Throughout the area you can find staple Lakeland retreats complete with traditional comforts in stately, stone-clad settings. With an abundance of old fashioned B&Bs and guesthouses offering delicious food and drink in stylish settings, it’s not difficult to find a fairly priced and memorable place to rest your head.
Grasmere
Known as the location which inspired William Wordsworth to pen some of his finest poetry, Grasmere is a mecca for literature lovers. As well as daily tours around Dove Cottage and its sublime gardens, where the poet lived for almost a decade at the end of the 18th century, you can find tasty treats throughout the pretty village.
Hotels in Grasmere
There are hotels in and around Grasmere that offer pampering of the highest standard – think sprawling Victorian houses featuring elegant rooms and modern facilities like spa treatment rooms. Even some smaller hotels feature 4-poster beds and lobbies with roaring fires.
Keswick
Keswick is a charming and busy market town that's less than a mile’s walk to Derwentwater. Close to beloved children’s author Beatrix Potter’s heart, the area around the lake is a popular holiday destination for families, with plenty of activities and attractions to keep everyone entertained. The Theatre by the Lake is no more than a 10-minute walk from the centre of town and, of course, quality hikes are never far away.
Hotels in Keswick
Whether you want to pitch up a tent, self-cater, or relax at a cosy guesthouse, you can find low-price options with everything required for a fun and adventurous time away. However, if you're after a plusher affair – perhaps a swanky something tucked away behind swathes of gorgeous greenery – there’s that too.
Coniston Water
Coniston is a calm and peaceful quarter of the lakes, where you can hire boats and paddle the glossy, mirror-like surface of the water without a care in the world. Coniston village is a pretty spot nesting in the glare of the famous fell, the Old Man of Coniston. It’s a great base from which to visit Brantwood – the home of poet, critic and all round genius John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900. The dedicated Ruskin Museum is worth a look too.
Hotels near Coniston Water
After a blustery, carefree day on the lake, there is one thing you’re likely to need: rest. Though not necessarily overflowing with places to stay, there's a few plush pads within driving distance, between Coniston and Windermere. These include rustic lodges with 4-poster beds, tasteful floral décor, and boutique hotels with bright, contemporary guestrooms.
