Lake District Lodging

The roads are in the valleys (except for a few passes, like Wrynose Pass, see here: https://www.visitcumbria.com/amb/wrynose-pass/ ). The towns and villages are in the valleys. The hills have few buildings, just sheep and walkers. And the only access is on foot.

So I think the answer is probably no, you have to climb out of the valleys using your own muscles.

I do recommend the Wasdale Head Inn, though it is a few years since I have been there: http://wasdale.com/
Plenty of views from it. It is at the end of a valley, surrounded by hills. It is a less-frequented valley, as the access is from the west, you need to cross the Lake District to the far side, and double back to get into the valley (or walk across the hills on foot).

Hi Jeffery -

The Wasdale Inn is a good suggestion, it has lots of routes up things straight out of the door in all directions and the setting is spectacular. It is remote and hard to get to - probably the easiest way is to take the road up the west coast and turnoff for Wasdale via Strands. When the road ends, you're there! One walk I wouldn't recommend is the nominal path along the foot of the Screes. A couple of hours of swears, scares and trying not to break a leg on the ever shifting large boulders. No chance to look at the scenery either.

More what you are after is at the other end of the Lakes near Coniston. Check out www.coppermines.co.uk and have a look at the mountain cottages. Not near much but definitely at the foot of the hills!

Have a great trip!

Ian

We stayed three nights in Keswick at a wonderful B&B, Badgers Wood Guest House, which is on 30 Stanger Street | Lake District, Keswick CA12 5JU. Stanger Street has many B&Bs on this street, which is right downtown. Also, Badgers has parking. The owners are great.

We stayed at the Ellas Crag Guest House in August, 2017. It's on a higher point in the Newlands Valley with a good view of Catbells. It was by far the best B&B we stayed at in the UK. The room was great (with a great view out the window) and the breakfasts were amazing. The only downside is that you'd have to drive to it and into town.

I go to Keswick every year or two and always stay at a cute little B&B called Herdwick Guest House. It's on Leonard Street which is a 5 minute walk from the city center. If I'm alone I stay in their tiny attic room for one person. Otherwise they have several other rooms of various sizes. Some of the rooms in the back have a view of the fells but, like others said, not too many places have views. The owners are the nicest people and go the extra mile to make sure that you make the most of the area.

If you are willing to spend some money there is a GORGEOUS newer place that just opened on Derwentwater across the lake from Keswick...it's an old, stately home that Beatrix Potter's family used to stay in called The Lingholme Estate. I spent a couple of hours there this past August. They have apartments in the main house and are completing a boat house that they will also rent out as well as a couple of other cottages on the property. They have lamas, a spectacular cafe (part of it is in the old glass conservatory), and have restored the gardens that Beatrix Potter based Mr. McGregor's garden on in her book Peter Rabbit. It's a stunning place and worth a look. It has sweeping views across the lake to Blencathra, Walla Crag, and the hills behind Keswick.
If you will have a car this might be a place that meets what you're asking for. Lots of good walks out the back door!

The Kirkstone Pass Inn is a high elevation pub and inn south of Ullswater. We only experienced the pub with a pint but it has a comfortable and historic look. Unfortunately no public transit access.

http://www.kirkstonepassinn.com/

At 1500ft the Inn is the highest inhabited building in Cumbria and the
third highest Inn in England.

In the early 1800's the tall stone building at the North end was built
as a coach house, the extra height was needed to take the coaches of
the day. Around the 1950's it was converted into a garage complete
with petrol pump and forecourt. The building has now been converted to
a cottage.

I'll also recommend Badgers Wood Guest House in Keswick. It's near the top of a street running uphill from the center of town, so at least some rooms have pretty wide views. We were in front, on the "first" (American second) floor I think, and we could see quite a bit of countryside from the big bay window. The higher the better if views matter, and the stairs are a little practice for fell-walking.

Edit -- The website shows views from some of the bedrooms, and says those in back and front have views.

Thanks all. These are some great suggestions.

We stayed at "the Lodge in the Vale" in Thirlmere. While it's not "up in the hills" like you would like, it was very nice & affordable.
Paul