Motorhome hire holidays: Visit the Lake District for beauty and wonder

Posted on: 24/05/2024

Without doubt one of the most famous and most favoured regions in the UK, the Lake District is a beautiful place to spend a motorhome hire holiday. With rugged terrain and incredible views, this thousand square mile Cumbrian beauty spot includes England's highest mountain and its deepest and longest lakes. There are plenty of stunning landscapes to take in, and a series of impressive market towns (such as Ambleside, Keswick and Kendal) offers great starting points from which to explore the area and enjoy pubs, art galleries and craft shops. The Lake District is a fantastic ‘staycation’ destination - an area that is easy to access from anywhere in the UK. Simply hire your motorhome from Leisure World, point it in the direction of the Lakes and off you go.

1. Coniston

It’s not huge, but Coniston is a truly charming town with plenty to offer motorhome hire visitors. Situated by the western shore of the ribbon-lake Coniston Water, and with stone-built cottages and cobbled streets, Coniston is run through with English charm. There are plenty of places to eat which have waterfront locations, so you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to spectacular view dining, and Coniston even had its own brewery where you can sample locally produced ales with Lake District-inspired names. Coniston also offers one of the region’s most famous fells, the Old Man Of Coniston, offering a 7-hour trek over 6 or 7 miles and reaching an elevation of 2,600 feet, for those who wish to make their way to the top and back. When you’re at the top you’ll have a truly spectacular view of the Lake District plus, in the distance, such unexpected sites as Blackpool Tower and Morecambe Bay.

2. Beatrix Potter’s house

When you’re holidaying in the Lake District it’s worth stopping off at the villages of Near Sawrey and Far Sawrey to visit Hill Top House, holiday home of legendary children’s author Beatrix Potter. This wonderful location perfectly reflects the region’s ties to the world of literature and illustrates the inspiration its landscapes can bring. Bought in 1905 after the great success of her book The Tale Of Peter Rabbit, Hill Top House was Potter’s favourite place away from the demands of city life, and it is now preserved and maintained by the National Trust. Hill Top offers a great day out, and a chance to acknowledge the more human side of the Lake District, rather than just its spectacular natural landscapes. The village of Hawkshead, nearby, contains a gallery where several of Beatrix Potter’s original book artworks are on display. This is a quaint and gentle way to enjoy a few hours in the Lake District during your motorhome hire holiday.

3. Brockhole

This tourist attraction and Visitor Centre is a great spot for nature lovers and families on motorhome hire holidays, as it is packed with activities sited within stunning views of lake Windermere and surrounding scenery. Brockhole, the house, was built in the late 1800s by a wealthy silk merchant and his wife (who happened to be cousin to Beatrix Potter). Though it is perhaps one of the lesser known Arts & Crafts treasures to visit or see in Cumbria, it is well worth an investment of time. There are a lot of things to see and do which will keep all of the family satisfied - including Go Ape, archery, laser clay shooting, mini golf, a woodland playground, and water-based activities including kayaking and paddleboarding. If this kind of exertion is not exactly your thing and you are looking for a more sedate day out, a peaceful stroll through the meticulously manicured gardens and a rest stop for something to eat and drink at the café could be just the ticket. For motorhomers travelling with family, Brockhole is likely to be one of the highlights of your holiday.

4. Lakeland Motor Museum

Perhaps a little bit of an acquired taste - but hugely interesting nonetheless - the Lakeland Motor Museum at Backbarrow offers a big chance for petrolheads and their fellow holidaymakers to indulge. It features an exhibition of 30,000 pieces including 140 classic cars and motorcycles, bikes, pedal cars and motoring related items including memorabilia. There is also a section, in its own unique building, dedicated to the land and water speed record attempts of Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald Campbell - and you can find out more about Donald at the Ruskin Museum in Coniston, where the story of his violently unsuccessful 1967 record attempt in the Bluebird craft is vividly told. A replica of Bluebird, perhaps the most famous vehicle associated with the Lake District, is here at Lakeland Motor Museum alongside many others including Second World War vehicles and a powered tricycle from 1899 France!

Take in the Lake District in a motorhome hired from Leisure World – a way to embrace the benefits of owning a motorhome but forget the hassles.! With various Burstner models available to hire from Leisure World, this is s really smart way to holiday.