The Lake District is England at its most scenic, with lakes between green fells, stone cottages, sheep on the hills and pubs where a hot dinner tastes even better after a day outdoors. You can go on long walks, take boat trips across the lakes or stick to shorter outings between cafรฉs and viewpoints.
On my first visit to the Lake District, I was blown away. It felt like a miniature Scotland, but just an hour’s drive from Manchester.
This part of England is really, really beautiful!
So where should you stay in the Lake District? It mainly depends on how much walking you want to do and if you’ll have a car. I’ve chosen five bases that offer different holidays, from Bowness beside Windermere to Keswick further north. This guide will help you choose the right town and a good hotel.
The Best Areas in the Lake District
- Bowness-on-Windermere - best area for first-time visitors
- Ambleside - best base for walking and holidays without a car
- Keswick and Derwentwater - best area for a holiday with plenty of walking
- Grasmere - best area for couples and peaceful days between the lakes
- Coniston - best area for families and days on the lake
Below, I’ll take you through the five areas and my hotel recommendations. I’ll also explain the practical differences between staying close to a lake, in a town centre or a little further out with more space around you.
1. Bowness-on-Windermere - best area for first-time visitors โต
- ๐ Distance to the centre: Bowness is beside the lake. Windermere town and railway station are around 2.5 kilometres further uphill.
- ๐ Transport: You can take a train to Windermere, followed by a bus or taxi to Bowness. Boats depart from the lakeshore.
- โ๏ธ Time from the airport: Allow around 1.5 to 2 hours by car from Manchester Airport.
- ๐ฐ Price range: Expect โฌโฌ to โฌโฌโฌ. Lake views, spas and weekend stays can push up the price.
- ๐ฎ Safety: Watch out for traffic and treat the lake as open water, with cold temperatures and changeable weather.
Bowness is my first suggestion for a holiday with a bit of everything, without planning a major walk every day. The town sits beside Windermere, with restaurants, shops and boats close together. That makes it easy to enjoy the day even when the weather changes your original plans.
Bowness and Windermere town are two different places. The railway station is in Windermere, uphill from the lake, while Bowness is down by the water. A hotel with Windermere in its name could therefore be in several different locations. I’d check the address and choose according to whether the lakeshore or the station matters more to you.
For a first visit, I prefer staying close to the centre of Bowness. You can walk down to the boats after breakfast and return to the hotel before dinner. Windermere Lake Cruises lists routes and departures, including the connection to Waterhead near Ambleside.
See hotels in Bowness-on-Windermere here
The town is one of the Lake District’s more popular destinations, so don’t choose the centre for complete peace and quiet. You’ll have plenty of options when it rains or when you simply want a good meal and a short walk. That works well for families and short breaks with different interests to accommodate.
Hotels on the hills around town can offer better views and more space. I’d check the walk back from the restaurants, though, as a short distance on the map can include a noticeable climb. A car makes the more secluded hotels easier to use, but parking in the centre can still take some planning.
Three nights is a good starting point if you want to try both the lake and some of the surrounding towns. Travelling via Manchester lets you add a couple of days in the city, and my guide to the best areas to stay in Manchester can help with that part of the holiday.
Places to Stay in Bowness-on-Windermere
Linthwaite House - best luxury choice for views over Windermere
Linthwaite House sits on a hilltop overlooking Windermere. It’s my choice for a stay where you’ll set aside time for the hotel and its surroundings, rather than simply sleep there.
It’s more secluded than a hotel in the middle of Bowness, so factor in transport into town.
A guest on Booking.com says: โThe staff were very friendly and the service was excellent.โ
See photos and book Linthwaite House here.
Lakes Hotel & Spa - good choice for spa breaks and rooms with hot tubs
Lakes Hotel & Spa is within walking distance of Bowness and has a spa with a pool, plus room categories with a private hot tub on the balcony. It suits couples who want to combine outings by the lake with time at the hotel.
Choose the specific room category if the hot tub is your reason for booking; it doesn’t come with every room.
One Booking.com guest writes: โThe hotel had good facilities and a good location.โ
See photos and book Lakes Hotel & Spa here.
Craig Manor - good choice close to the restaurants
Craig Manor is around a five-minute walk from Bowness and faces Windermere and the fells. It’s worth comparing with the more expensive spa hotels if location and a comfortable base matter most.
I’d choose it for active days and dinners in town, with the convenient location as the hotel’s main strength.
A previous guest describes their stay like this: โEverything was comfortable and clean.โ
See photos and book Craig Manor here.
2. Ambleside - best base for walking and holidays without a car ๐ฅพ
- ๐ Distance to the centre: The town centre is around 1.5 kilometres from the boats at Waterhead.
- ๐ Transport: Buses connect the town with Windermere, Grasmere, Keswick and other destinations. Several walks can start in town.
- โ๏ธ Time from the airport: Allow around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes by car from Manchester Airport.
- ๐ฐ Price range: Expect โฌโฌ to โฌโฌโฌ. Smaller accommodation can be a good alternative to spa and country house hotels.
- ๐ฎ Safety: Check the forecast for your specific walk and choose a route to suit your experience and the available daylight.
Ambleside is the base I’d consider most seriously for an active first visit. You’ll have outdoor shops, cafรฉs and restaurants, along with good onward bus connections. You can stay close to nature without being isolated, and go out for dinner without getting behind the wheel.
The centre is slightly inland from the northern end of Windermere. Down at Waterhead, you can catch a boat and find a spot by the water, but there’s a walk between the lake and the central shops. I’d choose the centre for walking and buses, while Waterhead makes more sense if lake views come first.
Ambleside is also a good place to start a holiday without a car. You can plan outings around the main bus routes and choose walks with accessible starting and finishing points. The national park’s transport guide helps you find the relevant routes and operators.
I’d keep the itinerary flexible enough to swap a long walk for a shorter day when the clouds are low. A good base needs to work on rainy days too, and Ambleside has an advantage over an isolated hotel on a mountain road. You can still enjoy the day without driving far.
The town isn’t an obvious choice if you’re dreaming of opening your door onto an empty valley. Traffic and visitors are part of the central streets. Choose a room away from the road if you’re a light sleeper, and check parking arrangements if you’re bringing a car after all.
I’d stay at least three nights and use the town as a base instead of changing hotels between all the neighbouring towns. You can read more about the difference between the centre and the lakeshore in the national park’s guide to Windermere and Ambleside. Choose a hotel in the part you’ll use most.
Places to Stay in Ambleside
Rothay Manor - best country house hotel for food and walking
Rothay Manor is a country house hotel in Ambleside, with a restaurant and a location close to the northern end of Windermere. It suits a stay where you’d like to finish a day’s walking with a good dinner and a more polished hotel experience.
One guest mentions a boot room, which is a practical benefit after a wet day on the trails.
A guest on Booking.com says: โThere was a boot room for muddy boots.โ
See photos and book Rothay Manor here.
Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa - good choice with a spa and free parking
Salutation has a restaurant, fitness facilities and free private parking in Ambleside. It’s worth considering if you want to combine active days with a hotel you’ll also enjoy returning to.
I’d compare the packages and check spa access, so the price covers the facilities you actually want to use.
One Booking.com guest writes: โThe atmosphere was warm and welcoming.โ
See photos and book Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa here.
Ambleside Fell Rooms - simple rooms for an active holiday
Ambleside Fell Rooms offers room-only accommodation and has no on-site parking. It makes most sense if you want to eat out and prioritise a good base over lots of hotel facilities.
With a car, add parking costs to the room rate when comparing it with the other hotels.
A previous guest describes their stay like this: โThe place was lovely and very comfortable.โ
See photos and book Ambleside Fell Rooms here.
3. Keswick and Derwentwater - best area for a holiday with plenty of walking โฐ๏ธ
- ๐ Distance to the centre: Keswick town centre is within walking distance of the northern shore of Derwentwater.
- ๐ Transport: Buses connect Keswick with Penrith and other parts of the national park. Boats operate on Derwentwater.
- โ๏ธ Time from the airport: Allow around 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Manchester Airport.
- ๐ฐ Price range: Expect โฌโฌ to โฌโฌโฌ. Lakeside hotels with spas are often at the more expensive end.
- ๐ฎ Safety: The weather on the fells can change quickly. Plan your route, equipment and return journey before setting off.
Keswick is my choice if walking will be the main focus of your holiday. The town is at the northern end of Derwentwater and has a wide choice of outdoor shops, pubs and places to eat. You can stay in a proper town and still have the lake and fells close by.
I’d choose the centre if evenings on foot and easy access to buses matter to you. It’s simple to buy anything you need for the next day and find a hot dinner after your walk. You can also head down towards the lake without turning every small outing into a car journey.
Derwentwater gives you options for different kinds of days. You can walk beside the water, use the boats as part of your outing or choose a route that climbs higher.
See hotels in Keswick and around Derwentwater here
Hotels further down the lake suit travellers who want more views and fewer town streets around them. They can work well for couples or a trip where the hotel is part of the experience. You’ll need to accept that dinner in Keswick won’t necessarily be a short walk away.
Without a car, you’ll usually continue from the train at Penrith by bus to Keswick. I’d check the last connection before booking a late flight and choose a central hotel for the first evening. A cheap flight loses some of its appeal if arriving means a long, expensive taxi journey.
Give the area four nights if you want several walking days and time to wait for better weather. I’d rather choose two good walks and a quiet day by the lake than squeeze in a summit in poor conditions. For a weekend focused on the hotel, Bowness or Grasmere would be my more obvious alternatives.
Places to Stay in Keswick and around Derwentwater
Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa - best choice for a spa beside Derwentwater
Lodore Falls is beside Derwentwater, with a waterfall and extensive grounds around the hotel. It’s a good choice for a stay where the spa and surroundings matter as much as your outings.
You’ll be outside central Keswick. Check spa access terms and transport if you want to eat in town on several evenings.
A guest on Booking.com says: โI really liked the hotel’s decor.โ
See photos and book Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa here.
The Highfield - good choice with a garden and self check-in
The Highfield has a garden, a terrace and free private parking in Keswick. The hotel uses self check-in, which is convenient for some travellers but means you’ll need to read the arrival message before your trip.
One guest praises the view from their room. Book a room category with the view you want if it matters to you.
One Booking.com guest writes: โThe view from the room was hard to beat.โ
See photos and book The Highfield here.
Keswick Park Hotel - practical town hotel with breakfast and parking
Keswick Park is a central hotel offering bed and breakfast accommodation, Wi-Fi and free private parking. It suits a holiday where you’ll be out for most of the day and want the town close by in the evening.
I’d compare the total cost with smaller places to stay, particularly if breakfast and parking would otherwise cost extra.
A previous guest describes their stay like this: โIt was clean and comfortable, and the location was perfect.โ
See photos and book Keswick Park Hotel here.
4. Grasmere - best area for couples and peaceful days between the lakes ๐ฟ
- ๐ Distance to the centre: The village centre and lakeshore are different locations. Check the hotel’s exact address.
- ๐ Transport: Buses along the main route connect Grasmere with Ambleside, Keswick and other towns.
- โ๏ธ Time from the airport: Allow around 2 to 2.5 hours by car from Manchester Airport.
- ๐ฐ Price range: Expect โฌโฌ to โฌโฌโฌ. Small hotels and spa breaks are popular, particularly at weekends.
- ๐ฎ Safety: Choose walking routes to suit the weather and follow instructions around the lakes.
Grasmere is my suggestion for couples who want a smaller base with cafรฉs, walks and time at the hotel. The village sits between the fells beside the lake of the same name, on a different scale from Keswick. I’d choose it for a holiday where you can leave the days a little more open.
Stone cottages, slate roofs and the connection to William and Dorothy Wordsworth are a big part of the village’s character. You can combine a walk around the village with the lakeshore and the area around Rydal. There’s no need to plan a long drive every day when some of your holiday can take place close to your base.
I’d stay in the village to walk to dinner or choose a lakeside hotel for the view and more time in the room. Those are two different priorities, so check the map before booking. A hotel can have Grasmere in its name and still be some distance from the cafรฉs you picture yourself visiting.
Grasmere is a quieter base than the larger towns, but it’s still a popular day-trip destination. Don’t expect empty streets in the middle of a summer’s day. Staying overnight lets you enjoy early mornings and evenings without needing to move on to the next stop on your route.
The national park’s page on Grasmere and Rydal has ideas for the lakes and nearby walks. I’d allow three nights and let the weather decide the order of your plans. A hotel with a good restaurant or spa can turn a wet afternoon into an enjoyable part of the stay.
Bus connections also make Grasmere an option without a car, but check your specific return journey if you want to eat in another town. I’d prioritise a hotel where you can spend the evening locally. For more shops and a wider choice of restaurants, I’d choose Ambleside or Keswick instead.
Places to Stay in Grasmere
The Grand at Grasmere - best choice for a peaceful stay with good food
The Grand is in a quiet part of Grasmere and has its own restaurant serving modern British food. It suits a stay where you’d like to eat at the hotel after a day in the area.
I’d choose it for a short break with time for both the surroundings and the meals, rather than just an overnight stop.
A guest on Booking.com says: โBoth dinner and breakfast were lovely.โ
See photos and book The Grand at Grasmere here.
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa - good spa hotel beside the lake
Daffodil sits beside Grasmere lake, a short walk from the village. It’s a good choice for views and a spa break without being far from places to go out.
Choose your room and package according to whether lake views and spa access are things you’d like to pay extra for.
One Booking.com guest writes: โThe hotel was in a lovely lakeside setting, and I loved the view.โ
See photos and book The Daffodil Hotel & Spa here.
Victorian House - good smaller place to stay in the village
Victorian House is a smaller property in Grasmere, where one guest particularly praises the room, breakfast and hospitality. I’d compare it with the larger hotels if you mainly need a comfortable base.
Parking is limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t count on a guaranteed space.
A previous guest describes their stay like this: โThe room and breakfast were perfect.โ
See photos and book Victorian House here.
5. Coniston - best area for families and days on the lake ๐ฃ
- ๐ Distance to the centre: The village is close to the northern end of Coniston Water, but not all hotels are on the lakeshore.
- ๐ Transport: You can walk between the village and the lake. Buses are an option, while a car makes trips further afield easier.
- โ๏ธ Time from the airport: Allow around 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours and 15 minutes by car from Manchester Airport.
- ๐ฐ Price range: Expect โฌโฌ to โฌโฌโฌ. Inns with rooms offer an alternative to the large spa hotels elsewhere.
- ๐ฎ Safety: Use appropriate safety equipment on the water and follow the hire operator’s advice on wind and weather.
Coniston is my choice for families and anyone who wants the lake to be a regular part of the holiday. The village is small enough to feel manageable and has pubs and places to eat, so you can still go out in the evening. I’d plan fewer drives and more days that start and finish in the same place.
Coniston Water is a big part of the reason to stay here. You can head out on the water or walk along the shore, stopping whenever you like. Coniston Boating Centre has information on boat hire and the current practical details.
I’d choose a hotel in the village if easy access to food and shops matters most. A hotel right by the lake is better if you want to use the grounds and have the water close by from the start of the day. With young children, that difference can matter more than the view from a single window.
Coniston is also a base for walks, but the routes vary considerably in difficulty. You don’t need to climb high to have a good day here. I’d choose walks to suit your group’s experience and treat a day by the lake as a perfectly good alternative when your legs or the weather call for it.
Without a car, I’d check bus connections before choosing Coniston over Ambleside. It can work well with a relaxed itinerary, but you’ll have fewer options for spontaneous trips further away. With a car, the main benefit is being able to leave it parked on days when the area around the village is enough.
Three or four nights works well for a family holiday or a couple of active days mixed with relaxation.
Places to Stay in Coniston
The Crown Inn - good choice with a pub and free parking
The Crown Inn is in the village, less than a kilometre from Coniston Water, and combines bright rooms with a relaxed pub. It suits a stay where you can eat on-site after a day outdoors.
One guest praises both the breakfast and parking, which make a stay with a car practical.
A guest on Booking.com says: โThere was plenty of free parking.โ
See photos and book The Crown Inn here.
The Coniston Inn - best choice for gardens reaching the lake
The Coniston Inn sits beside Coniston Water, with lawns leading down towards the shore and a restaurant with views of the fells. It’s my choice if you want the lake close by throughout the day.
One guest also mentions the warm welcome given to their dog. Check room categories and any supplements if you’re travelling with a pet.
One Booking.com guest writes: โThe pub food and selection of beers were really good.โ
See photos and book The Coniston Inn here.
The Yewdale Inn - central choice for different dietary preferences
The Yewdale Inn is in the middle of Coniston, with the village around you and food available on-site. One guest praises the kitchen’s vegan options and help with particular dietary requests.
I’d compare it with other places for a holiday where convenience and a good meal matter more than spas and luxury.
A previous guest describes their stay like this: โThe kitchen had good vegan options.โ
See photos and book The Yewdale Inn here.
Where Should You Not Stay in the Lake District?
I’d avoid a remote hotel without a car unless you’ve planned your arrival, meals and outings. A beautiful location far from a bus route can make for a more awkward holiday than a smaller room in town. Check parking if you’re bringing a car, too; it isn’t automatically included.
Don’t choose a hotel simply because it looks close to a walking route on the map. Lakes and fells can make the drive longer than the distance suggests. Stay in the part of the national park where you want to spend most of your days.
I’d also avoid an itinerary that needs good weather on the fells every day. Use the national park’s weather information and keep the option of changing your plans.
For a first visit, I’d choose Bowness for the lake and an easy holiday, or Ambleside for buses and walking. Keswick is my choice for a longer trip with more days on the trails, while Grasmere suits a quieter break for two. Coniston is a good place for the family to find its own rhythm around the lake.
You don’t need to change hotels between all five places. For three or four nights, I’d choose one base. With a full week to see both the south and north, two hotels can make sense, but I’d still keep some days free of long drives.
To combine the outdoors with music, football and restaurants, you could add a stay in Liverpool before or afterwards. My guide to where to stay in Liverpool can help with that part of the trip. In the Lake District, I’d settle on the location first, then choose a hotel I’d also enjoy on a rainy day.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time ๐
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