For some, school days are fondly looked back on as the best time of their lives. For others, the very mention of school is enough to bring back feelings of fear, dread and a sense of overwhelming relief that those days are well and truly over. Whether you loved or loathed your years in the classroom, a lesson in the Lake District promises to encompass something everyone will enjoy.

As one of the UK’s most attractive and popular holiday hotspots, the stunning national park attracts around 15 million visitors each year, all eager to explore its unrivalled natural beauty.

So why not brush up on your geography and explore the rugged fells, imposing mountains, dramatic sweeping coastline, historic sites and, of course, the tranquil lakes of this beautiful region.

Awash with a wealth of outdoor opportunities, visitors can make the most of this natural playground and indulge in a P.E. lesson with a difference. There is a whole host of adventurous pursuits to take part in, from adrenalin-fuelled activities, including climbing, gorge scrambling and water skiing, to more leisurely endeavours, such as walking and cycling, or kayaking on the lake.

Aside from the great outdoors, the region is also famed for its literary connections, with authors William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome and John Ruskin all taking inspiration from the scenic landscape. Visitors can brush up on their literary knowledge and soak up some culture with a lesson in English Literature at the many literary themed sites around the lake. Popular sites include the World of Beatrix Potter, Wordsworth House and Garden and the Armitt Museum and Library.

With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect destination to escape to. So rally the troops and get the gang together for a revitalising break at one of these magnificent converted school houses.

Beautifully furnished and with plenty of space for the whole family or a group of friends – and not a teacher in sight – these luxury properties will make you want to stay long after the school bell rings.

1 School Cottages (CC126108)

Troutbeck Bridge, Windermere and Staveley

 

Nestled between Windermere and Ambleside, this rustic school cottage enjoys a peaceful location just off the beaten track. This cosy property was formerly the head master’s house, but has since been transformed into a spacious and comfortable holiday home. Complete with traditional style furnishings and décor lends the cottage an old-worldly charm and enjoys superb views towards Coniston Old Man and the Langdales. During their stay here, guests can enjoy the very best of the Lake District with easy access to Windermere, Ambleside and the lovely village of Staveley, often referred to as the Gateway to the Lakes. As well as a wealth of walking routes and fun to be had on the lake, visitors can explore the village of Troutbeck which is home to a public swimming pool, shops and traditional pubs.

Waitby School (CC131123)

Waitby, near Kirkby Stephen, Kirby Lonsdale and South East Cumbria

   

Built on Waitby Fell in 1680, this former school stands proudly alone and occupies uninterrupted views of the surrounding countryside. While Waitby is said to be have been an ancient market town with its own castle, chapel and cemetery, traces of these are now no longer to be seen. Yet the school building remains, having been purchased by a local family and lovingly restored into a luxurious holiday accommodation. Many of the original features have been retained, including the wooden panelling, the outside boy’s lavatory and the school bell, while a host of new state of the art fixtures and fittings help give this property a more modern feel. Located in Cumbria’s south east, between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales, guests can keep busy outdoors and enjoy a wealth of picturesque riverside and country walks around the area.

Barton School House (ICK)

Pooley Bridge, Ullswater

   

Quietly tucked away close to the magnificent Ullswater lake, this former Victorian school building has been beautifully transformed into a stylish, single-storey holiday home, complete with its original bell-tower. Excellent walking routes to the high fells and the lakeside are right on the doorstep, but for those less inclined to don their walking boots, the dramatic Lakeland scenery can also be enjoyed by steam boat. The property is ideally located for guests to enjoy the many outdoor pursuits in the lakes, from climbing, hang-gliding and horse riding, to an array of water sports. Thanks to its easy access to Ullswater, the Lake District’s second largest lake at a huge nine miles long, visitors can take in the dramatic mountain scenery and the rolling green fields and woodland hugging the shoreline.