A delightful 5 Star Gold holiday home in a beautiful tranquil setting close to Derwent Water and just four miles from Keswick in the Lake District National park. Sleeping eight guests this is an ideal place for friends or family who want to explore the many attractions of the Lakes, have a walking holiday or simply relax in a stunning setting. Tourist board rating: 5 Star Gold
Catbells Cottage is an idyllic retreat with incredible views of Catbells, the Borrowdale Fells and Derwentwater. A path leading from the garden to beautiful walks, and with Grange-in-Borrowdale a mile to the south and Keswick four miles to the north, guests have easy access to a wide choice of amenities and attractions. The self-catering cottage is dog-friendly and perfect for couples or solo travellers searching for a tranquil spot where they can unwind and remove themselves from their daily lives, even if only for a short time.
This contemporary lodge gives you the space and privacy of a cottage with the convenience of a holiday park. The two-bedroom lodge is in a quiet cul-de-sac in the award-winning Wild Rose development, close to Ormside and only three miles from Appleby-in-Westmoreland. It can sleep up to four people in two bedrooms - one of which is ensuite - with fantastic views from the huge wrap-around deck and garden. Guests have use of the park's facilities which include a swimming pool, adventure playground, pub, cafe and restaurant. With short breaks available all year round, 8, Curlew Corner is perfect for a fun holiday for couples or families.
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.
Bramble Cottage is in a quiet, rural location with stunning views, sleeping four guests in two ensuite bedrooms. It's in Whicham Valley, five miles from the coast. It offers bike storage and a field for horses, giving couples, families and friends every opportunity to explore the beautiful footpaths, cycling routes and bridleways you can access from the holiday property. Being tucked away in the southwest part of the Lake District National Park lets you have all the views without the crowds while being just a few minutes from the A595 means it's easy to reach Coniston Water, Windermere, and Scafell Pike.
Sit back and enjoy the stunning scenery in this peaceful spot in the Lake District National Park. The Old Bank is located in the quiet village of Bootle and sleeps up to six guests in three bedrooms making it perfect for families and friends. Blow the cobwebs away with a walk along the coastal path, scale England's highest peak, or enjoy gentle lakeside strolls and leisurely pub lunches. Other local attractions include Munster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway and days on the beach. The Old Bank can be booked together with the Old House next door to accommodate groups of up to 15 people.
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 at the edge of the tiny peaceful Cumbrian hamlet of Nibthwaite Grange close to Coniston Water, this delightful 17th Century holiday cottage with pretty garden not only provides the ideal place to relax and unwind but is also close to all the popular attractions of the Lake District.
A cosy welcoming self-catering log cabin ideally positioned within an eighteen acre private secluded woodland estate in the Langdale Valley near to Ambleside in central Lake District. A perfect base for exploring the areas many attractions and an ideal base for walkers, cyclists, or those who want to simply relax.
Combine the comforts of a hotel with the space and privacy of a self-catering cottage in this charming ground floor apartment. As part of the Embleton Spa Hotel, guests receive a tasty Cumbrian breakfast every day and have access to the hotel's leisure facilities that include a pool, gym and steam room, as well as a bar and restaurant. The apartment is also ideal for self-catering with a full-sized, fully equipped kitchen and two bedrooms with space for up to five people. Skiddaw, Cockermouth, Keswick, Bassenthwaite Lake and the Cumbrian Coast are all within easy reach, as are a host of favourite all-weather attractions.
A comfortable cosy holiday cottage in a lovely rural location within Cumbria near the unspoilt village of Ravenstonedale. Conveniently located for exploring the many attractions of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District and ideal for walkers. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
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
Located in an exceptional position in Eskdale within the Lake District National Park with stunning scenery all around, this dog-friendly holiday cottage not only provides a tranquil haven to 'get away from it' but is also within easy reach of the many Lakeland attractions. Spectacular walks from the front door, stunning views from every window and a log burner in the farmhouse kitchen plus open fire in the sitting room for cosy nights.
An early-Victorian stone holiday cottage with gorgeous views of the Fells and Smardale Viaduct. 1 Smardale Cottages has recently been renovated to a high standard and sleeps up to four people in two bedrooms. It is ideal for couples or families who want a self-catering holiday in the Yorkshire Dales National Park with easy access to beautiful walks and cycling routes. A gate at the bottom of the garden opens into a nature reserve, and red squirrels are regular visitors. Scandal Beck, Pendragon Castle, Kirkby Stephen and Wild Boar Fell are all nearby, while Ullswater, Kendal and Penrith are about 45 minutes away.
The Loft is a top floor self-catering holiday apartment that sleeps up to four people in two bedrooms. It puts guests in the centre of one of the prettiest villages in Cumbria, Cartmel, and within walking distance of excellent pubs and restaurants like L'Enclume and Rogans Bistro (both with Michelin stars!). Only three miles from the coast and a 15-minute drive from Lake Windermere and the Lake District National Park, The Loft provides plenty of opportunities for fell walking, sailing, cycling and enjoying stunning views.
The waterfront location of this luxurious boathouse gives couples the ultimate Lake District experience. There aren't many holiday homes where you can stay in such a high standard of comfort with unobstructed views over Windermere and the fells, a private jetty, and a quiet location a few miles from Bowness. The boathouse is finished and furnished to an exceptionally high standard and is within easy reach of fantastic footpaths and cycling trails. Grasmere, Ambleside and Grange-over-Sands are all within easy reach, as are many of the Lake District's most beautiful sights and popular attractions.
Exceptional both inside and out, this stylish well presented lodge sits in one of the most enviable positions in the Lake District with lovely views over Lake Windermere. Enjoy an alfresco meal on the terrace watching the sun set over the lake by night, and by day discover the many attractions of nearby Bowness and Windermere.
This fabulous holiday home, with its own private jetty, affords an exceptional position overlooking Lake Windermere in the very heart of the Lake District National Park. Enjoying a truly magical setting overlooking Lake Windermere, this exceptional holiday home offers guests the chance to enjoy an abundance of attractions, superb lakeland walks and plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind. Just a short drive from Bowness with excellent amenities close to hand and perfect for boaters with its own private jetty for mooring (you can launch just half a mile away).
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.
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AmblesideApplebyBowness-on-WindermereCartmelCockermouthConistonGrasmereGrizebeckHawksheadKeswickKirkby StephenPenrithUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWindermereSome local suggestions:
Dog friendly Lake District 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.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out all the other popular towns in and around the Lake District below:
Appleby
Cartmel
Cockermouth
Coniston
Grange-over-Sands
Grasmere
Grizebeck
Hawkshead
Kirkby Stephen
Penrith
Ulverston
Wasdale
Windermere
Dog-friendly Lake District Cottages
Lake District Cottages with a hot tub
Romantic Lake District cottages
Search within North West England
Cheshire
Cumbria
Lancashire
Merseyside
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 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.