Theres plenty of different types of places you could stay. depends on what sort of break you are after.
Keswick / Grassmere area is reasonably quiet. Good base for a bit of craggrattin. But pretty boring imho.
Windermere / Bowness is very busy and good nightlife. some very good nightclubs in bowness.
You could stay somewhere like Kendal (where im at) and its handy for everything. Its on the doorstep of the lakes and is a good shopping town, with good nightlife, pubs , clubs and some very good restaurants.
Wherever you stay , the local roads are very very good []
check out
http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co.uk/index.php for lots of local info.
you could also try logging onto http://www.cumbrianscoobs.co.uk/index.asp and asking some of the other local scooby guys. im sure you will get plenty of info on there.