Sunset House B&B

The smell of breakfast drifts up from the farmhouse kitchen while morning mist still clings to the Eden Valley below — this is proper Cumbrian countryside, quiet and unhurried.

Sunset House sits just outside Newton Reigny, a tiny village between Penrith and the North Lakes, and works well for couples or small families who want a comfortable base without the full camping commitment. You've got a choice between traditional B&B rooms in the guest house or a camping pod if you fancy something in between — ideal if the weather turns or you're testing the waters before a longer tent trip. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth a call ahead if you're bringing one along.

It's a low-key, friendly setup — you're on a working farm rather than a polished campsite, so expect a more homespun feel. Campfires are sometimes allowed but check when you arrive, as it'll depend on conditions. Open all year, which is handy for off-season Lake District visits when most campsites are shut. The kind of place where you wake to sheep instead of traffic, with the fells a short drive west.