The Problem with Staying in the Lake District
Here’s the thing about booking a weekend break right in the middle of the Lake District: everyone else has had the same idea. Ambleside on a Saturday in July is gridlock. Windermere car parks are full by 10am. Keswick is lovely but the prices reflect it. And don’t get us started on Bowness.
What if there was a better approach? Stay just outside the national park boundary, in a proper village with a pub you can walk to, and drive into the Lakes in 15 minutes without fighting for a parking space at your own front door.
That’s Great Strickland.
Where Is Great Strickland?
Great Strickland is a small village about four miles south of Penrith, in the Eden Valley. It’s quiet — properly quiet. No through traffic, no tourist coaches, just stone cottages, farmland, and the Strickland Arms at the end of the lane. You’re close to junction 40 of the M6, which means getting here is easy, but once you arrive it feels like you’ve left the main roads far behind.
What Makes It a Good Base?
Position
Great Strickland sits between Penrith and the northern shore of Ullswater. In practical terms:
For couples, Rittson Cottage in Eamont Bridge sleeps four in two bedrooms and sits right by the river. It’s quirky, peaceful, and has The Beehive pub practically on the doorstep.
Book Your Weekend
Skip the Lake District traffic and book a weekend break in Great Strickland instead. You’ll get the same fells, lakes, and fresh air — just without the crowds at your front door. Book direct with Cottage Collection for the best rates and no booking fees.