Why book a Lake District holiday cottage with Simply Owners
From terraced, stone-built two-person boltholes high up in the Langdale Valley to large farmhouses near Ullswater sleeping twelve, our Lake District collection has a wide range of places to stay. Whether you are planning a quiet week by the fire or a long-overdue family gathering, you’ll find a self-catering cottage in Lake District to suit your needs. A relaxing week in front of the fire just the two of you? Or an even more relaxing family gathering with cousins you haven't seen for years? We have self-catering cottages to meet every need.
More importantly, at SImply Owners we believe that you should be able to book a holiday cottage directly with the person who actually owns it, without passing commission to a broker. Every property on our site is listed by a verified owner, so you can call, email or message them before you book. Whether you want to know if the garden is secure for your terrier or whether the track to the cottage is suitable for a low-slung car, you'll get answers from the person who knows the property best. That level of directness is the opposite of the estimates and uncertainty that the larger platforms tend to place on everything, and in our experience people much prefer it.
You pay no booking fees and no service charges and you can rest easy knowing that the price the owner quotes, is what you pay. We also have a Payment Protection plan so that your money is covered even though you're booking direct. The Best Price Guarantee feature means owners agree to give you the best rate possible through our site.
The result is simple. You get lower costs, quicker answers to your questions, and the reassurance of knowing exactly who you are booking with.
Popular areas for holiday cottages in the Lake District
The Lake District National Park spans approximately 912 square miles and holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Because of this, the area feels different on all sides, which adds to the attraction. Some of the most popular areas for holiday cottages in the Lake District include:
- Windermere and Bowness lie next to the largest lake in England, and are by far the busiest areas of the region. The waterside restaurants, and the Beatrix Potter exhibition draw family visitors, who stay in everything from waterside apartments to larger holiday cottages in the villages above.
- Keswick is the centre of the northern lakes and is a real market town. It has outdoor shops on its main street, a weekly market, and Derwentwater just outside the door. Walkers looking for easy access to Skiddaw, Blencathra, and the Borrowdale Valley prefer to stay here, and it is not hard to see why.
- Ambleside and Grasmere dominate the middle of the Lakes. Ambleside has a better range of pubs and restaurants; Grasmere is smaller and less congested, and certainly the quintessential Lakeland village. To the west of Grasmere, the Langdale Valley spreads out towards some of the most spectacular scenery in England. This is familiar territory for serious fell walkers.
- Ullswater is almost eight miles long and flows through the eastern fells. There are lakeside holiday cottages at Pooley Bridge at the top and Glenridding at the bottom, as well as the year-round Ullswater Steamers and the excellent low-level shore path to Howtown.
- Coniston is a more tranquil place to visit than Windermere. The Old Man of Coniston is a wonderful fell walk where you really do get views at the top, and the village itself maintains a Lakeland air that somehow seems a little less artificial than the honeypot towns to the east.
Lake District cottages for every type of holiday
- Family holidays: Cottages with gardens, games rooms, and sufficient bedrooms to avoid the usual disagreements about who is sleeping where. Properties near Windermere and Keswick are often very close to family-friendly attractions such as the Lakeland Motor Museum, Go Ape at Grizedale Forest, and the Lakes Aquarium. If you're taking very young children, choose those which feature cots, highchairs, and stair gates in their descriptions.
- Couples and romantic breaks: Intimate cottages for two with roaring fires, views of the lakes, and in some instances the luxury of no mobile reception. A small selection of our Lake District cottages have hot tubs, which no doubt explains their popularity in winter.
- Dog-friendly holidays: Most Lake District cottages are happy to take dogs. Fell, forest, or lake shore: whatever the scenery, this is a region where your four-legged companion can enjoy it too. Use the dog-friend ly filter on our site, and ask the owner if there is a secure garden or fields nearby where you can let your dog off the lead.
- Luxury and budget options: The choice is wide. You might stay in a five-star barn conversion with underfloor heating and an espresso machine, or simply find a solid, well-equipped cottage that does the job without the price tag. Self-catering in the Lake District suits a pretty broad budget, and direct deals with the owner are often the most favourable option.
- Short breaks: Not everyone stays for a whole week. Quite a few owners offer three- or four-night lets, particularly outside peak summer months.
Things to do on a Lake District holiday
Fell walking is the main draw. Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, has routes ascending from Wasdale and Borrowdale that are serious but not overly technical. Helvellyn via Striding Edge is the classic ridgeline walk and is a rite of passage. For something less arduous, Catbells above Derwentwater takes about a two-hour round trip and gives views that more than compensate for the knee complaints on the way down.
Both Windermere and Ullswater can be explored by steamer. Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding hire has become more prevalent across the region in recent years. Derwentwater is considered suitable for beginners because the surrounding fells shelter it from the wind. Coniston Water and Bassenthwaite Lake are quieter options for those wanting the lake more or less to themselves.
Cycling has become hugely popular in the area too. The C2C route passes through the northern fringe of the National Park, and there are trail centres at Grizedale and Whinlatter for mountain biking. Road cyclists tackle the Honister, Kirkstone, and Hardknott passes, though "tackle" is the right word, given what the gradients demand of your legs.
Rain is likely to fall, it is the Lake District after all. Indoors, the region has you covered with the Rum Story in Whitehaven, the Pencil Museum in Keswick (better than the name would suggest), and scores of gallery-cafes dotted through the smaller towns. Children of the smaller variety are just as happy with a puddle and a stick, which the terrain offers in abundance.
When to visit the Lake District
Spring (March to May) is quieter, with wildflowers along the lower fells and lambing happening in the valleys. The weather can be unpredictable, but most paths will be empty.
Summer (June to August) is the busy period. With schools out, everyone wants to go and the honeypot towns are thriving. If you fancy a particular property for a summer week, book early as the most popular cottages are taken six months in advance.
Autumn (September to November) is many a walker's favourite time of year in the Lakes. The bracken turns golden brown, the light assumes a softer quality, and there is a noticeable reduction in the number of people on the fells. October half-term is an exceptionally popular week to visit; however, the weeks before and after are equally superb.
Winter (December to February) is for those who prefer their Lake District with fewer tourists and a more atmospheric feel. Frost on the fells, log fires after dark, Christmas markets in Keswick and Ambleside. Short breaks over New Year remain a popular option, and with good reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best area of the Lake District for a holiday cottage?
That depends on what you're looking for. For families and first-timers, Windermere and Bowness are the most accessible. Keswick might be best if you're a walker or like staying in a town with a decent independent high street. Ullswater and Coniston are much less busy if you want to escape the crowds entirely.
Are there dog-friendly holiday cottages in the Lake District?
Many of the cottages listed on Simply Owners are dog-friendly. Select the "dog-friendly" option on our site and look at the individual property descriptions to find out how many dogs are allowed, if the garden is fenced, and the walking routes that start from the front door.
How much does a Lake District holiday cottage cost per week?
It varies, as you might expect. A two-person cottage outside peak season might start around £400 a week. A large family house in Windermere during school holidays could be £2,000 or more. By booking direct through Simply Owners with no booking fees, you'll generally save 10–20% over what that same property might cost on a commission-based platform.
Can you find Lake District cottages with a hot tub?
Yes, a number of our cottages in the Lake District have them. They can book up quite quickly, especially for winter holidays, so it is best to get in early. Use the search filters on the site to see what is available.
How do I book a holiday cottage direct with the owner?
Find a cottage in the Lake District you like on Simply Owners, then contact the owner direct through the listing. Call or email, whatever works best for you. The owner confirms availability and price, you book direct with them, and our Payment Protection plan covers your money.
When is the best time to visit the Lake District?
Each season has its own character. Summer is the warmest and busiest. Autumn has the best walking weather. Spring is quieter, with wildflowers everywhere. Winter has its own appeal with log fires, frosty fells, and far fewer people. For the best balance of weather and space, September is hard to beat.
Find your Lake District holiday cottage
Browse our complete collection of self-catering holiday cottages in the Lake District. Every property is listed by a verified owner, with no booking fees and no service charges. Get in touch directly with the owner to ask anything you need to know before you book.
Browse Lake District Holiday Cottages on Simply Owners
