Depends if you want peace and quiet or busy (more shops, facilities etc). Most central areas will be pretty busy in the easter, half term, summer holidays etc; so if you want to avoid the crowds either visit outside of these times, or avoid Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick. If you're visiting outside of school holidays these areas are fine and offer more in the way of things to do and places to stay. From the sounds of things your mum might be advancing in years so perhaps doesn't want to go running up mountains, so the pretty villages might be more suitable; in which case Hawkshead, Grasmere, Consiston are all well worth a visit. A good way to see the scenery is on one of the boats on the lakes; Coniston Water, Windermere and Ullsawter all have quite big boats (Ullswater is perhaps the prettiest of the big Lakes). These days I tend to stick to the quieter areas in the western lakes- the duddon valley is stunning, but quiet, with little to but walk and take in the beautiful scenery. Eskdale has more to do (the l'aal ratty miniature steam train, several pubs and a beautiful river with easy low level walking), Wasdale is spectacular, but bleak (england's highest mountain and deepest lake), and places like Borrowdale & Buttermere- these tend to be a little less accessible- can take a while to drive to around the edges or over spectacular but hair-raising mountain passes. For reasonably easily accessible (by car), but out and out stunning scenery it's best to head for the top of windermere and towards the langdales (little and great langdales). If it's good food pubs you're after; my personal favourites are The White Hart at Bouth (best Sunday Lunch in the Lakes in my opinion), The Queens Head @ Troutbeck (fabulous food and a very pretty little valley). I love the Bluebird cafe on the shores of Coniston too. I could go on like this forever, but my boss is giving me a dirty look, so If i have time later i'll offer more suggestions.