The image of windswept and desolate moors only paints half the picture of an extensive county like Cumbria. In between the picturesque landscapes and ancient history lie bustling towns and cities providing an exciting and varied experience for all those who visit Cumbrian cottages.
The third largest county in England, Cumbria, can be found on the northwest coast bordering Scotland to the north, Northumberland and Durham to the east and Lancashire and Yorkshire to the south. It is home to the world renowned Lake District National Park and its landscapes consist of scenic lakes and green lowlands. Read more
Eskmeals House is an impressive country holiday home in the Lake District national park, sleeping large groups of up to twenty one guests in nine bedrooms. Plenty of space inside and out with seven acres of grounds, and an ideal base for exploring Cumbria's lovely coastline and the whole of the lake district
A charming holiday cottage in an enviable position in the picturesque lakeside village of Glenridding. Perfect for those who wish to relax in beautiful surroundings or who want to partake in more rigorous and energetic pastimes with easy and challenging fell walks, and the tranquility of Ullswater with lake cruises and boat hire on the doorstep. This popular Lakeland village offers shops and a choice of two pubs and is a good base for exploring the areas many attractions.
A delightful Lakeland cottage ideally situated in a tranquil position near the popular village of Bowness-on-Windermere within the Lake District National Park. Ferry View Cottage provides a cosy base from which to explore all this stunning area has to offer with super walking opportunities and an abundance of attractions.
A comfortable cosy holiday cottage in a lovely rural location within Cumbria & the Yorkshire Dales National Park near the unspoilt village of Ravenstonedale. Conveniently located for exploring the many attractions of both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, ideal for walkers and bird watching. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Forest Field is a delightful holiday cottage within the Rusland Valley providing the perfect self-catering base for couples to relax and explore the beautiful Lake District and its many attractions. Set within unspoilt rolling countryside, the views are simply stunning and the walks are equally as lovely. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Situated in a peaceful hamlet of Ruthwaite in the Northern fells of the Lake District, this holiday cottage affords lovely views and provides a perfect place for a relaxing holiday. The Granary is an ideal base from which to explore the Lakes and conveniently located fifteen minutes drive from the popular market town of Keswick. Beautiful views over Skiddaw and Caldbeck Fells and great opportunities for walkers.
The Old Sunday School Cottage is ideally located in the cobbled centre of Dent village within the Yorkshire Dales in Cumbria. Well presented, this holiday cottage for four has pubs, cafes and a shop on the doorstep and is perfect for a self-catering holiday exploring the Dales, Cumbria (including the nearby Lake District), walking or simply relaxing.
Meadow View is positioned in a tranquil setting on the edge of the National Park, between Keswick and Penrith, within a small group of similar lodges. It is four miles from the village of Greystoke, with a traditional country pub and shop. This very comfortable Scandinavian style lodge, with a wood burning stove, has floor-to-ceiling windows providing extensive open views over the countryside with Blencathra in the distance. It is a haven for wildlife, including red squirrels, rabbits and many species of birds.
Located within an acre of land with a stream running through it, 1 Swinside Cottages is a comfortable Cumbrian holiday cottage with beautiful scenery all around and wonderful forest and fell walks from the front door. Whinlatter Forest Centre is nearby and there are lovely bike rides and plenty of attractions throughout the Lake District for days out.
Ideal for couples, walkers, cyclists, explorers and families, in the perfect location with Historical Hadrian's Wall, stunningly beautiful Talkin Tarn and Gelt woods nearby. Amazing walks and cycleways all on your doorstep. With the Lake District National Park, Dumfries, Galloway Coast and surrounded by 3 areas of Outstanding National Beauty/National Landscapes. At the end of a quiet country lane you will find beautiful, Wall and Lakes cottage with its large garden, parking for two vehicles and open fields behind. All just a short stroll into the friendly market town of Brampton with its pubs, shops and amenities. As you walk up to the bungalow there are steps with study handrails to both the front and side porch doors leading to level access within the bungalow. Comfortable and clean Wall and Lakes Cottage provides quality and value, sleeps 4 in luxury bedding with a cosy stove and beautiful countryside views. Family friendly the front king size bed can also split into 2 small singles (2ft 6"). A highchair and baby bath can also be provided, if requested at time of booking, please bring your own travel cot and baby bedding.
Sitting in large gardens (with tennis court!), this welcoming bright and airy holiday apartment is perfectly placed in a tranquil location overlooking lake Windermere, yet within just a mile of Bowness-on-Windermere with its shops and eating establishments. The Loft offers the best of both worlds for those who want to relax and unwind whilst being within easy reach of the areas many attractions.
Ideally placed with views over Lake Windermere, this modern stylish holiday apartment sits in extensive grounds where guests can enjoy peace and tranquility, along with an all-weather tennis court, putting area and croquet lawn. The many amenities of Bowness-on-Windermere are just a mile away. A perfect retreat to enjoy the many attractions of the Lake District.
Explore the peaceful Western Lakes and the beautiful Cumbrian coast from the comfort of The Old Post Office. The Lake District holiday cottage is in the village of Ennerdale Bridge, within walking distance of the river and a family-friendly pub, and only a mile from Ennerdale Water. There is space for 12 guests to sleep in six bedrooms, with visitors having good access to walking and cycling trails.
A well equipped self-catering holiday cottage perfectly situated in the heart of the pretty village of Ennerdale Bridge within the Lake District National Park. An ideal base for exploring the less busy Western Lakes and Cumbrian Coast with a pub within walking distance. Lovely scenery abounds and the tranquility of Ennerdale Water is just a mile away. A beautiful mountainous setting with both low level less strenuous walks and more challenging routes amongst the high fells.
Dentdale and the Yorkshire Dales National Park have what are arguably some of the best views in the UK and you can enjoy the sight of Rise Hill and Coombe Scar from this charming terraced holiday cottage. The cafes, pubs and shops in Dent are all within walking distance, and there are footpaths and cycling trails from the door. Kendal and the Lake District National Park are a short drive away, as is the Forest of Bowland AONB. Leeds and Carlise are also within easy reach either via car or on the Settle-Carlisle Railway. Sunnyside Cottage sleeps three people in two bedrooms and is perfect for couples, solo travellers or small families.
Sitting right in the heart of Dent's picturesque cobbled village, this detached large holiday cottage is perfect for families, friends and walkers who want to explore this beautiful part of Cumbria and the Yorkshire Dales, as well as the Lakes which is within easy driving distance. Rocklea Cottage is within strolling distance of pubs, shops and is surrounded by stunning scenery.
Enjoy the wonderful year-round hospitality of this recently refurbished self-catering apartment in Selside, close to both the Lake District National Park and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It's dog-friendly, with a spacious bedroom that accommodates couples or individuals. Walking, mountain biking and potholing are just three of the many ways to explore the incredible landscape, with local attractions including Sizergh Castle, Lowther Castle, Ullswater and the Ullswater Steamers, while Bowness on Windermere is only 25-minutes away. Kendal is a short drive from the apartment, with an excellent variety of places to eat, drink and shop.
Sitting in a peaceful hamlet within easy reach of Windermere and under a mile from an excellent pub, this traditional pet-friendly Lakeland holiday cottage is perfect for walkers and those wanting to relax and explore the Lake District National Park. Tourist board rating: 4 Star
Exceptional both inside and out, this stylish well presented lodge sits in one of the most enviable positions in the Lake District with lovely views over Lake Windermere. Enjoy an alfresco meal on the terrace watching the sun set over the lake by night, and by day discover the many attractions of nearby Bowness and Windermere.
This fabulous holiday home, with its own private jetty, affords an exceptional position overlooking Lake Windermere in the very heart of the Lake District National Park. Enjoying a truly magical setting overlooking Lake Windermere, this exceptional holiday home offers guests the chance to enjoy an abundance of attractions, superb lakeland walks and plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind. Just a short drive from Bowness with excellent amenities close to hand and perfect for boaters with its own private jetty for mooring (you can launch just half a mile away).
Popular towns in and around The Lake District:
AlstonAmblesideApplebyArnsideBaggrowBarrow in FurnessBootleBowness on WindermereBowness-on-WindermereBramptonBurton-in-KendalCaldbeckCarlisleCarnforthCartmelCleatorCockermouthConistonConiston WaterDeepdaleDentEskdale GreenEskdale ValleyGosforthGrasmereGrizebeckHawksheadIrebyKendalKeswickKirkby LonsdaleKirkby StephenKirksantonLoweswaterMilnthorpeNewby BridgePenrithRavenglassSedberghUllswaterUlverstonWasdaleWhittingtonWigtonWindermereSearch within North West England
The Lake District and the Lake District National Park are undoubtedly the highlights of Cumbria. They have served as an inspiration to numerous writers, painters and artists and have been featured heavily in television and film.
With an area of 885 square miles, the Lake District has a diverse range of natural sights including narrow valleys, oak woodlands which are filled with wildlife native to the area and, of course, tranquil waterways and lakes. There are various trails and walks around the county too.
The Pennine Way comes through Cumbria and is a 267-mile walk that starts from Kirk Yetholm in Scotland and finishes up in Derbyshire with a significant portion running through Cumbria itself. The Cumbria Way is another well-known scenic walk and goes through rolling farmlands, mountain views, old market towns as well as enchanting valleys to provide an all-around experience of the county.
The main historical attraction in Cumbria is Hadrian's Wall, which was built by the Romans. The longest visible stretch of the wall that is still intact is found at the edge of the county. Cumbria is a Roman historian's paradise, as it hosts the tallest Roman structure in England – Ravenglass Bath House – and various museums offer a captivating glimpse into Roman Britain and how the local area changed over this period.
Before booking one of our holiday cottages in Cumbria, you can find all the information you need for your trip here. For more tips, check out our complete North West England Guide.
Every season delivers its own charm in Cumbria. The sparkle of winter frosts is accompanied by the smell of log fires providing a warm welcome in cottages and pubs. A visit in spring or summer allows for a myriad of footpaths like the Pennine Way. Autumn is also pretty special, with places like The Lake District National Park displaying stunning colours of browns and golden hues.
Summers in Cumbria typically range from mild to warm, with the occasional hotter day. The days are at their longest, making for plenty of light to explore the stunning countryside. Temperatures average around 19-20°C making for a comfortable summer climate.
Cumbria in spring provides visitors with a mix of pleasant sunny days and some cooler, wetter weather. For those aiming to get outdoors whilst staying here, spring is a great time to visit as the cooler temperatures of around 9°C to 15°C make for the perfect weather to get active. The scenery is also stunning in spring, as the flowers start to blossom and cover the countryside in colour.
Winter holidays in Cumbria can get pretty chilly. There is a high chance of snow during this time and a drop in temperature to highs of around 6°C. It’s a beautiful time to visit for those who want to see lakes frosted over and snow-capped peaks in the background. You can choose to get wrapped up and wander through the towns and villages or stay in and get cosy by the fire.
Adventure lovers can take part in a multitude of outdoor pursuits that are on offer. The Lake District National Park is home to sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking as well as rock climbing, and the makeup of the environment makes Cumbria the perfect place for outdoor activities.
Alongside the rural and dramatic landscapes is the urban sprawl of Carlisle with its modern shopping facilities and lively nightlife. There’s also the West Cumbrian coastline with its golden sands and rich industrial history.
Cumbria is also home to some unique culinary delights such as sticky toffee pudding, Grasmere Gingerbread, the Cumberland sausage and, of course, Kendal Mint Cake - it’s a county that truly caters for all tastes.
If you are travelling from one of the major cities in the UK, below shows an average distance to Cumbria, so you know what to expect when choosing to visit by car.
London: 299 miles
Birmingham: 177 miles
Glasgow: 123 miles
Liverpool: 106 miles
Bristol: 258 miles
Manchester: 102 miles
Leeds: 114 miles
Edinburgh: 127 miles
There are multiple ways to travel to Cumbria. Its excellent public transport links mean you can journey by train or bus from many major UK cities, although stations around the area are pretty scarce. If you travel by car, there are some great service stations to stop off and rest up whilst on your trip and alternative routes depending on what roads you prefer to drive on.
Scafell Pike in the Lake District is the highest mountain in England at 978 metres and falls within the county limits. It forms a part of what is known as the Southern Fells, a dramatic range of mountains and hills, and on top of Scafell Pike, you can see as far away as the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland and Snowdonia in Wales. The habitat of the area is characterised by heather, bogs, bracken and moorland, which gives it an altogether raw appearance.
Cumbria holidays offer a vast range of things to do and incredible places to visit, so it is hard to narrow it down to one. Choosing the best area ultimately depends on what you are looking to get out of your stay here.
Those seeking the great outdoors and adventure tend to head to the stunning Lake District, for quaint towns to stroll around, Keswick, Ambleside and Kendal are popular options.
There are several other excellent places to see around Cumbria, with Lake Windermere being a popular spot for those seeking a pretty town and bustling lakeside atmosphere. For adventure seekers, Mount Helvellyn is a great place to hike, with an ascent of 950 metres and an iconic sharp edge that runs along the mountain.
If you prefer to pursue history and heritage, a trip to Hadrian’s Wall is a great option, you can walk along the ancient wall that provides stunning countryside vistas.
A place full of history, gorgeous scenery and breathtaking countryside, Cumbria really does have it all.
Cumbria is best known for being home to the Lake District National Park. Here you will find beautiful lakes, some of the country’s tallest peaks and multiple idyllic towns and villages.
When considering how expensive it is to visit Cumbria, you need to consider multiple factors. If you choose to visit the numerous towns and villages in the Lake District, expect to pay a little more as this is a tourist hot spot. For those seeking to spend their time in the countryside in more rural locations, you will find that your trip is less expensive.
