B&Bs in the Lake District

Table of Contents

• At a glance: what should you know about a B&B in the Lake District?
• B&Bs in the Lake District: find your perfect welcome
• Exploring the Lake District: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in the Lake District?

• A warm welcome: Lake District B&Bs and guest houses offer a personal greeting, friendly hosts and cosy en-suite rooms, ideal for couples, walkers and friends.
• Where to stay: In lakeside towns such as Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside and Keswick, or in quiet villages close to the fells.
• What guests love: A hearty cooked Cumbrian breakfast, local know-how from the hosts and an easy base for exploring lakes and mountains.
• Where to eat: Hearty Cumbrian cooking and modern British menus, from traditional inns to celebrated restaurants.
• Things to do: Cruise Windermere, walk the fells, visit Dove Cottage and Hill Top, and climb Scafell Pike or Catbells.

B&Bs and guest houses in the Lake District are built around a warm, hosted stay, offering cosy en-suite rooms, a hearty Cumbrian breakfast and friendly hosts who know the fells inside out. Whether you are a couple after a romantic retreat, a group of friends planning walks or ramblers wanting an easy base close to the trails, a bed-and-breakfast makes an ideal home from home. Many sit in lakeside towns and quiet villages, within easy reach of the lakes and mountains. Expect features such as:

• A comfortable en-suite room with a personal welcome
• A hearty cooked Cumbrian breakfast to start the day
• Friendly hosts full of local know-how and walking tips
• Wi-Fi, parking and a garden to relax in after the fells
• An easy base for cruises, walks and mountain passes

Wherever you base yourself, a lake, a trailhead or a village inn is rarely far away. Weighing up your options? You can also browse all holiday lettings in the Lake District, cottages in the Lake District, log cabins in the Lake District, cottages with a hot tub in the Lake District and camping in the Lake District, or look further afield to holiday lettings in the Yorkshire Dales and holiday lettings in Northumberland.

What are the best areas to stay in the Lake District?

It depends on the holiday you have in mind: the central lakes are best for cruises and buzz, while the northern and western fells suit peace and serious walking. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests booking B&Bs in the Lake District through Holidu often highlight the warm welcome from their hosts, the hearty cooked breakfasts and the cosy en-suite rooms after a long day on the fells. Many mention the invaluable local walking tips, the ease of reaching Windermere and Keswick, and the beautiful lakeside and mountain settings, returning for the friendly, personal feel and the perfect base for exploring the national park.

In Cumbria in north-west England, the Lake District is the country's largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a landscape of shimmering lakes, dramatic fells and rich literary heritage. Home to Windermere, England's largest lake, the towns of Bowness, Ambleside and Keswick, and Scafell Pike, England's highest peak, it blends gentle lakeside strolls with serious mountain walking, cruises and mountain passes. Steeped in the words of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, it makes a wonderful base for a warm, hosted B&B stay.

🥗Where to eat in the Lake District?

According to Google Maps reviews, The Old Stamp House Restaurant is one of the best rated restaurants in the Lake District. Below is a table showing top highly-rated spots hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers rate Misto in Ambleside, a relaxed eatery serving well-loved Italian classics: a warm, unfussy spot for a hearty plate of pasta after a day on the fells, with friendly service and a welcoming atmosphere.

1. Cruise Windermere
2. Walk the Lakeland fells
3. Visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in Grasmere
4. Explore Keswick and Derwentwater
5. Discover Beatrix Potter's Hill Top
6. Climb Scafell Pike
7. Visit Ullswater and Aira Force

1. Cruise Windermere

   A cruise on Windermere, England's largest lake, is a Lake District must. Board a traditional steamer or launch at Bowness and glide past wooded shores and distant fells, hopping off at Ambleside or Lakeside along the way. It is a wonderfully relaxing way to take in the scenery, and hop-on, hop-off tickets make it easy to combine a sail with a lakeside walk. A gentle highlight for couples and walkers alike.

2. Walk the Lakeland fells

   The Lake District is Britain's finest walking country, and its fells range from gentle strolls to challenging climbs. Popular routes such as Catbells above Derwentwater and the Old Man of Coniston reward you with breathtaking views over lakes and valleys. Your B&B hosts are a superb source of route tips, and there is a walk to suit every level. Pull on your boots and set out from the doorstep for the classic Lakeland experience.

3. Visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage in Grasmere

   In the pretty village of Grasmere, Dove Cottage was the home of the poet William Wordsworth during his most creative years. Wander the atmospheric rooms and gardens where he wrote, explore the adjoining museum, and soak up the literary heritage that shaped the Romantic movement. Round off your visit with a piece of the famous Grasmere gingerbread. It is a fascinating and characterful stop for anyone exploring the region.

4. Explore Keswick and Derwentwater

   In the northern lakes, the lively market town of Keswick sits beside beautiful Derwentwater, ringed by dramatic fells. Take a launch across the lake, walk the shoreline to Friar's Crag, or head up Catbells for glorious views. The town is packed with outdoor shops, cafes and pubs, making it a superb base for walkers. Relaxed and welcoming, it captures the spirit of the Lake District perfectly.

5. Discover Beatrix Potter's Hill Top

   Near Hawkshead, Hill Top was the beloved farmhouse home of Beatrix Potter, creator of Peter Rabbit. Step inside to find it much as she left it, filled with her furniture and treasures, and wander the charming cottage garden that inspired her tales. The surrounding countryside brings her stories to life. A delightful and evocative visit, it is especially magical for families and fans of her much-loved books.

6. Climb Scafell Pike

   At 978 metres, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England and a bucket-list climb for keen walkers. The rocky ascent, often started from Wasdale Head or Borrowdale, is demanding but hugely rewarding, with sweeping summit views across the fells and, on a clear day, as far as the sea. Good boots, a map and an early start are essential. Conquering it is an unforgettable Lakeland achievement.

7. Visit Ullswater and Aira Force

   Often called the most beautiful of the lakes, Ullswater winds between wooded shores and rugged fells in the quieter north-east. Ride an Ullswater Steamer, walk the celebrated shoreline path, or follow the trail to the spectacular Aira Force waterfall, which tumbles some 20 metres through a wooded gorge. It was these very shores that inspired Wordsworth's daffodils. Peaceful and scenic, it is a wonderful day out.