A room with a view of Lake Windermere

Look at the lovely view we had from our window in Ambleside Youth Hostel. We had four nights here and some good weather (and some rain). The staff were helpful and friendly. I can recommend the hostel dinners - locally sourced beef and lamb, tasty meals. Not so keen on children running about at top speed all evening annoying the other guests. The substandard bedding and uncomfortable torn regulation sheet sleeping bads weren't too wonderful either. A room for four with a washbasin (and splendid view) cost £70. Cheaper per night to stay in a holiday cottage for a week but we only wanted part of a week.

Anyway, we found a very lovely-looking cottage in Ambleside at very reasonable rates so hopefully we will be able to book that up for next year.

We are very proud to say that this holiday was enjoyed entirely without the aid of a car. We took the train up to Windermere and went walking every day straight from the hostel door. The traffic in Ambleside is truly dreadful, but once we were away from the centre we couldn't hear it. Of course, the car would have been much cheaper (our rail fare was £160 return for the four of us) but the train was much more relaxing.