Breaks in the Lake District – what could be a more iconic British sojourn?
Whether it’s a soak in the outdoor hot tub, a walk around Windermere or taking in the rural views of Cumbria, the Lake District has something to keep the whole family coming back time and time again.
From Ambleside to Kendal, Bowness to Keswick, all corners of the Lake District are fun, friendly and ready to be explored.
So what are you waiting for? Here are six of our favourite Lake District short breaks for 2021!
- Solport View Cottage (Hadrians Wall)
- Rose House (Windermere)
- Derwent Cottage (Keswick)
- Coach House 1 (Ambleside)
- Eel House Cottage (Hawkshead)
- Tree View Lodge (Troutbeck Bridge)
Solport View Cottage
Cottage location: Hadrians Wall near Brampton, Lake District
Great for: Cumbria romantic weekend break for two
There’s no better way to unwind than getting lost in the great outdoors, and Solport View offers the perfect romantic holiday base for two. A four star rating, the cozy living space feels like a home away from home, while the surrounding views and history offer a great deal to search and explore.
With two bedrooms, this private property sleeps four, with the option to bring one or two friends along for the holiday fun. Start your day with breakfast overlooking the beautiful panoramic views of Banks village, or relax and recharge in one of the homely living rooms. Give the pets the run of the garden while you cook up a hearty meal in the minimally stylish kitchen. Bedrooms have plenty of room for storage, while the relaxing bathroom creates a spa break for one away from the world. Breaks in the Lake District aren’t complete without nights in front of the wood burning open fire – the perfect way to celebrate your short break for two.
Solport View is surrounded by miles of wonderful countryside and things to do, with plenty to keep on saying yes to. A stone’s throw away from Lake Windermere, walk in any direction to see the lakeland beauty. You only need to open the front door to find the road to Hadrian’s Wall, one of the country’s most famous routes. Follow in the footsteps of the Romans in a ‘1 2 3 4’ fashion, or spend time in the miles of country beauty at Talkin Tarn Country Park. With Windermere, Kendal and Ambleside all close by, there’s only a short search for a friendly face or local amenity.
Head back to the property for some romantic quality time and keep your break a local affair. Plan to say yes to booking quickly to get the best deals!
Facilities: This accommodation is great for pets, with amenities such as wifi and fully equipped living rooms all available. Ample off road parking included in your stay, while a private garden and patio area sits at the rear of the cottage. There’s an extra sofa bed if the bedrooms aren’t quite enough for the family, with local shops and pubs within 5 miles.
Rose House
Cottage location: Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
Great for: luxury Lakeland holiday
1 2 3 4, Rose House is where you will adore… bring the feel of luxury to your short breaks with this detached property set within the friendly village of Bowness-on-Windermere. Sat right on the banks of Lake Windermere within the Lake District National Park, short breaks based here are the perfect place to get all the family and pets out for a walk – and perhaps even a spot of fishing.
With a four star rating, this private property has a minimal yet modern feel, with four bedrooms over multiple floors, each feeling like its very own apartment. Stay in the ground-floor open plan living space for some quality family time, or to take in the beautiful lakeland views of Lake Windermere close by. Take your meals into the garden space for some alfresco countryside breakfast dining, or enjoy romantic nights in by the fire, basking in the luxury feel of the lodge. If your perfect Lake District holiday search includes enough bedrooms for all the family, a stay at Rose House comfortably sleeps 8.
Take a trip into the friendly village of Windermere to visit the local shops or restaurants to fuel up for a day of exploring the miles of Lake District countryside. Make time for a visit to Lake Windermere to see the sights that influenced the likes of Beatrix Potter, or search for your own catch of the day. Walk for miles in the beauty of the Lake District National Park itself, taking in the views of rural Cumbria with your own eyes. For more of a cultural feel, head to the village of Kendal for a trip to Kendal Castle or Abbot Hall, or the village of Ambleside for the National Trust Stagshaw Garden.
If all that feels like too much, relax in the cottage for a break away from it all, dancing the nights away with a ‘5 6 7 8’ in some family holiday fun. With lots of open living space, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this Windermere private property.
Facilities: Rose sleeps 8 over 4 bedrooms, with an open fire and enough off road parking for two cars. Accessible ground floor space is available, although the property is not ideal for pets. A private rear garden and patio area looks over village views of Cumbria, while a range of attractions and outdoor activities are within easy reach. Wifi is complementary and additional fire logs can be purchased internally.
Derwent Cottage
Cottage location: Keswick, Lake District
Great for: family friendly weekend break
For the best of both friendly village life and the beauty of the Lake District National Park wilderness, look no further than Derwent Cottage. Set in the heart of Keswick, your stay will take in all the natural wonders that Cumbria has to offer. One of the cottages with a four star rating, Derwent is a central Lake District location for miles of water, countryside and paths of discovery.
Derwent Cottage sleeps 5, with 3 bedrooms ranging from super-king to double size. Breakfast is served on the spacious dining table, doubling as the hub of the house. A family friendly living space, there’s plenty of room for all to relax and unwind in. Spend romantic nights in by the fire, or take in the village views from the windows, giving the cottage and light and airy feel. Log into the wifi from the garden to send snaps of the views that go on for miles to bring the feeling of a Lake District break to those you love. In the summer months, why not take your breakfast alfresco in the private courtyard, or in the light, airy master bedroom?
Take a trip into Keswick to visit the local museum, or explore the ruins of Castlerigg Stone Circle. Get away from the wifi to lose yourself in the wilderness of Cumbria by taking a hike around the miles of Lake Derwentwater close by. Short breaks with exercise not your thing? Hop on a Windermere steamer to enjoy a relaxing voyage of England’s largest lake.
End your stay with a trip to the local pub only a few miles away, before heading back to the cottages for another day in the Lake District. Who needs hotels when you have all this?
Amenities: Set within the village of Keswick, short breaks at Derwent cottage is home to lots of spacious living room spread over three floors. With three bedrooms, the property sleeps up to 5 guests, with wifi readily available and fully equipped kitchen and living areas. A four tick rating, well behaved pets are welcome, with secure bike storage by your enclosed, furnished courtyard.
Coach House 1
Cottage location: Ambleside, Lake District
Great for: walking Windermere weekends
Forget about hot tubs or a swimming pool – the miles of lake surrounding Coach House 1 are all you need. Cottages with perfect views are hard to come by, so take up the rustic Lake District charm while you can!
Since January 2021, we’ve been aching for a yearly getaway to relax and unwind. With two bedrooms, this lodge holds that promise for a small family, with plenty of outdoor space and things to do. An open-plan, apartment feel, this accommodation sleeps 4 with a well-equipped kitchen and a bright, cozy living space. Cottages nearby overlook the miles of surrounding fields, creating a peaceful space to relax, enjoy breakfast or spend some quality time with loved ones.
Set between Ambleside and Hawkshead, the walking world of the Lake District is quite literally your oyster. Say yes to a visit to Wray Castle and its largely undiscovered miles of gravel beach, or take a ride on a Cumbria Steam Yacht Gondola. With miles of Lake Windermere right on your doorstep, bring your kayaks and canoes for a day of water sports in the summer’s sun. Walk into Ambleside to tour the central lakes, or spend short breaks solely in the cottages, taking advantage of the views and every amenity.
Amenities: With two bedrooms, the Coach sleeps four, but isn’t suitable for pets. There’s parking space for two cars with a private patio, while shops and restaurants are mere miles away. A four star rating, there’s even a private beach and jetty into the lake on the estate. Plan to use the boat launch before you leave!
Eel Cottage House
Cottage location: Hawkshead, Lake District
Great for: woodland walk cottages
Hawkshead is home to the history of British literature, as well as the delightful Eel Cottage. Plan short breaks here to getaway with the family and the pets to sample the Lake District’s rich culture and natural beauty.
Spread over two floors with two bedrooms, the warm and inviting living space is a perfect way to spend a cozy night in, while the minimally stylish kitchen has all you need for a home-cooked meal. Spend a relaxing afternoon in the garden with a coffee or glass of wine, watching the sun go down over the views of Lake District National Park.
Close to both Kendal and Bowness-on-Windermere, breaks at Eel cottage are the ideal base to sample a rich selection of culture in Cumbria. For the more adventurous guests, brave the thrilling hikes of Walna Scar and Black Scrag Peak, before heading to Hawkshead to sample a local delicacy (or 6, 7, 8, 9, 10…). Get away from the wifi with a visit to the home of Beatrix Potter, or say yes to exploring the Rydal Cave.
With all the excitement, head back to the bedrooms ready for another day of Lake District discovery… what more could you ask for?
Facilities: Short breaks at Eel Cottage have an impressive five star rating, with two bedrooms, ample off-road parking local services within 5 miles of the property. The lodge sleeps 4, with spacious living areas and a furnished outdoor garden. Fancy a bike ride? Lock your cycle away in the on-site secure storage.
Tree View Lodge
Cottage location: Troutbeck Bridge, Lake District
Great for: open air family short break
When you’re in miles of Lake District woodland, sometimes you want your own authentic hideout. Tree View Lodge provides an opportunity to do just that, tucked away in a remote corner of Lake Windermere.
The lodge is surrounded by miles of forestry, with three bedrooms and a contemporary, open-plan living space. A four star rating, the ground floor accommodation sleeps 6 with access to an enclosed, furnished decking – perfect for that morning summer’s breakfast or an evening of alfresco dining. Take a moment for yourself in the gorgeous walk-in shower, or enjoy a hearty meal in the well-stocked kitchen.
Outdoor opportunities are aplenty by Tree View Lodge, with chances to try climbing, ghyll scrambling or bushcraft right on the doorstep. Take to the nearby water to try your hand at sailing or kayaking, alongside the various waterside eateries just waiting to be sampled. If you’re after a spot of culture, plan a trip to the local art museum and gardens, or take a leap of faith with a treetop trek, orienteering or clay laser shooting.
Feeling like your own little Lake District bubble, Tree View Lodge is a wonderful base for any type of countryside break.
Amenities: With three bedrooms and spacious living quarters, this property has available wifi and parking for two cars. The perfect match for well-behaved pets, shops and restaurants are only a few miles away, while the dining space boasts an electric fire. The kids can feel the treetop spirit with the authentic bunk beds, and grownups can make the most of relaxing in the spacious master bedrooms.
Amazing breaks away are all across the United Kingdom, and Breakfree knows our Lake District picks may not tick everyone’s boxes. Whether you’re looking for a lodge with a hot tub, extra space for unexpected guests, adults 18+ needing their own apartment or something to rival the best hotels around, Breakfree has your covered. Head to our website to say yes to a special experience and to book your next trip (or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7…)