The 10 Best Places to Buy a Holiday Home in Cumbria and The Lake District

According to Sykes' booking data, Cumbria & the Lake District is the second most popular UK destination for self-catering holidays .

Boasting unmatched rural scenery, magnificent lakes, and plenty of walking routes, the Lake District is one of the best places to buy a holiday home in the UK.

There are plenty of long-term investment opportunities when looking for property to buy in the Lake District. According to recent data, letting a holiday home in The Lake District could bring in a potential earning of £28,200 per year.

Why buy a holiday let in Cumbria & The Lake District?

Holiday letting can be a great way to boost your income, and with the range of holiday homes for sale in Cumbria & The Lake District you can enjoy all of these benefits and more.

The Lake District is a World Heritage site, placing it in the same category as Stonehenge, the Grand Canyon, Taj Mahal, and the Great Barrier Reef. The Lakes is the only UK National Park to achieve this status, with its majestic waterfalls and stunning natural landscape.

With an estimated 16.4 million visitors per year, the Lake District promises strong earning potential and may help to drive low season holiday let bookings.

Where is the best place to buy a holiday home in Cumbria and The Lake District?

When it comes to choosing the best location to buy a holiday let in the Lakes, there are many areas to consider.

We've looked at our booking performance over the last year and found the top 'Honey Pot' locations to purchase a holiday home in Cumbria & The Lake District.

Read on to find out the key areas to consider when looking for a property to buy in Cumbria:

1. Keswick

With excellent transport links and easily accessible from the M6, Keswick is a popular choice as it welcomes over 1.5 million guests every year and is one of the UK's most dog-friendly towns, making it an ideal location for running a pet-friendly holiday home.

Situated in the North Lakes, Keswick is an award-winning market town otherwise known as the 'capital of the North Lakes', and makes a wonderful base for guests to enjoy plenty of tourist activities, from kayaking at Derwent Water Marina to visiting the Pencil Museum.

Surrounded by beautiful countryside views and rolling hills, buying a rural cottage for sale in Keswick can be a great investment opportunity.

2. Windermere (including Bowness-on-Windermere)

Bowness-on-Windermere is positioned on the edge of England’s longest lake, Windermere. This bustling village offers year-round appeal with its range of independent eateries and tourist excursions, including Windermere Lake Cruises, Blackwell Arts & Crafts House and World of Beatrix Potter attraction.

Well-positioned with great transport links and a multitude of sightseeing tours, investing in a holiday cottage in Windermere could be a profitable choice for guests looking to explore.

3. Kirkby Stephen

Perched between the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, Kirkby Stephen is in a prime location for a range of tourist attractions and activities.

When looking for holiday homes to buy in the Lake District, Kirkby Stephen has plenty of rural charm. Nestled in the Eden Valley in Cumbria and lined with cobbled streets, quaint cottages and historic sights, purchasing a holiday cottage in Kirkby Stephen could be a lucrative investment.

With its excellent scenic walking and cycling routes, including wonderful sights of gothic architecture and two impressive railway viaducts, this traditional market town is a superb location for buying a holiday home in Cumbria.

4. Kendal

Kendal is a fantastic location for setting up a holiday let, with an abundance of boutique shops, restaurants, museums and art galleries. This cosmopolitan market town has a rich arts and culture scene, making it one of the top places to buy a UK holiday home.

Owning a Kendal holiday home means having easy access to fascinating historic sights including ancient castle ruins, offering uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside.

Buying a holiday home in Kendal can help guests enjoy a wonderful retreat immersed in both nature and culture. Whatever you're looking for, Kendal makes a great choice for buying a holiday home in Cumbria.

5. Sedbergh

Nestled in the rolling hills of the magnificent Yorkshire Dales National Park, Sedbergh is among the top earning regions in the UK.

Buying a holiday home in Sedbergh offers a wonderful base for guests to explore from, with its panoramic countryside views, rich heritage and slower pace of life.

Otherwise known as England's Book Town, this attractive market town is treasured for its second hand bookshops, old-world charm, artisan gift shops and specialty bistros.

Conveniently positioned for both the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District, Sedbergh is a desirable place to buy a holiday home in Cumbria.

6. Ambleside

According to our 2024 Holiday Letting Outlook Report, Ambleside is one of the best places to buy a holiday home in the Lake District, with income levels in 2023 running 12% ahead of 2022.

Situated in the heart of the Lakes, this idyllic town is a highly rated tourist hotspot with its picturesque views of England's largest lake, Windermere.

Choosing a family-friendly location such as Ambleside can be a great way boost your holiday let occupancy rates, with its central location for exploring the Lake District, along with an eclectic selection of shops, bars, pubs and cafés.

From castles to caves, this scenic town has something to offer for everyone. Perfect for keen walkers and cyclists with extraordinary lakeside views, buying an Ambleside holiday cottage could provide excellent returns on investment.

7. Grasmere

Grasmere was another location that came up as one of the best places to buy a holiday home in the Lake District in 2024, as our Holiday Letting Outlook Report showed income was up 12% in 2023 vs 2022.

This charming lakeland village sits right at the heart of the National Park. It enjoys ideal access to some of the area's most popular outdoor activities, including the famous Scafell Pike, as well as a vast array of other walking trails, lakes, caves and more to explore.

Other nearby hotspots include Bowness-on-Windermere, Ambleside and Kendal, making Grasmere the perfect spot for tourists to base their fun-packed Lake District escape from.

8. Cartmel

Located on the southern edge of the Lake District National Park, Cartmel is a hidden gem with a vibrant atmosphere and makes a great location for buying a holiday lodge in Cumbria.

Home to two world-famous Michelin-star restaurants, this medieval village boasts a rich history with a wonderful selection of country pubs, local cafes and village shops, where guests can sample the renowned Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding.

In the heart of the rural village you will find the iconic Cartmel Priory, which dates back to the medieval era. Buying a holiday cottage in Cartmel would be a popular choice for guests all-year-round.

9. Cockermouth

If you would like to buy a holiday home with plenty of tourist attractions and vibrant places to explore, then Cockermouth may be the ideal location for you.

This charming Georgian market town has a thriving community spirit with many local shops, restaurants, pubs and galleries. Resting on the edge of the Lake District National Park, purchasing a Cockermouth property could make a successful holiday let investment.

As the perfect inland gateway to the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, buying a holiday home in Cockermouth would provide guests with a delightful haven to explore the best of Cumbria and the Lake District.

10. Appleby-in-Westmorland

Resting in the heart of the beautiful Eden Valley is Appleby-in-Westmorland. This ancient market town is one of the best places to buy a UK holiday home, with its picturesque surroundings and tranquil riverside walking routes.

From local eateries to touring the historic grounds of Appleby Castle, there is plenty on offer in this stunning location. Perfect for outdoor lovers, the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is within easy reach if you're planning to buy a holiday cottage in Appleby.

Appleby-in-Westmorland is also in close proximity to a range of popular tourist activities and amenities, including hiking High Cup Nick, exploring Rutter Force waterfall and wild swimming in Ullswater, making it an ideal place to buy a holiday home in Cumbria.

Holiday Homes for Sale in Cumbria and The Lake District

If you're ready to start your holiday letting journey, why not take a look at the range of holiday homes for sale in the Lake District? Or browse the holiday lodges for sale to find the right property that suits your budget.

Choosing a reputable holiday let management company, such as Sykes, can help make your holiday let a success, with the help of our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Whether it's a rural cottage in Cumbria or a family-friendly holiday home in the Lakes, our team of property experts can locate the best holiday cottage in the Lake District & Cumbria region. Get in touch with Sykes today for tailored advice to kick-start your holiday let journey.