North of the Lake district

[illmonkey]

Where is best to go for a week?

I've been to Ambleside before, but I've been told to go further north to get away from 'tourists'.

[ClassicMercs]

I have personally always preferred to be within about 5 miles of Keswick as a base to spread out from, although we haven't been for about 6 years. Been as far as Dumfries from here. How much of Cockermouth etc is sorted after the floods - eg Jennings Brewery ?

[Jazoli]

It all depends what you want to do with your time, I live in the most 'touristy' part of the lakes, it is stupidly busy at times, Keswick is nice, although just as busy

[illmonkey]

It'll be over new years. So some good pubs close by to stumble to and from. As well as some nice walks without too much driving involved.

We've stayed in Ambleside, it had some nice places and some good local walks, I'd like to see somewhere else.

[PH5121]

I would give Keswick a go at New Year. We usually go between Christmas and New Year. There are plenty of pubs, and if you want a walk you can do lots of routes which leave from the town, so you don't get caught in traffic, so it doesn't matter how busy it is with tourists.