Why You Should Holiday in the Lake District

Are you considering a trip to the Lake District? As one of the most beautiful locations in the UK, this national park is a great place to relax and unwind. Suitable for mini breaks and longer stays, there’s something for everyone from adventure seekers to those who enjoy a slot pace of life. 

Keep ready to find out why people enjoy visiting the Lake District and for our recommendations on what to do.

Why Visit the Lake District?

Area of Beauty

The Lake District is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there’s plenty to explore across its lakes, mountains and countryside.

Plenty to Do

Whether you like immersing yourself in nature or prefer a slower pace, there’s activities for everyone to enjoy (even the family dog!).

Awash with History

From listed buildings to art galleries, the history and culture in the Lake District is undeniable.

Easy to Reach

You can also travel to the Lake District easily as it’s well connected via road and rail.

Where to Stay?

We recommend choosing a central spot. This means you can be well located to see lots of different parts of the Lake District.Keswick is a convenient base for exploring the National Park, with many of the area’s sights within easy reach.  

As well as the superb location, Keswick also offers plenty of pubs, impressive viewing spots, and a network of walks. Keswick is also home to our award-winning B&B, Maple Bank. Our dog-friendly site has a choice of seven rooms, free on-site parking, homemade breakfasts, and access to beautiful gardens. 

What to Do in the Lake District 

• Walking & Hiking: The Lake District covers around 885 square miles, so there’s a lot to see during your visit. Popular spots include Whinlatter Forest, Catbells and Skiddaw. 

• Visit the Lakes: The Lake District is home to some beautiful lakes, including Derwentwater, Coniston, Ullswater and Bassenthwaite Lake. You can spend a quiet afternoon by the water with a cup of tea, or try something more active such as paddleboarding, kayaking or wild swimming.

• Honister Slate Mine: If you’re after something a little more adventurous, Honister Slate Mine has plenty to keep you busy, including zip lines, climbing and underground mine tours. The mines also allow a look into the history of the area.

• Explore Market Towns: The Lake District’s villages and market towns are home to plenty of independent shops, cafes and local businesses worth exploring. While plenty of these spots are small and quaint, if you want a busier scene, we recommend exploring Keswick Market.

• Scenic Drives: You don’t even need to have any set plans as simply taking a drive is still a visually striking experience. The winding roads and charming lookout spots mean you can explore the lake district from the comfort of your own vehicle.

Stay at Maple Bank Guest House for Your Lake District Break

After a day out exploring the Lake District, Maple Bank Guest House gives you a comfortable place to come back to and relax.

Click here to book now.

As we start to finalise our post-pandemic preparations around the House, in readiness for when we can reopen, my thoughts have turned naturally to breakfast.

ne thing I love about breakfast when I go away is that it is leisurely, washed down with several cups of coffee, and it sets me up for the day. And the bonus is all those little extras which you might not necessarily have every day at home. So how do we continue to offer this post-lockdown, so that you can still enjoy your breakfast?

We will only be booking up to three rooms at any one time (or four if one is a group booking) and so our tables will be laid out in the dining room as tables of four, at least 2m apart from each other. This will mean that each table will have its own set of condiments – including sauces and mustards – as well as homemade marmalade and jams, rather than you choosing from one set on the dresser. If you order fresh fruit salad , there will be a selection waiting for you on your own table. Our yogurts are individually served in pots already.

When you come into the dining room, there will be a sanitiser available for you on the dresser for each time you use the toaster or help yourself to the range of Teapigs teas.

We have a charming hatchway between the kitchen and dining room, where we’ll serve your tea and coffee for you to collect after you’ve arrived in the dining room, along with your choice of fruit juices. And the same for your chosen hot breakfasts when they are ready. This way we can reduce the amount of people moving around in the dining room.

We will continue to ask you to choose your breakfast time, preferably at half hour intervals, so once you’re down, you can just relax. Your table is spaced well apart from the others, your meals will be served hot at separate times, and I’ll clear away the dirty dishes etc once you’ve all finished.

Finally, we’ll continue to ask you to pre-order your breakfast the night before, as this will continue to help us manage our waste levels. This also means that you get to choose something different everyday, from homemade luxury porridge with a choice of milks, to scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, to the full Cumberland breakfast. And if you would prefer avocado smash with poached eggs one day and cereals the next, then that’s all perfect. Your breakfast, your choice.

If you want to find out where we source our products from locally, then have a look on our website for our suppliers. And we will continue to buy from them to support other local businesses.

We are really looking forward to welcoming you back to Maple Bank and the Lake District. And my mum’s chilli jam – gawjus on a hot breakfast – will be just what you’ve been waiting for. Book your stay today.

For further information about our preparations please see our Covid-19 page and our ‘During your stay’ page.

See you soon.

Kate, Ann and wee Tara