Hatters Cottage at Hawkshead near Lake Windermere

Find My Favourite Holiday Cottages in The Lake District

The dramatic landscape of the Lake District is like nowhere else in the UK. The hills and valleys directly result from the glaciers that ravaged the land millions of years ago. The long mystical lakes, lush green forests and rich moorland provide acres of wilderness to explore. The Lakes range in size (and popularity) from the largest, Windermere and Ullswater, to little gems like Buttermere and Grasmere. The Lakes are also a walkers' paradise, whether for gentle lakeside rambles or trekking across the Fells and mountain tops such as Scafell Pike, Skiddaw and Helvellyn. There is also plenty of history to keep you interested while walking, with Roman remains, ancient stone circles and monuments to English literary greats. Enjoy, for example, a romantic visit to Dove Cottage or Hill Top, the delightful homes of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Two Tweenways, near the Lake District village of Ambleside, is the perfect romantic holiday cottage for couples in Cumbria. It is complete with a fitted kitchen, dining area, small patio with garden furniture, and access to magnificent Lake Windermere and its nearby attractions.

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Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

A charming, modern Lake District holiday apartment for two set in an idyllic rural location, this beautifully decorated property in Bowness-on-Windermere sleeps two and is a perfect base from which to explore the Lake and surrounding countryside.

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Exterior of a stone-built barn conversion overlooking a field.
Sleeps
6
Bedrooms
3

Linden Barn is a newly-converted barn bordering the Cumbrian countryside. The charming, pet-friendly cottage combines style with tradition and sits in a quiet corner of Orton. Spacious grounds surround the 3-bedroom cottage, and the interior features tiled floors, an open-plan design, comfort and a log fire.

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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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Sleeps
10
Bedrooms
5

Hammerhole is a unique rural cottage on Lake Windemere's shores on the Graythwaite Estate near Hawkshead. The large, pet-friendly cottage features enviable views, extensive grounds, a private jetty, access to a swimming pool and sauna, and the beautiful region of Cumbria.

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Exterior of a holiday cottage in Cark-in-Cartmell overlooking a small patio and lawn.
Sleeps
5
Bedrooms
3

Lovely 18th-century holiday home near Cartmel village in the South Lakes. Off-road location, log fire, free Wi-Fi. Short breaks from £240.

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Rear exterior of a terraced holiday cottage in Ulverton overlooking a garden with flowering bulbs.
Sleeps
2
Bedrooms
1

Hawthorn Cottage is a delightful, pet-friendly holiday cottage in the market town of Ulverston. It offers couples a romantic escape in Cumbria and The Lake District. Oak beams and stone-flagged floor complement the open fire and add character to the cottage, which boasts a lovely patio and modern comforts.

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The 3-storey gable end seen through trees of a Cumbrian stone-barn conversion.
Sleeps
7
Bedrooms
3

Ideally situated in the South Lakeland District to explore this gorgeous region, 5 The Granary on the outskirts of Kendal, Cumbria, is a beautiful child-friendly cottage converted from a grain store to a gorgeous three-storey holiday home with an enclosed courtyard, garden and three cosy bedrooms.

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A single storey stone cottage sits behind a low stone wall.
Sleeps
8
Bedrooms
4

Rowan Cottage is a superb and large rural holiday cottage near Newby Bridge, sleeping eight on the Bigland Hall Estate in the Lake District. It has fantastic rural views, a private hot tub and a large wrap-around patio courtyard garden on two levels with a lawn.

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Self-catering holidays in The Lake District offer easy access to various outdoor activities - fell walking, rock climbing, mountain biking, long-distance cycling, golf, fishing, kayaking, sailing and more. The bodies of water that make up the Lake District offer a wealth of water sports, whether boating on Windermere or sailing for hours on end across the calm waters of the many lakes.

From your Lake District holiday home, take a ramble up the hills and onto the fells, enjoying a refreshing walk across one of the famous peaks and being rewarded with breathtaking views. The more serious walkers can take on the might of Scafell Pike - England’s highest mountain or traverse Striding Edge.

For those whose days of sauntering across mountaintops exist only in memory, explore the homes of literary greats such as Wordsworth or Beatrix Potter, which are open to the public, or enjoy a relaxing pleasure cruise on many of the lakes. 

After long days on the fells, some recuperation is in order: there’s nowhere better to ease the aches and pains than in Lake District holiday cottages with a hot tub. Usable at any time of the year, they can also be great places for star-gazing in the clear night skies above Cumbria.

The Lake District is also host to some charming little towns like Keswick, Ambleside and Grasmere as well clusters of grey-stone villages such as Coniston, Santon Bridge and Hawkshead, which have grown up along the shores of the Lakes.