Where to Stay in the Lake District (5 Best Areas, By a Local)

5 Best Places & Areas to Stay in the Lake District

The Lake District National Park is a sprawling rural area, covering 912 square miles of mountainous terrain. Charming towns and villages punctuate the picturesque landscape, making great bases to explore. 

Ambleside

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Ambleside Hotels: Rothay Manor Hotel • The Log House • Langdale Chase Hotel • YHA Ambleside

Ambleside is a picturesque town in the heart of the Lake District, great for first-time visitors thanks to its central location and proximity to top attractions. It does get busy with tourists, especially in summer, but that’s because it’s such a perfect base for exploring the park. 

There’s a fantastic variety of accommodation for all budgets, from luxury lakeside hotels and country manors to friendly guest houses and hostels. You’ll find lots of restaurants and cafes here too, as well as shops and a cinema for those rainy days. 

The Log House is one of my favourites, and where my spouse and I spent our second wedding anniversary. The quirky log cabin was originally from Norway and is a cosy retreat in the thick of the action. 

Langdale Chase Hotel is a gorgeous country house on the shores of Lake Windermere, and a great place for afternoon tea on the terrace in summer.

Pros of Staying in Ambleside:

• Close to top attractions
• Lots of great restaurants
• Stunning mountain views

Cons of Staying in Ambleside:

• Very busy in summer
• Parking can be difficult
• Hotels can be expensive

Keswick

👉 Best Area For Outdoor Adventures | ✨ Best Keswick Hotels: Inn on the Square • Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa • Goodwin House • YHA Keswick

Sitting beside Derwentwater in the north of the park, the market town of Keswick is surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most iconic mountains. It’s a great base for adventurous outdoor activities, with hill walks, boat trips, and mine tours on its doorstep.

The central streets are famously lined with a dazzling array of guest houses, while the lake shores boast a range of luxury hotels with jaw-dropping views. There are numerous independent restaurants and charming tea shops to fuel your explorations. 

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa is a luxury lakeside retreat just down the road from Keswick with sumptuous suites, a Pan-Asian restaurant, and a dreamy spa for a soak with a view.

Inn on the Square is a great option if you want to stay right in the centre of Keswick. I love the mix of Scandinavian and Cumbrian design, the chic bar, and the award-winning steaks.

Pros of Staying in Keswick:

• Walks from the doorstep
• Great choice of restaurants and bars
• Family-friendly attractions
• Annual mountain and film festivals

Cons of Staying in Keswick:

• Gets crowded in summer
• Public transport is limited

Grasmere

👉 Best Area For Culture | ✨ Best Grasmere Hotels: Daffodil Hotel & Spa • Inn at Grasmere • Forest Side Hotel • The Traveller’s Rest

Grasmere is a charming village, sitting right beside the lake and overlooked by rolling green hills. There’s less bustle here than in Ambleside and Keswick, so it feels more peaceful, even on a busy summer’s day. Culture vultures will enjoy visiting the local heritage attractions, and there are plenty of eclectic gift shops to browse in your downtime.

There are several guest houses, hotels, and traditional inns around the Grasmere area, as well as a selection of restaurants and cafes serving Cumbrian and international cuisine. 

Daffodil Hotel & Spa is a beautiful property on the shores of Grasmere, with stylish rooms and an indulgent spa. I love coming here for afternoon tea with my friends. 

The Inn at Grasmere is a traditional traveller’s pub with an indoor pool and tasty restaurant menu offering local favourites like Cumberland sausage and sticky toffee pudding.

Pros of Staying in Grasmere:

• Easily walkable village
• Plenty of attractions
• Variety of restaurants and cafes
• Hikes on the doorstep

Cons of Staying in Grasmere:

• Prices can get high in summer
• Parking can be challenging in busy periods
• Transport connections are limited

Glenridding

👉 Best Area For Repeat Visitors | ✨ Best Glenridding Hotels: Inn on the Lake • The Ullswater Inn • YHA Helvellyn • Old Water View

Glenridding and the Ullswater area is my favourite place to stay in the Lakes because the scenery is out of this world, and there are lots of options for combining steamer cruises with mountain hikes. If you want to summit Helvellyn, the third highest peak in the Lakes, Glenridding is the place to start your walk. 

The village is away from major bustle and popular tourist attractions, so it’s a great place to relax if you’re on your second or third visit. 

The Inn on the Lake has the dreamiest setting right on the shores of Ullswater with gorgeous mountain views from all angles. I love coming here for lunch or drinks on the panoramic terrace.

The Ullswater Inn offers family-friendly accommodation and hearty Cumbrian pub food in the centre of the village beside Glenridding Beck. The decor is gorgeous, and so are the views.

Pros of Staying in Glenridding:

• Gorgeous lakeside scenery
• Small village with less bustle
• Lots of outdoor activities
• Steamers give easy access to lake hikes

Cons of Staying in Glenridding:

• Parking can be challenging in busy periods
• Smaller selection of restaurants
• Crowded on summer weekends 

Coniston

👉 Best Area For Escaping the Crowds | ✨ Best Coniston Hotels: The Coniston Inn • The Crown Inn • The Old Rectory • YHA Coniston

Coniston is often overlooked by visitors, as it’s a little further out than popular spots like Ambleside and Keswick. This is the appeal, and means the lake and village tend to be less crowded than their counterparts. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track, this is the place to come. 

The historic village has an interesting legacy of mining, literature, and world water speed records, so there’s plenty to see and do. You have a choice of hotels and guest houses, and there are several traditional pubs serving up local favourites. 

The Coniston Inn is perfectly situated beside Coniston Water, with contemporary rooms, a traditional slate exterior, delicious pub food, and a cosy lounge bar. 

The Crown Inn is another traditional Lakeland village pub in the centre of Coniston, with stylish bedrooms and a very extensive menu of hearty English classics.

Pros of Staying in Coniston:

• Quieter than some of the other villages
• Mountain walks from the door
• Variety of museums and attractions

Cons of Staying in Coniston:

• Bit of a distance from other park locations
• You’ll need a car to get around

Tips for Staying in the Lake District

Always Pack Raincoat

It rains a lot in the Lake District (the clue’s in the name), so I recommend packing a waterproof jacket, even if you’re not planning on doing any hiking. I never leave the house without one, even in the summer! 

Don’t Wild Camp or Light Fires Beside Lakes

Wild camping is illegal in the Lake District, so don’t be tempted to set up beside a lake or road, even if the spot looks perfect. If you want to camp, there are plenty of designated campsites with beautiful outlooks. My lakeside favourites include Side Farm in Patterdale and Low Wray at Windermere.

Hiking Boots Are a Must

If you are planning a hike, walking boots and suitable outdoor gear are essential up in the mountains. Don’t follow in the foolish footsteps of tourists who think they can scale Scafell Pike in flip-flops. These mountains are serious, and staying safe is key to their enjoyment.

Be sure to bookmark Abigail’s hiking essentials checklist for further guidance on what to bring.

Book Well Ahead in Summer

Lake District accommodation gets booked up quickly during the busy summer and Easter periods, so I recommend making your reservations well in advance, especially if you want to stay somewhere popular like Ambleside or Keswick. 

Don’t Be Afraid of Visiting in Winter

Winter in the Lake District is wonderful. Sure, it’s cold, some attractions are shut, and the mountain passes are occasionally closed because of the ice. Yet the summer crowds have long gone, and days are often clear and frosty, with snowy peaks making for perfect photos. 

FAQs about the Lake District

How many days is enough for the Lake District?

A week is a great amount of time to explore the best areas and tick off many of the top attractions in the Lake District. If you have longer, that’s even better, as there’s enough to see and do to fill several months without getting bored. If you only have a weekend, base yourself centrally so you can fit in as many sights as possible without having to spend too long travelling.  

What areas of the Lake District should I avoid staying in? 

I recommend skipping Bowness-on-Windermere. It’s touristy and super crowded during holiday periods, and parking can be challenging if you’re driving. Honestly, there are far prettier and much quieter places to stay in the Lake District. 

What are the best parts of the Lake District to stay for first-timers?

Ambleside makes a great base for first-timers as it’s in the centre of the park, giving you good access to many of the top sights and attractions. There’s a wide variety of hotels and guest houses to choose from, as well as plenty of restaurants and cafes. 

When is the best time of year to visit the Lake District?

Spring is my favourite time to be in the Lakes, when the daffodils and bluebells bring pops of colour to the landscape, and newborn lambs are gambolling in the fields. The weather in May and June is often great, and you’ll be avoiding the crowds and higher prices that are just around the corner in summer. Autumn is lovely too, with the colourful foliage transforming the park into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges, and golds. 

What is the best way to get around the Lake District?

The national park covers a large rural area, so public transport probably isn’t as good as what many are used to. There are bus routes serving the main towns and villages, including the scenic 555 bus which runs between Keswick and Kendal through the centre of the park. 

If you’re arriving by train, get off in Windermere for the south and central Lakes, or Penrith for the north Lakes. However, if you want to be totally independent and explore some of the more remote areas, driving is your best option.  

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I hope this guide has helped you plan your stay in the Lake District. If you have questions, just drop them in the comments below. 

And once your accommodation is sorted, make sure you read my guide to the best things to do in the Lake District to help further plan your itinerary.