How to Save Money on Your Lake District Self-Catering Holiday

With energy prices rising and the cost of everyday living continuing to put pressure on household budgets, many of us are looking more carefully at where our money goes.  Add inflation and the possibility of changing interest rates, and there can be less left over for life’s little luxuries – whether that’s days out with the kids, a family holiday or a romantic weekend away.

But taking a well-earned break doesn’t necessarily have to cost a fortune.

With a little forward planning, choosing the right cottage and knowing a few insider money-saving tricks, you can still enjoy a fantastic Lake District self-catering holiday without breaking the bank.

From avoiding unnecessary booking fees and finding your cottage direct to saving on family attractions, activities, meals out and making the most of some of the best free experiences in Cumbria, we’ve put together our top tips to help your holiday budget go further on your next Lake District adventure.

1. Use Airbnb and Booking.com to Search – Then Look for the Cottage Direct

Large booking websites such as Airbnb and Booking.com can be useful places to search for holiday cottages, compare locations and see what accommodation is available for your dates.

But before you book, take a few minutes to see whether you can find the same cottage directly with the local holiday letting agent.

Large booking platforms charge accommodation providers commission and fees, which can contribute to higher prices or additional charges compared with booking directly.  So, once you’ve found a cottage you love, search for the property name online and see if it is available to book direct.

Think of the big booking websites as a search engine: find the cottage, note its name and location, then look for the local agent representing it.

At Cumbrian Cottage Holidays, we offer our best price guarantee with no hidden fees, so it pays to come directly to us before confirming your stay elsewhere.

And there’s another advantage – you’re booking with a local team who actually knows the cottages and the area.  If you have a question, you can talk to someone rather than dealing with a large booking platform.  It is also the same team who answer your questions on the affiliate website so why pay 20% when you receive the same service for less anyway.

2. Take Advantage of Exclusive Guest Discounts

Saving money doesn’t have to stop once you’ve booked your cottage.

Cumbrian Cottage Holidays has partnered with local visitor attractions, activity centres, restaurants and cafés to secure exclusive offers for our guests.

That means you can save on everything from family days out and activities to food and drink during your stay.

We work with local businesses throughout the area to bring our guests special offers and discounts that can help make the holiday budget stretch a little further.

It’s another benefit of booking directly with a local, independent holiday cottage agency – and a great excuse to get out and discover more of Cumbria while supporting local businesses at the same time.

3. Be Flexible with Your Dates

If you don’t need to travel during the school holidays, choosing quieter times of year can make a big difference to the cost of your Lake District break.

Spring, autumn and winter can offer excellent value while still providing everything that makes the Lakes special.

Imagine crisp autumn walks followed by an evening in front of a roaring fire, a winter break surrounded by snow-dusted fells or a spring escape when lambs are appearing in the fields and the countryside is bursting back into life.

You may find that the same cottage costs considerably less outside the busiest summer weeks.

4. Consider Staying Outside the Main Tourist Hotspots

Everyone has heard of Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick, but you don’t necessarily need to stay in the centre of the busiest Lake District towns to enjoy them.

Look a little further afield and you can often find excellent-value self-catering accommodation while still being within easy driving distance of the lakes, fells and major attractions.

The Eden Valley, Carlisle and surrounding countryside, the Solway Coast and villages on the edge of the National Park can all make fantastic bases.

As an added bonus, you get to discover another side of Cumbria, often with quieter walks, traditional villages and beautiful countryside right outside your door.

5. Choose Self-Catering and Eat In

Eating out every day can quickly become one of the biggest expenses of a family holiday.

One of the great advantages of booking a self-catering cottage in the Lake District is having your own kitchen.

Have breakfast before heading out for the day, pack a picnic for your walk and enjoy dinner back at the cottage in the evening.

You don’t have to miss out on Cumbria’s fantastic pubs, cafés and restaurants either.  Mix eating out with meals at your cottage – and make use of your Cumbrian Cottage Holidays partner offers where available – to enjoy the best of both worlds without blowing the holiday budget.

6. Book a Larger Cottage and Share the Cost

Travelling with grandparents, extended family or a group of friends?

A larger holiday cottage can sometimes work out surprisingly well when the total cost is divided between several people.

Instead of booking several hotel rooms, you can share one property, with the added benefit of having your own lounge, kitchen, dining area and outdoor space.

Best of all, everyone can spend time together rather than disappearing back to separate hotel rooms at the end of the day.

7. Make the Most of Free Things to Do

Some of the best experiences in the Lake District are completely free.

Pull on your walking boots and you have hundreds of walks to choose from, ranging from gentle lakeside strolls to challenging days on the fells.

Explore waterfalls, forests and picturesque villages; take a picnic to the shores of Ullswater or Derwentwater; spend a day on the beach along the Cumbrian coast; or simply find the perfect viewpoint and watch the sun disappear behind the mountains.

Children don’t always need expensive attractions either.  Paddling in a stream, building dens in the woods, skimming stones across a lake or spotting wildlife can become some of their favourite holiday memories.

8. Look for Special Offers and Late Availability

If your dates are flexible, keep an eye on our special offers and late availability.

Occasionally cottages have gaps between bookings or last-minute availability, giving you the opportunity to enjoy a Lake District getaway for less.

It’s worth checking regularly – particularly if you can pack a bag and escape to Cumbria at relatively short notice.

9. Bring the Dog

Leaving your four-legged family member at home can mean paying for kennels or a dog sitter.

Instead, choose one of our dog-friendly Lake District cottages and bring them along.

Cumbria is made for dog-friendly adventures, with miles of countryside, woodland and fell walks to explore together.

Just remember to check how many dogs each cottage accepts and whether any additional charges apply before booking.

10. Plan Your Days Before You Arrive

A little planning can prevent unnecessary holiday spending.

Before travelling, make a list of the places you’d most like to visit and mix paid attractions with free activities.

For example, enjoy a discounted family day out using one of your exclusive Cumbrian Cottage Holidays partner offers, followed the next day by a free walk, picnic beside a lake or afternoon exploring one of Cumbria’s villages.

Planning ahead helps you budget for the experiences you really don’t want to miss.

11. Remember – the Best Lake District Experiences Often Cost Nothing

It’s easy to think a great holiday needs to be packed with expensive activities, but that’s rarely what people remember most.

Watching the mist lift from the fells over your morning coffee.  A family picnic beside a lake. Discovering a waterfall at the end of a woodland walk.  Sitting outside your cottage with a glass of wine as the sun sets.  Or returning from a chilly autumn walk and lighting the fire.

Those are the moments that make a Lake District holiday special – and they don’t come with an admission charge.

Find Your Lake District Cottage for Less

Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a family adventure, a walking holiday or a getaway with friends, choosing self-catering gives you the freedom to create a holiday that suits both you and your budget.

Remember our biggest money-saving tip: if you find a cottage on Airbnb, Booking.com or another large booking website, search for the cottage name before you book.  You may find it available directly through a local holiday cottage agent for less.

At Cumbrian Cottage Holidays, we’re a small, independent local agency with cottages throughout Cumbria and the Lake District.  Book directly with us for our best price guarantee, no hidden fees, exclusive guest offers and friendly local advice from a team who knows the area.

Independent by choice. Personal by nature. Professional by reputation.

Search our Lake District and Cumbrian holiday cottages and start planning your next escape – while making your holiday budget go further.

View our range of budget holiday cottages here