Hotels in Cumbria
48 handpicked places to stay
Photo © Nick Gent, Google Maps
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.
Windermere Suites
B&B · New Road, Windermere
Guests mention this guest house offers luxurious, spacious, and spotless rooms with amenities like jacuzzi baths and well-stocked mini-fridges. They also highlight the outstanding breakfast, featuring generous portions and diverse options, conveniently delivered to the room via a private hatch. Visitors appreciate the attentive and welcoming staff, who provide excellent service and helpful local recommendations.
Queens Head Hotel
Hotel · Townhead, Windermere
People say this pub offers hearty, flavorful food with generous portions, including delicious pies and Sunday roasts, and provides comfortable, clean rooms. They also highlight the warm, cozy atmosphere with log fires, and the exceptional, friendly staff who are very welcoming to dogs. Visitors appreciate the convenient parking and stunning views.
The Grange Country House
Guest House · Manor Brow, 15 minutes' walk from the town centre
A Victorian guest house in its own grounds with individually styled rooms, an award-winning garden and a short walk to Derwentwater.
Seven Oaks Guest House
Guest House · Acorn Street, Keswick
Four-star guest house with five en-suite rooms in a quiet Keswick side street, a short walk from the town centre and Derwentwater.
Beck Allans Guest House
Guest House · Village centre, beside the River Rothay
A well-regarded, family-run guest house in the centre of Grasmere with river views and cooked-to-order breakfasts.
Howe Keld
B&B · Heads Road, overlooking Hope Park and Derwentwater
An award-winning 12-room bed and breakfast on the edge of Keswick's centre, with bright modern rooms and a well-regarded breakfast.
The Waterwheel Guesthouse
B&B · Bridge Street, Ambleside
Adults-only B&B in a Grade II listed 17th-century cottage beside Stock Ghyll in central Ambleside, with three en-suite rooms.
Raise View House
B&B · Quiet lane five minutes from the village
A traditional Lakeland stone B&B with five en-suite rooms and fell views, five minutes' walk from the village.
Riverside at Ambleside
B&B · By the River Rothay, on the edge of town
A seventeenth-century house beside the River Rothay, a ten-minute walk from Ambleside's centre, holding a 4-Star Gold rating.
The Forest Side
Hotel · Edge of village, on the Keswick road
A Victorian Gothic mansion in 43 acres of woodland with a Michelin-starred restaurant built around its own kitchen garden.
The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
Hotel · Grasmere, on the shore of Grasmere lake
Four-star hotel and spa on the edge of Grasmere village with lake-facing rooms, a bistro and a treatment spa, within walking distance of Dove Cottage.
Crow How Country Guest House
Guest House · Rydal Road, on the edge of town towards Rydal
A Victorian country guest house set in two acres of gardens on the edge of Ambleside, built from stone taken from the old Rydal Hall.
Ellergill Guest House
B&B · Stanger Street, close to Keswick town centre
A small, well-kept guest house on Stanger Street, a few minutes' walk from Keswick's shops, pubs and the market square.
Langdale Chase Hotel
Hotel · Lake shore, Windermere
Victorian mansion on the shore of Windermere, reopened after a full restoration, with lake-view rooms, a restaurant and gardens running down to the water.
Ambleside Townhouse
B&B · Compston Road, town centre
A boutique bed and breakfast on Compston Road with individually decorated ensuite rooms in the heart of Ambleside.
Lake View Country House
Guest House · Quiet lane near the lake shore
A family-run stone country house with private lake access and seven individually furnished en-suite rooms.
Keswick Country House Hotel
Hotel · Station Road, 5 minutes' walk from the town centre
A Victorian country house hotel in four acres of gardens, a short walk from Keswick's centre, with a long history of famous visitors.
Wanslea Guest House
Guest House · Lake Road, close to the town centre
A traditional Lakeland guest house on Lake Road, within easy walking distance of Ambleside's shops and Waterhead.
Lyzzick Hall Hotel
Hotel · On the slopes of Skiddaw, 2 miles north of Keswick
A family-run country hotel on the flank of Skiddaw with landscaped gardens, mountain views and a restaurant built around local, seasonal produce.
The George Hotel
Inn · St John's Street, in the centre of Keswick
One of the oldest coaching inns in the Lake District, dating from the 16th century, right in the heart of Keswick's town centre.
The Grasmere Hotel
Hotel · Broadgate, on the River Rothay
A family-run country hotel trading since 1871, with eleven rooms and a garden running down to the River Rothay.
Brantholme Bed and Breakfast
B&B · Brantholme, Ambleside
En-suite family rooms with drinks provided greet guests at this Ambleside B&B, set near walking and cycling country in Cumbria.
Sawrey House
B&B · Stones Lane, Ambleside
Sawrey House is a 10-room adults-only B&B on Stones Lane in Ambleside, with free parking and easy reach of Lake Windermere.
The Gables Guest House
Guest Accommodation · Church Walk, Ambleside
Adults-only guest house on Church Walk in Ambleside, with 14 en-suite rooms and free on-site parking in the heart of the Lake District.
Lancrigg
Hotel · Easedale Road, Grasmere
A restaurant-led hotel on Easedale Road in Grasmere, with a bar and breakfast on-site and Lake District walking country on the doorstep.
Inn on the Square
Hotel · Main Street, Keswick
A Main Street hotel in Keswick with a restaurant known for hearty dishes like Chateaubriand and biryani, plus a full breakfast to fuel the fells.
Perky Pike
B&B · 15 Church Street, Keswick
Adults-only B&B on Church Street in Keswick, a short walk from Derwentwater and the Lake District National Park, with parking included.
Abbey House B&B
B&B · Victoria Road, Penrith
A five-room B&B on Victoria Road in Penrith, handy for the Lake District and Eden Valley, with spotless rooms and a generous breakfast.
Albany House
Guest Accommodation · 5 Portland Place, Penrith
Albany House is an adults-only guest house on Portland Place in Penrith, handy for exploring the Lake District National Park.
Ashberry Guest House
Guest Accommodation · Victoria Road, Penrith
Adults-only guest house on Victoria Road in Penrith, with spacious en-suite rooms and free on-site parking for exploring the Lake District.
B&B Meadow View
B&B · Tirril, Penrith
Adults-only B&B in Tirril, near Penrith, with breakfast included and easy access to the Lake District National Park.
Brooklands Guest House
Guest Accommodation · 2 Portland Place, Penrith
Adults-only guest house on Portland Place in Penrith, Cumbria, with free parking and a garden, handy for the Lakes and Hadrian's Wall.
No 3
B&B · 3 Victoria Road, Penrith
Adults-only B&B on Victoria Road in Penrith with breakfast and packed lunches, a handy base for exploring the Lake District.
The Brantwood Hotel
Hotel · Stainton, Penrith
A Penrith hotel in Stainton with the Lake District National Park close by, plus golf, fishing and cycling on the doorstep.
Castle Green Hotel in Kendal BW Premier Collection
Hotel · Castle Green Lane, Kendal
Set on Castle Green Lane below Kendal Castle, with the fells and Windermere close by, this 99-room hotel suits both gateway breaks and business stays.
Days Inn Kendal Killington Lake
Hotel · Roadchef Motorway Service Area, Kendal
A modern two-storey motorway service hotel by Kendal with 37 rooms, lake views and free on-site parking, handy for the Lake District.
Gilpin Bridge Inn
Hotel · Bridge End, Kendal
Eight cosy rooms above a Kendal pub, with drinks provided and an indoor pool and gym on site for a proper Lake District base.
Glenholme Kendal
Guest Accommodation · 43 Milnthorpe Road, Kendal
Glenholme Kendal is a guest accommodation on Milnthorpe Road with breakfast, packed lunches and drinks in the room, near the Lake District.
Allerdale Court Hotel
Hotel · Market Place, Cockermouth
A 24-room hotel on Cockermouth's Market Place with its own bistro and bar, handy for Wordsworth House and Lake District walks.
Broughton Craggs Hotel
Hotel · Great Broughton, Cockermouth
A 14-room Cockermouth hotel near Great Broughton, handy for Lake District walking and cycling routes, with free on-site parking.
Croft Guesthouse
Guest Accommodation · 6-8 Challoner Street, Cockermouth
An adults-only guesthouse on Challoner Street in Cockermouth, well suited to couples using the Lake District as a walking base.
Embleton Spa Hotel
Hotel · Embleton, Cockermouth
A 12-room spa hotel near Cockermouth with a warm indoor pool, gym and mountain views over the Cumbrian countryside.
Kings Arms Hotel
Hotel · Kings Street, Ulverston
A traditional pub-hotel on Kings Street in Ulverston, with a garden and free parking, handy for exploring the Lake District.
Low Fell
B&B · Main Road, Ulverston
An adults-only B&B on Ulverston's Main Road, with a garden and free parking, handy for the Lake District and Furness Peninsula.
Premier Inn Ulverston
Hotel · Lonsdale Terrace, Ulverston
Premier Inn Ulverston offers 79 en-suite rooms with Hypnos beds and free parking, close to the Lake District and the Laurel & Hardy Museum.
Royal Oak Spark Bridge
Hotel · Main Street, Ulverston
Traditional pub-hotel in Ulverston with its own restaurant and bar, free parking, and easy access to walking and cycling country.
Abberley House
B&B · 33 Victoria Place, Carlisle
Abberley House is a Carlisle B&B on Victoria Place with a hearty breakfast and free on-site parking as a real convenience.
Abbey Court Guest House
Guest Accommodation · 22-26 London Road, Carlisle
Guest house on London Road in Carlisle, within easy reach of the city centre and Hadrian's Wall, with 14 well-equipped rooms.
Know a hotel / b&b in Cumbria that's missing?
Run one yourself or know a good one? Suggest it and we'll review it for the site. Listings are free.
Add a hotel / b&b