looking for a quiet area away from the centre of uber busy areas etc, but would still be nice to have a local hostelry and shop

any recommendations?

we’ve rented this for xmas, 5mins walk to Coniston, sleeps 8 tho.
http://www.heartofthelakes.co.uk/the_barn_coniston.html

Dunno if you regard Staveley as a honeypot but we stayed here in August and both cottage and town were very pleasant and not too busy.

Great pub at other end of main street, huge bike shop with friendly staff, nice cafe and a brewery…

Silver Cottage

Stayed here in the spring;
http://www.holidaycottagescumbria.com/grange_end_cottage.html

Bit of a hike to the main tourist spots, but a pleasant area all the same.

When you say “to rent,” do you mean to live in or for a holiday?

(Not that I have an answer either way…)

Hols only

Mum and Dad stayed here last year – it’s a really lovely barn conversion…………within riding distance of Ullswater and all that lies around!! Pub and shop just metres away too!

http://sycamorehousebarn.com/

We stayed at a place in Bassenthwaite at the start of Sep – close enough to Keswick to nip in to the supermarket, far enough away to be quiet, pub 100yds down the road. Riding options from the door too. Booked a last minute deal via cumbrian cottages.