Advice on Lake District Lodges for hire

[scrummyyummy]

I don't know anything about the Lake District so any advice would be much appreciated! I'm looking into renting a lodge for a week. It would be great to be near to water rather than forest. Are there any areas anyone can recommend? I heard Ullswater is beautiful. Many thanks!

[VHG]

>I heard Ullswater is beautiful.

Well almost all of the Lake District is beautiful, so while Ullswater is lovely so are ALL the lakes, and ALL the valleys, and ALL the hills.

There are strict rules on building things in the Lake District and one of the reasons it is still so beautiful is that they have restricted buildings things round the lakes so you wont find many lodges next to the lakes.

I did a search on Lake District lodges and found a few sites, like this one

http://www.lakedistrict-stay.co.uk/accommodati on/lake-district-log-cabins.php?type%5B%5D=Log -Cabins

[VHG]

Can I ask what you are going to do in the Lake District as I know a lot about the Lakes so can advise you where to stay if I know what you want to do.

While the Lake District is not that big, getting round it is not that easy or that quick. The roads are mostly narrow and winding, and the centre of the lakes is a huge mass of mountains so you often have to go "round" them by car as you cant easily go over them.

So, for example, to get from say Windermere in the South East to the west of the lakes (say *********) can look close on the map but can take half a day to get to by car.

It is usually best to decide on an "area" of the lakes (South East for example or North East) and then spend most of your time in that one area.

The three largest towns in the lakes are Keswick in the North East, Ambleside in the (sort of ) centre, and Windermere / Bowness in the South East (I dont count Kendal as that is slightly outside the lakes).

There are lots of other smaller places like Grassmere, Hawkshead, Coniston etc

It is obviously a great place for walking, but for watersports it tends to be mostly Windermere (I think they are banned on the other lakes).

As I said, if you want to know more just ask and I will try and help,

[VHG]

It has censored out the word Wastw5ter (replace the 5 with an "a")

Because it has the word "t w a t" in it (will it censor that as well?)

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks for all the details, VHG! You sure know the area well. We're not planning on doing any watersports (not brave enough to windsurf, etc!). We'll probably just enjoy scenic walks as the area does look so beautiful. You have given me food for thought and I will sit down with hubby and discuss it further. Many thanks again!

[VHG]

If you are a first time visitor to the lake district, and you fancy doing some scenic walks, then I would say base yourself in the South East of the Lake District, around Ambleside, or Windermere (town) or Bowness.

If you are travelling up from the South (up the M6) then this means you can turn off at junction 36 and you can head into the lake district South East area and reach any of those places within say 15 minutes.

If you are coming from the North (Scotland etc) then basing yourself in Keswick means you can turn off the M6 and head into the North East of the Lake District and reach Keswick fairly quickly.

If you stay at any of the places I listed above there are plenty of local scenic walks.

The South East area does tend to have the gentler hills and easier walks.

Note the South East area does tend to be rather "touristy" but it does mean there are shops and restaurants around if you need to buy anything or go out for a meal.

If I was forced tro suggest one place to stay then I would plump for Ambleside.

It is probably the most "central" place so you can go in any direction from there (North, West, East or South) and there are plenty of shops and places to eat. Ambleside is also surrounded by a few lakes and fairly gentle walks (plus some high mountains of course).

more....

[VHG]

Couple of other things...........

The west of the Lake District, while very beautiful, can be difficult to get to, and is a lot more desolate than the East of the Lake District.

The lake Wastw5ter (on the West) is my favorite lake, but to be honest I would not recommend going to the West of the Lake District for your first visit.

There are no towns to speak of on the West, and shops and pubs are few and far between.

I love the west for its quietness (and far less tourists) but as I said, not for your first time visit.

The "centre" area of the Lakes is one huge mass of mountains (and amazing they are) but it does mean there are very few towns (there are a few small villages) and the walks tend to be more difficult.

Driving around the centre is also difficult and there are far less roads and you tend to have to drive into valleys, and then out on the same road.

When you get there (wherever you stay) you wil find plenty of guide books for sale for the person who wants scenic walks.

There are tourist information shops in most of the large towns (Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere etc) where you can get advice and buy guide books.

more.....

[VHG]

One final thing.

If you stay near Ambleside or Windermere, it is worth visting the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole.

This is on the main road between Ambleside and Windermere (town) and is a good introduction to the Lake District.

Read more here

http://www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/visiting /lake_district_visitor_centre_at_brockhole.htm

[VHG]

One final final thing.

Think carefully about when you go.

The Lake District is a victim of its own success and on the "wrong" dates can be packed with tourists, with overflowing car parks, and queues on the winding country roads.

I would NEVER go to the Lake District over the Easter weekend or August bank holiday for example.

So try to avoid these busy times and you will enjoy your Lake District holiday more.

[scrummyyummy]

Thanks so much, VHG! You have been such a help with all the detailed info. It will be our first time at The Lakes so all the things you have said are very useful. When I get some time, I'm going to go through what you've mentioned again and digest it all and use that as a base to start planning! You should write a guide on the area!