Lake District Holiday Cottages

Choose a great Lakeland holiday cottage

When it comes to Lakeland accommodation, Sykes has something for everyone whether you're planning an action-packed holiday with the family, a quiet weekend's walking the fells with your favourite other half or a bumper celebration with friends at New Year. Indeed, we feature an unrivalled range of quality accommodation in the Lake District, from traditional Lakeland cottages on remote working farms and inviting hideaways near the coast, to Lake District holiday lets right at the heart of things in thriving centres like Bowness and Keswick. Whatever kind of location, whatever kind of Lake District holiday rental, we're sure to meet your requirements. Below we list all our holiday lets in the Lake District, starting with the smallest first. To narrow your search, use the map and check live availability and prices, or please feel free to email or call us to discuss our holiday rentals in the Lake District in more detail.

Great Lake District Family Attractions

Peter Rabbit and Postman Pat are just two of the little characters you might encounter when you book a Lake District cottage. This sublime slice of England has captivated writers and poets for generations, not to mention visitors from across the globe - and it's easy to see why.

Visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction where you can see all twenty three stories by Beatrix Potter told in a wonderfully realistic indoor attraction. See Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-duck and even visit Mr McGregor's garden! After visiting the fictional animals of Beatrix Potter why not go and visit some real life animals at South Lakes Wild Animal Park? Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Savour sticky Grasmere Gingerbread or a slab of Kendal Mint Cake. Splash out in a Michelin-starred restaurant or pick up local delicacies at a farmers' market. And quench your thirst sampling award-winning ales at specialist micro-breweries and welcoming country pubs. Whatever you fancy doing, book one of our lovely Lake District cottages and enjoy this natural playground soon!

Experience the beautiful Lake District National Park

The Lake District National Park is, in every sense, the heart of Cumbria. It covers over 880 square miles and encircles sixteen great lakes within its protective boundaries - from the secluded and tranquil waters of Buttermere, Wastwater and Rydal, to Windermere and Coniston, alive with pleasure boats and bustling lakeside towns. From the depths of the lakes rise great mountains and craggy hills, down which fast flowing waterfalls tumble in to the streams and valley rivers below. Seasoned walkers can take up the challenge of mighty Skiddaw, Scafell Pike (England's highest mountain) and the ever-popular Helvellyn while less agile visitors can enjoy contemplative strolls at lower levels - circular walks are possible around the shores of several of the smaller lakes such as Rydal and Grasmere

Discover a magical region of soaring mountains, glistening lakes, dense green forests and heather-clad moorlands. Explore Roman forts, ancient stone circles and historic estates. A region that offers a sensational range of outdoor activities - classic fell walking, rock climbing, mountain biking, long-distance cycling, golf, fishing, kayaking, sailing and more. From sculpture trails and street art to rock festivals and theatre, the Lake District's cultural side is worth closer inspection too. Enjoy a fascinating tour of Dove Cottage and Hill Top, the delightful homes of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

With such beauty it's little surprise that the Lake District has inspired romantic poets and great writers - Wordsworth and Coleridge, Beatrix Potter and Arthur Ransome and, of course, the great John Ruskin. Today the area continues to top the poll as "the best place for romance in the United Kingdom"!

South Lakes - A great holiday spot

The South Lakeland makes an excellent choice for a Lake District cottage stay. Between the many and varied tourist attractions and the area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Lake District National Park, there's more than enough to fill a weekend or a week-long holiday. Historic Kendal, on the boundary of the stunningly beautiful National Park, boasts a twelfth century castle, some fine museums, good shopping and, in nearby Sizergh Castle and Levens Hall, two historic country estates. England's largest lake, Lake Windermere, attracts flocks of visitors to its gentle shore. Ride the paddle steamers, enjoy a day at the Lake District National Park Centre at Brockhole or take a short ramble up Orrest Head and let the whole Lakeland panorama unfold in all its splendour. Spend some time in neighbouring Bowness On Windermere, which has a curiously beside-the-sea-side feel to it, thanks to the lake's shoreline, the ever-present flocks of seagulls and traditional fish and chip shops. Visit the World of Beatrix Potter, the Aquarium of the Lakes and the Windermere Steam Boat Museum.

Nearby Ambleside is the gateway to outdoor adventure; walking and mountain biking can be as easy or as challenging as you choose. A leisurely stroll or cycle on the flat or a trip into Grizedale Forest Park and a fine lunch might be your thing; or maybe you'd prefer a strenuous hike around the high fells of the Fairfield horseshoe, a spot of climbing in the Langdale Valley or canoeing on the river Brathay - you set the pace. Visit beautiful National Trust Brantwood House on the shores of Lake Coniston, stop for tea and cake in the gardens, or walk in Wainwright's footsteps up the famous 'Old Man' of Coniston. A well-earned pint of fine local ale in one of the many traditional pubs will taste all the more refreshing for the exercise!

Stunning Cumbrian coastline and lowland fells

If the holiday hotspots of the South Lakes prove a little too busy, then the West and North Lakes offer the opportunity to enjoy a Lakeland cottage holiday that's truly away from it all. Take time to appreciate the brooding, austere beauty of the country's deepest lake at Wastwater; enjoy peaceful Ennerdale and Loweswater; discover Eskdale and neighbouring Boot nestling in a lovely valley with the fabulous Ravenglass to Dalegarth narrow gauge steam railway running along the valley bottom. Visit the historic castle and gardens at Muncaster, or, further south, enjoy the Cartmel and Furness Peninsulas offering such gems as picturesque Cartmel and the Victorian seaside resort of Grange-over-Sands, as well as three internationally recognised nature reserves. Lakeland Museums are many and varied; the Motor Museum at Holker Hall near Grange, the Pencil Museum in Keswick; the Football museum in Ambleside are just three examples.

Keswick, one of the larger towns in the North Lakes on the shores of Derwentwater, makes a great base for a Lakeland cottage. With the mighty Skiddaw as a backdrop, the town combines some good shops, a wide variety of restaurants and a theatre and cinema with natural beauty in abundance. Take a boat out on the lake, hike up Skiddaw or Catbells for breathtaking Lakeland panoramas; visit the Osprey sanctuary in nearby Whinlatter Forest or take to the trees at the Go Ape high ropes adventure course. Pretty Ullswater offers more opportunity for watersports - boating, fishing, yachting or a relaxing on a pleasure cruise on one of the lake's steamers. Visit the region's highest waterfall at roaring Aira Force; reflect on the ancient landscape at Castlerigg Stone Circle, or head into the heart of the Lake District, and discover the less busy lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Further out of the National Park, Carlisle is a busy market town, with an extensive range of shops and amenities, restaurants and a castle and cathedral that are well worth discovering. The excellent Rhegedd centre close to Penrith is one of the region's leading visitor attractions and an excellent all-weather day out. The Centre is famous for its large-format, IMAX-style film theatre, showing breathtaking giant-screen films of both the local area and of international interest. There is also a permanent Mountaineering Exhibition charting the history of climbing, from its birthplace in Cumbria to the world stage.

A Lake District cottage in the north of the region opens up a host of attractions beyond the Lake District National Park itself to those choosing to base themselves in the area. The lush Eden Valley, with market towns such as Appleby and Kirkby Stephen; the Howgills range of mountains sheltering scenic North Yorkshire villages such as Hawes and Dent, and further north, Hadrian's Wall, historic Carlisle and the Scottish borders are all within driving distance for a day out.