Planning a trip to the Lake District can feel overwhelming because there are so many charming towns, each with its own unique vibe and specialties. In this guide, I take you through each town, describing what makes it special and what it is best for. I also share my personal hand-picked accommodation recommendations to suit every budget, complete with affiliate links for easy booking.
Bowness-On-Windermere
Bowness is the ultimate tourist hub of the Lake District, located right on the shores of Lake Windermere. Here you’ll find everything you could need: restaurants, bars, cafés, ferries, small boat hire, the Beatrix Potter Museum (great for kids!) and The Old Laundry Theatre. As well as beautiful views over Lake Windermere and
convenient ferry links to Ambleside and Far Sawrey, Bowness offers a lively high street filled with big-name brands such as Mountain Warehouse and Joules, together with locally made products from shops like the Bath House.
Best for: A lively atmosphere with everything within easy walking
distance. Ideal for ferries and boat hire on Lake Windermere
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- Elim Guest House
- Melbourne Guest House
- Fairfield House and Gardens
- Craig Manor Hotel
- Marina Boathouse
- Beechwood Guest House
Middle Range:
- Macdonald Old England Hotel & Spa
- The Rockefeller Apartments
- Fellside Cottage
- Lakes Hotel and Spa
- Bowness Bay Suites
- Grade II listed cottage with hot tub
Luxury:
• Gilpin Hotel and Lake House
• Brantlea
• The Den at The White House, Windermere
• Maison on Windermere
• Linthwaite House Hotel
• Storrs Hall Hotel
• Jessica’s Cottage
• Bounty on The Lakes
Windermere
Windermere sits up the hill from Bowness and is about a 25–30 minute walk or a short bus ride away. Like Bowness, it is a key tourist hub for the Lake District, but it’s smaller and a little quieter. It’s ideal if you want
everything close by without the hustle and bustle. Most accommodation is just steps from the main street, where you’ll find restaurants, artisan cafes and art galleries. The town is conveniently located a stone’s throw from the train station, which has a direct link to Oxenholme. The nearby bus station offers easy connections to almost anywhere in the Lakes. A big perk of Windermere is the large Booths supermarket beside the station, perfect for those who are self-catering.
Best for: Food lovers, guest houses, and those seeking a slightly quieter town with everything you need
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- Jerichos Boutique Accommodation
- Rum Doodle
- Holly Lodge
- Rocklea Guest House
- Denehurst Guest House – Adults only
- Abby’s Cottage
Middle Range:
- Little Herdwick
- Woodland Cottage – pet friendly
- Applegarth
- Charlotte’s Cottage
- Beaumont Guest House
- The Howbeck
- Windermere Boutique Hotel Spa Suites & Hot Tubs
Luxury:
- Langdale Chase Hotel
- The Samling Hotel
- Queen’s Loft
- Low Wood Bay Resort and Spa
- Rosemount Lake District Townhouse with Hot Tub
- Cherry Trees
- Architect’s Loft
Ambleside
Known locally as “The Amble Ramble”, Ambleside is one of the most popular places for visitors to stay in the Lake District. Its appeal comes from its range of outdoor clothing shops, cafés, restaurants, and its convenient location close to well-known spots such as Grasmere and Coniston. For keen walkers, Ambleside is home to Stock Gyll waterfalls, the famous Fairfield Horseshoe, a spectacular 16 km hike that takes in nine peaks and offers panoramic views of the Lakes. Situated at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, you can take a ferry to Bowness or simply enjoy the lakeside views. The town also has a cinema for evening entertainment and even live jazz nights at Zeffirelli’s.
Best for: Walking gear shopping, cafés and restaurants, and easy access to popular locations and walks
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- Ambleside Fell Rooms
- Compston House B&B
- Lacet House
- Brathay Lodge
- Brantfell House
- Ambleside Townhouse
Middle Range:
- Bakestones
- Salutation Hotel and Spa
- Buttonhole Cottage
- Ambleside Manor – Vegetarian B&B
- River Falls View
- Rock Lea
- Chapelside Cottage
Luxury:
Grasmere
Grasmere is a true jewel of the Lake District. Best known as the home of William Wordsworth, Dove Cottage is one of the village’s proudest attractions in this charming, picture-perfect town. The village sits on the shores of the smaller lake, Grasmere, and offers lovely walks to nearby Rydal Water, Loughrigg Tarn, or the more challenging Helm Crag. Grasmere also has comfortable hotels, gastro pubs, quaint cafés, and the famous Grasmere Gingerbread shop.
Best for: Literary history, scenic walks, cosy accommodation, and traditional Lake District treats
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- The Swan at Grasmere
- Victorian House
- Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge
- The Traveller’s Rest
- Bridge House Hotel
- YHA Grasmere
Middle Range:
Luxury:
- The Daffodil Hotel and Spa
- Bellfoot Rural Retreat and Hot Tub
- Underheron
- Forest Side Hotel
- Rothay Garden by Harbour Hotels
- Acorn Cottage
- Croft
Elterwater
Elterwater is a charming little village near Ambleside, full of the character that makes the Lake District so special. Picturesque slate cottages line the village, and a Grade II listed packhorse bridge crosses the River Brathay at its centre. The village is ideally placed for peaceful riverside walks, such as the route from Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge. For those seeking more of a challenge, Langdale is nearby, offering scrambles like Jack’s Rake and peaks including Pike o’ Stickle. Ambleside is just a 13-minute drive away, making Elterwater perfect for anyone who wants the conveniences of a busier town close by but prefers to stay somewhere quieter.
Best for: A quiet, quintessential Lake District experience, easy
riverside walks, and proximity to Langdale and Ambleside
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
Middle Range:
Luxury:
Keswick
Keswick is a major town in the northern Lakes, situated on the shores of Derwent Water. It is a lively base for exploring the northern Lake District, including climbs of Skiddaw, Blencathra, Cat Bells, and even Scafell Pike
from Seathwaite. Bassenthwaite Lake is also close by. The town has everything you could need for a holiday: excellent bus links, restaurants, bars, cafés, and supermarkets. Keswick has a different atmosphere from the Southern Lakes, with bigger, bolder mountains. Blue and green slate and ancient sites such as the 5,000-year-old Castlerigg stone circle reflect the area’s heritage. With so many fantastic walks on your doorstep, Keswick is ideal for exploring dramatic mountains, spectacular views, and historic landmarks.
Best for: Exploring the northern Lake District.
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- Highfield Hotel
- Dalkeith Guest House
- Fellside Lodge
- Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- Brookfield B&B Guest House
- Laurel Bank Guest House
Middle Range:
Luxury:
- Greta House
- The Ridgeway
- Blencathra
- Deer Close Cottage
- Wordsworth House (with hot tub!)
- Briarwood House
- Latrigg View
- The Lookout
- Oak Lodge
Hawkshead
Hawkshead is a small, quieter town near the western shores of Windermere. Mainly residential, it offers a peaceful stay with local attractions such as Esthwaite lake, Go Ape and Grizedale Forest, which is popular for its bike trails.
Nearby, the villages of Far Sawrey and Near Sawrey provide charming experiences and attractions, including Hill Top, the former home of Beatrix Potter.
Best for: A peaceful Lake District stay, cycling, and exploring
nearby charming villages.
My personal accommodation recommendations
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Budget Friendly:
- Old School House
- Hawkshead Hideaway
- Ivy Guest House
- Treeside Wood House
- The Hive at Poppi-Red
- Queens Head Inn and Restaurant
Middle Range:
Luxury:
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