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
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
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.
In a truly spectacular position with views over Wast Water, this holiday apartment is ideal for lovers of the 'great outdoors' and provides a comfortable retreat from which to explore the Lake District's many attractions. Superb for walkers and those who want to relax amongst stunning Lakeland scenery.
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.
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
With space for up to eight people to stay in four bedrooms, The Old House is ideal for large families and friends to relax and enjoy the beauty of the western Lake District National Park. The cottage is close to the coast and only a few miles from Ravenglass, within easy reach of Scafell Pike and Munster Castle. There are excellent opportunities for walking, mountain biking and fishing in an area renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. There is the lovely Byre cafe and also a bike rental 200 metres away.
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.
Rydal Cottage is a mid-19th-Century holiday cottage on a no-through road near the centre of Bowness-in-Windermere. The holiday home sleeps four people in two bedrooms and is wonderfully convenient for the eastern shore of Windermere, Catbells, and other famous Lake District sights. It's well-equipped for self-catering yet also close to cafes, restaurants and pubs if you don't want to cook. Guests who have stayed at Rydal Cottage love how tranquil it is, even in summer when the national park is at its busiest. Short breaks and extended stays are welcome all year round.
With stunning views over the fells and surrounding Eskdale Valley, this large airy holiday home sleeps five guests and is an ideal self-catering choice for those who like peace, tranquility and outdoor activities with great walks, cycling, climbing and canoeing amongst the many adventures on offer. Brantrake House is a great base for exploring the Western Lake District and Central Fells. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Your own private chef and included drinks. Let us spoil you, no cooking or bed making...you're on holiday!! Pool, sauna and hot tub, just relax. Set on a hillside above Bowness on Windermere, The Dome House boasts the best views of Lake Windermere. You will enjoy the luxury of being the only guests and every luxury has been curated just for you. The house offers five opulent suites with super king sized bed, luxury bathrooms, smart tv and complimentary mini bar. Tea and coffee making facilities are provided for a morning drink to wake slowly and take in the peace and the views, before heading to the breath-taking Dome Room for breakfast cooked by your personal chef. You won’t want to leave the house when you can enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool, relax with a glass of bubbles in the outdoor hot tub or soothe your body in our barrel sauna. For fun and games, there is a games room filled with traditional board games, bar football and a record player. The evenings are a true dining experience. Your chef will prepare your food, using the highest quality local ingredients and paired with a bespoke drinks list, whilst you s
Eight good-sized, individually decorated bedrooms (2-ensuite). Sleeps 16-20 (sleeps 15 singles in separate beds). Ideal for all ages - especially family holidays and celebrations, short breaks available. Two sitting rooms with real log fires (logs provided in winter). Large garden, games room with pool table. Two well-behaved pets welcome. Large private car park (5/6 cars)
Stay in the heart of Grasmere in this character Lake District holiday cottage. With excellent self-catering amenities, a layout that suits couples and families, and a 4-Star rating from Visit England, it's easy to see why this holiday home is a year-round favourite. April Cottage sleeps four people in three bedrooms and enjoys spectacular views of some of the finest fells in the national park. It is within easy reach of Windermere, Scafell Pike, Keswick, and Aira Force, with walks to Rydal Water, Alcock Tarn, Easdale Tarn, and Loughrigg Fell. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
If you’re looking for a holiday in a romantic 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.
Cosy up this winter in a 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.
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.
A charming holiday cottage in an enviable position in the picturesque lakeside village of Glenridding. Perfect for those who wish to relax in beautiful surroundings or who want to partake in more rigorous and energetic pastimes with easy and challenging fell walks, and the tranquility of Ullswater with lake cruises and boat hire on the doorstep. This popular Lakeland village offers shops and a choice of two pubs and is a good base for exploring the areas many attractions.
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.
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.
This dog-friendly self-catering accommodation features a wood-burner, a farmhouse-style kitchen/diner with a Smart TV, a light-filled lounge, and partially enclosed gardens with far-reaching views. The secluded cottage lies between Lake Windermere and Coniston Water in the quiet Rusland Valley. The Manor House pub sits one mile away and serves delicious home-cooked food if you don’t feel like cooking. This holiday cottage in the southern Lake District suits couples and small families wanting tranquillity, natural beauty, and access to woodland walks through Grizedale Forest.
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.
