Lake District

CountryGirl7676

My bf and I are thinking of going to the Lake District during either July or August. It is a lot bigger area than I thought - is there any one place that you would recommend for a first visit? We will have a car and so distance is not really a problem. Is there also a cottage or hotel close by that you could recommend?? Thank u

aspatrialil

First of all Countrygirl you must decide what sort of a break you want as that will denote what area to visit

Peace and quiet???

Hustle and bustle???

Touristy things???

By the lakes or by the Pubs???

After knowing that I might be able to help you.
Yes, I and my partner live there:D

and yes we are very lucky!!!

Barneysmom

We want to go too at some point - with the tent. But when the schools are open so it's quieter, maybe early July or in September when the school hols have finished?

CountryGirl7676

Peace and quiet, but not dead quiet and a pub that serves food We love scenery so that would be out main priority - and yes u r indeed very lucky living in such a beautiful area :) Hope this makes it more clear

Barneysmom

Countrygirl, you're painting a picture of absolute heaven!

poet123

I would suggest around Grasmere in the south, and Keswick further up. From both locations you can walk or drive to lots of lovely places.

Fortyfoot

Have a look at Hazeldene in Keswick The second photo on the home page is the view from the front bedrooms.

Fortyfoot

poet123

http://www.riverside-at-ambleside.co.uk/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g186327-d295038-Reviews-or10-Middle_Ruddings_Country_Hotel-Keswick_Lake_District_Cumbria_England.html#REVIEWS

We have stayed at both of the above and found thme to be very good.

JuicyLou

Definitely set a day aside to spend in Keswick. it's only a short walk from the town centre to Derwentwater where you can rent a row boat and explore some of the islands. Or you can take the launch boat which drops off and picks up at loads of different places. If you want nice scenery, the view of derwentwater from Friar's Cragg is legendary.
If you do go to Keswick you have to eat at the Old Keswickian chip shop! Best fish and chips in Cumbria!

Have a look at lakeswalks.co.uk for some suggestions. Some walks will take you through small villages with pubs and cafes or you can just take a picnic.
Have fun!

PhylPho

We live up here, too.

First thing to say is that the, er, first thing the unwise traveller does is take the, um, first sign to The Lakes and exit the M6 at junction 36.

Wiser folks exit the M6 at junction 40. They head westbound on the A66 for less than a a mile and then dart off to the left on a windy road that suddenly yields views of the mountain range hemming Ullswater.

At which point, they drive into Pooley Bridge for a meal in the (excellent) village cafe or (excellent) pub of vaguely Tyrolean aspect (I'm not going to plug anyone's businesses on here) or t'other across the road. After which, the North Lakes await, and Borrowdale, and sailing on Ullswater.

Or. . . They stay on the A66 to Keswick, then come off there and either stay near to Derwent Water or meander north to Bassenthwaite or southwest to Buttermere and Loweswater.

What they don't do is take a time share on a traffic jam in Ambleside or Windermere, or an unendingly circular tour of Grasmere's jam-packed car parks.

As to where to go. . . Google Maps is your best friend and, especially, Google Earth. Zoom in, fly around, look at the topography, pick any of the location names you've spotted and then Google them for campsite or hostel info.

The Lake District is a big, big place. Fortunately for folks like us, it's made all the bigger thanks to the lemming-like behaviour of thousands upon thousands of tourists who cram into one tiny part of it merely to look at the number plate of the car in front. . .

lucylucky

I have been down to the Lakes many times.

Lovely part of the world, with some great places to eat and drink.

Including here http://www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk/