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Planning a trip to the Lake District but not sure where to stay? With so many charming towns, villages and lakes to choose from, it can be hard to figure out the best base for your visit.
We’ve spent time exploring the area and put together this guide on where to stay in the Lake District. Whether you’re looking for lively areas with shops and restaurants, peaceful villages surrounded by scenery or the perfect spot for hiking, this guide will help you decide.
Best for first-timers & a lively atmosphere: Windermere, Bowness & Ambleside
If it’s your first trip to the Lake District, you can’t go wrong with staying around Windermere, Bowness-on-Windermere or Ambleside. These towns sit right in the heart of the national park and are some of the most popular places to stay in the Lake District.
We stayed nearby on our first visit and loved the buzz around these towns. You’ll have easy access to Lake Windermere (the largest lake in England), plenty of shops and restaurants and some great boat trips to explore the area from the water.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness is one of the liveliest towns in the Lake District, with a mix of restaurants, shops, pubs and easy access to Lake Windermere for boat trips. It’s a great choice if you want to be in the middle of the action.
Where to stay in Bowness-on-Windermere:
- Gilpin Hotel & Lake House (Luxury) - Luxurious lodges with hot tubs, beautiful interiors and even a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site.
- Craig Manor (Mid-range) - A lovely, relaxed hotel with lake views, comfortable rooms and an easy walk into town.
- Bowness Guest House (Budget) - Cosy and affordable, right in the centre of Bowness, perfect if you’re travelling on a budget.
Windermere
Windermere town is slightly quieter than Bowness but still a great base if you want shops, cafés and good transport links. Since this is where the main train station is, it’s also the easiest place to reach if you’re visiting the Lake District without a car.
It's only a 5 minute drive or 30 minute walk from Bowness, so it's a great spot if you want a slightly quieter base while still being in the centre of the Lake District.
Where to stay in Windermere:
- Wheatlands Lodge (Luxury) - A adults-only retreat with beautiful rooms and a peaceful garden.
- The Coppice Guest House (Mid-range) - A welcoming guesthouse with hearty breakfasts and a great location.
- Station Lodge (Budget) - Simple, clean and convenient, just steps away from Windermere train station.
Ambleside
Ambleside is just a short drive or bus ride from Windermere, but it feels a little less hectic. It’s perfect if you still want good restaurants and shops but also easy access to walking trails. Don’t miss the quirky Bridge House and the walk to Stock Ghyll Force waterfall.
Where to stay in Ambleside:
- Rothay Manor Hotel (Luxury) - A boutique country house hotel with cosy yet elegant rooms and a relaxing atmosphere.
- Ambleside Fell Rooms (Mid-range) - Stylish, comfortable rooms in a great location, perfect for exploring the town and surrounding fells.
- Rooms at the Apple Pie (Budget) - Affordable, quirky and convenient, right in the centre of Ambleside.
Best for hiking & adventure: Keswick
Located at the northern end of Derwentwater lake, Keswick is the best base for hiking and outdoor adventures in the Lake District, as it's surrounded by stunning walks and hikes like Catbells, Skiddaw and Walla Crag.
You can take short lakeside walks or full-day hikes straight from the town, which is why it’s such a popular choice for outdoor lovers.
The town itself has a market square, plenty of cafés, pubs and restaurants, and some great outdoor shops where you can stock up on gear before heading out. It’s lively enough to enjoy in the evenings but still has that authentic Lake District village feel.
Where to stay in Keswick:
- Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa, Keswick (Luxury) - Stunning lakeside manor with elegant rooms and spa facilities.
- Inn on the Square, Keswick (Mid-range) - Modern, comfortable and centrally located.
- YHA Keswick, Keswick (Budget) - Affordable and clean, ideal for budget travellers wanting a central base.
Best for peace & scenery: Grasmere & Buttermere
If you’re looking for somewhere quieter and more scenic, Grasmere and Buttermere are two of the most peaceful places to stay in the Lake District.
Both villages offer a slower pace, stunning landscapes, and a sense of escape compared to the busier areas like Windermere or Keswick.
Grasmere
Grasmere is a little village surrounded by rolling hills and valleys and is the perfect spot for a quiet escape in nature. It’s famously connected to poet William Wordsworth, and you can visit his former home, Dove Cottage, while you’re here.
The village itself has a handful of cosy pubs, tearooms and shops, and is small enough to explore on foot. There are some great walks nearby, such as Helm Crag and Grasmere Lake.
Where to stay in Grasmere:
- Forest Side (Luxury) - A Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, set in a beautiful country house surrounded by woodland.
- The Swan at Grasmere (Mid-range) - Modern and stylish, and surrounded by fells.
- Heidi’s Grasmere Lodge (Budget) - A cosy, affordable guesthouse right in the centre of the village.
Buttermere
Buttermere, on the other hand, feels far more remote; it's tucked away between dramatic fells and is one of the most photogenic spots in the Lake District. The easy lake circuit walk around Buttermere is a must-do, offering incredible views.
With limited shops and accommodation, it’s the place to come if you want to truly switch off and immerse yourself in nature.
Where to stay in Buttermere:
- The Bridge Hotel (Mid-range) - Traditional country hotel with a warm, cosy atmosphere and stunning views.
- YHA Buttermere (Budget) - Basic but clean, perfect for a cheap base.
Best for quiet, remote escapes & nature: Ullswater Lake & Glenridding
If you want to experience the wilder, quieter side of the Lake District, Ullswater Lake and the surrounding villages like Glenridding are ideal bases.
Ullswater is often described as one of the most beautiful lakes in the region, with its long, winding shape framed by dramatic fells. It’s less crowded than Windermere, making it perfect if you want to escape the busier spots and immerse yourself in nature.
This area is also perfect for hikers; from Glenridding, you can tackle the Helvellyn ridge walk, one of the most famous hikes in the Lake District.
The villages surrounding the lake are small, with a couple of pubs and shops, but that’s part of the charm - it feels like a true hideaway where you can slow down after a day outdoors.
Where to stay around Ullswater Lake & Glenridding:
- Another Place, The Lake (Luxury) - Stunning lakeside hotel with unique rooms, a swimming pool and spa, and outdoor activities on your doorstep.
- The Ullswater Inn, Glenridding (Mid-range) - A cosy inn with comfortable rooms and a welcoming pub atmosphere, right by the lake.
- Lodge Farm B&B (Budget) - A working farm stay with homely rooms and a hearty breakfast – a perfect countryside retreat.
Where is the best place to stay in the Lake District without a car?
If you don’t have a car, the best bases are Windermere, Bowness or Ambleside. Windermere has its own train station with direct connections from cities like Manchester. From Windermere you can take local buses to Bowness, Ambleside and Grasmere, making it easy to explore without driving.
Both Windermere and Bowness have plenty of restaurants, shops and walking routes you can access on foot or by bus.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there isn’t a single “best” place to stay in the Lake District, it really comes down to what you’re after. If it’s your first visit and you want to see a bit of everything, Windermere, Bowness or Ambleside are great choices.
If hiking is your priority, Keswick or Glenridding make perfect bases, while Grasmere and Buttermere are ideal if you’re craving peace and beautiful scenery.
Personally, we love countryside stays that still have easy access to cosy pubs and cafés - so places like Ullswater and Keswick are our top picks. But wherever you stay, you’ll never be far from a stunning walk, a good pint and those unforgettable Lake District views.
👋 We hope that you found this guide helpful! Before you go - don't forget to read our other UK travel guides for more tips, suggestions & advice.
