Lake District Travel Guide: Best Places to Visit, Walks & Experiences in England’s Natural Paradise

Welcome to the Lake District National Park, the crown jewel of England’s natural beauty. Located in Cumbria in northwest England, the Lake District is famous for its glacial lakes, rugged mountains, poetic heritage, and storybook villages. As your personal tour guide, I’ll walk you through the must-see highlights, best hikes, cultural gems, and local tips for planning your unforgettable trip to this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
 

📍 Where Is the Lake District?

The Lake District covers an area of 2,362 square kilometers, featuring 16 major lakes, over 200 fells (mountains), and dozens of quaint towns like Keswick, Windermere, and Ambleside. The region’s natural beauty has inspired artists, poets, and travelers for centuries—most famously, William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

🛶 Top Things to Do in the Lake District

🌊 1. Lake Windermere – The Heart of the Lakes

Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, stretching 10.5 miles. It’s a hub for watersports, cruises, and lakeside walks.

Top activities:

Take a Windermere Lake Cruise between Bowness, Ambleside & Lakeside

Kayaking or paddleboarding

Visit The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Walk up Orrest Head for panoramic lake views

🥾 2. Hike Scafell Pike – England’s Highest Peak

At 978 meters, Scafell Pike is the highest mountain in England. It’s a must for hikers and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding fells.

Best routes:

From Wasdale Head (most popular)

Via Seathwaite in Borrowdale (longer and scenic)

For experienced hikers: Scafell via Mickledore

🧺 3. Visit Grasmere – The Poet’s Village

Grasmere is a charming village and the home of William Wordsworth.

Don’t miss:

Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum

Grasmere Gingerbread shop (world-famous)

Walks around Grasmere Lake or Rydal Water

🌄 4. Cruise on Ullswater

Often called the most beautiful lake in England, Ullswater is less crowded than Windermere but equally stunning.

Top experiences:

Ride the historic Ullswater Steamers

Walk the Ullswater Way – a 20-mile circuit

Visit Aira Force Waterfall – one of the region’s best

🏰 5. Explore Castles and Stately Homes

The Lake District is rich in history and architecture.

Muncaster Castle – reputedly haunted, with owl displays and beautiful gardens

Sizergh Castle – a National Trust property with medieval roots

Wray Castle – whimsical Gothic architecture on Windermere’s edge

🎨 6. Discover the Legacy of Beatrix Potter

The beloved author of Peter Rabbit lived here and helped preserve much of the region.

Visit:

Hill Top Farm – her home and inspiration for many stories

Beatrix Potter Gallery – in Hawkshead

Brockhole on Windermere – great for family-friendly activities

🏞️ Best Walks and Hikes in the Lake District

Whether you’re a casual walker or an experienced hiker, the Lake District offers trails for every level:

🌳 Easy Walks:

Tarn Hows – a flat, circular trail with postcard views

Buttermere Lake Loop – tranquil waters and waterfall views

Catbells (from Keswick) – short and rewarding

🏔️ Challenging Hikes:

Helvellyn via Striding Edge – for thrill-seekers

Great Gable – iconic Lakeland peak

Fairfield Horseshoe – scenic ridge walk from Ambleside

🏘️ Prettiest Towns and Villages

🌼 Ambleside

A central base for exploring the lakes and fells. Great dining, hiking shops, and nearby attractions.

🐑 Keswick

In the northern Lakes, with easy access to Derwentwater, Skiddaw, and great museums.

🏡 Hawkshead

An old-world village with cobbled lanes, pubs, and literary history.

🚣 Bowness-on-Windermere

Bustling lakeside town with shops, restaurants, and boat rentals.

🛶 Top Lakes to Visit (Besides Windermere)

Coniston Water – linked to Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons

Derwentwater – calm and surrounded by mountains

Wastwater – England’s deepest lake and incredibly remote

Crummock Water – quiet, off-the-beaten-path gem

Buttermere – one of the most photogenic lakes in the UK

🍽️ What to Eat in the Lake District

Local fare is hearty and delicious. Be sure to try:

Cumberland sausage

Sticky toffee pudding (originated in nearby Cartmel)

Grasmere gingerbread

Kendal mint cake – perfect for hikers

Lakeland lamb and herb-crusted trout

Top-rated pubs and restaurants:

The Drunken Duck Inn (Ambleside)

Old Stamp House (Michelin-starred)

The Jumble Room (Grasmere)

🏨 Where to Stay in the Lake District

🛌 Luxury:

Linthwaite House (Bowness) – lake views, fine dining

Another Place (Ullswater) – modern lakeside retreat

Forest Side Hotel (Grasmere) – Michelin-starred restaurant

🏡 Mid-Range & Boutique:

Waterhead Hotel (Ambleside)

Inn on the Lake (Glenridding)

Rothay Garden Hotel (Grasmere)

⛺ Budget/Camping:

YHA hostels across the region

Scafell Pike Campsite (Wasdale)

Low Wray Campsite (on Windermere)

📅 When to Visit the Lake District

🌸 Spring (March–May):

Wildflowers bloom, lambs in the fields, quieter trails.

☀️ Summer (June–August):

Warmest, busiest season with festivals and open gardens.

🍂 Autumn (September–November):

Fall foliage and fewer crowds – perfect for photographers.

❄️ Winter (December–February):

Snow-capped peaks, frosty mornings, and cozy firesides.

📌 Best months to visit: May, June, and September.

🚆 Getting to the Lake District

🚗 By Car:

From London: 5–6 hours

From Manchester or Liverpool: ~2 hours

🚂 By Train:

Main stations: Oxenholme, Windermere, Penrith

Trains from London Euston to Oxenholme (~2.5 hours)

🚍 Local buses and taxi services connect towns and trailheads.

📸 Best Photo Spots

Orrest Head – overlooking Windermere

Castlerigg Stone Circle – with Skiddaw in the background

Aira Force Waterfall

Buttermere reflections

Tarn Hows at sunrise

🌟 Hidden Gems in the Lake District

Cathedral Cave – a man-made quarry near Little Langdale

St Herbert’s Island – an island on Derwentwater with church ruins

Black Combe – a remote fell with sea views

Brantwood – home of John Ruskin, on Coniston Water

🎒 Tips for Visitors

Weather changes quickly – always bring waterproofs

Many trails are unmarked – carry a map or GPS

Respect farming land and close gates behind you

Drive cautiously on narrow country roads

Book accommodations early in summer & bank holidays

📚 Learn the Local Lore

Discover the legends behind Old Man of Coniston and Blencathra

Explore Wordsworth’s poetry and Beatrix Potter’s legacy

Visit local museums like The Armitt Museum in Ambleside or Keswick Museum

✨ Final Thoughts: Why Visit the Lake District?

The Lake District isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience. A place where time slows down, where nature takes center stage, and where every lake, hill, and hamlet tells a story. Whether you're here to climb a fell, write poetry by the water, or simply breathe fresh air, you'll leave with a deep sense of peace and inspiration.