where to go in the Lake District?

[hatwoman]

I have a yen to go to the Lake District for a couple of days/long weekend. If it were down to me/dh we would probably do two days' walking, but, with dds I think we'd need an alternative second-day activity up our sleeve. (They've done some reasonably tough walking, but two days on the trot might be pushing it a bit). Any recommendations for location and/or accommodation? Location-wise I'd prefer isolated or village. Not that fussy about type of accommodation - but ideally it would be dog-friendly. and if B&B would have a decent pub nearby for dinner, without having to get in the car.

[hatwoman]

just bumping

[selby]

Far from isolated but we've just booked a 2 bed apartment in Waterhead Bay which is 10/15 mins walk from Ambleside for next week. We have a 2 yr old and a 5 yr old so decided to be near other facilities in case of torrential rain! With a shared indoor pool and Borrans Park across the road, I'm pretty chuffed with my bargain - fingers crossed that it won't rain every day next week.

[roisin]

Are you thinking this month or later in the year? If August I would definitely be looking as far west as possible to avoid the crowds.

[MegBusset]

Fisherground in Eskdale is sublime there's a campsite and cottages. Nearby pub King George literally at the end of the road -- does food and also B&B accommodation.

For the second day you could go to Muncaster Castle or get the La'al Ratty train down to Ravenglass.

[Carrotfly]

Hey Selby I might bump into you !

We are there for a week next week too. Hope its nice weatheer !

[hatwoman]

so is it really bad in August? If we found somewhere we didn;t really need to use the car would it be ok? surely the spaces are so big you can escape?(though admittedly I'm not sure what second-day activity we could manage without a car...). my db recommended here any opinions?

[piscesmoon]

I would go north-it will be quieter. I would avoid Windermere in August.
As a place to visit the Mire House at Bassenthwaite here is excellent for DCs. They have things they can touch, a secret drawer with sweets in, mystery objects and my DSs, who normally hate historic houses, enjoyed it. It is some years ago, so I hope it is the same. The adventure playground was good and you can walk to the lake. You can combine it with a walk in Dodd Wood herewhich isn't too arduous.
I don't know where to stay, we stay in the Eden Valley which is much quieter.
A good walk for DCs is along the shores of Ullswater-get the ferry across and walk back. We did the walk and then the ferry but it turned into a big worry that we would miss the last ferry and so the next time we did the ferry first and it was more relaxing. Some of them even had a swim on the walk.

[hatwoman]

thanks for that piscesmoon. I need to piece together all these bits of info and see if I can formulate a plan. Walkwise we'd want to go high (for me that's the main reason for going, rather than the lakes). we did 8 miles up to Kinder Scout and back down, last half-term so would plan to do something similar, or possibly a bit more.

[piscesmoon]

Blencathra is lovely in the north-I wouldn't recommend going up Sharp Edge with DCs but it is a lovely climb up to Scales Tarn with superb views.
here
The Ullswater walk is great with DCs if it is a really hot day-superb views and the chance to cool off. We got the steamer from Glenridding to Howtown. Derwentwater and Catbells is a favourite of mine.
The Mire House sticks in my mind because it is the only house that I have been to that genuinely encourages DCs, they were so friendly and there were no signs saying 'keep off the grass' etc. Because they treated the DCs so well they all seemed to respond really well in return.(or perhaps I just went on a good day!)
At peak holiday times, the north is quieter because it is further from the hugely populated area of Manchester etc.

[piscesmoon]

Ignore my bit about the Eden Valley-not suitable if you only want a few days. Years ago we did farm house B&Bs which were good, it was from a book of them, but too long ago to remember.