Cumbria

Cumbria's fells and lakes shape a county of striking contrasts, from bustling walking hubs to sleepy market towns. Ambleside and Grasmere sit at the heart of the Lake District, popular bases for fell walkers, with Grasmere's smaller scale and literary ties making it the quieter of the two. Keswick offers a livelier atmosphere on Derwentwater, good for families and outdoor pursuits, while Coniston and Pooley Bridge provide gentler, lakeside settings for those wanting fewer crowds and easy access to the water.

Away from the honeypots, Cumbria's towns reveal a different pace. Carlisle, the county's historic city, brings castles, shops and transport links, while Penrith and Kendal serve as handsome market towns useful for exploring the wider region. Cockermouth and Ulverston retain independent, small-town charm, the latter known for its market heritage. Further out, Kirkby Stephen and Wigton offer genuine rural quiet, ideal for travellers seeking Cumbria beyond the main tourist trail.

The Lake District draws visitors to a handful of towns that each offer a slightly different base. Windermere and Ambleside give easy access to the water and the busier walking routes, Keswick sits under Skiddaw with the northern fells close by, Grasmere suits those wanting a quieter Wordsworth-country stay, and Cockermouth makes a good alternative for exploring the western valleys away from the crowds.

Accommodation ranges from traditional coaching inns such as the Queens Head Hotel to smaller guest houses and B&Bs like Fitz Guest House, Portland House and Skiddaw Croft Bed & Breakfast, many run by owners who know the local paths well. Properties with views, such as Westwood - The B&B with a view and Raise View House, tend to sit slightly out of town centres, while options like Kenilworth Guest House and Woodside Bed and Breakfast put you within walking distance of shops and restaurants.

Booking ahead matters here, particularly in Keswick and Windermere during the summer and school holiday periods, when the more central addresses fill first.

Cumbria's days out stretch far beyond fell walking, with Keswick and Windermere acting as bases for a cluster of activity providers offering everything from escape-room style challenges to outdoor treasure trails. The Keswick Spy Mission Treasure Trail and the Windermere Missing Excalibur Trail are good examples of how the county has turned its towns and lakeshores into playgrounds for puzzle-solving and adventure, while operators such as Crags Adventures and Live For Today Adventures Kendal cater for those wanting something more physical.

Further out, the quieter corners reward a slower pace: Ennerdale Water and the Buttermere Valley offer scenery rather than organised activity, ideal for pairing with a picnic or gentle walk. Appleby-in-Westmorland and Cockermouth make sensible stops for family-friendly outings like Hunt Fun Appleby in Westmorland, while Coniston suits those drawn to Pandemonium Pots and other underground or off-grid experiences. Choosing between them often comes down to whether you want a structured challenge or simply a memorable landscape to explore.

Cumbria's kitchens and bars follow the crowds, so Ambleside, Grasmere and Keswick offer the thickest choice, with menus geared towards walkers refuelling after the fells and evening diners wanting something more considered. Carlisle and Penrith carry the county's everyday trade, from quick lunches to proper Saturday-night bookings, while Cockermouth and Grange-over-Sands keep a quieter, market-town pace.

Further out, Alston and the smaller villages rely on a handful of pubs and tearooms that double as the local meeting point, useful for a warm stop between long drives or high routes. Choosing where to eat often comes down to pace: café-style spots for a fast bite between walks, or pub dining rooms and bistros for a slower evening once boots are off.

Cumbria's campsites spread well beyond the honeypots of the central Lakes, and that's often where the better pitches are found. Around Penrith and Hesket Newmarket, farm sites like Cherry Trees Farm and Croft Foot Farm sit close to the fells without the summer crowds, while the Eden Valley near Appleby-in-Westmorland and Kirkby Stephen offers quieter, greener ground for tents and tourers alike.

Glamping has taken hold strongly here too, from timber pods at Carrock Glamping Pods and Carrock Pods to more rustic set-ups such as Howgills Hideaway and Sandwath Farm. Further west and south, Kirkby-in-Furness and the Lyth Valley bring you nearer the coast and the southern fells, while sites around Carlisle and Longtown suit those exploring the Solway coast or breaking a journey north.

With so many small, family-run sites like Bank House Farm and Ivy House, it's worth thinking about which landscape you want on your doorstep - fell, valley or coast - rather than distance from Kendal alone.