2 Bedroom The Lakes, Eden Valley & Cumbria cottages

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• ...40 days snowfall per annum, Welsh Snowdonia National Park boasts a surprising proliferation of ski resorts and off-piste tour operators, as does Cumbria in the far flung North West. As our winters draw colder and the prospect of an annual white Christmas ever the more common, slip on your...

Cumbria, containing the Lake District, is one of the countries foremost tourist destinations. It's a mainly rural destination famous for its hills and lakes, particularly popular with walkers and those looking for an active outdoor holiday. Cumbria and the Lake District are also synonymous with the arts and literature; from great poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge to painters like Wainwright, the views and scenery of this county have been an inspiration.

If you're looking for an active holiday rambling through the fells or hoping to get off road on some of the countries best mountain biking trails then Cumbria is definitely for you. With some of the countries most stunning views, it's also a great destination if you're just looking to sit and unwind. It's definitely a county with something for every visitor.

Things to do in Cumbria
From the lakes to the Scottish borders, there's so much to do in Cumbria. We recommend taking a boat trip on one of the lakes; try the Coniston Steam Yacht Gondola. If you're interested in history, how about delving into the Roman past with a visit to Galava Roman Fort at Ambleside, or perhaps a stroll along part of Hadrian's Wall. If you're after something more mediaeval, you could visit the amazing National trust Sizergh Castle and Garden. The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead houses a display showing a selection of original drawings from Beatrix Potter's work.

Obviously no mention of what to do in Cumbria would be complete without mention of the walks; it's the top destination for Ramblers in the UK.

Cumbria's coastline at the North West corner of England has an industrial past, however there are still gems to be found along the coast with several Victorian seaside resorts. These include Seascale, Silloth and Allonby, all of which have great sandy beaches.

Top Destinations
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, and home to Bowness on Windermere, the Lake District's most popular tourist destination.

Keswick is on the edge of Derwentwater and has a rich mixture of shops and restaurants. It makes a great base for exploring the lakes and the unspoilt little villages of rural Cumbria, noted for its stone cottages.

Carlisle is home to a large castle and a walled city. The location is historically important being in the North West of England close to the Scottish borders and an area which was keenly contested in the past.

Kendal is to the south and often referred to as the gateway to the Lake District. Historically, Kendal was renowned as a centre for the cloth and wool trades during the Middle Ages. Close to both the lakes and the coast, Kendal makes the ideal base for a cottage holiday.

Travelling to Cumbria
The M6 motorway is the main transport link into Cumbria with the A66 and A69 providing a connection with the East of England. The main railway stations for the area are at Carlisle, Oxenholme and Windermere, though there is the spectacular Furness line across Morecambe Bay. For travel by air, there are airports at Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow or Newcastle.

With so much to see and do, our Cumbria self catering homes will set you up for the ideal holiday.