I'm not really familiar with the Lake District, and I've been trying to look up as much information as I can about the area.

It seems like Windermere is central, but many say it's too touristy. I've heard others recommend Grasmere or Ambleside, but I found a B&B in Penrith. It called Crake Trees Manor(www.craketreesmanor.co.uk) and seems like a really cute place to stay.

We are only beginning to plan our itinerary, but I know we want to see some areas like Grasmere, Ambleside, Buttermere, Ulswater(sp?). Would Penrith be a good area to stay in to tour the Lakes, or should we consider staying somewhere more central?

Our group has never been to the Lake District, and have never driven in England before, but I think we would rather drive and get to see more of the area.

Forgot to add that we will only be in the area for 3 nights, so I know we might have to cut down on what we decide to see.

Penrith isn't bad and if you like the look of this B&B - OK. You would be close to Ullswater and to the Motorway, so fairly convenient.

That being said, it would not be my first choice. You would be about 15 miles from Keswick and probably over 30 from Windermere. If it were me, and my main purpose was to explore tha Lakes, I'd stay somewhere in the center of the area and not on the eastern fringe.

janisj,

Where would you recommened to stay? Would Grasmere or Ambleside be a better decision?

The reason why places are more touristy is because they are the most picturesque.

We stayed in Keswick in a really nice B&B that was a short walk into the town. Keswick was too busy IMO but convenient for the walks/hikes. We loved Grasmere and will stay there when we return to the Lake District. Hawkshead looked very appealing also.

I would recommend Grasmere over Ambleside or Windermere. All three will be overrun on a summer weekend, but Grasmere is much more quaint (apologies for the term to the Brits as I mean it in the best way possible ). The Rydal area, between Grasmere and Ambleside is quite pastoral, if that is what you're looking for. My "google" isn't working, so I can't be sure, but I think the White Moss Inn was a place I noted in Rydal for a possible future trip.

Penrith is on the edge of the lake district and a bit of a drive to the central area which has the places you'd most like to see. Crake Trees does look cute if you want a mainly walking holiday. We find that a half day walk followed by a visit to someplace of interest in the afternoon suits us best.

Grasmere would be a better location and there are lots of hotels and guesthouses there. Although crowded with tourists in the daytime it's very pleasant to walk around in the evening. Here’s a link to an especially nice B&B in Grasmere which books up early: http://www.ryelandsgrasmere.co.uk/

I agree with Cimbrone that White Moss House overlooking Rydal Water would also be a lovely place to stay and/or eat. Here's a link: http://www.whitemoss.com/

We travel to the lake district almost every June and stay in Elterwater between Grasmere and Ambleside. Here’s my lake district report with photos of several walks including one around Rydal Water:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34811293

Thanks everyone for the replies - we will actually be there May 27-29 which puts us their on Whit Monday...don't know if this is also called Bank Holiday.

Our friend who we are traveling with doesn't really know what she wants to see, but she knows she wants to see the lakes/mountains/ etc.

Which areas would be the busiest/most touristy? Would it go in order of Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere, Penrith?

I know Windermere is central, but I didn't really want to stay in a boating village - I'm not sure if that is how it should be described, but that what I got from the looks of it.

Everyone mentioned that Penrith is pretty far up - is there not much to do in the area? I liked the B&B, but from their pictures, it seemed like the area was flat, not having mountains or lakes nearby - is this true?

In terms of scenery, which area most fills the role of what you thought the Lake District should look like?

Moolyn,

You made this statement: "Crake Trees does look cute if you want a mainly walking holiday"

Did you mean that the area around Penrith is flat? Not much lakes/mountains in the area?

Anna, the countryside around Penrith isn't exactly flat and one of the most scenic roads in Britain runs eastward from there so it's in a beautiful spot. We didn't find Penrith itself as charming as other lake district towns but it's also more workaday and less touristy if that's what you want. It's just that it's away from the main part of the lakes so you won't get the best lake district experience there. And the mountain scenery is much more spectacular further south.

Windermere isn't what I'd call a boating town but it's build right alongside of Lake Windermere and the British love messing around in boats so there are lots there. It's the largest of the places you mention. Probably the way you list them is the correct order of touristy. Except for Penrith they are all pretty close. We stay between Ambleside and Windermere but go into Windermere for groceries, for example.

Since you're only there for three days, stay right in the middle and make the most of your short visit.

Moolyn,

Where should we stay if we want mountain scenery, great views, and an area that isn't completely overun with tourists?

< we will actually be there May 27-29 which puts us their on Whit Monday...don't know if this is also called Bank Holiday. >

Yes

< Which areas would be the busiest/most touristy? Would it go in order of Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere, Penrith? >

It's a bank holiday weekend, the first three will be busier than Oxford Street before Christmas (as will Keswick) & driving from Penrith to anywhere walkable in the Lakes will be quite horrible. The walking won't be very nice either due to the crowds

If you must insist on being in the Lakes over the Bank Holiday weekend then you have to go to the Western Lake District in the Buttermere / Loweswater area where there is a chance of some quiet

Alanrow,

We arrive on Whit Monday, but we will actually begin most of our touring on Tuesday and Wednesday - won't most of the people be leaving to go back home on Monday?

Since you will be there on the Bank holiday - you have to plan accordingly and FAR ahead.

Just saying "Bank Holiday" doesn't EVEN convey the sorts of crowds you may face. The two places guaranteed to be totally booked up and bumper to bumper will be the Lakes and parts of Devon/Cornwall.

So - 1) If there is any way to rearrange your itinerary to be in the Lakes either a week before or a week after that particular weekend, it would be a good idea.

2) If that isn't possible be sure to book your accomodations as soon as you can. And stay in one of the villages and don't plan on driving ANYWHERE on the sun/mon.

3) Penrith would not be a good place because the roads will be packed.

Anna, the bank holiday weekend will cause problems for you. It's not just that so many people will be in the lakes but it's all the traffic on the roads getting there. We avoid school holiday times too for this reason. Maybe Penrith would be best in that case if you can get there from the north and don't plan to drive into the main lake district. Or drive straight west from there towards the Buttermere area as Alan suggested. But there aren't as many accomodations in that area.

Is there any way you could juggle your holiday itinerary to avoid this particular weekend for the lakes? It wouldn't be so bad being in a city that weekend because everyone will have headed to the country!

Anna: sorry - I started my last post before you posted - but was interrupted by a phone call.

if you are there May 27-29 you will be there on the Sun and Mon. Monday is the 28th - so which dates are you actually there?

janisj,

Sorry, we will be there May 27-29 arriving on a Sunday. We will be arriving into Manchester airport around 2pm and then heading out to the Lake District.

Will it be completely crazy to drive from Manchester to Lakes around that time on a Sunday?

I'm not sure if we can rearrange our plans at this point.

Anna, the lake district is midway between Glasgow and Manchester airports. If we arrive on a weekend we always fly to Glasgow and drive south. There's much less traffic going that way.

Just to add that that week is half term for schools in England & Wales, therefore it will be busy for the whole week

< Will it be completely crazy to drive from Manchester to Lakes around that time on a Sunday? >

By that time you should see lots of traffic coming the other way - but the roads in either direction are guaranteed to be BUSY