Lake District Recommendations

[Deleted User]

Hi Moneysavers

I'm planning a trip the Lakes with my boyfriend next month and having never been before I was wondering if anyone could provide any recommendations for us?

We've seen an offer at The Langdale Hotel & Spa so we're currently looking at staying there on our first night, making use of the facilities and perhaps hiring bikes for the day.

The 2nd day I was thinking of getting out on Lake Windermere (weather permitting). I was looking at staying in Windermere that night though having mapped the distance from the Langdale I see this is only 20 minutes away. We would like to stay in a different location for the 2nd night but would you recommend staying in Windermere or perhaps another location?

If you can recommend any places to visit, both locations and attractions that would be great. We love visiting new places and we are open to any suggestions you may have.

Many Thanks

Gemmidodgers

apt

Not sure what you mean by staying in Windemere as it is a lake, not a town. I suspect you might mean Bowness. If so I would stay elsewhere as it is tacky and touristy. Ambleside is a better place to stay if you want to be on Lake Windemere itself. An alternative base is Keswick which is on Derwent Water. It is easy to get to Bassenthwaite and Borrowdale from there.

cajef

apt wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by staying in Windemere as it is a lake, not a town.

Erm! Windermere was a town last time I drove through it and that is pretty regular, it definitely was not the lake I drove through as I didn't even get wet.:)

Fortyfoot

"The town of Windermere grew around the railway station, about a mile and a half from the lake. The village was originally called Birthwaite, but the railway company decided to call the station after the lake. Over the years, the little town has become merged with the older lakeside town of Bowness-on-Windermere, though the two have quite separate centres."

**Patty**

You could look at the Waterhead Hotel at Coniston........we've been to a wedding there as my Dad lived in the Lakes for a few years.

We've also stayed at the Bluebird Lodge guesthouse at Coniston (which is opposite to The Waterhead) and i couldn't recommend that enough. Loads of heating & excellent breakfast.

I mention the heating as my Uncle stayed at the Waterhead & complained he was frozen

Flat_Eric

On our first visit to the Lakes (over ten years ago now!) we stayed in a hotel in Buttermere - I wouldn't recommend this though because albeit it was a lovely place to stay, it was stupidly out of the way. On our return trips to the Lakes, we have hired a cottage based in / or immediately outside Ambleside and I would perhaps have a look at staying here. I can't recommend anywhere because as I mentioned, we have always hired cottages but there are lots of hotels/b&b options in Ambleside as well as plenty of choices for where to eat.

I would recommend Daisy's Cafe in Ambleside for a good fry up. and although I have never eaten at Lucy's on a Plate in Ambleside, it always looks so tempting especially their pudding night ! They have a website if you google it.

poet123

For somewhere really picturesque try Grasmere. The Lakes is really walking country so everywhere is accessible on foot or by car although parking is often an issue.

themull1

The inn on the lake?

Flat_Eric

ps. Grizedale Forest was highly enjoyable when we visited one year - we hired bikes and cycled round it. Tarn Hows is also worth a walk round - very flat level walk with lovely views. Also Aira Force waterfall near the northern shore of Ullswater is also an enjoyable easy paced walk

be sure to have plenty of gold coins for the car parks.

The White Lion Hotel / Pub in Ambleside was probably the best place for food last time we visited (October 2010)

[Deleted User]

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I'll be sure to do some Googling now to check them all out.
I assumed Windermere was an actual place name based on Google Maps and that the train station is called Windermere.

gingerdad

Windermere is a lake and a town, just not next to each other.

bowness on windermere is the town by the lake

hotel recommendations would suggest

Linthwaite House Hotel on the side of the lake between bowness and newby bridge

Lakeside Hotel near newby bridge.

if your looking for small look at the Samling (very expensive), Waterhead at ambleside, the drunken duck.

some suggestions for you, i would also suggest looking further away from just bowness/windermere. some lovely towns one of the best places to stay that wins lots of awards is no 43 in Arnside or Augill Castle nr Kirkby Stephen