Staying in a Bed and Breakfast is one of the best ways to enjoy a sustainable holiday in the Lake District. By staying in a locally-owned Bed and Breakfast, you will support a local business and ensure your money stays within the community.
Bed and Breakfast owners are also more likely to choose local suppliers for items such as food and toiletries. Furthermore, owners of B&Bs are usually local residents and can advise the best things to see and do in the area.
The Lake District is packed to the brim with accommodation for the millions of visitors who flock to the area every year. Over-tourism in the Lake District is a well-documented problem throughout the national park. Choosing a responsible place to stay can be one of the best ways to ensure your visit is as sustainable as possible.
With hundreds of listings to choose from, we have found 7 of the best B&Bs in the Lake District for sustainable travel.
1: Lowthwaite Bed and Breakfast, Ullswater
Lowthwaite B&B is nestled in the lovely Matterdale valley and offers excellent access to the shores of Ullswater. Visitors can choose from four en-suite bedrooms, each uniquely decorated.
Why Lowthwaite is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- The owners, Jim and Tine, have published a wonderful A-Z guide showcasing everything they are doing to help Lowthwaite become one of the best responsible stays in the Lake District.
- Much of the furniture at Lowthwaite is made from recycled Dhow wood, giving new life to old boats that are no longer usable.
- All toiletries are entirely natural and produced by local suppliers.
- Visitors are encouraged to support two fantastic local charities which carry out important work in the area.
2: Sunnyside Guest House, Keswick
Sunnyside Guest House is located in Keswick, one of the Lake District’s most popular towns. The guest house offers seven bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis.
Why Sunnyside Guest House is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- The owners, Nicky and Paul, are passionate about encouraging sustainable tourism across the Lake District.
- They state they ‘wish to do everything we can to help protect this precious landscape’.
- Sunnyside Guest House is a member of Green Tourism.
- Nicky and Paul have published a comprehensive Green Policy for Sunnyside Guest House
3: Elder Grove Bed and Breakfast, Ambleside
Elder Grove is a family-run business based in the beautiful town of Ambleside. The B&B offers ten en-suite rooms for visitors to choose from.
Why Elder Grove is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- Lucy and Matthew, the owners of Elder Grove, are committed to sourcing products for their breakfasts from local suppliers.
- Ambleside is an excellent base for exploring the Lake District by public transport, with several bus routes running through the town.
- They regularly contribute to a local charity – the Lake District Foundation.
- Lucy and Matthew have published their environmental policy for visitors to read.
4: Eden Green Guesthouse, Keswick
Another fantastic addition to Keswick, Eden Green Guesthouse is a small Bed & Breakfast run by owners Sue and Mick. The B&B offers seven rooms for visitors, including an easy-access double bedroom on the ground floor.
Why Eden Green is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- Sue and Mick, the owners of Eden Green Guesthouse, source all of their breakfast ingredients from local suppliers.
- Sue and Mick consciously plant plants that encourage bees to visit their garden.
- Eden Green Guesthouse’s environment statement is available to read online.
5: 2 Cambridge Villas, Ambleside
Located in ever-popular Ambleside, 2 Cambridge Villas is a B&B that places a real emphasis on sustainability. They aim ‘to bring about greater awareness to guests and visitors of our environmental impact to the area’, and are committed to making sustainable choices in everything they do.
Why 2 Cambridge Villas is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- Local suppliers produce all the toiletries for Cambridge Villa.
- Cambridge Villa source all their food and drink from local suppliers. They even have their own allotment where they grow fruit and vegetables, which they use during breakfast.
- They donate to the great work carried out by the Lake District Foundation charity.
- They actively work to reduce the use of single-use plastic throughout the B&B wherever possible.
6: Wainwright House, Kendal
Situated in the town of Kendal, Wainwright House is ideally placed on the edge of the Lake District. Owners David and Shirley are committed to trading ‘as ethically and in as environmental a manner as possible’.
Wainwright House offers three en-suite bedrooms as part of a bed and breakfast package.
Why Wainwright House is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- David and Shirley have published a statement about their approach to ethical and environmental trading at Wainwright House.
- Wainwright House sourced as much food as possible from local suppliers.
- British manufacturers supply the linen, and Wainwright House purchase their sheets from fairtrade suppliers.
- Kendal is a great base to explore the Lake District by bus, and Wainwright House is just a fifteen-minute walk from the bus station
7: Haven Cottage, Ambleside
Another addition for Ambleside, Haven Cottage has a well-earned reputation as one of the best B&Bs in the Lake District.
Why Haven Cottage is one of the best sustainable B&Bs in the Lake District:
- Guests can enjoy a breakfast made using local ingredients.
- Haven Cottage source their Coffee and Tea directly from local suppliers.
- Ambleside is an excellent location for exploring the Lake District by bus.
- Mark, one of the co-owners, is a passionate walker and can advise on the best hiking routes to enjoy without a car.
Have you stayed in any other bed and breakfasts in the Lake District and been impressed by their commitment to sustainability? Let us know in the comments, and we can add them to our list of the best B&Bs in the area.