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London is one of the great cities of the world, but to truly experience everything that England has to offer, you have to also travel to some of the farther flung reaches of the country.  Nestled in the North West is the quaint county of Cumbria.  This region of one of the least populated in the United Kingdom, and it offers a stunning and welcome change from the hustle and bustle London and Manchester.  The tranquil and beautiful Lakes District (known locally as The Lakes or Lakeland) has long been a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and poets, including William Wordsworth who even published “a Guide through the District of the Lakes” in 1820.  Dove Cottage was William Wordsworth’s first home in The Lakes and it is open to the public as a museum, so you can see where he lived and created some of his best work.

While you can’t stay the night in Dove cottage, there are plenty of other beautiful cottages scattered throughout the region that are perfect for writer’s retreats or romantic getaways.  There are a number of Cottages in Keswick, a small town that acts as a hub of the Northern Lakes District.  The town itself is charming and only a short stroll away from the 4000 year old Castlerigg Stone Circle.

If you’re looking for an even slower pace of life, you might try one of the Coniston cottages where you can relax at the foot of the Coniston Old Man Fell (in these parts, the mountains are called Fells), or lace up your hiking boots and climb to the top for an amazing view of Lake Windermere and the surrounding panorama of tranquility!

In the center of the Lakes District, you’ll find the town of Ambleside on the shores of Lake Windermere.  This lively town is also home to Stock Ghyll Force, a small, but beautiful waterfall, well worth checking out.  Of course there are plenty of Ambleside cottages that you can rent for your getaway in this part of Lakeland.