A holiday cottage overlooks a large lake in front of tall Lake District Fells.

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in Cumbria

This essentially wild and remote region of England is often regarded as one of the best counties in England for lovers of the great outdoors. Perhaps the best way to enjoy it is from a cosy stone-built Cumbrian self-catering holiday cottage tucked away in the heart of a Lakeland or Pennine hill village with a welcoming pub within easy walking distance. Cumbria is the home of the English Lake District National Park, a paradise for walkers, climbers, mountain bikers and those who like to mess around in a boat on the Lakes. Cumbria also appeals to literature lovers keen to follow in the footsteps of the poet William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, author of the Peter Rabbit children's books. Their homes are open to the public. You'll also discover more about the author of Mrs Tiggywinkle at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness on Windemere.

A large Coniston holiday home at the head of a hedge-lined tarmac drive with a mature woodland background.
Sleeps
14
Bedrooms
6

Brownside is a pet-friendly Lake District holiday cottage with stunning fell views down to Coniston Water. It welcomes large families or groups of friends. Sleeping 14, this large, warm, cosy house is a walker's paradise and includes a hot tub for relaxing after a day in the fells.

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Aerial view of a holiday cottage surrounded by fields overlooking Lake Windermere.
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Renovated in 2018, Cherry Trees combines stunning traditional features with luxury modern living. Situated on the outskirts of Bowness on Windermere, the house stands within beautiful landscaped gardens in a unique, elevated location overlooking Lake Windermere.

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A rambling, stone-built cottage in Cumbria with a terraced garden
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Whether blanketed in snow or blossoming with wildflowers, the grounds of Cazenovia Hall complement this Grade II listed rural holiday home near Greystoke in Cumbria. The pet-friendly cottage promises extensive gardens, beautiful views, an open fire and a masterful blend of modernity and tradition.

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A stone-built, vine-clad barn conversion behind a low stone wall
Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

A large and impressively furnished stone barn conversion in Hawkshead, Bull Pen is a pet-friendly Lake District holiday cottage that sleeps ten on the rural Greythwaite Estate. Guests enjoy access to the Estate's heated indoor swimming pool, gym, and children's play area.

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A semi-detached cottage with an enclosed front porch and a front garden behind a low stone wall
Sleeps
4
Bedrooms
2

The charming countryside Beech Cottage in Scales, Cumbria, sits in the heart of the Cumbrian peninsula, providing families on holiday boundless opportunities to enjoy the coastline of the Furness Estuary or the splendid beauty of Lake District National Park from a dog-friendly welcoming home base.

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Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Located next to a stream in the village of Cark in Cartmel, 14 Low Row is a charming holiday cottage in the Lake District. This pet-friendly accommodation in Cumbria provides easy access to all the local attractions. It offers modern amenities, several outdoor relaxation areas, exposed wooden beams, and a comfortable wood burner for a cosy stay.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

High Bridge Haven boasts beautiful ocean views from its gardens and offers couples a romantic getaway in Kirkby-in-Furness. The newly-built cedar cottage rests on spacious grounds in Cumbria and offers true sophistication, a gazebo with a hot tub, a light-filled interior and a wood-burning stove.

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A single-storey, stone-built barn conversion in Cumbria with parking spaces and lawns.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Take in all the majesty of the North Cumbria countryside with a stay at The Stable, a romantic farm cottage for couples in the rural hamlet of Milton near Brampton. Explore Hadrian’s Wall and The Lake District. Pets welcome.

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Exterior of a large 2-story house surrounded by a lawn on the shores of a large lake.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Hullet Hall is a beautiful Lake District holiday cottage on Lake Windermere's shores within the Graythwaite Country Estate. The cottage has its own private boating jetty and sleeps 6 in 3 bedrooms. Guests enjoy complimentary use of the Estate's heated indoor swimming pool, trout fishing lake and fitness suite.

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Everybody has their favourite lake; for some, it is Windemere, on which 'the novel Swallows and Amazons is reputedly based. You can take to the lake by hiring a rowing boat or view it from the decks of a genteel Victorian pleasure steamer. For others, it is Grasmere or Coniston Water in the south or Bassenthwaite or Buttermere in the north. Each lake has its own character, so pick one, and you'll find a suitable holiday cottage offering magnificent views of the fells close to hand.

Sharing the border with Northumberland, between England and Scotland, Cumbria draws you into its fantastic coastline, from the Solway to St.Bees, where you feel the whole world is yours to enjoy. To the north of the County, find the western end of Hadrian's Wall, built by the Romans in the 2nd century and Castle Park, known as the "Castle of the Kings". Carlisle, with its own castle and cathedral, is also home to the Museum and Art Gallery at Tullie House; check out its extensive displays of art, human history and natural sciences.

Cumbria also boasts an attractive coastline along which towns grew up during the Industrial Revolution. The coastline now offers a faded grandeur to visitors who are choosing to enjoy the impressive coastal walks along the shorelines. Visit the harbour and the Haig Colliery mining museum in Whitehaven or ride the Ravenglass and Eskdale Steam Railway, which travels through the stunning countryside in Eskdale. You'll find plenty of industrial heritage worth exploring in addition to extensive and often deserted beaches.

And if lakes, beaches and visitor attractions aren't enough, don't forget the Fells - a Mecca for walkers at any time of year, made famous by the books of Alfred Wainwright. England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike, can be found here. You don't need to be a mountaineer - just the owner of a good pair of boots, sensible clothing, and a map. With an eye on the weather, the hills and fells are yours for the day. So, spend the day in the open air in a county that offers splendid activities for all ages, then return to your holiday cottage to share a dinner of locally produced food before clambering into your comfortable cottage bed - sleep is guaranteed!