The harbour in Whitehaven was completely refurbished a couple of years ago and is now a delightful…read moretourist attraction. Best visited on sunny days, the harbour is a lovely walk where various information boards contain information on the history of the harbour, detailing it's past uses and recent changes. At the end of the harbour you can watch the gates open to let boats come in and out, and round and about the harbour a wide selection of boats can be seen. There's plenty of seating for picnics and an ice cream van is regulalrly on hand!

We've stayed here on a number of occasions and it's always been most enjoyable irrespective of the…read moreweather! The site (justifiably) sells itself as 'The park with the view', and has tremendous views over Derwent Water to Cat Bells and the mountains and hills beyond. The toilet/shower block is of a very high standard, and the building includes washing machine/drying facilities and a campers' kitchen with microwaves and washing up facilities. There's also a small restaurant/takeaway which we didn't get round to trying, but it looked OK, and a well-stocked shop in the reception building. The only criticism I have is that the pitches towards the bottom of the site could do with a toilet block (it's quite a steep walk to the other blocks on the site) and the lighting is poor half way down the slope, but other than these minor quibbles it's well worth a stay.

A superb self catering cottage. Myself and my partner rented it the week before Christmas (2008)…read moreand there was a lovely decorated Xmas tree in the front room awaiting our arrival. It had a lovely coal effect gas fire and very comfortable sofas. The kitchen had all utensils you could wish for a lovely view of the rear garden which is attracts all kinds of birds. You can just watch them for hours. The bedrooms and bathroom were just perfect. The views from the cottage were second to none, as it's on a hill (with Old Man behind it) you get a view of Coniston lake and village and to the left the Langdale pikes. The cottage is just minutes away from the town and local pubs. I can't recommend this cottage enough and can't wait to go back again.

Excellent facilities in beautiful surroundings. Staff are friendly and helpful, with a wealth of…read moreinformation about things to do and see in the local area of Ambleside, the Lakes and Cumbria as a whole. Recommended!

First things first…read more Like, first review on Yelp of the Old School House B&B. Damn shame. The young married couple running OSHBB are clearly a couple of people whose company *I* want to be in. The town of Patterdale is but a small berg on the famed Coast to Coast hike I was on and is probably best known for a couple of large hotels up the road where tourists park their cars and spend their time around no one really special to chat with. The Old School folks will have none of that. They're instantly likable, genuine and interesting people. The facility is small, cozy and at least for my room it was quite small but you have to remember, I came here by myself, wanted a quiet room and a cozy bed, a great breakfast to power me up and over the lengthy hills for 6-8 hours at a time. Did they deliver? And how. Their traditional English breakfast was hands down one of the top 2-3 of my trip. Look, if you're wanting a massive suite for a romantic weekend getaway this might not be the place. If you're on the C2C hike which brings over 10,000+ (estimated) to this little village each summer and you need a place to stay, this is hard to beat for what they offer for the price. You have to realize that without this hike coming through here most of these small towns couldn't have B&Bs like this. Need a pint and a meal? The village pub White Lion is just down the road a few hundred yards. Easy enough to stumble back dead tired and retreat to your room. Probably the most memorable conversation at a B&B with the owners I had in the 7 nights I was on the trail. Let me shout it from the highest fells and prettiest becks, OSHBB is a fine stop for a weary traveler. Just like Yelp says, they're as good as it gets in this little village.

Hmm, how to describe Virginia House Hotel...what immediately sprang to mind was "how your eccentric…read moregreat aunt would decorate their house." Think chintz, Victorian dolls, knick knacks and overly cushioned armchairs. Ok, so it's not a boutique modern oasis, but it was charming, warm and welcoming all the same. With only seven rooms you can guarantee it won't be feeling crowded in here. Expect to pay £45 for a single and from £55 for a double room - all are en suite (and breakfast is included in the price). Speaking of breakfast, the selection was huge, you'd think there were 20 rooms of people dining here. The fresh fruit alone numbered ten varieties. Cereals, toast and a full cooked breakfast are all on offer and were really good. (Yes, I ordered everything). Not forgetting there's free Wifi! In an 18th century Georgian Townhouse! Take heed, major budget hotel chains... Ulverston streets aren't particularly parking-friendly, it's either yellow lines or charges (you'd have to get up at 6am to put more money in the ticket machine), so park for free on Lightburn Road just a couple of minutes walk away.

We visited Virginia House purely for the gin bar; it's got quite a reputation with the other half's…read morefamily, so we simply had to give it a go on my recent visit. The large townhouse building is quite unassuming from the street - only the menu board outside really signals that there's anything going on inside - so it was nice to escape from the crowds of 'Another Fine Fest', a festival dedicated to Stan Laurel. Now, here's where I have to admit that I'm not a seasoned gin drinker. It used to be a drink of choice when mixed with 50p pop during university for the ease of pre-drinking, but it's not quite made its way into my more recent drinking habits. I can appreciate the appeal of a gin & tonic, but at the moment it's always going to be beer or wine for me! With this in mind, the menu is really quite daunting. There's an amazing selection of gins and matched tonics, with some exciting sounding combinations such as rhubarb gin, ginger gin and ginger ale, but the text is far too cramped and I found it hard to focus. I ended up with prosecco (sorry!) but it still came in a lovely glass so I didn't feel too left out. There's a small garden area out the back for anyone looking for a more al fresco experience but the interior is fairly lush with deep crimson colour and velvet seat covers. However, the seating arrangements are a bit odd - the room is quite long - and there weren't any stools out, so we were limited to only sitting around the edge of the room. It's not a deal breaker but did make us feel a bit out of place! If you're in the area and looking for a little bit of a luxurious drink, I'd recommend Virginia House, especially if you're with a gin lover. Otherwise you might be better off at the town's wine bar...

Located in the lake district of Keswick UK, this family owned hotel is very warm and inviting. The…read moreatmosphere has a very positive and classy feel. All the staff is very friendly and go above and beyond to help. Even got to know the owners very well who are always so helpful and welcoming. About 4 hours away from London, this place is the perfect place to get away and relax, get in touch with nature and away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Great place to stay!

A delightful country house hotel in an amazing setting. Right in the middle of knowhere yet a short…read moredrive away from Keswick. This is a family run hotel and is warm and inviting. It is set in a vally next to a lake and is ideal destination for walkers or just for those seeking a quiet romantic break. Rooms are comfortable rather than luxurious. The communal lounges are grand, and open fires roar, making it feel homely. Dinner is silver service and very posh, the food here is amazing and it is worth the trip here just to sample it. As well as the restaurant they also serve bar meals which are also very good if you want something a bit more informal.

This is the home to two remarkable people who make up an important part of the fabric of this…read morecharming town. They care not only about people but about offering a real home to weary travelers. Martin and John's lovingly restored Georgian home is full of treasures of the time period. Each room is unique and decorated to feel authentic as well as comfortable. Breakfasts are served along with loads of advice on where to go and what to see. Despite the long list of faces they must have seen come though over the years, these tireless hosts always have time to ensure that you get off on your first adventure in the lake district with everything you need to know. The location of this B&B couldn't more more central to the town. Everything you could possible need is literally in the same block. The walk up the hill to the monument is easily accessible and the famous markets are just a few steps away as well. If you're really smart you'll make this a stop on a walking tour and have your bags transferred to your next B&B as you continue along your way.