We’re heading up to Scotland for a trip and fancy stopping in the lakes for a day, can anyone recommend somewhere to stay? Ideally with bike storage, within riding distance of the trails and crawling distance of a pub!

We stayed HERE two years ago, really lovely little B&B. Short drive to Whinlatter but you could probably ride it if you wanted. The Swinside Inn pub is almost next door, and also does accommodation.

If you want pubs, maybe look to stay in Keswick and ride up to Whinlatter (if you really want to spend your only day in the Lakes at a trail centre). If you google “Seldom Seen” you can probably find a more interesting way back down to Keswick….

I would love to do some natural riding but the others are more for the trail centre stuff. I’ve convinced them to do some natural stuff in the Peaks on the way down though

Unless someone can suggest a better natural route, which is easy to follow?

Cheers for the suggestions so far will look into those, seldom seen is giving caravan parks and urban clothing though!

Seldom seen in this case is the bridleway which goes from just below Whinlatter visitor centre down into Thornthwaite. Recent resurfacing has removed some interest, but still good. At the end of the second section of North red route, where the climbing starts, go right down the steep fire road and look for the BW sign on the left (30m or so before the next fire road junction). It goes left over the footbridge after about 100m.

Cheers, will keep an eye out for that.

Or if you’ve already done the red you can do the first part of the blue run to pick up the bridleway. From Thornthwaite is quiet lanes to Braithwaite then a cycle path back to Keswick – so you don’t have to ride along the A66