Windermere Bed and Breakfasts

The quaint town of Windermere lies up a short winding road from the lake of the same name – the largest body of water in the country – in the heart of the Lake District National Park. It's quieter than neighbouring lakefront Bowness-on-Windermere, but no less scenic, with its jumble of 19th-century stone-built, slate-roofed houses that rose up after the first train chugged into the newly built railway station in 1847. The surrounding craggy moorland that hugs the glistening lake was once the holidaying spot of Beatrix Potter, and the inspiration behind many of her children's books, like The Tale of Peter Rabbit. If you plan to visit in summer or the busy bank holidays, be sure to score your Windermere bed and breakfast early, or you may just miss out.

Boutique luxury cottages, lakeside retreats and traditional family-run B&Bs, Windermere

The bed and breakfasts in Windermere have always been the go-to accommodation for hikers visiting the national park. The comfortable home-away-from-home feel, friendly owners and low prices compared to hotels have the same outdoorsy travellers staying time and again. If you're sold on a B&B, the best place to find your perfect match is on Expedia, which details every property, along with photos. Simply plug in your dates, location and budget, scan through the options and book in just a few clicks. It's as simple as that. Expedia lists a solid range of bed and breakfasts in Windermere, from 19th-century stone houses near the amenities of the centre to more boutique abodes, with luxury furnishings and spacious well-appointed guestrooms. If you don't mind forfeiting the convenience of town, why not consider booking up one of the nearby lakeside cabins with a private wooden pier that juts out over the calm waters? They offer amazing views over the Lake District scenery from their guestroom windows. Whichever suits you, you can always be sure of a stress-free comfortable stay when you book through Expedia.

When you arrive, checking in is always a breeze thanks to the friendly owners, many of whom have been honing the art of hospitality for years. Though guestrooms differ, you can expect to find things like ensuite bathrooms, whose tubs you can soak in after a day on the trails, facilities for making hot drinks and large double beds wrapped in freshly pressed sheets. Some of the Windermere bed and breakfasts welcome pets, while others might have a free parking spot for your car. Don't forget to bring the kids, because many of the B&Bs have family-size or adjoining guestrooms. You can't hit the footpaths without fuelling up in the morning. At the bed and breakfasts in Windermere, you'll always find a hearty breakfast, with things like full English fry-ups or healthy options like yogurts and granola waiting for you in the dining room each morning. Why not combine your outdoorsy break with an urban getaway in nearby Manchester?

It's easier to list the outdoorsy activities you can't do than those you can near your B&B, Windermere

England's largest lake is chock-a-block with things to do. When you head out from your bed and breakfast in Windermere, you can go rambling or cycling around the water's edge, powder your hands to climb up the national park's cliff faces, or saddle up to ride across the moorland. If all that just sounds like too much effort, you could always hop aboard one of the scenic hot air balloon flights, have a leisurely round of golf on the sunny fairways of Windermere Golf Club or take a ride on the old steam train.

• Stay near the lake without the sky-high hotel prices
• Score a room with views across the stunning Lake District scenery
• Tap into the owner's local knowledge on the national park
• Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before hitting the hiking trails