Places to Stay in Cumbria Accommodation
Self Catering Cumbria, B&B Cumbria, Hotels & Guest Houses Cumbria!

Arnside
Arnside is the most gorgeous and quaint place south of the lakelands and with having a good selection of small vilage shops to rumage around I would highly recommend visiting. There are plenty of coastal walks and deserted sandly beaches that love to catch the sun. It isn't a long drive from many well known tourist destinations either, about 30min drive to Lake Windermeer, once again although I would love to keep this place to myself I can't and would highly recommend a short stay there!

Barrow-In-Furness
Barrow is surrounded by the sea. You can come in/out via the Coastal Road, an alternative to the A590 which takes you from Roa Island (with views of `rugged` Piel Island), complete with castle & pub, ferry laid on past the Beautiful Buddist priory into Ulverston, which is a lovely trditional market town. There is Sandscale Hawes, a lovely area, mostly sand, with views over to Millom, and the home of the protected knatterjack toad. A bird sanctuary at the south end of Walney island (umbrellas provided). New Portland Walk shopping centre. Miles of sandy beaches to walk the dog, and you! The huge, once influential, `Furness Abbey` in the Vale of the Deadly Nightshade! (a holiday for the soul). Down to earth but friendly locals (people & pubs) plus plenty of marine history in the Dock Museum with lots of ships/submarines in the BAE dock, and a new `floating` nightclub! And just a stone`s throw from the Lake District. Definitely worth a visit.

Broughton-in-Furness
DRIVE: Visit 10-mile Storm Beach of golden sand [tide out] Cumbria Coast Path. Or why not observe the sunset over the Isle of Man! WALK: Old railway track; pass the twin tarns, return choice of 6 field paths on either side of track. CYCLE: Rail track onto country lane to Beancroft, Meanfield, and Coalgate, Foxfield return cycle path to Broughton. WALK: Cumbria Coast Path, Old road, find the track of iron-shod wheels in cobbled paving, to river Duddon and wharf, return zigzag path via Bleansley, Manor Farm. DRIVE: Appletreeworth Forest, Walk to stepping stones, view ruined farm, black lead mine, spoil from iron mine, iron age settlement, bridle track traversing forest, discover old sledging track? DRIVE: Top O Cross, climb Stickle Pike, a mountain situation good view over surrounding area, steep decent safe with boots. WALK: Duddon Bridge, old charcoal blast furnace, furnace woods, Boadhole, Fenwick, Swinside, stone circle, 50+standingstones aliened with sunrise midsummer day, return via Broadgate. DRIVE: Boardwalk, Fickle steps (not to be attempted in high water) river walk on edge of forest to Troutal. Bridge or continue to Birks bridge, (deep pool) fell path to Thrang, back to start. DRIVE: Seathwaite, Wallowbarrow stepping stones, follow Duddon over stile, cross scree slope, through huge boulders and scrub oak, climb bluff to rim of gorge, boggy decent to Fickle steps, Grassguards track to Wallowbarrow farm CYCLE or WALK: Beacon Fell many hill tracks in this area remote high tarns, with evidence of metal smelting.

Whitehaven
The town of Whitehaven is situated on the west coast of Cumbria, close to the Lake District National Park. The town has a host of attractions for the visitor and would make an ideal base for exploring the Western Lake District area. If you are the energetic type you might like to use the fully equipped Sports Centre, the competition size Swimming Pool, or try you hand (or foot) at the Whitehaven section of the C2C cycle route. If you want all weather family entertainment you could visit the Haig Pit mining museum and learn about Whitehaven's mining past; you could tour the Beacon Visitor Centre which has interactive displays telling the history of the town and harbour; or The Rum Story - the Dark Spirit of Whitehaven, the worlds first story of rum. Here you will learn about rum production, the Jefferson family, the shipbuilding industry and Whitehaven's part in the slave trade. You might like to take a walk around the redeveloped harbour in a complete loop or relax on the unique seats that depict the story of Whitehaven. You could view open-air events at The Hub or take in the breathtaking views over the harbour area from the 40 metre Crow’s Nest. During the evening, the ‘tall ship’s mast’ becomes a tower of light, reflecting wind speeds. If you are interested in the history of the town, you could take part in The Quest, which takes you on a tour around the harbour and Georgian streets. For those that want a holiday away from all the hustle and bustle, you could relax in the lovely St. Nicholas Church Gardens or the tranquil Holy Trinity Gardens. For prayer and meditation you should visit the lovely St. Begh's Roman Catholic Church or Whitehaven’s parish church, St. James’. The interior of St. James’ has been described as the most beautiful in the North of England. When you are ready to return home don’t forget your family and friends! There are many shops in Whitehaven, ranging from the usual High Street chains to the more specialist type. Whatever you want from your holiday, Whitehaven has it all!

Bassenthwaite Lake
I went to Bassenthwaite for the first time in early July 04, I had never camped before so wasn't sure what to expect. I certainly didn't expect to fall in love with the place and with camping in general. We went back later in the summer and then again in October. We will certainly be going again this year and next and most likely the years after that aswell. The lake is only a short journey from the site, our kids spent most of their holiday in the lake. The people are friendly, the site well kept, and we are able to take the family dog, he loves it every bit as much as we do.

Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake is situated 8 miles from Keswick in a tranquil unspoilt part of the Lake District. THE OSPREYS HAVE RETURNED TO BASSENTHWAITE LAKE April 04. Enjoy the lake and mountain views from the terrace or restaurant at Lakeside Country house with a chance to see the osprey whilst enjoying fine cuisine and hospitality.

Keswick
Keswick has inspired philosophers, social reformers, artists and poets. Ruskin, Walpole, Colridge, Heaton-Cooper, Wordsworth, Southey and continues to do so today. If ever there was a town surrounded by magic, myth and lore then this is definitely it. The countryside has been shaped by a history of mining, forestry and farming the sheep being contained upon the fells by dry stone walls. Walkers are spoiled for choice in the area with the summits of Skiddaw (931m), Scarfell (964m) and the gentler slopes of Catbells (445m) and Latrigg (367m) all of which (excepting Scaffell) provide panoramic views of the town. Keswick is the centre of UK climbing activity and naturally is the favourite centre for Lakeland Climbers. Despite its small size (population 4850approx), Keswick contains a variety of indoor and outdoor attractions far wider than you might expect. The town also has the accolade of having the highest number of B&B’s and Hotels per head of population within the UK. Three very individual museums, a highly successful Theatre, the cinema and art and craft exhibitions are balanced for the active by an indoor climbing wall, tennis courts, mini golf course, leisure pool and sports hall. The town is also blessed with two large recreational parks within a stones throw of the town centre. Fitz Park is home to Keswick Cricket Club voted by Wisdens as the most beautiful cricket ground in the whole country. Within a 10 minute walk of the moot hall is the majesty of Derwentwater described by U.S president Woodrow Wilson as the most perfectly set of all the lakes. The perfection of Keswick was summed up some two hundred years ago, by a guide describing Keswick as the Queen of the Lakes.

Silloth
Nestling on the shores of the Solway Firth is the charming Victorian planned town of Silloth-on-Solway. Silloth owes its name to the monks of Holme Cultram Abbey, a few miles to the south east, who cultivated the land, created a salt industry and encouraged the local people to farm the Solway Marshes. The name derives from the 'lathes' (or barns) which were used to store the grain and located close to the sea, i.e.: 'Sea Lathes'.

Carlisle
The gateway to Scotland and the Borders, this historic City has it's roots in Roman Britain with it's prominent position on Hadrian's Wall,( you can now walk the entire length of the Wall ), with a troubled history of English and Scottish warfare over the centuries as it changed hands on numerous occasions. The Castle was the last to surrender to Parlimentary forces during the English Civil War with the local area being mainly having Royalist supporters. This historic past is preserved and celebrated in some first class museums with the Castle and the nearby Tullie House being the most prominent, and of course the Roman Wall with it's own excellent visitor attractions. Carlisle is a vibrant town with modern shopping facilities to rival most towns with an excellent choice of restaurants, cafes, bistros and bars. The Botchergate area of the town has something to cater for all tastes with numerous bars, nightclubs and choice of type and style of eating establishments. Even with all this activity the town retains a gentle and unhurried atmosphere reflecting the mainly agricultural local economy, the pace of life remains relaxed. Gretna Green with it's world famous wedding facilities are just a few miles to the North of the City whilst the unspoilt and beautiful coastline is only a few miles away to the West and of course the Lake District National Park lies to the South - something for everyone.

Walney Island
Walney Island is a great place to visit good walks and nature reserves, Dock Museum at Barrow is well worth a visit and touring around, Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway and the Lakeside and Ghaverswaite Railway are good value and worth a visit, Ratty Arms at Ravensglass is a good drinking hole and serves good food.

Cockermouth
We had a lovely two weeks in cockermouith researching my family history: The "Asselbroughs" originally from Alston moved to Keswick and Cockermouth so I wanted to see the places where they lived. It was was a brilliant two weeks with red hot weather (august). It is ideal for the lakes and there is plenty of things to do for the kids. Watch out for the roundabout though in the main street, theres a two foot drop outside the church and when we went around the roundabout we went on to the kerb to get round and the passenger side front wheel went off the kerb. If you have a little car you might manage to drive it forward and get off that way but it was a scary moment!