Holidays in the lake district?

[nicholab]

Can any one suggest some where nice to go in the lake district for me and the wife? I kind of what some where there is stuff to do with in walking distance and a good location to drive out from. Any accommodation any one has stayed in? Looking for the week after the may half term.

[neilmc]

I go to Keswick every year for a week, and stay on this site Castlerigg Farm Campsite - Keswick, The Lake District Camping and Caravans and also has a B and B next door. its a lovely view over Derwent Water up abit of a hill but its a nice walk through the woods down to town can take about 15-20 mins and about 30 mins to walk back up due to the hill. Plenty to do in the area and not a bad drive out to different places, nice rides out on the boat over derwent water to see the sights on the other side. If you prefer a house to stay in closer to town then there are loads around the area, Keswick is a place you can't really go wrong its lovely and always a nice and relaxing place.

[Dos_Box]

I'm lucky, we live just 40 mins away and often stay in some rather nice palces away from teh tourist traps (Windermere, Ambleside etc). I can recommend these places though:

 

The Pooley Bridge Inn (have your meals on your balcony ) - The Pooley Bridge Inn, English Lake District accommodation situated beside Lake Ullswater

The Bridge Inn at Santon near Wasdale (where they hold teh worlds biggest liar competiton) - Bridge Inn - Lake District Food and Accommodation

 

These are two of may faves, and not to expensive. Make sure if you stay at Keswick you try to visit Castlerigg stone circle and if you can also visit Long Meg and her daughters:

 

http://www.visitcumbria.com/simon/longmeg-8112b.jpg Long Meg.

 

http://www.luminare.co.uk/images/1/15/Castlerigg+Stone+Circle.jpg Castlerigg.

Edited April 12, 2010 by Dos_Box

[karldenton]

Stayed here for Valentines weekend

Lingwood Lodge, Bowness, Cumbria - Lake District Accommodation

 

Top Rated B&B in Bowness. Great breakfast. Lots to do in area. Modern and spacious bedrooms. Prices reasonable too.

[neilmc]

Also theres the fantastic Pencil Museum in Keswick. WOW all those Pencils

[alan-d]

Keswick is a good base to be. The town is fairly decent, it sits on the shore of Derwent Water and you have some decent walks available such as Cats-Bells etc. If you want to be further away from the busy town then try Troutbeck, not too far from Keswick but very quiet.

[nicholab]

Cheers for the links guys! Will check them out!

[nicholab]

Awesome Pic Dos_box!!! Edited April 12, 2010 by nicholab

[Ric_]

@Dos_Box: That's not the Castlerigg stone circle in your pic!

[Dos_Box]

@Dos_Box: That's not the Castlerigg stone circle in your pic!

 

No, that's Long Meg. Just after the line about.......Long Meg.

[Dos_Box]

Also theres the fantastic Pencil Museum in Keswick. WOW all those Pencils

 

Took the kids there once. It really is quite good. As much colouring in as you could possibly want!

[tom_newton]

Once you have found your base... Farmhouse Holiday | Farm B & B | Farm Stay is a good place to find accommodation. Used it a few times myself, though never ventured as far as the lakes - last few years wife & I have gone away for a few days each new year with another couple, done dark peak,bowes and howden(!)... all from farmstay.

[MYK-IT]

Personally I either wild camp (armed with my Terra-Nova Bivvi or Laser Competition ) or stay in camping barns in the Lake District

 

But if you prefer a B&B and want to stay around Keswick I highly recommend The Coledale Inn, Braithwaite nr Keswick. The food is fantastic, and so is the hospitallity or the Mary Mount Hotel in Borrowdale. Both owned by the same people, ask for Geoff.

[bgarston]

Another vote for Keswick from me, loads to do; we always stay here: The Camping and Caravanning Club - SiteSeeker - Details - Keswick. The campsite is right on the lake side if your in to water sports (I launch my kayak from the site)

 

Ben

[Arcath]

I went camping at a place in buttermere (half hour along rural lanes from keswick) was a very nice place was turn up, pitch up then pay. basically if there is space on the camp site you can camp there. was relatively cheap and had a shower and dry room.

[quiet_andy]

Keswick is always a good base. There are a few good campsites and some brilliant B&Bs, also the Youth Hostels in the area are good, with private room bookings available. If you don't want to camp Lakeland Camping Barns: Budget Youth Hostel Accommodation for Groups in Cumbria, UK | Home provide good accommodation around the area.

 

Is this where I make everyone jealous and point out I live in Cumbria.

[john]

Can I do an embarrassed shameless plug for my mums self catering holiday cottage

 

1 Bed Room Holiday Cottage for rent on the edge of The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the cottage, fine not quite in the lake district but we are about 35 minutes from it so if the lakes are a bit too pricey / busy, its a nice quick drive down the A65 to get to them. We are in the middle of the 3 peaks if your a walking fan, have a nice country pub 1 miles away (easily walkable) and right on a railway line so you can get from the East or West coast line with ease.

 

(apologies for the naff website, like many of us our own stuff seems to get neglected, but a new Joomla site will come along with more details in the near future!)

[GrumbleDook]

I go to Keswick every year for a week, and stay on this site Castlerigg Farm Campsite - Keswick, The Lake District Camping and Caravans and also has a B and B next door. its a lovely view over Derwent Water up abit of a hill but its a nice walk through the woods down to town can take about 15-20 mins and about 30 mins to walk back up due to the hill. Plenty to do in the area and not a bad drive out to different places, nice rides out on the boat over derwent water to see the sights on the other side. If you prefer a house to stay in closer to town then there are loads around the area, Keswick is a place you can't really go wrong its lovely and always a nice and relaxing place.

 

Absolutely love that site. Stayed there in 1996 for 3 weeks on an army exercise and it was fantastic. Been back to visit a few times and if I had a choice about moving anywhere (other than back to Hampshire) then Keswick would be the place for me.

[GangrelChilde]

I would also vote for staying in Keswick.

[GangrelChilde]

Braemar Guesthouse - Friendly accomodation in the heart of Cumbria

[Ketlane]

I would avoid Windermere, Ambleside - very heavily touristed though lots to do, including rainy days. Agree with so many others, Keswick is good. Also consider Penrith area, good access to North Lakes (and via A66 to the NW and the coast). There is stacks to do - plenty of stately homes and things as well as walking - unless you are determined on the big names Helvellyn, Scafell etc go for the outlying areas e.g. NW fells, far eastern area incl High Street, or the area to the N of Skiddaw: I have walked there for a day in high summer and met no-one. In the Eden Valley you can visit ostrich farm, bakery etc etc. Tourist Info Centre in Keswick or Penrith will help with accom. Other highs - slate mine at Honister, iron ore mine at the coast, and even Sellafield visitor centre....