Mike has proffered some excellent advice. I live in Patterdale, so another possibility might be to begin at Side Farm campsite, Patterdale, where no probs leaving a car by arrangement, and most scenic site right by Ullswater. Exploring the eastern fells is easy from here, and much quieter with loads of wild camping possibilities - the only place to watch poo-wise is Angle Tarn (popular with DofE groups), but they camp v close to the tarn and there are many beautiful little places with fab views a bit away. You can go across to Martindale, High Street, Harter Fell etc, or the other way to the Dodds/Helvellyn range, or up Deepdale to Fairfield etc.
Also you could pop in to ours for a cuppa!