‘Where to stay in the Lake District?’ is the biggest question on our lips this summer.
From a cosy bed and breakfast feel to luxury hotels, places to stay in the Lake District are ranked among the best in the UK.
Spend the summer losing yourself in the woodland magic of the lakes, making friends with the locals in the many historic towns and villages, or just taking it all in while watching the world go by. We’re not even there yet, but we’re already excited!
Here are 6 of our favourite best lake district break picks – making those tough choices so you don’t have to.
- Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park (Cumbria)
- Sykes Cottages Latch Cottage (Keswick)
- Warner Leisure Nidd Hall Hotel (Harrogate)
- Sykes Cottages Grassholme (Hawkshead)
- Haven Lakeland (Cumbria)
- Sykes Cottages The Hide (Walney Island)
Parkdean Resorts Limefitt Park
Holiday park location: Windermere, Cumbria, Lake District
Great for: family fun-packed Lake District holidays
Fancy a picturesque family break with beautiful views? Look no further than Parkdean Resorts’ Limefitt Park. Located close to the village of Ambleside and the popular holiday haunt of Lake Windermere, enjoy this accommodation set by the Windermere water by taking in the best that the Lakes has to offer.
A perfect place for all family members, spend quality time in your holiday home from home in one of the lodge’s inviting and spacious rooms, overlooking views of the water and the best of the Lake District. With lakes and streams running right through the park, see the essence of the Lake District from your doorstep, kitted out with traditional builds and accommodation. Try your hand around the wooden adventure playground before heading for a bite to eat in the traditional Cumberland Haybarn Inn restaurant a stone’s throw away. See the surrounding beautiful views in style with the park’s recent addition of pony trekking, taking in the sights of windermere wildlife, or search the skies for those perfect mountain views.
A popular choice for walkers and climbers, the site is home to many outdoor activities to explore. Find time to stop by the local village of Bowness-on-Windermere, Grasmere or Ambleside to sample one of their Cumbrian delicacies, or travel to the Troutbeck Valley region to see those beautiful mountains up close. Take a good hike into the heart of the Lake District to lose yourself in the woodland wilderness, or spend some time on the water in one of the Lake District’s lakes and waterside spots. Head back to the house for a good night’s sleep, ready for another day of exploring the green grass of North England.
Facilities: A friendly and relaxed community vibe, Limefitt Park offers stunning waterside accommodation, located with access to the incredible menu from the local bar and restaurant, a well-stocked convenience store and a laundrette. With panoramic views of the Lake District countryside, the park is a perfect choice for all friends, pets and family.
Sykes Cottages Latch Cottage
Cottage location: Keswick, North Lake District
Great for: traditional rustic Lake District getaway
A stunning rustic escape located in the rural country village of Keswick, Latch Cottage is the perfect retreat to embrace the very best that Cumbria offers. Well set in the village while still being open and close to the Derwent Water, this accommodation offers a good Lake District break base, leaving you ready to see, search and explore around until your heart’s content.
Sleeping 2, this small, beautiful cottage is a perfect choice for some romantic quality time away, with traditional yet modern living rooms offering an ideal place to chill out. Sit down for a romantic meal for two in the cozy dining space, before you enjoy a night curled up in front of the wood burning fire. The best places to stay offer the best of both worlds, and this country house is fantastic for snug winter months, or enjoying drinks in the shared garden over the summer months. See the majestic views of the Lake District from every part of the house without moving a muscle – what’s not to like?
For those that like outdoor adventures, this region of the Lake District remains firmly at the top of the pile. Spend a day on the lakes with kayaks or a boat to sail, before stopping off for a bite to eat at a restaurant in the local village or town, offering a varied menu. Take a walk on the wild side with a visit to the Newlands Valley, or see the views in style with a tour of the grand gardens around Bassenthwaite lakes. Many come back time and time again to visit the area’s natural beauty, but don’t forget hidden cultural gems like the Pencil Museum offering the best of Lake District culture. Alongside nearby towns of Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere, Grasmere and Coniston, the country setting around the cottage offers a great deal of things to do.
The market town of Keswick offers style in small quantities, good food and traditional Lake District beauty. Book this accommodation now to experience the romantic magic for yourself!
Facilities: This accommodation offers a great deal of living space, with rooms set across three floors. With pets welcome, the traditional style house boasts open-plan living, off-road parking and is also ideal for pets. Located within town, the search to find something to do is never a long one, with pubs, hotels, restaurants and shops all in a 0.5 mile radius.
Warner Leisure Nidd Hall Hotel
Hotel location: Harrogate, Yorkshire
Great for: alternative Lake District travel getaway
One of England’s largest holiday destinations, the nearby country landscape of Yorkshire might not seem like an immediate choice for a Lake District break base. Only a short drive away from Lake District staples like Lake Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and Coniston, the natural beauty of Cumbria and beyond is still on the doorstep. This country house hotel is not one to be missed, with accommodation and rooms set in a small slice of historic England – a perfect place to eat, travel and rest.
Nidd Hall is a stone’s throw away from the Lake District, with beautiful views, lakes and award winning service all at your fingertips. The country house bed and breakfast experience is something to behold in itself, with all rooms light, airy and spacious. Set aside time to enjoy the best of luxury during your stay, with alfresco dining overlooking garden views, a lie-in in one of the irresistible king-size beds or lose yourself in the beautiful surrounding country. Treat yourself to a spa experience in the hotel’s leisure club, by swimming a few lengths around the indoor pool, reserving your place in an aqua aerobics class or treat yourself to a spa appointment to top off a relaxing day.
There’s plenty around to explore before you even get to the Lake District. The hotel is home to activities like bowls, archery and rival shooting, while the menu of the highly acclaimed restaurant is back in 2021 with a bang. Top off your visit with a scenic drive through the Yorkshire dales en route to the lakes and Lake District, the perfect place to see the delights that Yorkshire and the North of England offers. Travel to the Lake District for the day to sail down the beautiful Lake Windermere, find the best places to hike and cycle, or search for the best local delicacies in local village and town life around Grasmere, Ambleside, Bowness-on-Windermere and Coniston. Take a look around the homeland of Beatrix Potter before heading back to your hotel accommodation for some bed and breakfast rest and relaxation.
As best places to stay in the lake district, enjoy a luxury stay in Yorkshire hotels while getting the best out of the beauty of Cumbria.
Facilities: Hotel accommodation choices include standard rooms, signature rooms as well as historic rooms. When you’re not browsing the new and improved restaurant menu, take advantage of the spa and enjoy some quiet quality family time.
Sykes Cottages Grassholme
Cottage location: Hawkshead, Cumbria, Lake District
Great for: modern Lake District places to stay
Cottages are no doubt some of the very best Lake District accommodation choices, and Grassholme offers a slice of paradise on the cusp of Lake Windermere. The perfect place to hide away from the world for some quality family moments, this accommodation is an ideal stay for those that want everything a stay in the Lake District can offer.
With all the comfort of a bed and breakfast, this property has some luxury features making any family holiday an unforgettable one. This cosy retreat is full of homely touches, with the traditional Lake District charm running through the spacious living rooms. Stay well fed with a hearty meal made from the menu in the open-plan kitchen, or take to one of the king-size downstairs rooms to get the best from relaxing in luxury Lake District accommodation. The lakes and views of nearby Hawkshead, Keswick, Grasmere and Ambleside can be seen from the comfort of the house, while resting in a woodland setting well away from the hustle and bustle of Lake District life. Want more of a spa experience? Go for a dip in your own private swimming pool to set yourself up for a day full of Lake District discovery.
The best lake district breaks are well located, and Grassholme is no exception. If you’re not taking in the cultural sites of Beatrix Potter inspiration, hike the length and breadth of the best lakes in the region, with the villages of Keswick, Grasmere and Bowness-on-Windermere only a stone’s throw away. The best of Cumbria is all on your doorstep, with activities such as sailing, kayaking, climbing and cycling available for all the family to get stuck into. Even if you choose to sit back and watch the world go by, the beauty of North England makes for unforgettable holiday memories.
Feel like too much? Stay in the comfort of your accommodation, watching the sun go down with a glass of wine on the enclosed patio. For a personal stay to rival any hotel, book soon to avoid disappointment.
Facilities: Sat on the cusp of England’s largest lake (Lake Windermere), this property is ideal for a family of 4. See the beauty of Cumbria from the reverse level accommodation, with shared use of estate facilities and the local fishery free for all guests. Snuggle up in front of the woodfire stove, or settle down on the furnished patio. Shops and pubs are within a 5 mile radius, while two behaved pets are welcome.
Haven Lakeland
Holiday park location: Cumbria, Lake District
Great for: best family breaks on the lake
When a hotel in England just won’t do, try the best kind of family fun by the lake. Haven’s Lakeland site overlooks the beautiful coastlines of England on an easy-to-access flat plain. Ideal for little legs to explore, the nearby glittering lake of Morecambe bay is the best spot to try your hand at local watersports, or hike your way to the best viewpoints the Lake District has to offer.
Start your getaway onsite, with a trip to the activity lake for a day of sunbathing at the picnic beach area, before you scour the menus of nearby restaurants. Dance the night away at the entertainment bar, then head back to your cosy holiday base to get a great night’s sleep for a new day of discovery. Leave a hole in the getaway calendar for a round on the 9-hole golf course or splash around in one of the heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Need a moment for yourself? Why not stroll around the tranquil green parkland – ideal for watching the summer’s sun go down.
With the nearby villages of Windermere, Coniston and Grasmere only a stone’s throw away, the holiday fun doesn’t stop. Canoe or kayak your way across the lofty views of Lake Windermere, or test your skills (or nerves) on the open sea waters. See the natural sights with your best sea legs by taking a skydiving trip across the coast, before you find your feet on solid ground ready for a hearty meal at one of the local pubs.
Hotels may come and go, but the magic made at the wonderful Lakeland is too good to miss!
Facilities: Boasting a jaw-dropping entertainment venue with lots of flexible space, famous mountains and lakes are only a 20 minute drive away. Watersports are available on site, with swimming lessons for kids also included. All family members are welcome, even the four legged ones!
Sykes Cottages The Hide
Cottage location: Walney Island, Lake District
Great for: best unique stays by the lake
Fancy luxury bed and breakfast at a classic lake lighthouse? The Hide might be the place for you. Sleeping 2, this cottage is nestled on the southern coast of Walney Island, filled to the brim with luxury features while embracing the best of the local natural beauty.
Start your mornings with a coffee in the open, airy sitting room, before you throw open the bi-fold doors for the morning sunrise on your private decking. The double bedroom makes for the most soothing place to sleep, while the walk-in rainfall shower boasts ideal luxury to relax and recharge your batteries. There’s also a private lawn and children’s play area, with the water feature at the centre of any summer’s evening.
Only 40 metres away are the coastal sand banks, an ideal spot to feel the fresh sea air and catch the waves. The local market towns of Barrow and Dalton-in-Furness are also only a stone’s throw away, hosting fantastic menu and eating choices, as well as a local microbrewery. The area is also a nature reserve, so keep your eyes peeled for flocks of migrating birds in the summer’s sky.
With the feel of Grasmere, Coniston and Windermere combined, the Hide isn’t one to be missed.
Facilities: With all ground floor living space, this property is best suited for two adults. A tranquil setting, this cottage is an ideal hideaway for those looking to get away from it all. Off-road parking is complemented with an electric car charging point.
Bed and breakfast or not, Breakfree knows that the best lake district breaks will look different to everyone. Whether you’re looking for cosy cottages or award winning hotels, head to our website for more incredible places to stay in the lake district. Your next break in the United Kingdom is only a click away!