Lake District Holiday Cottages for Families: Where to Stay

For many families, a self-catering holiday cottage is the perfect base for exploring the Lake District. Unlike a hotel room, a cottage gives you the space to spread out, prepare your own meals as and when you want, and enjoy a more relaxed pace of holiday. Whether you’re travelling with toddlers who need an early bedtime, teenagers who appreciate their own space, or grandparents joining the trip, a cottage offers the flexibility that a family trip often requires.

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The Lake District is home to thousands of holiday cottages, ranging from cosy stone cottages for small families to large houses sleeping ten or more guests. However, availability changes constantly throughout the year, and new properties are added while others are removed from booking platforms. Rather than recommending a handful of cottages that may be unavailable by the time you read this guide, we recommend searching the latest listings on Sykes Cottages, where you can browse live availability and current pricing across the Lake District.

Why use Sykes Cottages?

When searching for a family cottage, we find Sykes Cottages one of the easiest places to start.

The biggest advantage is that you can see live availability and up-to-date pricing, making it much easier to plan around school holidays and peak travel periods. The search filters are particularly useful, allowing you to narrow down properties by location, number of guests, dog-friendly options, hot tubs, enclosed gardens, and more.

One feature we especially like is the interactive map. The Lake District is larger than many first-time visitors expect, and the map makes it easy to understand where a cottage is located in relation to lakes, attractions, walking routes, and nearby towns. This can save a lot of time compared with browsing individual properties one by one.

Too much choice? Start by choosing a location

With so many cottages available, the easiest way to narrow down your search is by deciding where in the Lake District you would like to stay. Each area offers a different experience, and choosing the right base can make a big difference to your holiday.

Bowness-on-Windermere

Best for: Families wanting to be close to the lake and within walking distance of attractions.
READ OUR GUIDE: Things to to in Bowness-on-Windermere with kids

If being close to the water is high on your wish list, Bowness-on-Windermere is hard to beat. Sitting directly on the shores of Lake Windermere, the town offers easy access to lake cruises, boat hire, lakeside walks, and some of the Lake District’s most popular family attractions.

Families can board Windermere Lake Cruises, visit the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, enjoy an ice cream by the waterfront, or simply watch the boats come and go from the busy harbour area. The atmosphere is lively throughout the year, with plenty of family-friendly restaurants and shops within walking distance.

Because of its popularity, cottages in Bowness can book up quickly during school holidays, so it’s worth planning ahead if this area appeals to you.

Keswick

Best for: Active families and outdoor adventures.
READ OUR GUIDE: Things to to in Keswick with kids

Many families return to Keswick year after year, and it’s easy to see why. Located beside Derwentwater and surrounded by some of the Lake District’s most dramatic scenery, it’s an excellent base for all many of the family activities in the Lake District.

Derwentwater provides opportunities for boat trips and waterside walks, while nearby attractions include Castlerigg Stone Circle, Whinlatter Forest, and the family-friendly trails around the lake. Fitz Park is a great place for children to burn off energy, and the town itself has a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of independent cafés and outdoor shops. Check out our guide: Things to to in Keswick with kids.

Keswick tends to appeal to active families who enjoy walking and exploring nature but still want the convenience of staying in a lively market town.

Ambleside

Best for: Families looking for a central base for sightseeing.

Located at the northern end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is one of the most convenient bases for exploring the wider Lake District. Its central location means many of the region’s best attractions are within easy reach.

Families can visit Stock Ghyll Force waterfall, explore nearby Rydal Cave, enjoy gentle lakeside walks, or head down to Windermere for boat trips. The town itself has a good selection of cafés, pubs, outdoor shops, and family-friendly places to eat.

Ambleside is often a good choice for families who want to spend their holiday exploring different parts of the Lake District rather than focusing on a single area.

Grasmere

Best for: Families seeking a relaxed village setting.

Smaller and quieter than some of the Lake District’s larger towns, Grasmere offers a traditional village atmosphere surrounded by beautiful scenery. It’s an excellent choice for families seeking a slower pace of holiday.

The village is famous for Grasmere Gingerbread, which is always worth a stop, and there are several gentle walks suitable for younger children. Nearby attractions include Rydal Water, Allan Bank, and a variety of family-friendly walking routes with spectacular views.

Grasmere feels peaceful without being isolated and can be a particularly good option for families who want easy access to nature while avoiding some of the busier tourist hotspots.

Ullswater

Best for: Families looking for stunning scenery and a quieter Lake District experience.

Often considered one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District, Ullswater offers a quieter alternative to Windermere while still providing plenty for families to see and do.

One of the highlights is a trip aboard the Ullswater Steamers, which connect several points around the lake and allow families to combine boat journeys with scenic walks. Nearby Aira Force is one of the Lake District’s most famous waterfalls and a popular destination for families.

The villages surrounding Ullswater, including Glenridding and Patterdale, provide access to spectacular scenery, lakeside walks, and a more peaceful atmosphere than some of the busier tourist centres.

Tips for booking a family cottage

• Book as early as possible for school holidays, especially summer and half-term breaks.
• Check parking arrangements, particularly in popular villages where parking can be limited.
• Consider driving times between attractions – the Lake District is larger than it appears on a map.
• Look for enclosed gardens if travelling with younger children.
• If you’re bringing a dog, use the dog-friendly filters to narrow your search.
• Don’t focus solely on the cottage itself, choosing the right location often has a bigger impact on your holiday.

Final thoughts

Once you’ve found the perfect cottage and booked your family base, you’re ready to start planning the fun part of your trip.

From lakeside walks and waterfalls to boat trips, family attractions, playgrounds, cafés, and rainy-day activities, Lake District Kids is here to help you make the most of your holiday. Use the search function, browse our destination guides, and discover family-friendly adventures across the Lake District.

Lake District Kids is a free online resource. If you have found this website useful for planning your family adventures, you can show your support by buying us a coffee. Thanks so much!

Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.