cleaning issues because this is really a lovely cottage.
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Feb 2025
Thank you very much for your review. It's wonderful to hear that you enjoyed your holiday at this characterful Lakeland retreat. It is lovely to return to the cosy open fire during the Winter months after a day of walking and exploring the fells! We were very sorry that you found some debris on the floor when you arrived. As soon as you reported your concerns we sent two members of our team round to the cottage to get this rectified as quickly as possible. As explained on your arrival, the cottage had been thoroughly cleaned and checked off at our usual high standard, however during the check we had found a couple of maintenance issues that required attention. We had booked this in with the maintenance team straight away in an effort to avoid any inconvenience during your stay, however unfortunately they had not realised that some debris had been left behind on the floors. Please be assured your feedback regarding dust has been passed on to the Housekeeping Manager, who has scheduled the next deep clean. We're pleased this did not spoil your stay and hope to welcome you back for another visit in the near future.
From a partner site

8/10 Good

James H.

Nice cottage however it needs some attention

We stayed for a week in June 2022. The location is wonderful and the cottage homely, well equipped, spacious and very comfortable however it is let down by a few minor details. The front door lock jammed so we could not open it. The key to the bike/kayak storage did not fit the padlock but was pointless because the doors could be opened anyway (not secure). The bathroom shower mixer has control problems. The toilet basin was not secured to the floor and I had to fix a waste pipe leak. The oven clock had been switched off which stopped us from using it and it took is some time to work out how to set this up. The grill was not 100% clean. Parking is really not ideal if you have a large car, although could be helped if the shrubs are pruned. You don’t find out about the small space until you have paid and are sent directions. The second space opposite the pub was rarely available. Keswick Cottages were very quick to resolve any issues and we are regular visitors to the area however would not return to this cottage.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Great cottage

Great cottage, the Christmas tree was a lovely touch, would definitely stay again, fire was awesome.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 June 2023
Hello, Thank you for your review. We are so glad that you had such an enjoyable stay, we hope it is not too long until your next stay. Kind regards, Keswick Cottages
From a partner site

8/10 Good

Cosy cottage

Lovely cosy cottage. Really good to have games and books available Bath excellent Pizza cutter would be useful
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

An Autumn Short Break

We returned to Barf cottage for an Autumn hit of the lakes. The cottage has everything in spades and was lovely and warm when we arrived. We hope to be back soon, thanks Keswick Cottages for another lovely break away from normality.
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Graham D.

Super cottage in Portinscale

Just had another super stay at the very comfortable, clean, well equipped and well appointed Barf Cottage. Already booked for next year.

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