Biker-Friendly Places to Stay in Lake District

Looking for motorcycle-friendly accommodation in the UK with the best passes in England on the doorstep? The Lake District has them all within a short ride: Hardknott and Wrynose, Kirkstone, Honister, Newlands and Whinlatter. Base yourself in Keswick, Ambleside or Windermere for the most choice, or in Eskdale, Coniston or Buttermere to be right at the foot of the passes. The fells are not high, but the roads are steep, narrow and twisting, and nowhere else in England packs this much riding into so few miles.

The best riding roads

• Wrynose and Hardknott passes. From Ambleside, head through Little Langdale over Wrynose to Cockley Beck, then over Hardknott into Eskdale. Hardknott has gradients of up to 1 in 3 (33%), blind hairpins and a single-track road with passing places, and the Roman fort near the top is worth a stop. This is a road for first gear, feet-ready riding, not for a heavy tourer two-up in the wet.
• Kirkstone Pass (A592). From Windermere the A592 climbs past Troutbeck to the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the highest road pass in the Lakes at 454 metres (1,489 ft), then drops past Brothers Water to Patterdale and Ullswater. The steep lane up from Ambleside, known as "The Struggle", joins it at the top.
• Honister Pass (B5289). Through Borrowdale from Keswick, up from Seatoller at 1 in 4 (25%) to the slate mine at the top, then down to Buttermere. Combined with the Newlands Pass back to Braithwaite and Keswick it makes one of the best short loops in Britain.
• Whinlatter Pass (B5292). Braithwaite to Lorton through the forest. Easier than the others, with good sweeping bends, and a useful way to link Keswick with the western lakes.
• The lakeshore A-roads. The A591 from Windermere over Dunmail Raise to Keswick, the A592 along Ullswater and the A5074 and A592 around Windermere are wider and smoother, and good for the first and last hour of the day.

Where to base yourself

Keswick is the best all-round base for the northern passes: Honister, Newlands and Whinlatter all start within a few miles of town, and the A66 links to the M6 at Penrith, about 18 miles (29 km) away. Ambleside and Windermere put Kirkstone and Wrynose on the doorstep and have the most places to stay and eat. For Hardknott, an inn or guesthouse in Eskdale or the Duddon valley means the pass is your morning ride, not the end of a long day. Coniston and Hawkshead are quieter southern bases. Penrith and Kendal, just off the M6, are good for a late arrival.

When to go

April to October. May, June and September are best for dry roads and lighter traffic. Summer weekends, school holidays and bank holidays bring heavy traffic and coaches to Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick, so ride the passes early in the morning or on weekdays. Hardknott and Wrynose can be icy or closed in winter and are no place to be in fog or heavy rain at any time of year. This is the wettest corner of England, so plan for rain on at least part of every trip.

Parking and garage tips

• Many Lake District B&Bs are in old stone terraces with no private parking. Ask for a garage, a covered spot or off-street parking when you book, and check that the bike can stay overnight.
• A drying room is a must here. If the guesthouse has none, ask whether they can dry boots and gloves overnight.
• In the towns, look for marked motorcycle bays in the car parks rather than squeezing into a car space.
• Pub and farmhouse yards are often gravel or sloping slate. Carry a side-stand puck and park facing out.
• Fuel is scarce in the western valleys. Fill up in Keswick, Ambleside or Windermere before heading over the passes.