Lake District

[cantwait4orsummer]

Budget is tight, woukd love ti take my children to Lake district for four days anytime between 19/08 to 01/09. please recommend good areas to begin with. we are not into hiking etc ,we want to enjoy views and have picnic etc.

Keswick would be a good base.
Town has things to do including indoor climbing wall.
Lots of places to eat.
Boat trips or hire a motor boat.
Play at the lake
Small fells, flat walks.
Crazy and mini golf
Parks.
Can get public transport to other areas.

On a low budget I would recommend a glamping pod. We stayed at one in Eskdale that was lovely.

If your budget is tight and you aren't into hiking then honestly I'd look to go elsewhere. Attractions and boats are a rip off. Cafés, takeaways, ice cream, chips etc are v expensive (London prices), unless you're planning to bring all your food from the supermarket and cook/make picnics daily then you'll need a healthy budget.

Between those dates you've mentioned everywhere is absolutely rammed and bursting at the seams, parking is expensive and hard to come by, it's not much of a holiday at all. And that's if it doesn't piss down..

Sorry I forgot to add, Eskdale is lovely for being on the quieter side yet right in the thick of beautiful scenery. Lots of rivers to swim in, Giggle Alley woods that if you continue through takes you up an easy fell walk with beautiful views, railway, waterfalls and very close to the seaside too.

Thank you. i looked at Sykes cottages , they are coming under £500 for 4 days . we are planning to do the shopping in supermarket and pack picnic etc. I will look in these areas. Never done Glamping so no idea whether my family would be able to do this.

This site is between Windermere and Ambleside and goes right onto Lake Windermere Holiday Sales Accommodation listings (parkdeanresorts.co.uk)

I'd say head more to the south side towards Grange over Sands. You can then access all the touristy bits the kids will like.

Rinse a national trust membership for parking and places like Sizergh castle and Hill Top.

Grizedale forest for go ape and the valley walks with the "singing trees"

Grasmere there's a lovely flat walk round the back of the village + gingerbread 🤤

Then you can also do the classic spots easily from there, Kendal etc.

Otherwise Keswick would be a good base.

If you're into walking and want 'proper' lakes then the north and west of Cumbria round Wasdale etc is glorious but not with small kids!

Keswick is nice, here's a route to one of the quieter areas
https://www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-9-the-lakes/

I love Ambleside/Grasmere area. Keswick is lovely too but more of a base for hiking I would say.
Windermere will be very busy, I would avoid staying there but do a day trip if you're ok with it being packed with tourists! There is a park & ride - don't even try driving in to the village centre, and take a picnic

If you follow the route I posted above you can see the quiet bits then get the ferry (£5) over the lake and do the busy areas.
Another seldom visited place as the road is tight is Watendlath Tarn
Drive out of Keswick stop at the view point at Ashness Bridge, then take great care as it's a small road up to Watendlath Tarn. Its spectacular, from memory the farm house serves tea and cake but nothing else there.
https://www.visitcumbria.com/kes/watendlath/

thank you everyone