Has anyone been to The Lake District?

I'm visiting my boyfriend at the end of August and one of the few places we will be visiting will be Lake Windermere, has anyone been here before? Any places you reccommend staying at (bed and breakfasts)? Any activities you suggest doing? I was thinking we could rent a wooden boat on one of the days there and go rowing out and have a little lunch onboard. Is there a village area to do a little shopping as well? Any and all tips/ideas are appreciated 

Plenty of b&b's...can't think of any in particular.

The main town on the lake is Ambleside, plenty to do there.

We went last year and stayed in Windemere and loved it so much we are going for a long weekend this week!  This time we will stay at the Inn on Ullswater to see a different part of the area.

When we stayed in Windemere, we did the boat cruise around the lake, got off at Ambleside and wandered around.  We belong to the National Trust, and so we were able to visit  Beatrix Potter's Hilltop Farm, and the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, where we saw a lot of her art displayed.  It is gorgeous countryside, and thanks to the National Trust, it is not overly built up or commercialised.

This time, we plan to just hike, picnic and relax.  We stayed at a B&B in Windemere, about 2 miles from the Lake, but there were lots of of B&Bs much closer and a nice little bus that ran right down to the pier on the lake.

I have no doubt you will enjoy visiting the Lake District!

Thanks for your replies.. I think it's still up in the air as to where we will be staying during our mini break there, but I do have my heart set on a place called Bleinhem Lodge located on Windemere with a FABULOUS view of the lake from all the rooms We will see if my boyfriend goes for it hehe

That looks fabulous.  Gives us another excuse to go visit! 

My BF went camping there a few years ago (I stayed home as Im not really made for it) and enjoyed it. I know theres a steam powered train that will take you to the local Aquarium and back...Beatrix Potters house, lake and museum are all there. Boat & canoe rides and more.

Also, theres a B&B there run by an American couple that serves a traditional American breakfast as well: http://www.compstonhouse.co.uk/index.htm

Hope this helps.