12 Last Minute Lake District Holidays This 2023

The Lake District National Park – home to the UK’s most jaw-dropping views? We think it might be…

With bustling lakeside towns like Bowness-on-Windermere, amazing walking trails through green peaks, and (of course) beautiful lakes, it’s no wonder this is one of the most popular holiday regions in the country.

That means holiday cottages in the Lake District do get booked up fairly quickly – luckily we’ve put our expert knowledge to good use and brought together a list of the best holiday homes and parks with late availability. Check them out pronto!

Parkdean Resorts Fallbarrow

Location: Windermere, Cumbria

Best for: A relaxing holiday park stay on the banks of Lake Windermere

Looking for a break in the Lake District where you don’t have to worry about a thing? This fab family-friendly holiday park is the perfect place to stay for a relaxing last minute getaway.

The private woodland site slopes gently down to the shores of Lake Windermere and is the perfect spot to sit and enjoy the romantic evening view. While there are self-catering facilities in the caravans and lodges, there’s also a great Boathouse Bar & Restaurant and a Deli too – why not skip the washing up and treat yourself to a delicious dinner onsite?

You’ll be in a top location from which to explore the Lake District, and we’d definitely recommend hopping on a Windermere cruise from one of the jetties within walking distance of the park.

Facilities: Little kids will love the outdoor playground and spotting the ducks on the lake, and though this park doesn’t have some of the usual entertainment venues you might normally expect, you’ll have a super calm and relaxing stay because of it. If you want to indulge yourself, why not book one of the luxury lodges with a hot tub? Pets are allowed at this dog-friendly site, making this the perfect base for a last minute holiday with your pooch.

Sykes Cottages Bank Chambers

Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

Best for: A stylish stay in Bowness-on-Windermere

The charming town of Bowness-on-Windermere is a lively hub of holiday fun in the Lake District National Park. Nestled in the bustling town, this stylishly decorated duplex apartment is perfect for a comfortable family getaway or a retreat with friends.

There’s plenty to explore locally, including the World of Beatrix Potter and The Old Laundry Theatre, guests also have free access to the owner’s boathouse in Wray and can charter their 40ft Yacht for an agreed price.

With lovely original features and an awesome roof terrace with a BBQ and hot tub, we were surprised to see this gorgeous holiday home still had late availability.

Facilities: The duplex apartment has a kitchen/diner, sitting room, and super-king bedroom with en suite on the first floor, while you’ll find two bedrooms on the second floor with shared access to a large bathroom. In total the apartment sleeps six guests and is in the enviable position of being in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere where you’ll find plenty of independent shops & restaurants to visit.

Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park

Location: Windermere, Cumbria

Best for: A base to explore amazing walks through Cumbria

The stunning views at this Lake District park really speak for themselves – we know you’ll be wowed too.

Set in the Troutbeck Valley, a mountain stream passes right through the park and could be lulling you to sleep on your last minute holiday. With views out over lush green hills and beautiful countryside, this is the best holiday park for families looking to get out into the great outdoors.

You can even go horse riding from the park and pets are more than welcome – now those will be some epic walkies! While we’re on the subject, here’s the 6 Best Holiday Parks For Dogs.

Facilities: With views this great, we know you’ll be wanting to get out and explore the Lake District National Park as much as possible. After a long walk, you’ll have the comfort of your cosy cabin to come home to. With fully equipped kitchens in all the accommodation you can rustle up something tasty at home, treat yourself to dinner at the Bar & Restaurant, or sit out with your pets in the dog-friendly beer garden. A cabin with two bedrooms sleeps up to six people, while a three bedrooms sleeps eight.

Sykes Cottages Solport View Cottage

Location: Banks, Cumbria

Best for: A ground floor cottage near Hadrian’s Wall

This charming terrace cottage is set out over one story, so perfect for families who prefer ground floor living (though there are some steps up to the cottage itself)

The hamlet of Banks lies on the trail of Hadrian’s Wall, and is within walking distance of great places to visit such as Birdoswald and Walltown Crags.

This is a fab cottage for both warm and cold weather – snuggle up in the living room in front of the wood burner during winter or relax in the garden on a warm summer night.

Facilities: Set over the ground floor, this cottage by the Lake District sleeps four across two bedrooms. Pets are allowed in the terraced cottage, so this is a great house for dog-owners. With WiFi and a Smart TV, you can have a relaxing break here no matter what the weather. With availability filling up fast, you need to check this ground floor cottage out stat.

Parkdean Resorts White Cross Bay

Location: Windermere, Cumbria

Best for: A kids-friendly park with top activities

Like Fallbarrow, this holiday park is on the shores of Lake Windermere, and has amazing views across the water. The great thing about this site is the range of activities for families and the awesome entertainment venues.

Of course staying by Lake Windermere you’ll want to jump in the water yourself, and with an indoor heated swimming pool onsite you can enjoy a splash around whatever the weather.

If you want to venture out from the park, there are plenty of fab family-friendly attractions within easy reach like Go Ape Grizedale and The Lakeland Climbing Centre.

Though the Lake District is stunning, you might also want to take a look at these 12 Best UK Holiday Parks That Kids Will Love. Which will you visit this 2021?

Facilities: As well as the swimming pool, there’s a multi-use games area, children’s playground, and a schedule of kid’s activities over the school holidays. Adults can unwind in the sauna and jacuzzi, while there’s even a fitness suite for you gym bunnies. For an extra indulgent break, why not book a lodge with a hot tub? A two bedroom lodge sleeps up to six and a three bedroom sleeps eight. There are pet-friendly accommodation options at this Windermere park, so even your faithful doggo can have a great last minute holiday!

Sykes Cottages Walden

Location: Cartmel, The Lake District

Best for: Staying in a charmingly quaint village

This whitewashed, double-fronted house is possibly one of the cutest cottages in the Lake District, and a strong choice when it comes to booking a last minute break in the region.

Inside, the holiday cottage boasts lovely timber beams and a cosy wood burner in the sitting room. The enclosed garden has views out over the 12th Century Priory and you’ll find plenty to do just a short walk away from the village itself.

Why not head to the local Michelin star restaurant on the riverside? You could even stop off for a cheeky pint at one of the village pubs along the way…

Facilities: This delightful cottage sleeps six guests across four bedrooms and allows pets (who’ll love the enclosed garden), or you can check out one of these 7 Dog-Friendly Holiday Cottages for more ideas. One of the single bedrooms is on the ground floor, as is a shower room, living area, and kitchen, with the remainder of the bedrooms on the first floor. Whether you’re visiting the Lake District to go on some epic walks, or have a super chilled out time, you’ll love the WiFi and SmartTV in the cottage – ideal for curling up in front of after a long day.

Haven Lakeland

Location: Flookburgh, Cumbria

Best for: Spectacular views from a jam-packed holiday park

Set on a flat coastal plane, this fun-filled holiday park has great views over the surrounding peaks and Morecambe Bay – heavenly!

The mountains and lakes of the Lake District National Park are only a 20 minute drive away, while there’s a local beach for lounging on and catching some rays.

The parkland itself is luscious and tranquil, and you can even do watersports on the activity lake like canoeing and kayaking. Though if you’d rather stay on dry land, why not relax with a picnic on one of the beach areas?

For more inspiration, take a look at these 8 Family Breaks With Late Availability. You can thank us later…

Facilities: Snap up one of these holiday homes quick, or you might find they’re all gone. With heated indoor and outdoor pools, day & evening entertainment, and golf, you’ll never have a dull moment in the Lake District. There are pet-friendly accommodation options and caravans for access users, so good for families looking for ground floor living.

Sykes Cottages Oakdene Country House

Location: Sedbergh, Yorkshire Dales

Best for: A large group blow-out in the Lake District

Ok so this might not technically be in the region, but as you’ll be staying in the neighbouring Yorkshire Dales, it couldn’t be easier to hop in the car and still explore all the Lake District National Park has to offer.

This is a pretty stunning house, and ideal for a big-group bonanza if you’re looking to splash a little cash on a holiday home this year.

With a whopping 11 bedrooms (including many en suite bedrooms), the house sleeps 23 guests and even has a private hot tub and beautiful views across the surrounding countryside.

If you’re liking the sound of a holiday up North, take a look at these 5 Great Holiday Parks in North Yorkshire.

Facilities: A holiday to remember, this house does get quite pricey over the more popular months, but currently has some pretty big discounts for a last minute break. The house is not pet-friendly, but more than makes up for it with it’s stylish interiors, en suite bathrooms, and large entertaining space. The living room on the ground floor has a lovely wood burner, and there’s even a billiards table in the games room. Though it’s not technically a last minute cottage in the Lake District, more of a mini-mansion in Yorkshire, this amazing house is well worth checking out.

Sykes Cottages The Cottage

Location: Allithwaite, Cumbria

Best for: A cute and stylish barn conversion

If you love the sound of a stay in a Lake District barn conversion, look no further! Don’t be put off by the fact this cute end-of-terrace cottage was once a pig shed – it’s now stylishly decorated and a great base for exploring the region.

You’ll be staying in a charming little village, and close to the lively town of Grange-over-Sands. After a busy day out walking through the Lake District, you can return to the comfort of this historic holiday cottage and put your feet up. Go on, you deserve it.

Facilities: This barn conversion is now a fab cottage set over three floors, with a bedroom and kitchen on the ground floor, while the living room is up a flight of stairs and the property sleeps six in total. This is not a pet-friendly property and due to the age and layout of the property, there are quite a lot of stairs throughout.

Sykes Cottages Rubys Cottage

Location: Sedbergh, Yorkshire Dales

Best for: A romantic retreat

If you’re looking to reconnect with your other half and spend some quality time together in the Lake District, Rubys Cottage could be just the ticket.

With a romantic log burner in the living area and homey but stylish decoration throughout, the cottage is just a short walk away from the shops and pubs of Sedbergh.

Nearby you’ll also find Kendal, full of amazing attractions like Kendal Castle and Abbot Hall Art Gallery, while the Cumbria Wildlife Trust is just a little further on.

Facilities: The pet-friendly cottage could be the perfect place for a lovely getaway with your nearest and dearest. There is a combined living room/dining room and a compact kitchen on the ground floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. With the Lake District National Park just a simple drive away, it’s no wonder that late availability at this romantic cottage is getting snapped up quick.

Sykes Cottages Fell Foot

Location: Santon Bridge, Cumbria

Best for: A gorgeous detached cottage with lovely views

This traditional cottage dates back to 1899 and has breathtaking views over the Wastwater Fells.

It’s not often that a holiday cottage has an open fire, and you’re bound to want to spend your evenings gathered round the hearth with your family. The ground floor living room even has a piano, in case any of you are musically-minded!

If you’re looking for family-friendly activities, you’ll be pleased to hear there’s alpaca trekking within walking distance (in fact it’s literally next door) and a traditional steam railway not too far from the house. This really is one of the best last minute cottages in the Lake District, so please do check it out – or we might just have to book it ourselves!

Facilities: If you’re looking for any more reasons to book this pet-friendly cottage, how does the private hot tub sound? It will give your Lake District holiday the touch of glamour it deserves, and is bound to go down well with all the family – though we might be biased as we love a hot tub holiday. The Lake District cottage sleeps eight guests across four bedrooms (one is an en suite) and has great socialising spaces on the ground floor including the living room with the open fire and an elegant dining room.

Sykes Cottages Boathouse on the Lake

Location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

Best for: An immersive Lake Windermere experience with open plan living space

Looking for an exceptional cottage near Windermere? How about being literally on Lake Windermere itself? Trust us when we say, this will be one unforgettable Lake District experience.

This inside of this boathouse makes it one of the most modern last minute cottages in the region, and is hands down the best choice for a romantic retreat. The open plan living space has a large glass front that looks out over the lake- we’re already imagining enjoying a glass of wine on the balcony (and getting very jealous!)

The town of Bowness-on-Windermere is full of great things to do, and there are plenty of restaurants within walking distance. Though you could easily sit out on your property and simply enjoy the gorgeous views all holiday without needing to leave at all.

Facilities: This luxury boathouse has everything you could possibly want. With a stylishly designed open plan living space, you can top off your evening with a dip in your very own hot tub. Of course if you’re staying in the Lake District you’re bound to be planning on spending time on the water, and you can paddle out from your own mooring on the complimentary canoe. If sitting out on your own private jetty and watching the sun set over the Lake District doesn’t sound like the perfect getaway, we don’t know what will.

Even More Last Minute Breaks To Explore

Haven’t found what you’re looking for with these last minute cottages? Never fear! With plenty more last minute breaks on our website, your next holiday could be only a few clicks away. Whether you want to look for more options in the Lake District National Park, Cumbria, or even further afield, we’ve got unbeatable accommodation in England, Wales, and Scotland.