Large Houses to Rent in The Lake District
LET THE LAKE DISTRICT STEAL YOUR HEART
Locations don’t come much more revered – or romantic –than the Lake District. Immerse yourself in a landscape which has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Whether you’re looking for a spacious wedding venue, a base for family adventures or or an intimate setting to catch up with old friends, we have the house for you, complete with views of the incomparable Lake District landscape. Stay in a modern lakeside house, a grand Georgian manor or a private estate hideaway. Whatever the season, the Lake District delivers, from fell walking in the fresh spring air to autumn colours and snowcapped mountains in the winter. And, if the stunning scenery is not enough for you on it's own, there are many places to visit and things to do in the Lake District, from National Trust properties to quirky museums. At the end of each day’s exploring, warm your feet by a roaring log fire, take a refreshing dip in a swimming pool or rest tired muscles in a bubbling hot tub. Discover our big houses to rent in the Lake District.
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WHEN TO STAY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
Spring
When those first warm rays break through the winter chill, there is no better place to be than the Lake District. It’s the very time and place that Wordsworth spotted his ‘host of golden daffodils’ and it’s a magical moment in this National Park’s calendar. With wild flower walks, sheep down from the fells with their lambs, and fairs celebrating everything from mountains to music. And don’t miss the Easter egg hunt at the World of Beatrix Potter attraction.
Summer
The Lake District is one big outdoor adventure playground and summer is the time to enjoy it. Go mountain climbing and fell walking on cooler days and hit the lakes when the sun is shining. Enjoy canoeing and kayaking, sailing and boat trips. Get paddle boarding and open water swimming and seek out the quieter lakes for a spot of angling. The summer festival season is in full swing with everything from Kendal Calling, the music Festival in Lowther Park, to the many agricultural shows and summer fairs.
Autumn
The Lake District is walking country and there are few better times to walk than in the autumn. The russets and gold of the woodlands are reflected in the still lakes. The forests are a forager’s treasure trove and a nature lover’s paradise. It’s a great time for following the cycle trails from lake to lake, stopping off at farm shops for seasonal goodies and village pubs and tea shops for refreshments. Stay in November for the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival, where you can see the stars as you’ve never seen them before.
Winter
Snow is on the mountains and Christmas lights twinkle in the winter in the Lake District. It’s a beautiful place to spend Christmas and our big houses mean you can gather all the family together and enjoy some festive luxuries, from outdoor hot tubs to cosy cinema rooms, perfect for a Christmas movie night. Winter is also one of the few times when the Lake District is quieter and you can almost have the place to yourselves.
SPECIAL EXPERIENCES IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
ULLSWATER STEAMERS
View the Lake District from a new perspective on one of the two historic steamers, MY Raven’ and ‘MY Lady of the Lake’ now converted to oil, cruising on Ullswater. Take the trip in spring to see Wordsworth’s daffodils in drifts on the lake shore.
BEATRIX POTTER WORLD
A must if you or your children love the Peter Rabbit books, The World of Beatrix Potter brings to life the stories in a magical way. Meet favourite characters from the books, explore the Peter Rabbit Garden, and stop for lunch at the café.
ALPACALLY EVER AFTER
Ever fancied going walking with alpacas? Even if it has never crossed your mind, you have to go now you’ve heard of it. Get in touch with nature in a beautiful setting and meet these curious animals. It’s good for you and it’s good for the alpacas too, who have been rehomed to this alpaca paradise.
WHINLATTER FOREST
A trip to Whinlatter Forest is a great way to spend a day. Enjoy stunning views, fantastic walks and cycle trails, rare wildlife and adventure play for the children. There’s a Gruffalo trail for the little ones and it’s one of the best spots to enjoy the Cumbria Dark Skies Festival in November.
THE PENCIL MUSEUM
A typically quirky English museum, the Pencil Museum in Keswick is well worth a visit. From the first pencil, invented in the town, to the history of the graphite mines, and on to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee pencil, it tells the story of this humble but universal wiring implement.
THE LAUREL AND HARDY MUSEUM
The iconic comedy duo of Laurel and Hardy are celebrated in Stan Laurel’s birth town of Ulverston at the southern end of the Lakes. Appropriately its home is a converted cinema and there’s a wealth of charming and intriguing artefacts to discover. If your children haven’t heard of them, it’s time they did!
THE WORDSWORTH EXPERIENCE
The Lake District was an inspiration to the Romantic Poets, none more so than William Wordsworth who lived most of his life there. Visit his birthplace in Cockermouth, his residence at Dove Cottage in Grasmere which now has a museum dedicated to him, his gravestone in the local church and some of the locations that inspired his poetry.
LOWTHER CASTLE AND GARDENS
This 200-year castle has many stories to tell. But more than that, it has some of the most beautiful and atmospheric gardens in the north of England. From the ‘garden in the ruins’ to the yew terrace and rose garden it is a delight. Meanwhile, the children will love the adventure playground.
THE LAKE DISTRICT WILDLIFE PARK
In 24 acres of parkland overlooked by Skiddaw, you can see over 100 species of wild and domestic animals at the Lake District Wildlife Park. There are daily presentations to learn more about the park’s residents and get a little bit closer to them.
THE LAKES DISTILLERY
With a clutch of awards for their English whiskies, gins and vodkas, including the World’s Best Single Malt Whisky 2022, the Lakes Distillery is an intriguing place to visit. Discover how these sprits are made on a tour of the distillery, then enjoy lunch in the bistro.
CUMBERLAND BIRD OF PREY CENTRE
The Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre offers a variety of events and activities, from one-hour Hawk Walks to Family Experiences. It’s a wonderful and safe way to meet these magnificent creatures. Located in Carlisle, close to the Solway Firth, the centre is also home to red squirrels, roe deer and woodpeckers.
GRASMERE GINGERBREAD SHOP
This little shop in Grasmere fills the air with the sweet, sticky scent of freshly baked gingerbread. Made to the same recipe since 1854, it is famous the world over. Visit the shop for rum butter, ginger-themed foodstuffs, Kendal Mint Cake and more. And of course, that unique and delicious gingerbread.
RAVENGLASS AND ESKDALE RAILWAY
Enjoy a seven-mile, picturesque journey from the coast though ancient woodlands to Dalegarth, on this single gauge railway. Keep an eye out for greylag geese, curlew, red squirrels and buzzards, and enjoy views of Scafell Pike when you alight at Dalegarth. Open March to October and at Christmastime.
ENGLISH LAKES TOURS
See eight lakes on a half-day tour which takes in famous lakes such as Windermere, Ullswater and Derwentwater and also visits some of the most picturesque spots in the Lake District. It’s a great introduction to this amazing National Park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAKE DISTRICT
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Where is the Lake District?
The Lake District is in north-west England in the county of Cumbria. There is often some confusion between what is the county of Cumbria and what is the Lake District. The Lake District is a National Park and it sits entirely within the county of Cumbria. However, Cumbria is bigger than the Lake District and takes in some of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Pennines to the east, the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding National Beauty to the north and various other areas, including its county city of Carlisle.
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Is the Lake District easy to get to?
The good news is that the Lake District is well connected by road. The M6 passes through its eastern edge, connecting it to the south and the M74 is the route to take out of Scotland. From the north-east, it’s a picturesque run across the A66. By train, the West Coast mainline connects Oxenholme (near Kendal), Penrith and Carlisle with London and Glasgow and a direct train runs from Manchester to Windermere. Manchester or Liverpool airports are the most convenient if you are flying. National Express coaches also cover the Lake District.
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When’s the best time of year to go to the Lake District?
From snow-capped mountains in winter, to woods carpeted with bluebells in spring, to festivals and fairs in summer, to the colours of autumn, there is not a single season that doesn’t show a new and delightful aspect of the Lake District. That’s why it has inspired artists, poets and writers over the centuries, and why it continues to draw so many visitors all year round.
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How many lakes are there in the Lake District?
There are 16 major lakes but - fun fact - only one of them actually has the word ‘Lake’ in its name, and that is Bassenthwaite Lake. The others are either meres or waters. There are also tarns, which are mountain lakes, and reservoirs. Adding together all the bodies of water called lake, tarn, mere, water or reservoir, there are over 100. Which means, there is always likely to be somewhere new to explore!
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Why is the Lake District so popular?
The Lake District is the Uk’s most visited National Park, and with good reason. Its dramatic landscape of mountains, lakes, rivers and forests makes it popular with those who love the outdoors, whether for sport or recreation. The pretty lakeland villages and towns draw tourists from around the world and there is even a coastline, which by virtue of being overshadowed by the famed lakes and mountains, is relatively quiet and unspoilt. If you make the Lake District your base for a few days or more, it’s also well located for exploring the Yorkshire Dales and even for making a foray into southern Scotland.
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Where are the best walks in the Lake District?
One of the best things about the Lake District is that there are so many possibilities for walks. By their very geography, the lakes offer flat walking along their shores, which can be as short or as long as you please. Meanwhile, the fells and hills offer more strenuous walks and climbs, rewarded with spectacular views. Some highlights include a circular 3.6-mile walk around the lake of Grasmere, which you can do at your own pace. Go for another circular walk at Loughrigg Fell, including Loughrigg Terrace, one of the spots that inspired William Wordsworth. For a more strenuous expedition, tackle Haystacks, a rugged mountain with hidden tarns and fabulous views.