Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history

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Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

Washer
Parking available
Fireplace
Kitchen
Outdoor space
Free WiFi

Explore the area

Cowan Bridge, ENG

The Enchanted Chocolate Mine
‪3 min drive‬
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
‪10 min drive‬
Ribblehead Viaduct
‪20 min drive‬
Barrow-In-Furness (BWF-Walney Island)
‪70 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Toilet 1

Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

About this property

Brontë School House is a beautiful period holiday cottage steeped in history: it was the old Clergy Daughters' School attended by Charlotte and Emily Brontë 1824-25 and was infamously portrayed as 'Lowood' in Jane Eyre. The property has now been sensitively restored preserving the historical character whilst also including modern-day comforts: step inside and you will find snowy-white limewashed walls, original floorboards and beams, exposed stonework and cushioned window seats. The property is well equipped with everything you could want for a comfortable stay. Enjoy relaxing by the log-burner in the cosy sitting room or taking a long soak in the big roll-top bath after a days hiking before sinking into the crisp white cotton bedlinen.

On sunny days you can take advantage of the lovely large garden: dine al fresco under the shade of a tree then enjoy relaxing to the sound of the water of Leck Beck with a post lunch coffee, or maybe a glass of wine, whilst the kids run around in the garden making their own fun and games.

Located in an incredibly beautiful part of the world Bronte School House is perfectly situated for exploring both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District National Parks. The area is also renowned for its gastronomy and is home to an enviable choice of restaurants, cafes and bars. With wonderful walks from the doorstep and many more only a short drive away if you like the outdoors you cannot help but fall in love with this region. Come and see for yourself - you will not be disappointed!

Check out our website for lots more information: www.bronteschoolhouse.com

Property manager

Sandra Barker

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Free WiFi

Outdoor space

Parking available

Mountain view

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Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Sorry not even small well behaved ones!

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No smoking or vaping allowed in the house

Free parking at the cottage for 2 cars only (Any additional must be parked in the village car park (honesty box £1/day))

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

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Carnforth

Located in Carnforth, this cottage is in a rural area and on a river. Dent Heritage Centre and Brigflatts Meeting House are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Yorkshire Dales National Park and Ingleborough National Nature Reserve. Travelling with kids? Consider The Enchanted Chocolate Mine and Westmorland County Showground. Kayaking and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with rock climbing and hiking/biking trails nearby.

Cowan Bridge, ENG

What's nearby

Yorkshire Dales National Park - 2 min drive - 2.7 km
The Enchanted Chocolate Mine - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
White Scar Cave - 8 min drive - 10.1 km
The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail - 10 min drive - 7.6 km
Ribblehead Viaduct - 20 min drive - 18.1 km

Getting around

Clapham Station - 12 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Orange Tree - ‬4 min drive
‪The Pheasant Inn - ‬4 min drive
‪The Highwayman - ‬3 min drive
‪Country Harvest - ‬5 min drive
‪Lunesdale Bakery - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history located?

This family-friendly Carnforth cottage is located on a river, within 3 mi (5 km) of Yorkshire Dales National Park and The Enchanted Chocolate Mine. The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail and Bentham Golf Club are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

S. D.

6 August 2022

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

Outstanding property!

I stayed at this cottage for five weeks, and it was my favorite lodging of my entire 3-month trip in the UK. The owner, Sandra, has spent years painstakingly restoring this stunning heritage property that was almost in ruins when she bought it. The result is a lovely, tasteful, comfortable cottage that is steeped in literary history. If you are a fan of the Brontës, this is a must-stay place. My friend and I took turns reading passages from the novel “Jane Eyre” that described the cottage and gardens which were the basis for the Lowood School in the novel. It was truly a remarkable experience. The gardens here are gorgeous. Sandra has a lovely variety of roses, hydrangeas, peonies, and countless others that bloom at different times so you are assured of blooms anytime in the spring/summer. Also raspberries, currants, and gooseberries that ripen in July and make a lovely snack while sipping wine and reading in the garden. It is truly a tranquil botanical paradise. The property itself is very well located within a 3-minute drive of beautiful Kirkby Lonsdale, 10 minutes from the Yorkshire Dales mountainscapes, and 30 minutes to Ambleside and Grasmere in the Lake District. You will need private transportation as the bus system here is scattered and infrequent. And be aware that the property adjoins a major road so traffic noise can be heard, but if you are in the garden or house, it’s not a problem. I highly recommend booking a stay at the Brontë School Cottage. It was the highlight of my trip, and I hope to return soon!

Stayed 35 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Catherine B.

10 May 2022

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

Charming

Lovely cottage. So excited to stay where the Brontes once stayed. Fab communication with owner. Great location. Very much hope to return. Excellent 😊

Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Olivia R.

16 August 2021

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

Lovely comfortable house in wonderful location

We had an amazing 11 night stay at Bronte School House. The house itself was extremely comfortable with everything we needed. I enjoyed seeing all the old photographs dotted around the property too. The location of the property makes it perfect for exploring both the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. We had some wonderful days out, our particular favourites were Bolton Abbey (the stepping stones were a big hit with my three daughters), steam boat on Coniston Water and Waterfall walk at Ingleton to name a few. Another huge hit were the ice creams from The Milking Parlour in Kirkby Lonsdale, worth the queue every time!!! We had such a wonderful stay and hope to return again soon. Thank you Sandra. X

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

4 August 2021

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

Lovely house for family holiday

Lovely house and very helpful host. Lots of space for everyone, practical and comfortable, gorgeous garden and walks on the doorstep. Only issue people should know about is traffic noise. It is next to busy main road which can be loud.

Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rob J.

31 October 2020

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

Family getaway

Lovely cottage, well equipped with a log burner to warm yourself after a days walking. Great location with easy access to the Lakes and the Yorkshire Dales. Plenty of room for all the family.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Penelope Anne D.

14 September 2020

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

Lovely cottage in a beautiful location

Old property furnished in keeping with its age. Everything we needed for our stay. Very comfortable. Lovely walks from the cottage.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

tracy B.

5 November 2019

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

Great cottage in fabulous location

The bronte school house is a beautiful tastefully restored property. We stayed in the half term break with our two boys 5 and 9 and used it as a base to explore the lakes and national parks. I can recommend the school house for its history quirkiness and comfort. Kirby Lonsdale is close by and has a fantastic array of eateries and superb coffee shops. Great area, fab location and a super place to stay.

10/10 Excellent

Stephan H., Nuernberg

14 October 2019

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

Cosy historic cottage

Lovely historic cottage, with a very atmospheric interior, very tasteful, well equipped and sooo romantic. We loved to sit in front of the woodburner - so cosy. Bed is very comfy. There are nice pubs in the area and a really good bakery ("seasons bakery") as well. The lake district and the yorkshire dales were just stunning. It is really special to stay in a house with such a history. The warm welcome from Sandra, made it easy to feel at home at once.

Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lee P.

24 September 2019

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

Beautiful cottage and brilliantly located

Sandra has renovated this cottage wonderfully - nothing overdone, a place of calm and quiet. We loved our stay here. And the location for the Lakes, Bowland, and the Dales is hard to beat. Kirkby Lonsdale is just up the road (a great town with glorious views of the Lune valley and Dales), and fantastics pubs and restaurants in walking distance or a short drive away. Thanks Sandra!

10/10 Excellent

Naomi A.

31 August 2019

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

Beautiful cottage with excellent amenities and interesting history

This house has been beautifully restored and is clean, well equipped and welcoming. Sandra provided excellent information to help us with our stay and we loved reading about the history of the house. Thank you for a lovely week.

10/10 Excellent

Nicole P.

10 July 2019

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

Travelling back in time - with comfort

Lovely, cosy cottage in a beautiful landscape! It's actually a part of one large cottage, but feels like a comfortable house. With enough space for 6 people and a Go back in Time feeling with all the history of it! But with nice comfort and super equipped. Ok, you can hear the cars/the street, but this doesn't disturb the comfy sleep. Sandra was very nice and explained everything, gave us some recommendations. E.g. for the nearest coastal town or the very good food in the "Highwaymen". You should - walk or jogg in the early mornings into quiet green pastures, not a human in sight, only sheep - go shopping in lovely Kirkby Lonsdale - or eat icecream there - or walk from Devil's bridge to Ruskins View - take the train from Settle to Appleby - beautiful Yorkshire Dales - drive early to Windermere, go on a boat, then drive further North. The landscape gets better and better - or just sit in the wonderful garden and read a book (preferably Jane Eyre)

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Krista K.

3 July 2019

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

Lovely home to spend some time

We had a lovely few days exploring the area and Sandra made sure we were very comfortable in the quaint and character-filled home. Neighbouring town of Kirkby Lonsdale is charming.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn A.

3 June 2019

Wonderful cottage in the Lake District

We spent a week at the Bronte School House in May 2019. The cottage had everything we needed & there was a lot of information on the area whether you wanted to take in the sights or go for a hike. It is in a quaint village and within a reasonable drive to Lake Windermere and other lovely sights in the Lake District. Be sure to visit the Ireby Farm and Sizergh Farm shops for a good meal and to pick up fresh vegetables, baked goods and more. Kirkby Lonsdale is a 5 min drive away and has lovely shops and pubs as well as a grocery store. We enjoyed our stay at this cottage and loved the Lake District.

Stayed 7 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tamsin R.

31 October 2018

Cosy and relaxing

This is a great cottage with access to lots of lovely walks and very close to the lovely village of Kirkby Lonsdale. It is well kept and has everything you need and was cosy and warm at the end of October as the cold dark night were drawing in. We had a lovely family stay here and hope to be back soon.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Liz F.

27 October 2018

Beautiful and invigorating get away

We have just come back from a great week at the Bronte school cottage. The cottage is very well situated, literally at the point where Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cumbria meet. We did some lovely walks in both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District (both within easy driving distances); and also ate very well. We can particularly recommend The Plough at Lupton. We ate in as well, and the kitchen is well equipped to manage ‘proper’ cooking. Coming back to the wood burner after a day out was a real treat.

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2018

8/10 Good

Claire H.

23 October 2018

Beautifully renovated cottage close to both the Dales and Lakes

We had a wonderful 6-night stay at the cottage (2 adults and 3 boys, 10, 12 and 15). Sandra was very warm and welcoming. The cottage has been sensitively renovated to a very high standard, with everything we could need. The beds were really comfortable and we were all taken with the fabulous duvets! I've only given it 4-stars because it is on a noisy road, otherwise perfect. The garden across the drive was delightful, and we were sorry to miss it in all its summer glory. We walked from the cottage to Kirkby Lonsdale for lunch and shopping on one day, and on another we trekked up into Leck Fell, followed by tea and cake in the village tea room. The Ingleton Waterfall Trail was ideal for us all and we rounded off the trip with dinner at The Highwayman - delicious, particularly the desserts. Thank you Sandra for your beautiful house, and your generous warmth that shines through.

Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

7 August 2018

Superb

Magnifique maison, historique, comme dans un musée, Il y a énormément de choses à faire, randonnées, visites, châteaux.... notre hôte a été très accueillante, et la maison est extrêmement propre. Sans hésiter c'est un très belle maison où l'on se sent bien.

Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Steinar A., Oslo, Norway

5 August 2018

Very nice cottage close to Yorkshire dales and Lake District

We stayed for 14 days at this cottage for our summer holiday, and had a very nice and relaxing holiday. It was a perfect place for our family of 4 to discover the area, sceneries, attractions, etc. by foot and car. The cottage is in very good condition, very well equipped, and with good beds. Sandra has made an impressive collection of maps with walks, brochures, personal tips and suggestions for trips and things to do. There’s no need to come prepared with a pile of maps and travel books. It’s all there in the cottage and sorted out for the guests already. (A few update checks through the in-house internet and you’re ready to go.) Some nice walks actually start just from the doorstep. For those interested in the Bronte story, I can imagine this place must be marvelous. An impressive collection of books about the Bronte sisters is available in the cottage. A lot of some good restaurants are found in the neighborhood. We also benefited from Sandra’s recommended ones. The kitchen in cottages was also great for the meals we made ourselves. Sandra responded very quickly to any questions. This cottage is highly recommended. We did not miss anything. Sincerely /Steinar

Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Joanne D., Pearl Beach, Australia

26 June 2018

Historical, comfortable and warm

We had a wonderful stay at the Bronte School house at Cowan Bridge. It’s a small town but just over the hill is Kirkby Lonsdale which had all the amenities including a big supermarket. The house itself has been renovated but the old world charm remains. Sandra was a caring host and showed us some books with the story of the Bronte sisters staying at the school. We used the wood burner in the lounge room which made it very cosy at nights and when the sun came out the next day, we sat outside in the pretty garden. We were very happy staying in this house.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Susan L.

8 June 2018

Perfect spot to enjoy northern England and The Lake District.

It is a wonderful place to stay. Owner thought of everything we needed. Very comfortable. The history of the building and all the Bronte reading materials made us feel a part of the countryside.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Merryl W., Australia

6 October 2017

Absolutely fabulous place to stay.

We really enjoyed our stay at the Bronte School House. It was beautifully set up. Sandra, the owner, met us and this was greatly appreciated. She showed us around the house and explained things. It was a comfortable place to stay and central to loads of things to do. We would highly recommend this property to people and will stay there again if we are ever back in UK. Re a previous review concerning traffic noise, yes, there was some, but really not a drama and I think not an issue considering the advantage of being in a central position.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Clarissa S.

28 August 2017

Beautiful cottage with a lot of atmosphere

A nice and cosy cottage with everything that you need for a relaxing holiday! Not only for Bronte Lovers...

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Liz B.

21 August 2017

Lovely and atmospheric

A lovely welcoming cottage with a very interesting history. As a big Bronte fan I was delighted to stay where the sisters went to school as famously described as Lowood in Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. The cottage itself is in a very good position for the Lakes, Blackpool etc with lots of lovely walks nearby.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

James G.

7 May 2017

Wonderfully modernised cottage, in a great location

The cottage is well-equipped, clean, with a beautiful garden and a fantastic range of books and information about the area. We didn't need the log burner as the weather was so good and the heating more than adequate. Sandra replied quickly to our queries before our stay and was on hand by email during our stay for any further information we needed. The cottage is very well situated for both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, and Kirkby Lonsdale itself is well worth a visit (we can particularly recommend the fish and chips!).

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy P.

25 April 2017

Wonderful place to stay - interesting, comfortable, clean, beautiful and child friendly.

What an amazing place to stay! This cottage has everything we wanted for our weeks holiday. Aside from the excellent location - SO MUCH TO DO EVERYWHERE - the cottage itself has personality, history and is a beautiful place. The kitchen has all the bits and pieces you need to cook, there's even toys and board games, so our kids (7 & 2) were very happy. It's incredibly comfortable, very clean, beautifully decorated, interesting and there are walks you can do from the doorstep. We loved the log burner and the book selection was brilliant - so many books on and by the Brontes and the album showing the house restoration was great to see. What a brilliant place! We didn't really want to leave.. we will definitely be going back.

About the host

Hosted by Sandra Barker

My husband and I are both fanatical about old properties so you can imagine when we discovered this property standing empty, as indeed it had for 30 years, we were just so excited! And then to find that this was the very school infamised by Charlotte Brontë in Jane Eyre just ratcheted up that excitement. This building was crying out for someone to care for it, to breathe life back into it; that someone was me!
Being a keen traveller myself I know that accommodation is key to a good trip. Finding somewhere built in the local vernacular, that feels warm & welcoming and that also provides 21st century comforts is vital to making you feel part of, and at home in, wherever in the world you happen to be. This is what I’ve striven for, and I do believe achieved, in Brontë School House. I look forward to warmly welcoming you!

Why they chose this property

Walk into Brontë School House and you fall in love with it! The old stone limewashed walls and the ancient floorboards welcome you home. The Lune Valley where it sits really is one of those hidden gems - perfectly located for exploring both the Lake District & the Yorkshire Dales - with luscious green rolling countryside it truly captures you in its beauty; this is quintessential english countryside at its best.

Languages:

English

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Brontë School House: spacious cottage steeped in history

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet 1

Spaces

About this property