To be wary of moving next to a holiday cottage?

[Sallygoround631]

I’m due to move soon, I rent and live in the Lake District. Have lived/worked here for past 5 years and am very happy in general. My partner lives in Lancaster although we stay at my place mostly when his work allows.

I am self employed, work from home. Mid forties, no kiddies. Major priorities for me where I live are usually peace and quiet and not in a flat block.
Been to view and been offered a gorgeous place in Ambleside, close to the museum. It is a lovely period property, not overlooked, mountain view and access to great walks (I’m a keen fell walker) a great price and has only one joined on neighbour - a couple who stay in summer only.

Since putting down a holding deposit I have done a bit more research. There are a couple of nice holiday cottages adjacent to my property, which looked quiet and empty when viewing. Since doing a bit of web research it seems the one right next to me is a 4 bed family friendly cottage allowing 3 pets.

It is not attached to my property, but about 6 steps away from my door/side.

I love kids, and dogs, and Im fairly cool with most of the touristy stuff in the lakes - am used to it now. But this worries me a bit as we’d share the side patio (our outdoor sheds are in it, so their comings and going would be close to my front door). The place sleeps 7 and is permanently fully booked, according to the agents who let it out.

Would I be mad to take this?
Their parking is also close to my door but I don’t use a vehicle so not too worried about that.
If I back out I loose the £100 deposit, so just not sure.

And yes I ought to have researched prior to slapping the money down but hey ho, it’s been a funny few weeks.

People knocking on the door asking for advice. Gets very dull.

That sounds like the sort of holiday house we'd rent - we're 2 adults and 2 teens (who will kill each other if made to share). We would be up late, out most of the day and glued to phones (teens) or watching TV at night. We might use the BBQ, but this is the Lake District with associated weather, so probably only once in the week.

i think the centre of Ambleside is likely to attract walkers and/or people who want peace and quiet. So I'd be surprised if they were very problematic.

X post again OP..I am usually just a lurker but had to answer you.
These holiday makers aren't bad people either..just on holiday..Even when the weather is bad the patio door is open and undercover seating so noisy. Add the stereo on..as I said Holiday mode but not easy to live with.
Funnily enough my very young neighbour mentioned to me that he will turn his house into a holiday let when he goes travelling..I told him in no uncertain terms that I would not put up with ANY disruption and will ring him EVERYTIME we are disturbed..I have NO problems with a long term let tho.

It doesn’t seem to have a BBQ area, garden for playing, trampoline or hot tub, so I think that will put off that kind of partying.

Yes, we go to the lakes every year and are up and out after breakfast, back in time for evening meal, if we don’t stop at a pub on the way home. Kids have been on proper fell walks since aged 5 (certainly 7) or playing by a beck or picnic by lake or boat trip.

I don’t know anyone who goes on hol to the lakes to sit in their accommodation all day or party all night.

Wrt to reviews - I’ve never done a review on Tripadvisor for a cottage. I give feedback if asked by the company and they can put it on their site if they want but I notice our usual company often doesn’t do that. It used to when it was a small, family owned concern but it got taken over by a larger national company and they don’t seem to bother as much.

I always write in the Visitor’s Book, however. Maybe you could sneak in and have a look through that

My issue would be that people tend to have time to do things on holiday that they wouldn’t do frequently in their normal lives. Like barbecues, staying up late with the kids, parties and evening drinks in the garden. Overall there will be more noise than you would get with the average permanent resident. Not necessarily anti social.

A 1 bed romantic get away would be okay.

I’m not sure. Is Ambleside very noisy generally? If most visitors are walking up hills then maybe ok? I thought most properties were holiday homes anyway?

More info -

It sleeps 5 only.
Reviews, about 5 on trip advisor and 8 on website are by families with a pet, or two couples.
No hot tub or place to play ball.
Doesn’t seem aimed at partying or large groups.
Parking permit for one car only.
Guests praised cleanliness, interior, facilities and sky package!

Area is quiet, apart from a busy road. Not too close to pubs or restaurants.

Thoughts?

Like barbecues, staying up late with the kids, parties and evening drinks in the garden

Have you ever been to the Lakes Lemon? It's quite wet, quite a lot of the time...

I think if you can move after 6 months it’s a no-brainer, considering all the plus points. You’re not buying it are you so not a big deal I would’ve thought.

@Sallygoround631. I think you’re thinking of moving into the same street or house even where I lived as a student 16 years ago.
Honestly it was fine; the location is lovely and the neighbours didn’t use the patio half as much as we thought they would. Parking could be fun, but hey, that’s Ambleside for you.

Friends we know who live in A holiday home area say it’s the ones with hot tubs that are the worst because people are out in them til all hours, regardless of weather or season. If it’s got one, I’d think twice, if not then I’m sure it will be fine.

After living in. A touristy place for a while now my personal fears/bugbears are -

1)Constant car boot slammers, aaagh! But you get that everywhere.

2)long periods of screaming, loud talking. Reasonable is ok.

3)I’m not too bothered about pets to be honest.

4)invasion 0f my space, I mean my doorway steps, my shed, etc.

What they do in the house won’t affect me. Only,outside of it.
Patio area is small and only my bathroom window overlooks the property.

I think you’d be ok. I would rent next to it long term and I’m really quite antisocial.
I bet the outside storage is for owners stuff only, so you wouldn’t get people banging the shed door a lot or anything.
Booked up on the website might mean the owners block off out of season in case they want a short break for themselves or family.

I am quite tempted myself, if they do short breaks. Could you prop your diagram in your window so I know I’ve got the right place?

Go for it OP..sounds great..I am sorry for my rant..Off back to lurking now! All the best..

@Whyismycatanasshat perfect user name!
Give us a clue that won’t out me! I’m too intrigued now!

It wouldn’t put me off, who’s to say where you do buy/rent may become a neighbour to a holiday let in future?

Not everyone hiring a cottage is doing so to party, we certainly don’t and most holiday let’s have rules, take deposits etc.

@Marylou62 thanks, your info is vital , I do need to think about this one.

Oh and with everything on offer in Ambleside I wouldn’t be partying at a bench seat in a patio area. Might take my coffee out in a morning if it was nice weather, so that’s about 3 weeks in every 52.

I would. In fact it sounds ideal, never been to the lakes mmmm

You’re going to have all mumsnetters staying there now.

@ProfessorHasturLaVista thank you for all of your thoughts and info, it’s much appreciated.

It sounds lovely but I am on the fence with this one. Frequent changes of guests would probably mean people permanently in party mode of an evening. However as you say you are not attached so I expect the noise you would hear would be minimum unless I guess they were out in the garden enjoying the weather until the early hours.

I loathe camping. I stay in a lot of holiday cottages

If I take it, I will laminate my diagram and put it near my front door 😁