Lake District

[Matamata]

I would like to visit the Lake District this summer and would be pleased to hear from anyone who has stayed in the Lake District and has been able to find reasonably priced accommodation. Any recommendations?

[mushroom25]

unfortunately the words "lake district", "summer" and "reasonably priced accommodation" do not appear in the same sentence.

a list of contact detail for the various info centres can be found at http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/lakesgu ide/touristinfocentres/

[spudqueen]

You don't say whether you want self-catering, caravan, posh hotel or what!
It's been a while since I've stayed here, but I always liked it, and found it not too expensive http://www.sawrey-hotel.co.uk/

[vehelpfulguy]

The popularity of the Lake District has made it rather crowded in the summer and personally I would avoid it at that time.

I love the Lake District but would rather go in Spring or Autumn when it is not so crowded.

Another option is to stay over the west side of the lakes, which is less crowded (and less touristy) but is beautiful. It does take a bit longer to get there though.

Places like Ravenglass and Boot in the west are small but there are places to stay nearby, see map of lakes here to see where those towns are:
http://www.klmtravel.co.uk/images/ldmap.gif

You could try ringing a tourist information centre and see what they have to offer, here is a list of them

http://www.golakes.co.uk/thedms.asp?dms=11&par am1=info&catid=73&msg=Browsing$$TIC$TICs$$in%2 0Cumbria

And to whet your appetite, here is a picture of the Wasdale valley which you can only get to from the WEST side of the Lake District

http://tanuki.org.uk/nt/0305was/wasdale-view.j pg

[vehelpfulguy]

I did a self catering holiday at Fisherground Farm near Eskdale a few years ago. This is on the quieter west side of the lakes.

No idea how the price compares as it was a few years ago.

http://www.selfcateringcottages.com/fishergrou nd/index.htm

[GeordiePengy]

The Lakes is definately popular with tourists in the summer so cheap accommodation is going to be thin on the ground. My suggestion, try youth hostels. I've stayed in quite a few in the Lakes and they're not as 'stereotypical' as people think they are. Some are run like a B&B or small hotel. Some do family rooms as well. And you won't need to take a sleeping bag! Just a thought....

http://www.yha.org.uk

[Fly Tier]

If you are up for it, you are permitted to rough camp anywhere above the 2000 foot contour line in the Lake District National Park.

That's free accommodation but it isn't for everyone!

Cheers
Alan.

[trevHCS]

As mentioned Lake District and cheap is virtually never heard of, and if it is then be worried. Camping is by far the cheapest option but remember it isn't called the Lake District due to it's dry weather! :-)

So firstly you need to work out what kind of accommodation you want, then work out what transport options you've got. Three more sites that might help cover all bases...

http://www.ukbed.com/cumbria+lake-district/
http://www.ukcampsite.com/cumbria+lake-distric t/
http://www.ukcottage.com/cumbria+lake-district /

The first one covers hotels & B&Bs with the latter being cheaper usually. Cottages might seem expensive, but if you compare them to a week in a hotel they often work out cheaper, especially when you consider the cost of eating out in the lakes.

If you want cheap, my advice would be to stay outside the national park. Kendal and Penrith are cheaper but very close to the national park for example, whereas Ambleside, Windermere and Keswick are within it, but you're paying for that.

If you've got a car then there are plenty of options and remember that Cumbria isn't just the Lake District. There's things away from it like Hadrians Wall, Tullie House Museum in Carlisle, Holker Hall near Grange-over-Sands.

A few attractions around the lakes:
http://www.aardvarkurl.net/u/n8fo5v
(redirects as original URL is too long)

I must admit, the Lake District in Summer isn't exactly my favourite place, but that's mainly due to all the annoying kids and caravans, but even September can be good as most attractions will still be open and the kids