Rascal said:
Penrith may be cheap mate.
Its a quality little town, good pubs, shopping for the missus and a couple of great butchers if you want Cumberland sausages, its right by the M6 and just 7 miles from Ullswater. It has a station to if you dont want to drive.
You can get buses from there to Kendal, Keswick and the likes because there are some quality little pubs worth visiting.
Forget Penrith, you still pay tourist rates for privilege of being 15 miles from heart of the Lakes.
Keswick is a great town, very popular with tourists as it ticks all the boxes. Cheap to expensive accommodation with restaurant to pub grub or the pie shop is outstanding. Your missus will love the Sweetie shop, has old school rhubarb custards to the Jell Belly.
If weather is too bad it has enough shops, swimming pool or pubs to keep you busy. If you are of a hardier persuasion then Lakes and good walks are all very close.