Quick stop to charge EV in Lake District? Keswick Kendal Windermere Kirkby

[Reluctantadult]

Title says it all really! Driving home from Scotland tomorrow down the M6 and will need to charge the car 3 times. I'd like to make a longer stop in the Lakes, to release the kids, have a mooch, get something to eat. Never been to the lakes, so I'm looking for inside information on which town we'd be able to enjoy for 2hrs, plus also get in and out of without getting impossibly stuck in traffic... Any help really appreciated!

Tebay Services! They have charging points (Tesla southbound and Gridserve northbound, but you can access both if you're coming south).

Honestly the best services ever: beautiful grounds, great food (it's a farm shop) and indoor and outdoor kids' play areas.

I know you asked for a town, but Saturday of half term will be hellish so I wouldn't stray too far from the M6 if I were you...

Kirkby Stephen has charging points in the main car park. There’s Bryson’s for a snack, or cafes. Walk down to the river at Frank’s Bridge, up the hill behind the cricket pitch or there’s a longer walk up through Hartley that follows the river and across the viaduct, back along the river through some woods.

Hate Tebay! We did it once and avoid it like the plague now. The profiteering on petrol (not that that is an issue for you, I know!) is obscene and it’s full of wankers pushing in and getting cross with the rest of humanity.

Although it’s Appleby Horse Fair next week so maybe not Kirkby Stephen . There was a horrible atmosphere when we went through last time, tons of police peering into every car etc.

Reghed has chargers as does the Booths in Keswick (well worth a browse).

We are just back from the Lakes. All the roads are very small and crazy busy. The towns are busy too.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Seeing as you're coming South, maybe come off the M6 at Penrith and explore the Northern part of the Lake District, i.e. Keswick, Troutbeck, Glenridding, Lakes of Thirlmere, DerwentWater and Bassenthwaite, etc. You can do a boat trip on Ullswater. Keswick is probably the biggest town that has a few charging points, as does the much smaller town of Glenridding (where you get the boat trips on Ullswater). Then once you've had a look around, get back on the M6 at Penrith and continue your journey South.

It's the Southern end of the Lake District that's horribly busy and congested, i.e. Bowness, Windermere, Ambleside, down to Kendal, and the road South back to the M6 between Windermere through to Kendal and the M6 is usually pretty badly queued/congested, hence why I suggest you come off the motorway and then get back on it again at the Penrith junction via the A66.

Penrith might be a good option then, looks much closer to the mway.