The Lake District
England’s largest national park, the Lake District is also the country’s most high-profile outdoors destination, a rugged, alpine-like region of lakes, mountains and valleys interspersed with chocolate-box villages, country hotels, hideaway pubs, whitewashed farms and rustic B&Bs. Millions of visitors come each year to hike and bike the trails or cruise the waters – there’s England’s highest mountain, Scafell Pike, and largest lake, Windermere, to knock off your bucket list – while the lakeland literary trail takes in the celebrated museums, houses and sites associated with William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and others. These days, the region is also branded as an adventure capital by the local tourist authority – fair enough given the world-class hiking and mountaineering, not to mention the forest high-ropes courses, kayaking, river-scrambling and mountain-biking. Above all, the Lakes are great for families and kids, and whether it’s exploring ancient stones, riding vintage railways, cycling forest trails, picnicking among the bluebells or coaxing the children up their first mountain, there’s no better place in the UK to appreciate the great outdoors in all its majesty.
There are some fantastic places to stay in all corners of the Lakes, including some of the UK’s most celebrated boutique hotels and country-house hotels, while many regular B&Bs and hotels have also raised their game – you can expect a little bit of designer style and some great gourmet breakfasts, even in the most out-of-the-way valleys and villages. The main towns of Keswick and Ambleside have the best choice of accommodation, from simple hiker-friendly guest houses to glam 4-star hotels, but the Lakes has always shown off its best side with a sparkling water view. Gorgeously located waterside hotels are found right the way around Windermere in particular, while little inland villages like Grasmere and Hawkshead are becoming known as boutique bolt-holes with accommodation to match. Some excellent and surprisingly stylish country inns – many with renowned dining too – set the standard for the entire country, never mind the Lakes, while anyone on a budget has the UK’s best selection of rural youth hostels, and spectacular campsites and glampsites to try out.
Best Places to Stay in The Lake District Holidays – Accommodation and Places to Stay in The Lake District I Cool Places
Best Places to Stay in The Lake District
The views are to die for at this large luxury holiday home with a hot tub in a spectacular Lake District setting
Lowfield House , Side Gates, Little Langdale, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 9NY
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A romantic lakeside bolthole for two on the shores of Ullswater
The Boathouse at Knotts End, The Boathouse at Knotts End, Lake Ullswater, near Watermillock, Cumbria, CA11 0JJ
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A bijou little Lake District suite for a couple, in an atmospheric 300-year-old farmhouse
Townfoot Byre, Townfoot, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LB
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A secluded Lake District cottage bolthole for two in a luxury, contemporary barn conversion, just a short drive from Ambleside or Windermere
Townfoot Barn, Townfoot, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LB
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Luxury Lake District holiday homes which can also be hired together for larger groups
Cassius Living, Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3AG
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Holidays in Bowness on Windermere
Adults-only self-contained glamping pods in the Lake District's beautiful Lyth Valley, between Kendal and Lake Windermere.
Damson View Glamping, Orchard Barn, Crosthwaite, Cumbria LA8 8HS
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Holidays in Bowness on Windermere
Luxury glamping pods on a peaceful Lake District farm, with stunning views down the Kentmere Valley and the beautiful River Kent a stone’s throw away
Kentmere Farm Pods, Kentmere Farm Pods, Browfoot Farm, Staveley, Near Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9JQ
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An elegant hotel on the banks of Lake Windermere
The Belsfield Hotel, Kendal Rd, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3EL
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Holidays in Bowness on Windermere
A stylish and characterful B&B in gorgeous Grasmere, one of the Lake District's most charming and historic villages
Victorian House, Victorian House, Broadgate, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9TA
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Best budget digs in Keswick at this refurbished riverside hostel
YHA Keswick, Station Road Keswick CA12 5LH
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A one-of-a-kind boutique bolt-hole featuring stunning suites with huge bathrooms.
Randy Pike, Low Wray, Cumbria LA22 0JP
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Boutique luxury combined with sublime landscapes and the best walking the Lake District has to offer.
Brimstone Hotel, Ambleside Cumbria England United Kingdom LA22 9JD
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Eco-responsible glamping away from the crowds, with sweeping views and immediate fell access
Once Upon a Fell, Whin Yeats Farm, Hutton Roof, South Lakes, Cumbria LA6 2PJ
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An elegant Lake District country house B&B which is also available for exclusive hire
Lindeth Fell, Lyth Valley Road, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 3JP
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A beautiful Grade II-listed country house hotel right on the shores of Lake Windermere
Storrs Hall Hotel, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3LG
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Boutique rooms and first-rate food in a gorgeous Lakeland location
The Yan, Broadrayne Farm, Grasmere, The Lake District Cumbria, LA22 9RU
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Luxury lodges with hot tubs in the Eden Valley – as wonderful as it sounds!
The Lodges at Artlegarth, Artlegarth Ravenstonedale Kirkby Stephen Cumbria CA17 4NW
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A five-bedroom Lake District holiday home on the north-eastern shore of Ullswater
Eusemere Lodge, Eusemere Lodge, Pooley Bridge, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2NR
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A characterful waterside hostel in the Lake District National Park surrounded by fabulous scenery
YHA Wasdale Hall, Wasdale Hall, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1ET
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A revamped inn with rooms with oodles of character, overlooking Ullswater
The Brackenrigg Inn, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
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Contemporary comfort at a charming hotel in the Lake District’s Borrowdale Valley
The Royal Oak Borrowdale, The Royal Oak, Stonethwaite, Cumbria CA12 5XB
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This cosy, private and unique roundhouse on a South Lakeland farm boasts a wood-fired hot tub and views to the Lake District fells and Yorkshire Dales
Kelker Well Roundhouse, Kelker Well Barn, Newbiggin, Hutton Roof, Cumbria LA6 2PJ
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A contemporary lakeside hotel on the shores of Ullswater that does everything just right.
Another Place, The Lake, Watermillock, Ullswater, Cumbria CA11 0LP
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A dog-friendly hotel on the Furness Peninsula, just south of the Lake District
The Dunes Hotel, Roanhead Beach, Hawthwaite Lane, Cumbria LA14 4QW
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It's hard to imagine a more ideal setting for a Lake District B&B, with glorious views over the Wasdale Valley
1692 Wasdale, Bolton Head Farm, Gosforth, Cumbria CA20 1EW
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One of the most scenically sited hostels in England, with stunning lake and mountain views.
YHA Windermere, Bridge Lane, Troutbeck, Windermere, Cumbria, LA23 1LA
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A very welcoming, cosy walkers' hostel nestled in the midst of some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery.
YHA Borrowdale, Longthwaite Borrowdale Keswick Cumbria CA12 5XE
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Well kept traditional youth hostel in an enviable position near Coniston Water.
YHA Coniston Holly How, Far End Coniston Cumbria LA21 8DD
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Fantastic YHA hostel perched in a brilliant location on the edge of Windermere.
YHA Ambleside, Waterhead Ambleside LA22 0EU
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A remote backpackers hostel, six miles from the nearest car park, which sits majestically amongst some of the Lake District's highest peaks.
YHA Black Sail, Ennerdale Cumbria CA23 3AY
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England's highest and most remote hostel – more than an hour along a mountain track from the nearest car park
YHA Skiddaw Bunkhouse, Bassenthwaite Cumbria CA12 4QX
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Hostel, camping and glamping accommodation in a beautiful location overlooking Esthwaite Water.
YHA Hawkshead, Ambleside Cumbria LA22 0QD
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A collection of cottages for every occasion across the Cumbrian Lake District.
Lakeland Cottage Company, Woodside, Charney Road, Coniston, Cumbria LA11 6BP
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Historic Cumbrian cottage that’s perfectly positioned for The Dales and The Lakes
Waitby School, Waitby School, School Lane, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria CA17 4HJ
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Charming townhouse hotel in the historic market town of Kirkby Lonsdale
The Royal Hotel, Main Street, Kirby Lonsdale, Cumbria LA6 2AE
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A welcoming hub with stunning views of both the South Tyne River and the fells.
Alston House Hotel, Townfoot, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3RN
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Eco-friendly boutique accomodations don’t come much more glamorous than Moss Grove in Wordsworth's hometown
Moss Grove Organic, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9SW
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Gorgeous, earthy, stylish rooms with beautiful bathrooms.
The Plough, Cow Brow, Lupton, Cumbria LA6 1PJ
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Hot tub delight, plus gorgeously chic rooms and suites in the heart of the Lakes
Applegarth Villa, College Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1BU
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A traditional Lake District luxury hotel with spa and pool in a superb waterside location
Lakeside Hotel, Lakeside, Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA12 8AT
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Not far from Windermere, this luxe-meets-rustic Lake District boutique inn springs a surprise with its own smokehouse and micro-brewery
The Wild Boar, Crook, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 3NF
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A spacious wooden cabin on the shores of Lake Windermere, with great facilities nearby
Footprints Lodge, White Cross Bay, Holiday Park, Ambleside Road, Windermere, Cumbria LA23 1LF
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A great base for touring around Penrith, Ullswater and the Eden Valley
George & Dragon, Clifton, Clifton, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2ER
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Holidays in Penrith
This ancient coaching inn pub in the picture-postcard village of Cartmel is the perfect base for the southern Lakes.
The Cavendish Arms, Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Cumbria LA11 6QA
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The ultimate dog friendly pub with rooms in a beautiful part of the Lake District.
The Watermill Inn & Brewery, Ings, Near Windermere, Kendal, Cumbria LA8 9PY
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The Waterhead pretty much has things sewn up, high spec rooms, activities at the door step and stylish food, what more can you ask for?
Waterhead Hotel, Waterhead, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0ER
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The bustling hub of the Lakes, with lovely updated rooms, a warm welcome and an excellent dog-friendly policy.
The Royal Oak Keswick, Main Street, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5HZ
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Comfortable and clean pub accommodation at the Britannia Inn by Elterwater. Pop in for a beer and stay a few days.
Britannia Inn, Elterwater, Cumbria LA22 9HP
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