The Campaign for Real Weekends - ideas for the weekend.

Although this means that you may have to pre-book your accommodation on a bank-holiday weekend, the upside is that the tourist offices are well-equipped to help with any queries, and there are no end of small businesses who cater to the weekend warrior.

Particularly in the Lake District there are adventages to scheduling your trip for an off-peak weekend, as you may find yourself alone in some of Britain's most stunning scenery, with a discounted camp site and tour operators who are happy to have you.  That is not to say, though, that it's difficult to find a quiet corner of the Lake District. 

Although Windermere is extremely popular with families and genteel second-homers, Derwent Water, Ullswater, and the Helvellyn Ridge offer scenic vistas and quiet accommodation for the rest of us, and are where you're likely to find the more adventurous view-seekers.

As an interesting side-note, there is technically only 1 lake in the Lake District - Bassenthwaite Lake.  The rest are Meres (Windermere, Thirlmere, Buttermere) Waters (Coniston, Derwent, Wastwater) and Tarns (Sprinkling, Stickle, and Blea Tarn). 

Above all, make sure that if you do go to the Lake District you don't neglect the mountains for the water.  Scafell Pike, England's tallest peak, makes for a good day's hike, and there is no end of trails if you have a good map.