Our family (with two girls age 10 and 14) will be spending 3 nights in the Lake District in England. We're looking at two B&Bs. One is in Ambleside and the other just outside of Keswick (farm B&B). We're trying to determine what would be a better location. Can Ableside be a really busy place during the summer months? Or, does it tend to be a quieter spot.

We really don't want to stay in the middle of the highest tourist traffic areas...but also would like enough near by to do walks in the evenings and have some interest for the kids.

I appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

We enjoyed our stay at the Grey Friar Lodge in Ambleside. It's on the outskirt of town...feels more country...lovely.

http://www.cumbria-hotels.co.uk/

nelcarp, we go the lakes almost every June and stay in Elterwater near Ambleside. Ambleside can indeed be a very busy place during the summer but so can Keswick. Both places would be interesting to walk around in the evening. Ambleside is the more central of the two if you want to see the main places but I quite like Keswick and the Derwentwater area. Many B&Bs in Ambleside are on main routes so staying on the edge of Ambleside as Bailey suggests could be a good suggestion.

But if I had to choose I'd probably pick Grasmere.

I grew up in and the Lake District and have lived in Ambleside and Keswick and got married in Grasmere where my mum was living at the time. Most of the Lake District gets busy during school holidays and August bank holiday weekend can be heaving.

I'd go for Ambleside if you've only got three nights there. Keswick is beautiful, and worth a visit, but it's right at the north end of the Lake District, whereas Ambleside makes a good base for both fell walking (Loughrigg is a nice hike) and tourist honey pots (Beatrix Potter, etc). Ambleside also has Rydal and Grasmere right on the doorstep and Bowness and Windermere a short drive/bus trip away. There are some nice walks in and around Ambleside, you have roman remains and you're just near the head of Lake Windermere. Bowness and Windermere will be even busier than Ambleside, but the beauty of the Lakes is that you can head for the nearest fell and leave the crowds behind very quickly. It really is a beautiful part of the world, I hope you enjoy your trip. What time of year are you visiting?

Kaleida

Kaleida-

We're going to be in the Lakes around July 1-4. Would you also suggest on the outskirts of Ambleside (if possible)?

Appreciate the info from all. This forum is so helpful!

Here are two of our favorite restaurants in the Ambleside area.
Chesters by the River is a great place for lunch with the kids....terrific food...great location....casual.
http://www.chesters-cafebytheriver.co.uk/
The Drunken Duck Inn & Restaurant was our favorite meal in the Lake District.....wonderful food.....and casual enough to feel comfortable with the children.
You may also want to check out the inn....but if I remember correctly is was more expensive than Grey Friar Inn. We found the grounds of Grey Friar very beautiful!
www.drunkenduckinn.co.uk

Have a wonderful time in this beautiful area!!!!

Anyone else have recommendations for the an Ambleside B&B (outskirts of town)? Okay for kids.

School holidays don't start til after the second week in July, so you might get some coach parties of elderlies at the main tourist traps, but should be a fair bit quieter than the hols.

Unfortunately I struggle to recommend anywhere as I never stay in the B&Bs, as I have family scattered all over. My mum still has a house in Grasmere she rents out, but I think it's all booked up this year.

Do make sure you have waterproof coats with you!

Many years ago we stayed at Mill Brow Farm in the Skelith Bridge section of Ambleside. The set-up is different today but I think the ambiance and quiet would be similar.

Hi

We stayed a couple of years ago at Boston House in Lake District. It was wonderful and Pauline is always very helpful. Enjoy your stay there. I hope you have better weather than we did.

nel, I wrote a trip report last year based on our many years of visits to the lake district. You might get some ideas from that. There are photos of the Skelwith Bridge area in case you decide to stay there. It's very close to Ambleside. http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34811293

Ryelands is a guesthouse in Grasmere that is highly recommended: http://www.ryelandsgrasmere.co.uk/ I prefer Grasmere to Ambleside because it's more spread out.

If you visit Beatrice Potter's House you can take a ferry back across Lake Windermere. It looks more like a barge than a ferry but kids love it.

We'll be in Elterwater the last week of June and possibly the first week of July so our paths may cross!

Forget Ambleside Go to Keswick where there is more to do and more space to do it in. The market Square is pedestrianized and the atmosphere relaxed. I booked through a website for the town www.keswick-tourist-information.com and got all the information I wanted. Good luck

Hawkshead is a delightful little community.
We had a great dinner in Grasmere at the Jumble Room. http://www.thejumbleroom.co.uk/

We live in Ambleside and run a Bee and Bee (play on words).
I feel Ambleside has the edge on Keswick as there are more places to eat in the evenings.
Skelwith Br. is a bit far out for ease of eating out. I've deliberately missed out our accommodation name as I don't want this to be an advert.
Have a look at a website called Ambleside Online. www.amblesideonline.co.uk this will give you lots of info.

David.

Ambleside is crazy when it's busy!
If you want to enjoy a bit of peace and quiet you need to look just outside of the amin tourist centres.
Look at Langdale valley - there is no though-traffic along the valley coz it's a dead-end. I stayed 2 years ago at Long House, part of a collection of property in Langdale. It was ideal for kids.
We got it through http://www.uk-cottage-rental.co.uk but they have less choice than others like www.cottages4u.ci.uk

Bookmarking. Thanks.