Lake District - help please!

[MyMamaToldMe]

We are thinking of going to the Lake District for May half term. I've always wanted to go, but don't know very much about the area. If anyone has any advice on the area - i.e. - what area to stay in, what to do in the area, accommodation, etc, it would be very gratefully received. :)

Thanks Beer! I should have mentioned we will be travelling with our DD (5). I've also been reading up on Northumberland if anyone has any views on the area as well? Thanks! :)

I'd second that the Lake District will be heaving in school holidays, though it is a lovely area. We've stayed in Ambleside and Elterwater which are nice.

We went to Northumberland for the first time last year - with DD who was 2 and are now planning to go back there it was so gorgeous! Didn't need to find much to do as DD was happy playing on the beach/sea (and telling us the sea was warm ha!) We went to Beadnell which was nice though next time we might stay at Bamburgh which has the nicest beach ever.

We have been visiting the Lake Ditrict for 8 years now and have always stayed in the same house just outside Coniston. We love it, lots of small walks boat trips, shops and cafes. Ambleside has a softplay centre now which is a god send if the weather is not great. One place you must stop off at is Chesters by the river at Skelwith bridge, its a coffee shop attached to a lovely (but expensive) shop, oh but the cakes are huge and yummy, empty tummy required!!!

Beatrix Potter museum in Windermere too.

brockhole have just opened up a junior go ape for 5 years and older. I wouldnt bother with that unless your DD is super confident.

Wow - thanks everyone for all the info - lots to think about. Cathpip - do you mind sharing the details of where you stay?

The World of Beatrix Potter Attractions is in Bowness-on-Windermere (a mile down the road), not in Windermere (village) itself.

ds is going there on a Geography trip at Easter - the itinerary includes a riverboat cruise on Derwent water, Honister Slate Museum, Keswick Museum, Catbells (??) Cockermouth and Cumberland Pencil Museum. They are going by train and getting around using public transport so I assume all these places are within easy reach of each other. They are basing themselves in Keswick staying in B&B but you won't want to share with a bunch of 15 year olds!

There is a soft play place in Seahouses if it rains - though as we found out it opens late - about 11 I think. Fish and chips from seahouses is gorgeous as well looking forward to having that again.

Thanks all! Lots of helpful info! Now to find a cottage for the week! :)

We went to the LD last year, gorgeous.

Can I recommend The Brown Horse Inn ? Lovely organic food, most of it grown out the back and very cheap.

Erk, I say "very cheap". I live in London so it's probably just moderately cheap. What I mean is it's good value for what you get, nice non-pretentious atmosphere.

We stayed here in a 2 bed apartment with our DC. It's a very convenient location - 10 mins' walk from the centre of Ambleside and just across from the water's edge. DC were 2 & 5 at the time so we chose 'easy' walks from this site. HTH