Lake District in October

[princesspeabody]

for just me and DH...

We don't want to stay anywhere too touristy. Like a bit of walking, countryside, general mooching about, drinking coffee and eating nice food.

Can anyone recommend where to go/what to do?

TIA

we love the drunken duck pub - great food and beer and lots of lovely walks near by

I've only been to Kendal in the Lakes, but me and DH had a lovely time there. We walked up to the castle, visited the Museum of Lakeland Life and Abbott Hall Art Gallery, both of which were really good. We ate dinner at a lovely restaurant called New Moon on the main street.

I've been to Cartmel too, which I think is that neck of the woods, if not absolutely in the Lake District. Cartmel has: L'Enclume (amazing Michelin starred restaurant with rooms), Rogan and Company (beautiful pub owned by the same chef, with cheaper, equally delicious food) and a fantastic village shop/deli. And it's the home of sticky toffee pudding!

cartmel is lovely, and close to Windermere/Coniston. you can also explore the area on the northern edge of Morecambe Bay, Grange, Arnside, Silverdale.

Western Lakes beautiful and much quieter, Loweswater, BUttermere and Crummock, great for walking and close to Keswick and Cockermouth for food/accom. Kirkstile Inn has beautiful views and good food.

I would go to Wasdale or Eskdale. Fisherground Lodges at Eskdale Green look lovely if you want self-catering (we've camped there), or if you want B&B then the Wasdale Head Inn. As previous poster said, it's much quieter than the eastern lakes, but stunning scenery, lovely cosy pubs etc.

Are you thinking holiday cottage or B&B or hotels?

Thanks everyone

Would like a self catering cottage in a quieter location but easy to get to everything IYSWIM.

so a few more questions to narrow down the options

-so you don't want to be up in the hills - you don't want to be too far away from being able to get back on the main roads?

-how far a walk to a pub is acceptable?
-do you want to be in a village (i'm guessing if so non touristy if possible) or for example in a cottage on a farm or estate?

-Do you want to be IN the lake district to be close to the big ticket lakes and mountains e.g. Grasmere/ Keswick or would just outside the lake district e.g. Kendal area (south) or Penrith (Northish) be okay?

• will you be travelling by car or public transport or biking etc?

Have you ever seen The Trip with Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon? They visit some beautiful places in Cumbria, lovely hotels/guesthouses and restaurants.

Answers...

-so you don't want to be up in the hills - you don't want to be too far away from being able to get back on the main roads?
Yes!

-how far a walk to a pub is acceptable?
Would be nice to be within walking distance of a pub but not bothered if we aren't.

-do you want to be in a village (i'm guessing if so non touristy if possible) or for example in a cottage on a farm or estate?
Cottage in a quiet village on a farm or estate would all be good.

-Do you want to be IN the lake district to be close to the big ticket lakes and mountains e.g. Grasmere/ Keswick or would just outside the lake district e.g. Kendal area (south) or Penrith (Northish) be okay?
First choice would be inside but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we were outside.

• will you be travelling by car or public transport or biking etc?

Car

Ok - well Staveley near Windermere is nice and falls JUST inside the National Park Boundary. Its about 20 minutes from the M6 and has a couple of pubs including a brewery, a spar shop and a newsagents and a really nice cafe. Despite all this it is still a proper thriving village community and won't go dead in October unlike many other villages in the lakes. Its on the doorstep for walks such as the Kentmere Horseshoe and the 555 bus goes right through it which if you get a day rider will take you right through the lakes saving on parking costs if you do fancy going walking for the day and leaving the car wherever you stay. Its also close to Kendal and Windermere for food shopping.

Sooo....holiday cottages for two near/ in Staveley

The Hayloft

Gowan Bank Farm Cottage (in Ings which is the next village up)

for examples - are they sort of along the right track?

Pullwoodbay.

Go west from Coniston, perhaps the village of Torver, only a very, very little way out of the main lakes but much, much quieter. Also very easy to get to the coast from there if you fancy a change from the crowds in the main tourist spots of the National Park. I used to live in the Lakes, grew up there, so know it well.
Avoid theWindermere/Ambleside/Grassmere/Keswick main hub to avoid the traffic jams & crowds.