Hi Nix,
r4dent is right there's a great accessible asset on here for full members.
However you state "for first timers" so maybe he should have given a little more slack.
Pubs plenty in the Lake District that you can stay at, Old Posting House, Horse and Ferfier, Ohallans, Old Dungeon etc..
If you wild camp then please, please, please bear in mind people don't dislike you wild camping, but what they do object to is the behaviour of some of the people that do so.
If you haven't got a self contained toilet then go on a site or maybe a pub or make some other provision and do not think shitting in a hedge is acceptable, its not, don't leave you rubbish in a layby. Personally if I stay in a layby I spend at least 30 mins bagging other peoples rubbish (I do avoid the £$%^ tbh)
Whatever you do while in the Lake District or anywhere else while in your van will reflect on ALL of us, so have a great time and come back here and tell us, and if you decide wild camping is for you then sign up a a full member and you'll get access to the poi's and help whenever you need it.