The Lake District is one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations and is famed for being the largest national park in England, along with having the country’s highest mountain (Scafell Pike), its largest natural lake (Windermere) and its deepest lake (Wastwater).
Located in the North West of England in Cumbria, the Lake District boasts a simply stunning landscape that attracts visitors from all over the world. It is a place that has inspired writers, artists and poets alike including Wordsworth, Coleridge, Southey and Beatrix Potter, and a holiday destination you will want to return to time and time again. Read more
This charming cottage sits in an enviable location in the Troutbeck Valley located in between the popular towns of Ambleside and Windermere in the Lake District National Park. Dating back to the 1800s, Beck Cottage has been recently renovated to provide modern and comfortable accommodation for up to four guests in two bedrooms. Spend your days exploring the footpaths from the doorstep or try your hand at mountain biking, sailing, paddleboarding and canoeing. Other nearby attractions include The World of Beatrix Potter, The Lakes Aquarium and Go Ape in Grizedale Forest. Holiday bookings are available all year round. There is no EV charging point at the cottage and EV charging via the domestic supply constitutes a fire hazard and therefore is not allowed. There are charging points in the locality - please message the host if you require details. Storage of e-bikes and e-scooters is not allowed in the property as this constitutes a fire hazard. A shed in our garden area can be made available for this purpose on request and at no extra charge.
Enjoy the wonderful year-round hospitality of this refurbished self-catering apartment in Selside, close to both the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It's dog-friendly, with a spacious bedroom that accommodates couples or individuals. Walking, mountain biking and potholing are just three of the many ways to explore the incredible landscape, with local attractions including Sizergh Castle, Lowther Castle, Ullswater and the Ullswater Steamers, while Bowness on Windermere is only 25-minutes away. Kendal is a short drive from the apartment, with an excellent variety of places to eat, drink and shop.
Greenbank House is a spacious 5 bedroom house set in its own garden. It has three double bedrooms (one en-suite) and two twin bedrooms. It is located in the heart of the lake district between Ambleside, Grasmere and Coniston. Some of the best walking in the lake district starts from its front doorstep. It has exceptional facilities by way of 3 kitchens, 4 bathrooms and plenty of living space and a games room. It has pubs and cafes within walking distance and a short drive brings you to the hustle and bustle of Ambleside and lake Windermere.
A delightful stone holiday cottage that offers the best of both worlds - a stunning peaceful corner of the Lake District, yet within easy reach of the more popular tourist traps and attractions. A wonderful location in the Cumbrian village of Bowland Bridge within the Lake District - perfect for relaxing in the Lakes or walking!
Perfectly placed in Grasmere and just a ten minute stroll to a great choice of pubs, restaurants and shops, this welcoming self-catering cottage sits right in the heart of the Lake District in one of the most popular villages which was once the home of William Wordsworth. Superb walks and an abundance of attractions within easy reach make this the perfect choice for doing as much or as little as you want amongst the beauty of the Lake District National Park.
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.
White Moss is part of The Terrace Windermere a private row of houses all to rent in at the heart of The Lake District. The property sleeps 12 and features a 7 seat hot tub in the rear courtyard and a private 12 seat cinema with 75inch Smart TV. The lounge and dining room both have woodburning stoves to keep you warm and cosy in the winter. We welcome milestone birthdays, family gatherings and girls’ weekends.
Orrest Head House sleeps 14 in 5-star luxury. This majestic house is located a couple of minutes’ walk from Windermere village. The property can be hired with Orrest Head Cottage to increase your party numbers to 20. The House has many stand-out features including its very own bar. All of the 6 bedrooms are ensuite, 2 have in bedroom baths which overlook the extensive garden. We welcome all kinds of parties including, milestone birthdays, family gatherings and girls getaways.
Number One sleeps 14 in 6 bedrooms. Located in Windermere village at the centre of The Lake District National Park, this luxury house is the perfect venue for milestone birthdays,3 generation family gatherings and girls' weekends. The property features a large lounge and dining room, hand-built kitchen with AGA and second range cooker, 6 lovely bedrooms and 4 bath/shower rooms. Number One's stand out features are its 7 seat hot tub and 15 seat cinema in the cellar.
Boston House is one of 5 houses to rent on the Terrace Windermere, a private row of holiday homes in the heart of The Lake district. The property’s stand-out features are its 7-seat hot tub in the rear garden and a secret 15-seat cinema with Smart TV in the cellar. Boston house has 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms, a comfortable lounge, elegant dining room and large sociable kitchen. Whatever you reason to visit be it a Milestone birthday, 3 generation family gathering or girls’ getaway Boston House is the perfect choice.
Bannerrigg is located at the heart of in Windermere Village. This 4 star property sleeps 16 all in single beds. Bannerriggs stand out features are its hot tub in its own building in the garden and an 18 seat cinema in the cellar. Whether you're looking to book a family break, a milestone birthday party or a girls getaway Bannerrigg is a fabulous choice.
Alice Howe, part of the Terrace Windermere a private row of 5 holiday houses in the heart of The Lake District National Park. The property benefits from a 7-seat covered hot tub in the garden and a 15-seat cinema complete with Smart TV in the cellar. There are 7 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms and a beautifully appointed lounge and dining room. We welcome all kinds of gatherings from Milestone birthdays to girls’ getaways.
Orrest Head Cottage's superpower is its location. The property is situated on the famous Orrest Head Walk. It features a very contemporary lounge, some amazing views, 3 bedrooms and 2 bath/shower rooms. Within a couple of minutes walk you can be in Windermere village with all of its pubs, restaurants and independent shops - what's not to like!
Whitrow Farm Cottage is the perfect base to explore the Western Lake District. A converted barn with original features, that includes open plan living on the ground floor and 2 good sized bedrooms, one double and one twin, and a bathroom on the first floor. The cottage garden wraps around 2 sides of the property, and is fully enclosed and secure. There is a large lawn, a gravel area suitable for additional parking and a picnic bench. Exiting through the top garden gate will lead you into the 3 acre compound that is solely for your own use during your stay making it a really special and secluded place for your holiday.
Run away to the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and this lovely stone holiday cottage. The Fold offers welcoming accommodation for couples and solo travellers with stunning views of The Pennines. The cottage is in a quiet spot on the edge of the pretty village of Crosby Garrett and just a few miles from Kirkby Stephen. Gorgeous footpaths and cycling routes lead from the village and with the Lake District National Park less than half an hour's drive away, visitors have their choice of natural playgrounds to enjoy.
Yan Yak is a Grade II listed character holiday cottage in High Lorton sleeping two, which was once part of the original 1828 Jennings Brewery. This romantic Lake District retreat features original sandstone floors, a wood burner, super-king bed, bike storage with power and lighting, and a private courtyard garden. The cottage’s name comes from the Cumbrian dialect meaning "One Oak", likely from nearby oak trees. You're in a peaceful village with the Whitbeck stream flowing past, the village shop sell groceries and serving coffee a few minutes walk away, and a local pub within a short stroll. This self-catering holiday cottage is in a superb location for walking and cycling as it puts Buttermere, Crummock Water, and the Whinlatter Pass right on your doorstep.
If you’re looking for a romantic holiday retreat for two people, then head down the little lane to Howe Foot and step into the beautifully crafted cottage of Otley Beck. Set over two floors, with an AGA cooker in the kitchen and a log burner in the snug, the cottage stands in an acre of grounds beside a beck. With Coniston Water a few miles to the north, the festival town of Ulverston close by and the southern tip of Windermere only a few miles away, this is a delightful base from which to explore unforgettable countryside.
Exceptional both inside and out, this stylish well presented lodge sits in one of the most enviable positions in the Lake District, with a rural location close to Lake Windermere. Enjoy an alfresco meal on the terrace watching the sun set in the evening, and by day discover the many attractions of nearby Bowness and Windermere.
Welcome the Lakeland summer by staying in this magical retreat for two people, a few miles from both Coniston Water and the southern end of Windermere. What makes Garden Cottage special is the love and care that’s devoted to it by the owners, and the striking craftsmanship that’s gone into its creation. The cottage is also close to the festival town of Ulverston, the log burner and Rayburn cooker warm and welcoming sights after a day exploring the beautiful countryside which lies all around.
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AmblesideBowness-on-WindermereCartmelCockermouthConistonGrasmereGrizebeckHawksheadKendalKeswickKirkby StephenPenrithRavenglassSilverdaleUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWindermereSome local suggestions:
Dog friendly Lake District cottagesLuxury Lake District holiday cottagesLake District cottages with a hot tubRomantic Lake District cottagesOr search further afield:
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The most popular tourist spot is Bowness-on-Windermere, where many head for boat trips, cobbled streets and great restaurants. This beautiful town never gets old, no matter how many times you visit.
If you seek less hustle and bustle and more of the great outdoors, then perhaps Ambleside is the one for you? With cottage-style shops and a town encompassed beautifully by mountains, there is plenty of exploring to do here.
For thrill-seekers aiming to tackle Scafell Pike, Keswick is where you want to go. Twinkling waters paired with mighty mountains make this a very popular destination in the Lakes.
The Lake District is home to many impressive lakes, the second largest being in Ullswater. If you seek rolling hills, a magnificent National Park and plenty of water to explore then Ullswater is the perfect place.
Before booking your holiday cottage in the Lake District, you can find here all the information you need for your trip.
For more tips, be sure to check out our complete guide to the Lake District.
The Lake Districts’ dramatic and rugged landscape is its main attraction, with noble peaks, heather-clad moors, tumbling waterfalls, sparkling lakes and dense forests. Ever-changing, each season has something incredibly special to offer.
In the spring the landscape bursts into life with lush green pastures alive with playful Herdwick lambs. In the autumn, the trees are ablaze with colour making it incredibly photogenic.
The summer months attract plenty of visitors to the hills, villages and lakes, but the warm weather provides the ideal climate for wild swimming and long days of walking.
The winter months are breathtaking, with snow-capped mountains and friendly Lakeland pubs serving hearty traditional food with a roaring fire crackling in the background.
Being one of the country's largest outdoor playgrounds, the Lake District attracts outdoor enthusiasts of all types who visit to enjoy incredible walking opportunities, climbing, sailing, mountain biking, kayaking and winter mountaineering.
It also has plenty of options for family days out (including lots of things to do on a rainy day) and is great for those seeking relaxation and a quieter time with its beautiful tranquil landscape providing the perfect setting for bird watching, painting, photography and lazy lake cruises.
If you happen to be visiting the Lake District for the weekend, there is still plenty to do! Whether you choose to have a night with the stars or take a cruise atop one of the many lakes, check out our essential weekend guide to visiting the Lake District.
If you are travelling from one of the major cities situated in the UK, below shows an average distance from the town of Bowness-on-Windermere, so you know what to expect when choosing to visit by car.
London: 275 miles
Birmingham: 159 miles
Glasgow: 150 miles
Liverpool: 88 miles
Bristol: 240 miles
Manchester: 86 miles
Leeds: 81 miles
Edinburgh: 155 miles
Newcastle: 110 miles
There are many ways in which you can travel to the Lake District. With its great public transport, you can journey from many of the major UK cities by train. If you choose to travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip, as well as alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on.
Cumbria is a part of the Lake District and is a county with a unique and diverse character. It has miles of wonderful scenic coastline, pretty villages and historic towns and is steeped in history with ancient forts, disused mines, historic homes, castles and literary attractions. This is an area that is also exceptionally pet-friendly with many Lakeland cottages and attractions welcoming dogs.
It is also famed for its culinary specialities, including the sticky toffee pudding, Grasmere Gingerbread, the Cumberland sausage and Kendal Mint Cake – the perfect energy boost for hillwalkers!A popular destination for both short breaks and longer holidays, we offer a huge selection of self catering Cumbrian cottages.
Finding the best part of the Lake District to visit will all depend on what you are looking for. Bowness-on-Windermere is definitely the most popular for tourists and day-trippers, however, there are many other great towns to visit such as Keswick, Ambleside, Grasmere and Coniston.If you are looking to spend more of your trip to the Lake District adventuring then places like Ullswater, Wasdale and Great Langdale are perfect for their impressive mountains and scenery.
The Lake District is famous for its huge lake offering, rugged landscape and dense forests. Many famous artists have come from the Lake District, names such as Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth and John Ruskin all created some of their best works here.
Being a unique and beautiful spot is what makes the Lake District more expensive than other UK holiday locations. With some of the highest peaks and best hiking trails here, it is a very popular destination for people all over the UK. The prices are higher than some other holiday locations in the UK, but you get to explore a diverse range of terrains and activities in a unique part of the country, which is well worth the price.
Derwentwater has been labelled as the most charming lake in the Lake District as it offers impressive fells and is surrounded by outstanding peaks. However, there are many other lakes and hidden waterfalls that are all situated around the Lake District, all of which will take your breath away with their beauty.
