Where To Stay In The Lake District - Best Areas & Towns

Looking for the best area to stay in the Lake District? We have visited almost every year for two decades and have compiled this guide to help you decide on your perfect base for exploring this beautiful part of England.

The 1,500 square miles of the Lake District National Park is our favourite slice of England.

Every year, we head up to The Lakes to walk in rugged scenery, swim in beautiful ribbon lakes and admire pretty country villages.

Over time, we’ve come to appreciate the diversity of the area, with each region in the Lake District offering a different experience.

Some areas have plenty of facilities and good public transport; others are more remote with little more than a pub or hotel tucked into the rugged landscape.

In this guide, we provide a breakdown of the different areas to stay in the Lake District with the pros and cons for each.

Each area includes hotel recommendations for different budgets and some tips on what to do nearby.

MAP & SUMMARY

If you plan to use public transport, we only recommend 3 places to stay: Keswick, Ambleside, or Windermere/Bowness. They are the only locations with enough public transport to allow you to get around.

Our post about visiting the Lake District without a car has more information.

If you have your own car, you have many more options for where to stay. Each of the regions we cover below offers something a little bit different.

We have written a detailed guide on what to do in the Lake District, which will give you an understanding of what you might like to do.

You can then use the information below to decide where you might want to base yourself.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

1. KESWICK

We recommend staying in Keswick if you want a mix of adventure activities and challenging hikes with easy access to good facilities.

Keswick is one of the largest towns in the Lakes, with a good choice of bars, restaurants, and a weekly market. There is a large supermarket for supplies, museums and a theatre for rainy days.

The lakefront is a short stroll from the centre of town, with wonderful views of the surrounding mountains reflected in the lake.

If you want to get active during your stay, Keswick is the base for canyoning, paragliding, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Last time we were there, we hired kayaks and paddled around the islands in Derwentwater, which we loved.

Many of our favourite walks in the Lake District are easily accessible from Keswick. The ascent up Catbells begins from the other side of the lake, and it’s only a short drive to the trailheads for Blencathra, Skiddaw, and the Newlands Round.

Keswick is the centre of an excellent public transport network and can easily be reached by bus from the train station at Penrith.

Keswick makes an excellent base for exploring the Northern Lakes. For more information, read our guide to visiting Keswick.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN KESWICK

• Keswick Country House Hotel (£)– A beautiful old hotel situated on a large, well-maintained garden, 5 minutes from the centre of town.
• Lakeside House (££) – Contemporary luxury accommodation in the town centre. Breakfast is served in front of a stunning view.
• Royal Oak (££) – Country house feel with stylish modern amenities and excellent food.

2. BORROWDALE & BUTTERMERE

We stay in Borrowdale or Buttermere to escape the crowds, hike to some of the best scenery and finish in a rustic pub.

Borrowdale and Buttermere are two remote valleys separated by the 356m high Honister Pass. Surrounding them are some of the best views in the Lake District and many of the Lake District’s best hikes.

Borrowdale runs south from Keswick and contains a string of tiny villages. There is the odd pub, hotel and small shop, but that’s it. The views from the valley floor are excellent, and we love the hikes up to Castle Crag, Dale Head, and Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route.

A 40-minute hike up the Langstrath Valley brings you to Black Moss Pot, our favourite wild swimming spot in the Lakes.

Just over the Honister Pass from Borrowdale, Buttermere is the prettiest lake in the Lake District. Buttermere Village, at its western end, has a few hotels, an old hiker’s pub, a cafe, and an ice cream shop.

What we love about staying here is the incredible scenery. One of the best views in the Lake District is easily accessible, right from the edge of the lake. Additionally, the hikes up Rannerdale Knotts and Haystacks are fantastic for photography.

The only downside is that there isn’t much choice in the evening, whichever valley you stay in. The nearest facilities are in Keswick, a 30-minute drive away.

From Easter holidays to October half-term, a circular bus route (77 and 77A) connects Keswick with the two valleys, but it’s easier to get around if you have a car.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN BUTTERMERE & BORROWDALE

• Glaramara (£££) – All the facilities of a hotel in an excellent location in Seatoller. The Yew Tree pub next door is a new and great addition to the area.
• Langstrath Country Inn (££) – A cosy old pub in the tiny hamlet of Stonethwaite in Borrowdale that is ideal for getting away from it all.
• Buttermere Court Hotel (££) – The pick of the hotels in Buttermere Village, the in-house High Stile restaurant serves meals throughout the day.

3. GRASMERE

We love staying in Grasmere. Its central location is excellent for exploring the entire Lake District, yet it’s tucked off the main road, making it beautifully peaceful.

Grasmere is often our first choice when we stay in the Lake District. The village has just enough options to provide a choice in the evenings, yet it’s small enough not to feel overcrowded.

It’s beautifully set, with a little brook running between pretty stone houses and mountains rising all around.

Grasmere has a good collection of hotels, a couple of excellent pubs (one of which brews its own beer), a gingerbread store and a useful Co-op.

For literary fans, Grasmere has Wordsworth Grasmere museum, and the poet is buried in the local cemetery.

Numerous walks leave right from town, including easyish ascents of Loughrigg and Helm Crag to the more challenging hikes of Helvellyn and Fairfield.

Grasmere itself is a beautiful lake. You can hire a boat for a quiet paddle or swim from one of its excellent beaches.

There’s plenty to do in the area for around a week. However, the central location means you can be in Keswick, Ambleside or Windermere in under 20 minutes.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN GRASMERE

• Victorian House (££) – An elegant stone house converted into stylish yet traditional rooms right in the centre of Grasmere
• The Daffodil Hotel & Spa (££) – A grand old hotel on the shores of Grasmere with contemporary rooms and a small spa.
• Forest Side Hotel (£££) – Traditional home in a wooded estate on the edge of Grasmere with a fine dining restaurant.

4. AMBLESIDE

We usually stay in Ambleside when we want a good central base with plenty of facilities.

Ambleside is cut in half by a busy main road, yet it is still the most attractive of the larger towns in the Lake District.

There are plenty of cosy cafes, little bookshops, traditional pubs and outdoor gear shops.

Miniature golf, tennis courts and a climbing wall provide entertainment during the day, and there are several restaurants and a cinema for the evening.

Great walks leave from town, including Loughrigg and the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Ambleside is centrally located with good connections on the local bus network, so it’s the best place to stay without a car (alongside Keswick).

You can find more information in our guide to Ambleside, which covers the best things to do in the town, plus what you can see in the local area.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN AMBLESIDE

• Ambleside Townhouse (£) – A good-value townhouse on the main road in Ambleside with clean rooms and a decent breakfast.
• Lakehouse at Waterhead Inn (££) – Perched on the northern end of Windermere with views of the lake, it’s a 12-minute walk into town and the same to Stagshaw Gardens.
• Rothay Manor (£££) – Luxury Country House just a 10-minute walk from the centre of Ambleside

5. WINDERMERE & BOWNESS

Windermere and Bowness can get very busy, but their edges are home to some of the finest hotels in the Lake District.

The two towns have grown together, forming the largest urban area and main tourist centre in the Lake District.

Situated on the eastern edge of Windermere, the largest lake in the Lake District, they both feel a bit too overcrowded for us. But, the upside is that there is plenty to do, especially for older and younger visitors.

There are popular cruises on the river, quaint tea shops in the town, and Beatrix Potter’s cottage, which is only a short ferry ride away. Easy walks take you to great viewpoints, and nearby Zip World and Go Wild are perfect for the kids.

We suggest staying here if you’re looking for a high-end stay in one of these top-quality hotels.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN WINDERMERE & BOWNESS

• Langdale Chase Hotel (£££) – Stunning hotel on the banks of Windermere with a rosette-winning restaurant, cinema and stylish wooden cruising boat.
• The Samling Hotel (£££)– Luxury 4-star hotel with a Michelin-starred restaurant, great views from the terrace and hot tubs.
• Gilpin Hotel and Lakehouse (£££) – 5-star Relais % Château Hotel and winner of the Sunday Times best hotel in the Lake District 2025.

6. GREAT LANGDALE

Great Langdale is one of the most impressive valleys in the Lake District. It’s a great place to stay if you like hiking, photography, and scenic views.

Great Langdale is a patchwork of fields and dry stone walls surrounded by steep slopes and knobbly summits. With streams and rivers babbling through the landscape, it is one of the most picturesque areas in the Lake District.

We love to come here and hike up the Langdale Pikes, ghyll scramble in Stickle Ghyll, or try the grade 1 scramble up Pavey Ark.

There are some wonderful viewpoints that don’t require too much hiking. Drive up to Blea Tarn for reflections of the Langdale Pikes, walk along Elterwater, or take the short ascent to Side Pike.

The valley is not as remote as Wasdale, Borrowdale or Buttermere, giving you countryside vibes just 20 minutes’ drive from Ambleside. From Easter to October half-term, a bus runs between the two.

There are also good accommodation options, ranging from old hikers’ pubs to modern spa hotels. There are good pubs to head to in the evening.

Last time we were here, Paul and I were part of the victorious table at Quzz Night at Wainwright’s Inn.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN GREAT LANGDALE

• Britannia Inn (££) – Traditional Inn in Elterwater with oak beams, open fires, real ales and home-cooked food. Guests get access to the pool and spa next door.
• New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (£)– At the bottom of the trails to Langdale Pikes, this hikers’ pub has prime position in the valley.
• Langdale Hotel & Spa (£££) – A luxury spa hotel set in 4 acres of lovely woodland with top quality service.

7. WASDALE

Wasdale is the most remote of the Lake District Valleys. Surrounded by imposing peaks, we stay here for the excellent hiking. Quite frankly, there is nothing else to do.

Wasdale is for those who want to get away. We mean, really get away.

The Wasdale Inn is at the head of the valley, and there’s a campsite, but that’s about it.

In the day, the car parks can fill up with hikers taking the easiest of the 5 routes up Scafell Pike. But as the sun dies, you are left here alone with nothing but the stars in the sky and a few fellow hikers. At dawn, the views are sensational.

We’ve been for a dip in Wastwater several times and we can assure you that as the deepest of the swimming spots in the Lake District, it’s very refreshing! The photo below is me (Mark) in Wastwater. It might look like a nice day but I can assure you it was freezing.

To get here is an adventure in itself. The most fun route is over the high passes of Wrynose and Hardknott. But be careful, we once saw a car precariously perched on a rock, having overshot the road. We have more details about the passes on our guide to the Lake District.

There are not many accommodation options, so you’ll need to book well in advance.

If you stay for a few days you’ll have time to hike Pillar, Great Gable, Great End, Scafell, and Scafell Pike – 5 of the ten highest mountains in the Lake District.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN WASDALE

• Wasdale Head Inn (£) – This great old hiker’s pub with real fires and traditional food is the only non-camping option at the head of the valley.
• 1692 Wasdale (£££) – Stylish contemporary hotel that blends in with the rugged remote surroundings. It’s a 20-minute drive from Wasdale Head.
• Scafell View Apartment (£) – Modern apartment beautifully set above Wastwater. An excellent self-catering option in the most remote valley.

8. CARTMEL & HAWKSHEAD

Cartmel and Hawkshead are the best places to stay for great food, grand houses and country drives.

Wedged between the sea and the Lake District National Park, Cartmel and Hawkshead make up the southern section of the lakes. It is much less rugged than the northern Lakes, creating a gentler and more serene experience.

Cartmel, home to the sticky toffee pudding, is a small village with a big foodie reputation. It has two Michelin-starred restaurants, L’Enclume and Rogan & Company, but unfortunately we haven’t been to either yet.

Hawkshead is a beautiful little village that has retained its local charm. Its narrow streets are packed with cute cafes, a gingerbread store, and a chocolate factory.

Nearby, the Drunken Duck is a wonderful gastropub and the grand houses of Holker Hall and Levens Hall combine historic architecture with sweeping gardens. We were at Holker Hall in May and, as you can see from the photo below, the gardens were stunning.

The roads around Coniston Water are delightful to drive, and there are lots of easy short walks to break up the day. The whole area is a great choice for a more relaxed stay.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY IN CARTMEL & HAWKSHEAD

• The Cavendish Arms (££) – Oak beams and open fires retain the charm of its 450-year history. The homecooked food is well rated.
• Weaver’s Cottage (£££) – Luxury accommodation in the heart of Cartmel with 4 good-sized bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a well-appointed kitchen.
• Queen’s Head Inn (£££) – Despite the 17th-century beginnings, the Queen’s Head in Hawkshead has contemporary fittings with a retro touch.
• Walkers Ground Manor (£££) – A beautiful manor house perched on a hill above Hakshead with excellent breakfasts and helpful hosts.

9. GLENRIDDING & ULLSWATER

Glenridding is a great place to stay if you want to attempt a grade 1 scramble followed by a fun day on the lake.

At the southern end of Ullswater, the village of Glenridding combines two defining features of the Lake District: excellent mountain walks and fun water activities on lovely lakes.

The mountains in this area contain some of the finest ridge walks in the Lakes. The best is the hike up Helvellyn via Striding Edge. One of the best Grade 1 scrambles in the Lake District, it can be attempted by anyone with reasonable fitness and no fear of heights.

On the other side of Glenridding is Ullswater. This is a beautiful lake that is nowhere near as busy as Windermere. Hop on the Ullswater steamer for a relaxing cruise, or hire a kayak or motorboat and navigate at your own pace.

After walking up Helvellyn, we almost always relax on the shorefront and go for a swim in the lake.

Nearby Aira Force is considered one of the best waterfalls in the Lake District.

Set in the eastern Lake District, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Keswick or Ambleside, so it is not a great place to stay to explore the rest of the Lakes. Eating options can also be a bit limited.

But if you’re here for two or three days, there is plenty to do on your doorstep.

SELECTED PLACES TO STAY ON ULLSWATER

• Fairlight Guesthouse (££) – Good value guesthouse in the heart of Glenridding.
• Old Water View (£) – Cosy B&B in Patterdale, just south of Glenridding with open fires, a drying room and friendly service.
• Duke of Portland Boathouse (£££) – This boathouse is a stunning stay at the northern end of Ullswater.

10. DESTINATION STAYS

If you are looking for a specific type of stay, rather than a particular area, here are some recommendations. The Lake District is a great destination for everything from an old-world pub to a splurge.

BEST FOR	PLACE	WHERE
Best old-world pub	Pheasant Inn (££)	Keswick area
Best spa & wellness hotel	The Langdale (££)	Elterwater
Best self-catering family stay	Scafell View (£)	Wasdale
Best hot tub stay	Applegarth Villa (££)	Windermere
Best glamping	Hobbit Holes (£)	Ullswater
Best dog-friendly stay	Buttermere Court Hotel (££)	Buttermere

MORE LAKE DISTRICT GUIDES

• Find your perfect area with our guide to the best places to stay in the Lake District.
• Use our detailed guide to see the Lake District without a car.
• Tackle one of our favourite hikes in the Lake District.
• Attempt one of the many routes up Scafell Pike.
• Or choose the best option and hike the Corridor Route.
• For the best Grade 1 scramble, hike Helvellyn via Striding Edge.
• Try one of these amazing wild swimming locations in the Lake District.
• There’s more than hiking, find more great things to do in the Lake District.
• Check out our easy-to-reach best views in the Lake District.
• Find all the great things to do in Keswick.
• Discover all the best attractions in Ambleside and the nearby area.