The image of windswept and desolate moors only paints half the picture of an extensive county like Cumbria. In between the picturesque landscapes and ancient history lie bustling towns and cities providing an exciting and varied experience for all those who visit Cumbrian cottages.
The third largest county in England, Cumbria, can be found on the northwest coast bordering Scotland to the north, Northumberland and Durham to the east and Lancashire and Yorkshire to the south. It is home to the world renowned Lake District National Park and its landscapes consist of scenic lakes and green lowlands. Read more
A delightful dog friendly holiday cottage with wonderful views perfectly placed near to the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale where the stunning Lake District meets the rolling Yorkshire Dales. Ideal for walkers or anyone wanting to discover the many attractions of Lancashire, Cumbria and North Yorkshire.
Sitting in large gardens (with tennis court!), this welcoming bright and airy holiday apartment is perfectly placed in a tranquil location overlooking lake Windermere, yet within just a mile of Bowness-on-Windermere with its shops and eating establishments. The Loft offers the best of both worlds for those who want to relax and unwind whilst being within easy reach of the areas many attractions.
Ideally placed with views over Lake Windermere, this modern stylish holiday apartment sits in extensive grounds where guests can enjoy peace and tranquility, along with an all-weather tennis court, putting area and croquet lawn. The many amenities of Bowness-on-Windermere are just a mile away. A perfect retreat to enjoy the many attractions of the Lake District.
Flintergill View Cottage is a new to market property restored to an exceptionally high standard throughout. Situated just above the village green, Flintergill View Cottage is on a quiet cut de sac that leads up to The Flintergill Nature Trail which is a footpath that climbs high out of the village. The large open ground floor is protected from the elects by a substantial stone porch with a flagged floor, leading to the ground floor living space with a modern heating system, wood burning stove, Smart television, superbly comfortable armchairs & sofa with a dining table for four next to one of the front windows. Bespoke well equipped kitchen has a dishwasher, separate fridge, freezer, electric oven with an induction hob, microwave, kettle & a washing machine. Upstairs the master bedroom is en suite with a bath & shower over, basin & toilet. The super king 6' wide bed can be prepared as a twin if preferred. Bedroom two has a 4' 6'' wide double with bathroom two alongside. There are several EV charging points on the village car park 400m away.
A delightful Lakeland cottage ideally situated in a tranquil position near the popular village of Bowness-on-Windermere within the Lake District National Park. Ferry View Cottage provides a cosy base from which to explore all this stunning area has to offer with super walking opportunities and an abundance of attractions.
Forest Field is a delightful holiday cottage within the Rusland Valley providing the perfect self-catering base for couples to relax and explore the beautiful Lake District and its many attractions. Set within unspoilt rolling countryside, the views are simply stunning and the walks are equally as lovely. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
A traditional detached holiday cottage in a beautiful peaceful setting with wonderful views up Arten Gill to the viaduct where the Settle to Carlisle railway traverses Dentdale. Close to Dent Village within the Yorkshire Dales in Cumbria and an ideal self-catering base from which to explore both the Dales and the nearby Lakes.
A luxurious holiday lodge ideally positioned in Loughrigg within the Langdale Valley under three miles from Ambleside in the Lake District National Park. With Coniston, Grasmere and Lake Windermere nearby, and the many amenities of Ambleside close to hand, this is a good base for exploring the areas many attractions, walking or simply relaxing in stunning scenery.
Sitting in a peaceful hamlet within easy reach of Windermere and under a mile from an excellent pub, this traditional pet-friendly Lakeland holiday cottage is perfect for walkers and those wanting to relax and explore the Lake District National Park. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Meadow View is positioned in a tranquil setting on the edge of the National Park, between Keswick and Penrith, within a small group of similar lodges. It is four miles from the village of Greystoke, with a traditional country pub and shop. This very comfortable Scandinavian style lodge, with a wood burning stove, has floor-to-ceiling windows providing extensive open views over the countryside with Blencathra in the distance. It is a haven for wildlife, including red squirrels, rabbits and many species of birds.
Located within an acre of land with a stream running through it, 1 Swinside Cottages is a comfortable Cumbrian holiday cottage with beautiful scenery all around and wonderful forest and fell walks from the front door. Whinlatter Forest Centre is nearby and there are lovely bike rides and plenty of attractions throughout the Lake District for days out.
Centrally located in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, this well presented farm cottage offers peace, tranquility and superb walks (plus a pub!) on the doorstep and all the amenities of Ambleside just two and a half miles away. Situated at Skelwith Bridge, the area is a walker's paradise and a great base for exploring the many attractions of this beautiful part of Cumbria. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Quarry House is a stylish self-catering holiday home in the Lake District town of Bowness-on-Windermere. It sleeps six people in three bedrooms. Accommodation is over three levels with a layout that suits families, extended families, and friends. You're a stone's throw from shops, cafes, bars and restaurants and a short stroll from ferries, boat hire, and the beautiful water of Windermere. Beauty spots like Orrest Head are walkable from the cottage, and with popular attractions no more than a few miles away, it's straightforward to plan a fun-filled Lake District holiday in any season.
When it comes to a self-catering holiday in the Lake District, it's hard to beat Bowness-on-Windermere as a place to stay. The pretty lakeside town has an array of terrific amenities and gorgeous walks to places like Orrest Head and Brant Fell. It is close to Scafell Pike, High Top, Grizedale Forest and other favourite Lakes attractions. Bank Chambers is a beautifully furnished holiday home with a private roof terrace and space to sleep six people in three bedrooms with three bathrooms. Its layout and location are ideal for families or friends. Holiday bookings are available all year round.
Waterside Retreat is a welcoming holiday home with views over Morecambe Bay to the mountains of the Lake District. It is in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and within easy reach of the southern shore of Windermere, the Forest of Bowland and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The property sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is ideal for couples or families, being just across the road from the water and enjoying spectacular views. The owners have recently refurbished the house, decorating it with a subtle nautical theme to suit the environment.
Why limit yourself to the Lake District when you can also explore the Forest of Bowland and Yorkshire Dales? Milo's Retreat is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty between Arnside and Milnthorpe. It's perfect for a romantic retreat or a solo escape, sleeping two people in one sublimely comfortable superking bed. Your day can include scaling mountains, hiking through fells, sailing over lakes or cycling around the coast. Throw in a region renowned for its fantastic food and all the comfort and charm of this wonderful self-catering holiday cottage, and you have a holiday you won't forget.
Oakland West is a luxury holiday home sleeping 14 in a quiet and exclusive area of Windermere. This former grand hall and has been painstakingly restored and provides the perfect space for large groups and family gatherings.
1 Brathay Fell is an opulent, ground floor apartment that offers magnificent accommodation and bids the perfect abode for your time in The Lake District. Nestled at the foot of Loughrigg Fell and with views from the apartment towards the northern end of our best-known lake, Windermere, 1 Brathay Fell is ideal.
Rose Barn is an immaculately appointed barn conversion sleeping 6, providing modern day accommodation less than 1 mile from Hawkshead village, and even closer to the quaint hamlet of Outgate.
With private lake access and an abundance of character, this charming Lakeland cottage is the perfect base to explore some of The Lake District hidden gems. Ideal for those who love an adventure!
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AlstonAmblesideApplebyArnsideBaggrowBarrow in FurnessBootleBowness on WindermereBowness-on-WindermereBramptonBurton-in-KendalCaldbeckCarlisleCarnforthCartmelCleatorCockermouthConistonConiston WaterDeepdaleDentEskdale GreenEskdale ValleyGosforthGrasmereGrizebeckHawksheadIrebyKendalKeswickKirkby LonsdaleKirkby StephenKirksantonLoweswaterMilnthorpeNewby BridgePenrithRavenglassSedberghUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWhittingtonWigtonWindermereSearch within North West England
The Lake District and the Lake District National Park are undoubtedly the highlights of Cumbria. They have served as an inspiration to numerous writers, painters and artists and have been featured heavily in television and film.
With an area of 885 square miles, the Lake District has a diverse range of natural sights including narrow valleys, oak woodlands which are filled with wildlife native to the area and, of course, tranquil waterways and lakes. There are various trails and walks around the county too.
The Pennine Way comes through Cumbria and is a 267-mile walk that starts from Kirk Yetholm in Scotland and finishes up in Derbyshire with a significant portion running through Cumbria itself. The Cumbria Way is another well-known scenic walk and goes through rolling farmlands, mountain views, old market towns as well as enchanting valleys to provide an all-around experience of the county.
The main historical attraction in Cumbria is Hadrian's Wall, which was built by the Romans. The longest visible stretch of the wall that is still intact is found at the edge of the county. Cumbria is a Roman historian's paradise, as it hosts the tallest Roman structure in England – Ravenglass Bath House – and various museums offer a captivating glimpse into Roman Britain and how the local area changed over this period.
Before booking one of our holiday cottages in Cumbria, you can find all the information you need for your trip here. For more tips, check out our complete North West England Guide.
Every season delivers its own charm in Cumbria. The sparkle of winter frosts is accompanied by the smell of log fires providing a warm welcome in cottages and pubs. A visit in spring or summer allows for a myriad of footpaths like the Pennine Way. Autumn is also pretty special, with places like The Lake District National Park displaying stunning colours of browns and golden hues.
Summers in Cumbria typically range from mild to warm, with the occasional hotter day. The days are at their longest, making for plenty of light to explore the stunning countryside. Temperatures average around 19-20°C making for a comfortable summer climate.
Cumbria in spring provides visitors with a mix of pleasant sunny days and some cooler, wetter weather. For those aiming to get outdoors whilst staying here, spring is a great time to visit as the cooler temperatures of around 9°C to 15°C make for the perfect weather to get active. The scenery is also stunning in spring, as the flowers start to blossom and cover the countryside in colour.
Winter holidays in Cumbria can get pretty chilly. There is a high chance of snow during this time and a drop in temperature to highs of around 6°C. It’s a beautiful time to visit for those who want to see lakes frosted over and snow-capped peaks in the background. You can choose to get wrapped up and wander through the towns and villages or stay in and get cosy by the fire.
Adventure lovers can take part in a multitude of outdoor pursuits that are on offer. The Lake District National Park is home to sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking as well as rock climbing, and the makeup of the environment makes Cumbria the perfect place for outdoor activities.
Alongside the rural and dramatic landscapes is the urban sprawl of Carlisle with its modern shopping facilities and lively nightlife. There’s also the West Cumbrian coastline with its golden sands and rich industrial history.
Cumbria is also home to some unique culinary delights such as sticky toffee pudding, Grasmere Gingerbread, the Cumberland sausage and, of course, Kendal Mint Cake - it’s a county that truly caters for all tastes.
If you are travelling from one of the major cities in the UK, below shows an average distance to Cumbria, so you know what to expect when choosing to visit by car.
London: 299 miles
Birmingham: 177 miles
Glasgow: 123 miles
Liverpool: 106 miles
Bristol: 258 miles
Manchester: 102 miles
Leeds: 114 miles
Edinburgh: 127 miles
There are multiple ways to travel to Cumbria. Its excellent public transport links mean you can journey by train or bus from many major UK cities, although stations around the area are pretty scarce. If you travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip and alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on.
Scafell Pike in the Lake District is the highest mountain in England at 978 metres and falls within the county limits. It forms a part of what is known as the Southern Fells, a dramatic range of mountains and hills, and on top of Scafell Pike, you can see as far away as the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and Snowdonia in Wales. The habitat of the area is characterised by heather, bogs, bracken and moorland, which gives it an altogether raw appearance.
Cumbria holidays offer a vast range of things to do and incredible places to visit, so it is hard to narrow it down to one. Choosing the best area ultimately depends on what you are looking to get out of your stay here.
Those seeking the great outdoors and adventure tend to head to the stunning Lake District, for quaint towns to stroll around, Keswick, Ambleside and Kendal are popular options.
There are several other excellent places to see around Cumbria, with Lake Windermere being a popular spot for those seeking a pretty town and bustling lakeside atmosphere. For adventure seekers, Mount Helvellyn is a great place to hike, with an ascent of 950 metres and an iconic sharp edge that runs along the mountain.
If you prefer to pursue history and heritage, a trip to Hadrian’s Wall is a great option, you can walk along the ancient wall that provides stunning countryside vistas.
A place full of history, gorgeous scenery and breathtaking countryside, Cumbria really does have it all.
Cumbria is best known for being home to the Lake District National Park. Here you will find beautiful lakes, some of the country’s tallest peaks and multiple idyllic towns and villages.
When considering how expensive it is to visit Cumbria, you need to consider multiple factors. If you choose to visit the numerous towns and villages in the Lake District, expect to pay a little more as this is a tourist hot spot. For those seeking to spend their time in the countryside in more rural locations, you will find that your trip is less expensive.
