Get away to the tranquil Lakes; LUKE EDWARDS goes west for a break in the Lakes.

THERE are many things in life we take for granted, but our close proximity to the spectacular scenery of the Lake District should not be one of them.

In a little over two hours drive from here, you can be in the middle of the Lake District National Park, walking up a mountain, hurtling down a hill on your bike, pottering around the shops of one of the many picturesque Lakeside towns or merely relaxing while you take in the breathtaking views.

It is the ideal short break destination for those who wish to enjoy the great outdoors or even for those who just want to get away from the daily grind.

The Lake District can, at peak times of the year, resemble an overcrowded tourist trap, its minor roads filled with cars and its walks and attractions swamped by visitors.

Yet, it is important to remember when throwing this sort of criticism around that it is one of Britain's most popular and best-loved holiday destinations for a reason - it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

There is something for everyone and somewhere to stay to fit every budget, another plus point when family incomes are being squeezed harder than ever by the credit crunch.

White Cross Bay is one of six holiday destinations run by South Lakeland Parks, nestled on the banks of Lake Windermere right at the heart of the Lake District, making it the perfect base to explore the whole enchanting area.

The park is a mixture of private self-catering holiday homes and luxury caravans, as well as rental ones, which also benefits from a bar, indoor swimming pool, gym, shop and restaurant on site.

The facilities, there is also a tennis court and amusement arcade, ensure this is an excellent place to take children, although be warned those under-16 cannot be left unattended (someone has to at least be in the building) when they are in the swimming pool.

We set off (a party of four adults and two 11-year-old children) on a Friday evening straight from work and were at the site by 8pm, although it took us another 15 minutes to try and find our log cabin.

The lack of proper lighting and the absence of signs to direct you around the park meant a spot of map reading was needed to distinguish our cabin from the rest, but the warmth of the electric fire as we walked in immediately eased any irritation that may have caused.

With a fully-equipped kitchen, open-plan living room, three bedrooms and a bathroom, the standard cabins are compact, but they are cosy and comfortable as well as functional Despite the on-site restaurant, we cooked all our own meals and had no complaints at all about the kitchen although, with all self-catering places, if you have a favourite pot or pan it is always worth taking just in case.

The wood effect may be more Swedish sauna than rustic log cabin in the hills, but for the price there can be few complaints about the standard of accommodation and the setting is idyllic. A three-night stay for six people in April will cost from as little as pounds 434 and we were just a 60-second walk from the water's edge.

The only major letdown was the shower, which flooded the bathroom on our final day, which was a problem when another five people needed to get washed.

To their credit, however, a repair man was sent over within the hour to fix the leak.

If that was a slightly disappointing end to an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable weekend exploring the Lakes - I would recommend the Go Ape High Wire Adventure at Grizedale to anyone - this is still well worth a visit from anyone who wants to enjoy the Lake District with a young family on a budget..

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FAMILY - The lodges at White Cross Bay make a great base from which to explore