Hi! Rick recommends drivers consider a "genuine farm experience" by staying in the Buttermere Valley in the Lake District. He & others also recommend staying in Keswick for convenience. We're going for 3 nights in May, and wonder if anyone can weigh in on farm house vs. just outside of town? Wondering if uniqueness, scenery & lower price in the country would make up for the hassle factor in driving into town for dinner (vs short walk) after days of hiking/touring?
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Only you can decide what works best for you. Some will want to be in a town centre, whilst others will want more peace and quiet.
I assume you will have a car for the trip. Eskdale is one of the nicest rural valleys and the are a number of good pubs that do food in the evening that are within easy walking distance of accommodation.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Three nights. Why not try both (1+2) and report back?
Posted by
Royaume-Uni nul points, pas plus
2600 posts
There's no right or wrong answer.
In Buttermere there's The Bridge Hotel and the Fish Inn, and only a short drive away is the Kirskstile Inn in Loweswater so you have those dining options - there would be no need to drive to the bright lights of Keswick for an evening meal.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
During our coast to coast walk we stayed at a remote farm house B&B. Our host offered the option of providing dinner at the farm house with advanced arrangements.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
All very helpful, thanks much! I'm not sure how "busy" Keswick tends to be, but since we are staying in some other towns and hail from DC I think perhaps the farmhouse idea might be unique and nice.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1526 posts
We stayed at a farmhouse called Low Crag near Kendal that included full board...that means dinner...drinks extra. What's nice about farmhouses is that you tend to meet the natives who use these places as retreats from town life. This one was run by a retired military man and was impressed that I was a retired Navy Reserve Officer. We were invited to come back for their big Guy Fawkes Celebration !
Posted by
Seattle
110 posts
(We'll be there in May, too!) For us, it boiled down to the fact we would be traveling without a car. Staying right in Keswick meant one less transfer (train to Penrith, bus to Keswick; rather than one bus to Keswick and another to Buttermere). We found a great little place in "Downtown" Keswick, two floors above a local pub. Double, ensuite for 70 gbp/night, including breakfast (brunch really) at the pub. We're happy leaving the "genuine farm experience" for the stomping through the fells.
Have a great time!
Posted by
Orcas Island, WA
116 posts
I can highly recommend Mosedale End Farm B&B. It's about 15 minutes East of Keswick. We were able to drive and hike all over the Lake District from there and return to the solitude of the farm and JoAnne's hospitality in the evening. It was our favorite B&B during our 3 week visit to England, Scotland and Wales. A true working farm run by locals who know every trail in the area. The Lake District is amazing and May will be less crowded than in the height of Summer. I found Mosedale End Farm on Farm Stay UK. There are lots of choices there.