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
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 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.
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.
The Lake District is one of the most popular holiday destinations in England for its incredible landscape which is breathtaking in every season. Tucked quietly away in the pretty hamlet of Lowick and close to Coniston Water and Ulverston, Otley Beck Cottage is a beautifully crafted romantic holiday retreat for couples or solo travellers. It's on the doorstep of fantastic footpaths, and close to Grizedale Forest, Windermere, Cartmel and Grange-over-Sands. With no noise or light pollution, you'll sleep soundly and awake refreshed and full of energy.
Ellen Brow is a spacious, single-storey property on a quiet cut de sac in Bowness-on-Windermere, ideal for families or groups of friends. It accommodates six guests across three bedrooms, with two bathrooms. The property enjoys a large communal garden at the front, a tiered terrace at the rear with garden furniture and private parking for three cars, two on the drive & one in the garage. The convenient village location means you can easily explore without a car. A ten-minute walk takes you to the shores of Lake Windermere and the pier for Windermere Lake Cruises. Nearby, you'll find plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars, including the popular Bodega Tapas and The Angel Inn is a 2 minute walk away, perfect for dining out.
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.
You can't beat the Lake District as a holiday destination. Just ask the 15 million people who flock to the national park every year to escape into the majesty of its mountains and lakes. While some visitors love being remote and removed, others prefer the convenience of being close to its most famous sights. Fairoak is perfect for you if you want to see as much as possible during your stay. The three-bedroom self-catering holiday cottage is on a quiet street about 100 metres from Windermere's shops, cafes and restaurants and within easy reach of the train station and ferry. It sleeps five people and is excellent for families or couples.
Holly Bush Cottage is just perfect for those who enjoy walking. Surrounded by glorious Deepdale scenery (with lovely views from the living and bedrooms), this cosy holiday retreat for two is 1.4 miles from the pretty village of Dent and within easy reach of the areas many attractions including Ingleton and Kendal (the gateway to the Lakes).
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 2.5 miles away. 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
Modern and comfy, Coldgill View is perfectly placed between the Solway Coast and fells of the Lake District National Park, providing an excellent base for those who want to walk, explore or simply relax. Popular with families, friends and dog owners, this well presented holiday home sleeps up to seven guests in four bedrooms and sits in the Cumbrian village of Great Broughton close to Cockermouth (five minutes drive), Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake and the coastal town of Maryport.
A comfortable cosy holiday cottage in a lovely rural location within Cumbria & the Yorkshire Dales National Park near the unspoilt village of Ravenstonedale. Conveniently located for exploring the many attractions of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, ideal for walkers and bird watching. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Ideal for couples, walkers, cyclists and families, the perfect location with Historical Hadrian's Wall, stunningly beautiful Talkin Tarn and Gelt woods nearby. Amazing walks and cycleways on your doorstep. With the Lake District National Park, Dumfries, Galloway Coast and surrounded by 3 areas of Outstanding National Beauty/National Landscapes. At the end of a quiet country lane you will find beautiful, Wall and Lakes cottage with its large garden, parking for two vehicles and open fields behind. All just a short stroll into the friendly market town of Brampton with its pubs, shops and amenities. As you walk up to the bungalow there are steps with study handrails to both the front and side porch doors leading to level access within the bungalow. Comfortable and clean Wall and Lakes Cottage provides quality and value, sleeps 4 in luxury bedding with a cosy stove and beautiful countryside views. Family friendly the front king size bed can also split into 2 singles.
Enjoy the wonderful year-round hospitality of this recently 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.
Garden Cottage is an enchanting holiday retreat for two standing within an acre of grounds in a peaceful countryside setting in the small hamlet of Lowick Green near Coniston Water and Ulverston in the heart of the Lake District National Park. With a Rayburn cooker and log burner for cosy winter nights and a private patio with lovely views over the valley for the warmer months, Garden Cottage has all year round appeal for couples.
A 17th Century holiday cottage located in a peaceful position amongst beautiful countryside just three miles from the Cumbrian cobbled village of Dent in the Yorkshire Dales and within easy reach of the Lake District. Ideal for walking, relaxing or visiting the areas many attractions and with a fire for winter nights and pretty garden with glorious views, it is the perfect place to escape away from it all and relax. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
4 Star Luxury Holiday Cottage, Chapel Stile, Great Langdale, Ambleside. The perfect location in the Lake District where adventures start straight from your front door. Perfect for families or small groups of friends. We also allow one well behaved pet.
A large detached holiday cottage with off road parking, recently extended and refurbished to a high standard. Ideally placed in the Cumbrian village of Dent in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, The Methodist Manse Cottage makes a fantastic self-catering base for exploring the Dales and the Lake District and is perfect for extended families and large groups wanting a walking or cycling holiday.
This charming cottage in the beautiful Eden Valley is waiting for you. The converted 18th Century coach house is in Long Marton, within walking distance of the village pub and only three miles from Appleby-in-Westmorland. It sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is a favourite with couples and families, many of whom return for a holiday every year. The Lake District National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty are all within an easy drive to provide a wide choice of walks, bike rides and sightseeing opportunities.
Located in the peaceful rural hamlet of Baggrow in Cumbria, this lovely holiday cottage provides a perfect base from which to explore the Lake District National Park and the Cumbrian coastline. With lovely views over the Northern Fells and Lakes, Little Byre is a popular choice for those who prefer to tuck themselves away in a tranquil spot, whilst being within easy reach of busier areas such as Keswick, Cockermouth and Whitehaven.
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AlstonAmblesideApplebyArnsideBaggrowBarrow in FurnessBarrow-in-FurnessBassenthwaiteBoltonBootleBordering Yorkshire DalesBowness on WindermereBowness-on-WindermereBraithwaiteBramptonBroughton-in-FurnessBurton-in-KendalCaldbeckCarlisleCarnforthCartmelCleatorCockermouthConistonConiston WaterDeepdaleDentEden ValleyEnnerdaleEsk ValleyEskdaleEskdale GreenEskdale ValleyGlenriddingGosforthGrange Over SandsGrange-over-SandsGrasmereGrassingtonGrizebeckHaverthwaiteHawksheadIrebyKendalKeswickKirkby LonsdaleKirkby StephenKirklintonKirksantonLake DistrictLindaleLoweswaterMillomMilnthorpeNether WasdaleNewby BridgeNewcastletonOrtonPenrithRavenglassSeascaleSedberghStaveleyTroutbeckUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWastwater LakeWhitehavenWhittingtonWigtonWindermereSearch 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.
