Me and the missus are after a mid-week break up in the lakes in the middle of May, preferably out in the sticks rather than in the town etc. I could Google the usual sites for ages but I prefer personal recommendation. Anybody got any places they’ve tried and can recommend?

Well I haven't stayed here but this place rlhttps://www.watermillinn.co.uk/rl caught my eye when I was looking last year and its still n my list of "possibles", I mean, B&B in a micro-brewery pub that allows dogs in, can't fail can it ?

I have stayed here though rlhttps://www.horseandfarrier.com/rl at the foot of Blencathra and its very good if a little pricey, we stayed there but ate over the road in The Salutation Inn which was cheaper but bloody good food, I notice that the owners have taken over The Salutation too so maybe it won't be competing so strongly anymore, I'd still recommend either place though.

The Watermill Inn (mentioned above) is a place I'd like to stay at. Been there for drinks and a meal and always thought it would be a good place to stay for a mini-break.

Not been but my mate has just come back from a dirty weekend with his mrs at the water mill inn and he loved it and highly recommends the place

I stayed with the missus here in 2007 when we went up Scafell Pike mobile.wasdaleweb.co.uk/frameset ... rdale.html Basic accommodation, lovely breakfast, peaceful as you'll ever get and the hosts were really friendly. Burning stove in the easy room to relax/warm up after a long days walk. Overlooks Waser and the pub at the foot of the hills is within easy walking distance though there are some nice ones within an easy drive. I occasionally enjoy staying in a decent level of hotel (de Vere Heron's Reach on outskirts of blackpool was excellent, food/staff etc) but I'm equally happy in a tent or some off the beaten track place as it it the people that enhance it not the fancy mod-cons. However this certainly isn't for those who like their 'luxuries'. have a fab time whrever ur staying and hope the weather holds...

I stayed with the missus here in 2007 when we went up Scafell Pike mobile.wasdaleweb.co.uk/frameset ... rdale.html Basic accommodation, lovely breakfast, peaceful as you'll ever get and the hosts were really friendly. Burning stove in the easy room to relax/warm up after a long days walk. Overlooks Waser and the pub at the foot of the hills is within easy walking distance though there are some nice ones within an easy drive. I occasionally enjoy staying in a decent level of hotel (de Vere Heron's Reach on outskirts of blackpool was excellent, food/staff etc) but I'm equally happy in a tent or some off the beaten track place as it it the people that enhance it not the fancy mod-cons. However this certainly isn't for those who like their 'luxuries'. have a fab time whrever ur staying and hope the weather holds...

I've stayed at the Horse and Farrier twice, the first time was marvellous (ages ago, when Leeds played Workington in a cup round) and the second time, much more recently, not quite as good.
I guess it depends which room you get but the second time we got a room where they had squeezed a massive bed into a small room, you had to shuffle sideways around it and they'd had to adapt the bathroom door to fold rather than open normally because there wasn't space. Nowhere to put your stuff and the room in general was a bit "tired". Dinner was OK and Breakfast was way overcooked. Lovely pub though.

The Kirkstile Inn is still very charming (don't confuse the name with The Kirkstone Pass though !!) ... and my favourite (if you can afford it and if you can get a booking !) is the Wasdale Head Inn.
Not far away is the Bridge Inn at Santon Bridge, a straightforward sort of place with no airs and graces, what you see is what you get, homely food, good pub and very close to the loveliest part of the Lakes IMHO, i.e. Wasdale.
Rock climbing, as a British sport, was "invented" at Napes Needle on the flank of Great Gable nearby, just up the valley. (google Walter Parry Haskett Smith and Napes Needle).

My second favourite (just!, it's very nearly the tops for me) is The Old Dungeon Ghyll in Great Langdale, big tasty food and I loved the place (I've never stayed at the New Dungeon Ghyll, so I can't compare).
Not every room has its own bathroom but the four-poster and the views make up for that.
The pub part of this one (which I have visited literally dozens of times) is popular with climbers and hikers too.
Big roaring fire that's too hot to sit next to, a stone-flagged floor and a selection of well-kept beers ... bliss.

Midweek is a good time stay at one of the old pubs in Hawkshead.
These seem to compete on the size of their breakfasts.
Stay away at weekends when the village is packed with Beatrix Potter trippers.

Me and my mate struggled to find the campsite over the road, let let alone our tent after a night in the Old Dungeon Ghyll once.

I always camp when in the lakes.

You may get some recomdations from this rlwalking forumrl

Yes, the Kirkstile is a lovely place, not been there for a few years now but it was a lovely meal.

Must be due to the fact I'm approaching 25 years of age, staying in the Lakes for a few nights is appealing. Spent a bit of time in Keswick working last summer, and also ended up travelling through various other parts of the region on the way to other jobs. It really is a lovely place, that I guess you just take for granted until you start growing up a bit.
Plus I spend most of the year in Workington so I'm only up the road.

One thing though, expect to be ripped off and pay southerners prices.

Farmers Arms at Lowick Green is great value and the restaurant attached is spot on.

Another one I've eaten at but not stayed at. On both occasions, the meals have been excellent.

We used to end our Lake District walks by eating at a pub and savouring a pint or three ... and whenever we saw they did accommodation, we'd say how good it would be to stay there.
In the end we put together a fortnight's itinerary and did so.
A really great holiday, that was.