Last Minute Summer Family Cottages in the Lake District

If thoughts of getting the family to the Lakes this summer are floating away, then fear not as there’s still time for blowing bubbles in the fresh air and tranquillity of the Lakes with these last minute family cottages.

Here are three sleeps 3-4 cottages that are just perfect for a family break in the Lakes this summer. They have WiFi, family-size bathrooms and easy living space. You’ll find apartments with open plan living as well as cottages with more space for families to spread out. The locations of these last minute cottages are superb, giving easy access to great family-friendly things to do in the Lakes this summer.

We’ve also added two properties with last minute summer availability for a large group holiday in the Lakes.

3 Last minute family cottages that sleep 3-4 in the Lake District this summer…

1. Pineview, Bowness, South Lakes 

This is a 1st floor, luxury, modern apartment that is only a few minutes’ walk from the centre of the bustle of Bowness and the shore of Lake Windermere, and is ideal for a small family.

View more details of Pineview here. 

Sleeps 3 (1 luxury king size & 1 single) | Children welcome, but no babies or pets | Secure garage for bikes plus parking for 1 | Central Bowness location | Gorgeous Balcony 

Things to do on holiday in Bowness

• Visit The World of Beatrix Potter and then head over Lake Windermere to Near Sawrey and visit Hill Top, the former home of the author of the lovable Peter Rabbit Tales.
• A walk along Bowness Promenade and on to Cockshott Point.
• Orrest Head is a great, short walk from the centre of Windermere.
• Gummer’s How is one of the most popular small fell walks in the South Lakes, with superb view of Lake Windermere as a reward
• Enjoy entertainment at The Old Laundry Theatre or Royalty Cinema
• Picnic on Glebe Recreation Ground, on Bowness Promenade, or just outside of Windermere and Bowness, park on Queen Adelaide’s Hill, off Rayrigg Road, and enjoy the eastern shore of Windermere at Miller Ground.
• Experience high-end yachting with a Sail and Dine from Bowness Bay
• There’s even a kids soft play in Bowness
• Improve your par at Windermere Golf Club
• Take in culture at Blackwell Arts and Crafts House

2. Brackenrigg Cottage, Crook Village,  South Lakes

If you’re looking for a bit more space, that a home-from-home cottage gives, then Brackenrigg Cottage in the peaceful village of Crook, is the one for your family this summer. Spread out over spacious living accommodation, relaxing family lounge with multi-fuel stove, a country dining room perfect for family meals and a well-equipped, contemporary kitchen.

Plus the excellent village pub, The Sun Inn, is only a short stroll away from this cottage!

View more photos of Brackenrigg Cottage here. 

Sleeps 4 (1 double, 1 twin) | Character Cottage| Parking for 1 car | Babies & Children welcome, no pets | Quiet Crook village location | Small patio area with seating

Things to do on holiday in Crook, South Lakes

• Enjoy Michelin star dining at Gilpin Spice, on Crook Road, just down from this cottage
• Hire bikes and cycle the Lyth Valley, taking in some of the Lake District’s best country pubs
• A 10-minute drive and you are in Bowness, where you can catch Lake Windermere Cruises to explore more of the South Lakes
• Head north for a 10-minute drive and enjoy beer tapas at the award-winning Hawkshead Brewery, in the delightful cycling village of Staveley. Serious
• And east, the historical town of Kendal is less than 15-minute drive away.

Things to Do in the Lyth Valley

3. Loughrigg Hide, Ambleside, Central Lakes

Open plan, purpose-built apartment over two floors. The first floor living is an open plan kitchen, living and dining space and up a second staircase you arrive at two double bedrooms and a contemporary family bathroom. Located opposite Hayes Garden World, you are only a 2-minute stroll from the restaurants, shops and entertainment in Ambleside centre.

View Special Offers for Loughrigg Hide. 

Sleeps 4 (2 double beds) | 2 Story Contemporary Apartment | Babies & Children welcome, no pets | Central Ambleside town location 

Things to do on holiday in Ambleside

• When staying in Loughrigg Hide, a walk up Loughrigg Fell is a must.
• For evening entertainment, Zefferellis Cinema and Jazz Bar is not to be missed.
• Kids love The Rock Shop and White Platts Recreation Ground, off Compston Road, has a children’s play area and crazy golf.
• Just outside of Ambleside, at Waterhead, Borrans Park is great for a picnic and play by the northern shore of Lake Windermere. The Wateredge Inn is a family friendly pub here with an excellent beer garden, right on the water’s edge.
• Keep the school history lesson’s going with a trip to the remains of a 2nd century Roman Fort, at Ambleside.
• The 17th century The Bridge House, in the centre of Ambleside is also worth a visit.
• To get some fresh air and tire little legs out, head into the woods from Ambleside to find Stockghyll Force Waterfall, which can be done in a couple of hours.

2 family friendly holiday cottages for large groups in the Lake District this summer

We’ve picked The Barn, south Windermere and Le Chalet, Langdale, for large group family get-together’s this summer. Take a look . . .

1. The Barn, Lakeside

Rustic 17th century barn conversion, set in the sleepy hamlet of Finsthwaite on the southern tip of Lake Windermere, this 4-bed property, with 2 double and 2 twin rooms, is idea for families to get together this summer. The peaceful location provides the perfect backdrop for uninterrupted quality time with loved ones, yet you are only a stones-throw from the Lake’s top attractions.

View Special Offers for The Barn.

The Barn | Lakeside | Sleeps 8 | Babies & Children Welcome but no pets | Garden | Peaceful location | Parking for 2 cars 

Things to do on holiday in Lakeside 

• Take in a tour at the nearby 19th century Stott Park Bobbin Mill.
• Enjoy a leisurely Haverside to Lakeside steam rail journey and then experience a steam cruise on Lake Windermere.
• For kids, just next to the steamer landing point is Lakeside Aquarium, where you can travel below Lake Windemere and see the UK’s largest collection of freshwater marine life.
• Picnic at Fellfoot Park, on the opposite side of Windermere from Lakeside. There’s a landing stage here, so you needn’t bother with the car. Look out for the All England Stone Skimming Championships on Saturday 18th August here!
• Enjoy a guided trip of the lake or some beginners fishing lessons at the nearby Esthwaite Water Trout Fishery, located just before you get to Hawkshead from Lakeside.

2. Le Chalet, Langdale

This is the place to impress! Celebrating a special occasion or simply want a luxury, large summer holiday cottage that accommodates a large group, then Le Chalet is the place. It is an architect-designed property and so filled with luxurious delights, such as a cinema room, hand-made woodburning stoves, a drying room, state-of-the-art music systems and smart TVs. bathrobes are included and this is a eco property with a conscience.

There are 3 super king-size suites and one double, as well as six luxurious designer bathrooms, making Le Chalet the choice for family or friend get together’s.

View Le Chalet Special Offers here. 

Le Chalet | Langdale | 5 Star Gold Award luxury | Sleeps 12 | Children welcome but no babies or pets | Parking for 5 cars | Cinema Room | Drying Room | Panasonic i-Pod and CD docking station | Contemporary BBQ area 

Things to do on holiday in Langdale

• Hire bikes at the National Trust campsite in the Great Langdale valley.
• For wet days buy a day pass for the luxurious pool and spa centre at the Langdale Hotel and Spa.
• Have ploughmans lunch and superb local pint in the nearby Britannia Inn, in the delightful village of Elterwater, where there’s a lovely riverside walk too.
• For walkers up for a rewarding challenge, head up the steep path from the Sticklebarn Tavern to Stickle Tarn. From here you can then ramble back down to enjoy lunch at the Sticklebarn (or walkers pub, The Dungeon Ghyll) or stride over the famous Langdale Pikes to Grasmere.
• Another short walk in the dramatic Great Langdale valley is the Bea Tarn round.
• From Little Langdale, head under ground in one of the Lake’s most impressive caves at Cathedral Cavern and enjoy a paddle at Slater’s Bridge.