Why The North Lakes Has It All

A Cottage Holiday in the North Lakes

Our Keswick and surrounding area properties are a home from home, with oodles of luxurious extras, like hot tubs and en-suites, saunas and Agas.
On holiday in the North Lakes, the local pub, village shop and town centre stores become your local community. The majestic landscape, farming way of life and clear night skies become daily pleasures that you never tire of. In fact, you feel you could just stay forever. And this is the effect that the North Lake District has been having on holidaymakers since visitors first began to explore this wonderful landscape.

With the best collection of lakes, six in total, many of the highest peaks, including Skiddaw and Helvellyn, and surprising tranquillity, the Northern Lakes has been attracting wealthy and high-heeled visitors since the 18th Century. And many successful industrialists of the past fell in love and planted roots here, using the North Lake District as their luxury country retreat to wash away the grind of ever-growing city life.

In fact, the market town of Keswick, which is at the heart of the Northern Lake District, has been leading the vanguard for UK tourism for more than 150 years and was the Lake District’s first ‘resort for gentry visiting the great romantic lakes and mountains’.

Whilst today we don’t have the physical grime of the industrial revolution to escape from, the pace of life up in the Northern Lake District valleys is distinctly slower from other parts of England’s most-loved National Park. Time doesn’t quite stand still but it feels as though it almost does, especially for holidaymakers, which is just as good.

North Lake District Holiday Treats

So, if time were to stand still what would you be doing? Well, we’re pretty sure that a stay in our North Lakes holiday cottages will have the right ingredients . . . let’s take a look at some of the escapist delights on offer in Keswick and the surrounding area.

Theatre Time

From post World War II travelling theatre, made up of a convoy of dressing room wagons, to today’s famous theatre, the much talked about Theatre by the Lake in Keswick is a destination itself, drawing a regular stream of culture lovers from around the UK all year round.

Be whisked away to another time, and as its namesake alludes, enjoy some of the UK’s very best theatre, from comedy and drama to festive treats, in a stunning theatre on the shores of Derwentwater. Whilst we are sure that the performances will have you feeling lost in high drama stories and fantastical stage design, we know how important location is and this theatre has to bag one of the best settings in the UK. Indeed, The Independent hails it as “the most beautifully located and friendly theatre in Britain”.

So why not make a night of it and perhaps enjoy a relaxing pre-theatre dinner in one of the many mouth-watering Keswick restaurants, such as Morrels. This is a very grown-up Mediterranean restaurant for a grown-up night out. And of course, a sophisticated evening should not end there. After some post-theatre drinks or a stroll along Derwentwater, just imagine heading back to one of our Keswick luxury cottages where the delights continue.

Sunrise Surprise

For some, simply being away from the humdrum of daily life is enough to give us some extra get up and go. With no jobs awaiting you, get up with the sun and watch it rise atop of Catbells or have a picnic breakfast with some herdies at the site of Skiddaw’s old ‘tea hut’. The sixth-highest in England, Skiddaw can be one of the coldest peaks in the Lake District and is steep from the get go. Go prepared for changeable weather and with lots of spirit and you’ll be rewarded with some of the very best views of the Lake District that you only get from atop the blue-grey slate of this 500 million year old rock, the oldest in the park.

Sunset Sentimental
Whilst the South Lake District has attractions galore, from the World of Beatrix Potter and Lakes Aquarium to Windermere Lakes Cruises and Muncaster Castle, the night skies of the quiet and remote North Lake District puts on a magical display like no other. The vastness of the dark sky and sheer number of stars never ceases to impress. Life on the Northern Lakes are much quieter than the busier Southern waters and the still reflections are magical.

Pooch Paradise

Has your pet pooch long had dreams of life on a cat, or should we say dog, walk? How about ideas above their station where they expect to be served in the local pub before their owners, or demand to be treated like top dog with a personalised coat fitting service. Why not consider one of our Dog Friendly Cottages in Keswick.

Where else, other than the North Lake District, will you find a dog fashion show and pet store offering a coat fitting service, where they will even offer private out of hours service, landlords who will make sure a thirsty pooch has a treat and bowl of water before their owner can decide between a pint of Cumberland or Hawkshead Gold and the award for the most Dog Friendly town. Keswick, where almost all eateries and shops, pubs and cafes, welcome dogs, proudly holds this title. And set amidst a landscape of endless walks and water fun, this really is pooch paradise.

So, plan that walk, book a spa treatment or get your mountain bike ready. A perfect cottage holiday in the North Lake District awaits you. From foodie heaven and outdoor paradise, warm welcome and home from home luxury cottages, Keswick and the North Lakes has it all.