traveling to lake district

Probably best to take a train from London to Oxenholm or Penrith and then have a hire car.
www.virgintrains.co.uk - cheaper when pre booked about 11 weeks ahead.

I love staying in Keswick...tried many different areas of the Lakes over the years and keep coming back to it!
I really like a little place about a 5 minute walk from the town center called Herdwick House. Nice owners, good price, and they know the area well and always steer me in the right direction! If you choose to use a car there is plenty of free/easy street parking.
I have spent a lot of time in the area both with and without a car. It's easily done either way. With a car you can get to more remote places more easily. The public bus system is very good though and can get you anywhere you probably want to go. It all depends on what you want to see. Driving isn't bad but the roads can be EXTREMELY narrow in places with stone walls on either side...using the buses takes the pressure off a bit if you're not comfortable driving. A car really isn't necessary here.
Another reason I like Keswick is that it's one of the central hubs for the public buses...you can get almost anywhere from there. Catch them by Booths grocery store - easy walk from the town center.
If you choose to use the buses go straight to the Moot Hall in the middle of Keswick...the tourist office is located there and they can help you with navigating the buses.

Another vote for Keswick....