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How to choose the best Lake District holiday cottage

 

Choosing which self-catering holiday cottage to book when there are thousands to choose from can be daunting. The Lake District has an abundance of options available when it comes to cottages – and choosing the right one can be a challenge.

When your choice of holiday cottage could be the difference between an incredible, unforgettable Lake District experience and a holiday you’d rather forget, it’s important to get it right.

So just how do you make sure you choose the right cottage? We put together a list of tips and suggestions to help you navigate the holiday cottage booking minefield and avoid a costly mistake.

Read on to find out how to choose the best Lake District holiday cottage for YOU

1. Think about what your holiday priorities are

Two young people kayaking on Coniston Water in the Lake Disitrct with Swirl How mountain behind them

What do you want to achieve from your Lake District stay? If you’re looking to truly get away from it all, then avoid busy towns such as Ambleside and Keswick and look for rural cottages it secluded locations. Places such as the Duddon Valley, Langdale or Eskdale can offer some real Lakeland seclusion. Conversely, if you’re looking for pubs and shops on your doorstep, lookout for popular villages and towns such as Coniston, Windermere and Bowness which have good amenities and plenty of tourist hot spots to avoid being stuck in a remote location, miles from anywhere when you were hoping for an altogether livelier Lake District break. If you’re a real “water-baby” and want to spend as much time on the lake as possible, make sure you book not just near a lake, but a lake which has good access and where swimming and water-sports are permitted. You may not realise it, but not every lake in the Lake District allows swimming. Some lakes you can’t swim, sail or paddle on. On Coniston Water for example, you are free to swim, paddle, row or sail on the lake as it is a public highway. But on Haweswater for example, none of those activities are allowed. You can find a list of what’s permitted on each lake on the National Park’s website.  

2. Set your budget and manage your expectations

Coniston village in the Lake District National Park

The Lake District can be an expensive place to visit. Be realistic about what your budget will get you and keep on the lookout for special offers. Consider visiting during low season when prices are at their cheapest (and the Lakes are at their quietest). If your budget is limited and you’re not particular about area or style of cottage, then booking last minute can be a great way to make your budget stretch further. Beware bargains that look too good to be true as you may find yourself miles away from all the Lake District action. Always book from a trusted website, such as coppermines.co.uk. To avoid being the victim of a scam, never pay by bank transfer and be particularly careful when booking through social media channels such as Facebook. Most reputable owners will have online listings for their cottages with secure payment portals so always ask for an online link to pay for your holiday cottage securely. If you are in any doubt, walk away.

3. What are your deal breakers?

Hot tub at Slater Bob's Cottage in Coppermines Valley in the Lake District

If you have a long list of specific requirements that you need in a Lake District cottage, then booking early can ensure you have the best selection of suitable options to choose from. If you need a large house for 16 people with a lake view, near a pub with 6 bathrooms, that accepts dogs for example, then aim to book as far as 12 months in advance. Cottages with hot tubs are in high demand and tend to book up early – so if having a hot tub on holiday is important to you, be sure to book well in advance of your planned trip.

4. Check the location before you book

The lremote and rural ocation of Tarn Foot Cottage in the Duddon Valley with England's highest mountain Sca Fell Pike in the background

The Lake District is a large area, and the county of Cumbria in which it sits even more so. So if you’re wanting to explore as much of the Lakes as possible consider your preferred location. Be wary of booking a cottage listed as “Lake District” but which is actually on the fringes or, or even outside the National Park itself. Getting the location wrong could mean more time (and money) spent in your car getting to the places you want to go. Or maybe your preference is to avoid the central Lake District crowds? In you’re seeking to discover some under-explored corners of the Lakes, then choosing an area outside the most popular tourist destinations can reward you with a holiday offering some true rural escapism it can also offer a cost-effective way of visiting this beautiful corner of England.

5. Know your style

The quirky interior of Bend or Bump Cottage in Coniston with low beams, log burning stove and comfy sofas

Cute, cosy and traditional or sleek, stylish and modern. Think about what type of cottage you want to stay in. If you’re yearning for a traditional stone cottage, perhaps with a log fireplace, something completely different to where you live, then accidently booking a new build could cause you to be disappointed on arrival. Similarly, if you want to avoid the quirky; the low beams, the winding stone staircase, the wonky walls and wobbly floors, then there are plenty of modern cottages to choose from – where you won’t bump your head on a beam during a night-time trip to the loo!  

6. Have a virtual viewing

The view of the Coniston fells and mountains from a window in Slater Bob's Cottage in the Lake District

it might look charming and quaint online, but when you turn up it’s overlooking an industrial estate. Everyone has their own idea of their perfect view from a Lake District cottage. Whether it be a lovely lake view, a spectacular mountain vista or river front location getting thetype of view you want from your holiday cottage could make or break your holiday. Look at online maps when booking and use Street View, if available, to get a feel for the type of view you can expect. Street View isn’t always available in the remotest of locations, so if it isn’t then you can expect some rural Lakeland loveliness as your surroundings. To help you decide whether a cottage is right for you then 360 tours can be a great way to get a feel for a cottage inside and out – take a tour of the living space then virtually step outside to the garden and get a preview of what your view will be!

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