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Walden Lakehouse | Luxury Self-Catering | Lough Ree, County Westmeath

Walden Lakehouse

Glasson, County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland

If you’ve ever lusted after a life in the woods then you’ll want to run away to this cabin hideaway and never return. Hunkering on the shores of Lough Ree in County Westmeath and immersed in lush woodland, Walden Lakehouse is a cool, calm and eclectic self-catering retreat offering luxury and privacy in a secret spot on Ireland’s longest river.

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Introduction

You’ll find Walden Lakehouse nestled on the middle lake of the iconic River Shannon near a small rural village named Glasson. Passed down through an Irish family, this luxury self-catering cottage affords an authentic yet unique homestay experience. Light-filled interiors chime to contemporary design, with retro references harking back to the dwelling’s 1960’s roots. An idyllic base for discovering all that County Westmeath has on offer, it’s little wonder this modest woodland lakehouse was recently crowned ‘Ireland’s Home of The Year’.

Inside

Inside, wooden floors and exposed white ribs of the ceiling’s rafters contrast with the unique eye for detail and modish furnishings within. Radiating a polished-yet-homely vibe, the open-plan living areas appeal for drawn-out meals and relaxation throughout the day. Start mornings with hands wrapped around a warming mug of fresh coffee in the kitchen, gazing out onto the water outside as the dusky hues of dawn brighten to welcome in the day. After a day exploring the Irish landscape, the lounge’s stylish seating and woodburner await to welcome and warm.

Outside

Watch swans glide by the bottom of the bed from the comfort of the covers in the mornings (a side of tea and hot, buttery soda bread essential). Waldon Lakehouse celebrates the simple things in life and, with the glistening lake in view from almost every window, it’s hard to resist a morning dip. Sky-high oak, beech and hazel trees swaddle the lakehouse in privacy, whilst ivy and holly ensure year-round greenery. Further afield, the local village of Glasson provides cultural refreshment, while the ever-popular Galway City is less than an hour away.

The Facts

  • SleepsUp to 4 guests
    From £1,495 per week, £1,250 per short break
  • Alternative group optionUp to 2 guests
  • Bedrooms and bathroomsTwo double bedrooms, one with king size bed and en suite wet room with shower and one with super king-size bed and en suite bathroom with shower attachment. There is also a separate WC.
    View bedrooms
  • PetsSorry, no pets
  • Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
  • FamilyBabies and children are very welcome. One travel cot and one highchair are available.
  • PracticalitiesThere is private parking for two cars outside the cottage. Perfectly outfitted for self-catering escapes, the bright and spacious kitchen features a Miele oven and hob, Nespresso coffee machine, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washer-dryer. Please note that the internet can operate at rural speed.
  • Homestay includesLocal produce welcome hamper, fresh herbs from the garden, cocktail trolley with glasses and mixing equipment, TV, Sonos multi-room sound system, iPad, WiFi internet and landline, charcoal barbecue, board games, linen, towels, logs and kindling to get you startedHouse book - your property and destination guideDiscover more
  • Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsView floor planEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend

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A luxury self-catering lakehouse
French doors frame the view of the lake

Prices & Availability

Glasson

Glasson (or ´Village of the Roses´) in rural County Westmeath his the crowning jewel in central Ireland´s crown, a small village popular for angling, Irish culture, and lots of time spent exploring the great outdoors.

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Glasson
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Getting there

  • On the Map The cabin is located in County Westmeath, on the shores of Lough Ree, four miles from the village of Glasson and eight miles from the bustling market town of Athlone.
  • By Car Walden Lakehouse is one and a half hour's drive from the ferries and airport of Dublin, straight down the major roads of the M6 and M4.
  • By Train There is a train station in nearby Athlone with links to Dublin.
  • By Air The nearest airport is Dublin, an easy 90 minute drive away. Flights are also available to Shannon and Knock, both a similar distance away.

From the owner

“For us, it feels like falling in love with the cottage anew each time we visit. The view of the lake changes daily and with the seasons. The sunsets are amazing, and even when it´s a howling gale outside, we just put another log on the fire and enjoy the drama from the cosy interior.”

From the owner

Walden Lakehouse was built in the mid-sixties by an English couple who wanted a holiday home by the lake. It was built to a very high standard; the exterior timber has lasted brilliantly. When we were renovating, we came across some planks of timber with some rather stern sounding instructions to (presumably) the builders.

My parents bought the house when the owners sold up in the mid-seventies. They then rented it out to visiting fishermen from Germany, France and the UK.

My Dad passed away in 2010 when I inherited the cottage. Richard and I spent a good while thinking about what we wanted to do with it, planning the refurbishment and, crucially, finding the right builder to translate our vision into reality.

We wanted to incorporate lots of luxuries but maintain the appearance of the house from the outside; that feeling of a modest little timber building nestling in the woods.

The cottage is now quite well known in Ireland. It has featured in a few design magazines and it's been on the telly too! We appeared on Home of the Year, a very popular Irish TV programme.

Egon and Richard

Owner recommendations

Live like a local, discovering the best hidden gem restaurants, walks and attractions during your holiday in Glasson with an insider’s perspective.

Portlick Woodland

To See

Portlick Woodland

One of the Millennium Forests, Portlick woodland is found on the eastern shore of Lough Ree. Home to beautiful hazel and ash woodland, the forest floor comes alive with woodrush, bluebell, primrose, violet, ivy and more.

Gertie Brownes, Athlone

To Eat

Gertie Brownes, Athlone

A traditional Irish pub, Gertie Brownes sits close to the Shannon river on the Rive Gauche of Athlone town. Hosting regular Irish music sessions, it has kept its olde-worlde atmosphere and is a great spot for simply relaxing with a drink.

Baysports Waterpark

To Do

Baysports Waterpark

As well as sailing, kayaking, pier jumping, an inflatable assault course and even Chinese dragon boating, the water park is an interesting day out! One for all generations, it is the perfect way to laugh, play and burn off some steam.

Kilbeggan Distillery Experience

To Do

Kilbeggan Distillery Experience

Immerse yourself in over 250 years of Irish whiskey making at Kilbeggan Distillery, the heart of Kilbeggan town for two centuries. See the 19th century water wheel that’s still in use and the steam engine, which is still fired up on occasion.

Guest Testimonials

We´ve just enjoyed our second visit to the amazing Walden Lakehouse. With it´s idyllic location on the lake, it´s simply as good as it gets and is quickly becoming an annual trip of ours!

It couldn´t have been a better stay! We stayed at Walden Lakehouse in the coldest week in Ireland in years and we couldn´t have had it cosier and more comfortable. Walden Lakehouse is the perfect place to calm down and relax. The interior is unique and gives the cottage a real personal touch, which made us feel at home. Loving all the individual details as well, especially the old wedding photos!

I booked Walden Lakehouse to celebrate my wife´s 50th birthday; it was the perfect place. We were looking to kick back and relax for the week and we couldn´t have asked for a better venue! I didn´t realize how close & convenient it was to get from the property to the water. We swam every day, even though it was November and the water was chilly! Balanced by the ability to have a nice hot bath to warm back up. My wife said it felt like she was being wrapped with a comfort blanket from the minute she stepped inside the door, and I have to agree with her. Any stress just disappeared.

Walden Lakehouse is in a pristine condition. All internal furnishing is to a very high standard, modern and of excellent taste. It gives a most homely feel. The location directly on the shores of the lake, with a jetty and access to water for swimming is excellent and the terrace invites you to sit outside on a balmy evening with a Guinness to watch the sunset. The nearby restaurant run by the owner’s brother is of very high quality and the strip-loin steak made in heaven. Overall, a truly fantastic welcome and experience of Ireland.

We have had the most memorable holiday in your beautiful home in this fantastic spot by Lough Ree. We couldn´t have asked for any more, you really have thought of everything. We have loved waking up to this exquisite view each morning and exploring the local area. We have been very lucky with the weather and our girls even managed to enjoy a dip in the lough! Thank you for sharing your home, we hope to be back!

Like being lost in the woods, away from all the pressures of everyday life. So peaceful and tranquil. Just fabulous interiors, not a thing left to chance, everything has been carefully thought about and placed to perfection! Design heaven. As an interior designer, you have provided me with inspiration. The position of Walden Lakehouse is simply perfect, we´re just so sad to be leaving. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful house with our family.

What you have created here is truly magical! We came away needing a re-charge and de-stress and we have left completely relaxed and ready to take on the world! Thank you for sharing your wonderful home with us. Ireland is a wonderful country and the people are the best, nothing is too much trouble. We will be back!

Wow! The house, the setting and the changes in the light are just wonderful. We had a great week and this is a fantastic base for exploring the area from. We even spotted a kingfisher from the deck!

Thank you both for giving us the opportunity to stay in such a beautiful and tranquil placed. Your home is absolutely gorgeous and provided much-needed peace after a very busy time in our lives. We are leaving refreshed and reenergised and would love to return in the future.

Thank you so much for blessing us with a stay at this cottage on our first trip to Ireland. The design and decor have given us much inspiration to bring back to our own home in California. We have been traveling the world together for 10 years, but this is the first place we´ve stayed with the news that we´re expecting our first child. Truly a memory that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Walden Lakehouse was exactly everything that we were looking for. Beautiful house, great facilities and perfect location. We didn’t want to leave and will definitely be back.

Thank you so much for a wonderful stay in your forest getaway. A perfectly idyllic location and a beautifully appointed home. Thank you also for the restaurant recommendation - a delicious meal with a great atmosphere and so conveniently located!

What delights me the most is your decision to share your beautiful hideaway with others. It would be tempting to hold onto something so precious but sometimes holding on tightly may be negative. I do believe that by sharing and trusting, more joy will be attracted here for you to enjoy.

What a wonderful home you have. It has only been three days but we have relaxed as if we have been here a week or more. Your taste is perfect and your vibe is all around. True food for the soul (and next door is the best food for the body!). We will be back for sure, thank you for sharing.

Thank you! We had a lovely week in your home. Time for us to relax looking out over the water and drinking lots of coffee. We now need to decorate our house and make it as pretty as here.

Thank you for welcoming us into your home by the lake. Everything about it, inside and out, is beautiful and inspirational. We spotted a Kingfisher outside and enjoyed great food and hospitality next door and in Glasson´s lovely pubs.

What a beautiful, peaceful spot; perfect to simply be still and unwind. We particularly appreciated the generosity of your welcome with fresh flowers and a homemade pie - delicious!

What a start to the new year! A magical lake shore cosy cottage getaway with wood fired stove, the interiors are a designer’s dream, gorgeous woodland walks, and great local restaurants. Looking forward to a summer visit!

You feel at one with nature, wrapped in a blanket of cool greenery; the proximity of the water is calming and beautiful. A good place for mindfulness and meditation. The expanse of water is surprising. And the lake boasts a local visiting Viking boat from nearby Athlone which is quirky and unexpected. Added to that the sunsets are superb. The village of Glasson has some good restaurants and a short drive away is the mystical Clonmacnoise an ancient monastic site on the River Shannon.

Quite embarrassingly excited about staying in a house that’s featured on the TV. It’s even better ‘in the flesh’, full of thoughtful touches and great design ideas to steal.

Athlone makes a super base for exploring Ireland and we took full advantage of day trips to see stately houses, take long country walks and even catch some musical events in Dublin. It’s the best of all worlds.

Beautiful countryside, within easy reach from Dublin. We loved the stylish, relaxed house and the calming, tranquil surroundings. The deck with direct access to the lake is a really special feature.

Thank you for letting us stay in your magical cabin by the lake. We loved the way it has been furnished with such exquisite taste, yet remains so simple, cosy and welcoming. And such a lot of wonderful things to do - sailing down the Shannon from Athlone to the green peace of the Clonmacnoise Monastic site was a highlight. Best of all, of course, was returning each evening to sit out on your deck, watch the trees and then the sunset become mirrored on the lake and wait for the return of the wild swans. Just heavenly.

The cottage is beautifully decorated, managing to be both comfortable and stylish in a wonderful setting. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back again.

A haven of comfort and tranquillity, Walden Lakehouse is the perfect place to switch off, unwind and take in the ever changing colours of the stunning view across the lake.

Walden Lakehouse is such a wonderful cottage and it’s situated in a brilliant location to explore Westmeath and central Ireland. The views and tranquillity of Lough Ree is beautiful, it’s a really special cottage and offers everything you need for an indulgent break away.

Press

Below are a selection of features in which Walden Lakehouse and Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.

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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.

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