Lake District first timer

[KenAdams]

I've never been to the Lake District before and we're looking to go in July before the school holidays. We will have children with us.

Does anyone have recommendations on which area is best to stay in for exploring please? It will be some sort of lodge or cottage rather than a hotel.

Any recommendations for must see or do attractions would be welcome too :)

The lakes is beautiful!

I personally wouldnt reccomend windermere area, its quite busy and touristy but depends what your looking for.

Id reccomend going to quieter lakes such as loweswater or wastwater to get away from the crowds, you can do lovely walks along both, but you can go to both them on day trips.

Keswick is a lovely town and you can hire row boats on the lake. Nearby is also Castlerigg Stone Circle which is stunning and a must see!

Whinlatter Forest Park is nice for walks and you can hire bikes, i think there is a gruffolo trail too (depending on how old kids are)

Dodd wood aswell has an osprey viewing point which is pretty cool!

If your up for walking up some fells (which everyone should if they go to the lakes!) Catbells is a good family friendly one. But can be quite busy.

Enjoy! I hope the weathers ok for you!

Hope you get good replies cuz looking too! A friend suggested... The Ravenglass and Eskdale 'Ratty' miniature train as good for kids, and lakes wise she said Wasdale is her fave.

Ambleside - We have stayed here which was a hugely convenient location.

If your children are really young, look at the easy walks here

My favorite area of the country, I am very envious of you.

We went with our dses a few years ago, about 3 years on the trot and loved it.

I'd recommend the northern lakes as a base. We stayed in Threlkeld twice. It's at the foot of Blencathra and within easy driving distance of Keswick which is beautiful. As the roads are so tricky, getting around can be a length process though so you are a bit more limited if you stay in the northern area.

Our last trip we stayed in the center of Ambleside. It's a gorgeous town but very busy. Easier access to Wast Water, consiston and the Langdales though. Wast water is amazing, a proper must see and the drive over the hard Knott pass is never forgotten.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will have a wonderful holiday.

Ambleside area. Lots to see round there.

Borrowdale valley is lovely very country with big hills

Blackwells is worth a visit. The public transport is reasonable but it's very expensive!

Western Lakes are the quietest and frankly the most beautiful, I am biased since my family are from the area.
Keswick used to be nice but like Ambleside it’s full of discount kagoule and walking boot shops.
South Lakeland peninsula has plenty to offer. Holler Hall, Cartmell, Grange over Sands ( no longer much in the way of sand there now) and Ulverston a little known market town unspoilt by tourism. It does have a Booths though, Cumbria’s answer to Waitrose.

I much prefer the northern lakes and we always stay just outside Keswick.

Windermere is always packed and although beautiful it's more hilly than mountainous.

Definitely have a trip to Wastwater and if you like thrilling drives go over the Wrynose and Hardknott Passes.

Also Suprise View at Ashness Bridge n't Keswick is stunning, you can park right by it's a beautiful place to sit and watch the sunset.
The Bowder Stone is fascinating too.

I knew I could rely on you! I'll get googling. I think a quieter area would suit us better as we don't mind staying in in the evenings with the kids so don't need to be somewhere with lots of shops or restaurants or anything. The kids are very outdoorsy as well so as long as they have space to explore I think they'll love it.

So I've just searched for a lakes thread and found my own! We never made it (looking at the date you'll see why) however we're finally going now so any more recommendations would be fantastic.