8 Things To Do In The Lake District: Complete Guide
Hike rugged mountains, explore chocolate-box villages, cruise across Lake Windermere, try delicious local produce in cosy pubs and soak up sweeping views over glistening lakes. These are just some of the best things to do in the Lake District. Continue reading for more and everything you need to know to visit England’s largest national park.
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Located in the heart of Cumbria, at 2,362 square kilometres, is England’s largest national park, the Lake District.
The Lake District is renowned as being one of the most stunning areas in the UK, full to the brim with breathtaking landscapes, endless dramatic mountain peaks and countless shimmering lakes. It’s a massive outdoor playground for adventure enthusiasts, walkers and nature lovers!
Beyond the jaw-dropping scenery and dotted around the Lake District National Park are charming market towns home to small boutiques, cosy pubs specialising in local produce, museums and quaint narrow streets.
In this guide, we’ll share the very best things to do in the Lake District so you can make the most of your trip and experience the best this area has to offer. We’ll also cover what you need to know, including where to stay, how to get around, the best time to visit the Lake District and more, so you have everything you need to plan your incredible adventure.
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Contents
Best Things to do in the Lake District
Take a Boat Trip on Lake Windermere
We’ll start with one of our favourite things to do in the Lake District:Â a boat trip on Lake Windermere.
Lake Windermere is England’s largest lake, stretching 17 kilometres long, 1.6 kilometres wide and 67 metres deep.
Windermere is also the name of a small town, almost 2 kilometres from the shoreline. Meanwhile, Bowness-on-Windermere, also known as Bowness, sits along the shoreline and is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District.
Bowness has the most popular jetties for boat trips, but you can also set off from Ambleside, Brockhole and Lakeside Pier. Routes vary from short 45-minute cruises to 3 hours, each offering different highlights and points of interest.
Wherever you start, you’ll enjoy spectacular mountain views, secluded bays and gorgeous wooded islands. A boat trip on Lake Windermere is one of the best ways to soak up the Lake District National Park’s natural beauty.
Sitting on the top desk, basking in the sun with the wind blowing through our hair, was an incredible way to take in the sheer beauty around us – definitely one of the best things to do in the Lake District.
A boat trip on Lake Windermere is one of the most popular things to do in the Lake District, so make sure you book your cruise before you go. Browse the tours below for some of our recommendations.
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Stroll Along Derwentwater
Next on our list of the best things to do in the Lake District is strolling along the peaceful shores of Derwentwater.
Surrounding the lake is some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in the Lake District. Head to the fantastic Friar’s Crag viewpoint, which juts out into the lake, offering spectacular views of Cat Bells towering above, historical islands scattered around the lake and the endless mountain scenery that envelopes it.
If you’re short on time, you can simply walk along the shore and back to the viewpoint. Or, tackle one of the best walks in the Lake District – the 16-kilometre Derwentwater Walk, which circles the lake.
The paths are well-maintained and pretty much flat, winding through peaceful ancient woodland. En route, you’ll pass plenty of picnic stops, cafes and restaurants to stop for a well-earned break and soak up the stunning views.
For one of the most fun activities in the Lake District and something a bit different, why not explore the islands of Derwentwater on a kayak?!
Go Hiking in the Lake District
It goes without saying that hiking is one of the best things to do in the Lake District. There’s no better way to experience the breathtaking landscapes than from high above, looking over endless mountain peaks, deep blue lakes and quaint towns nestled in the valleys.
From gentle family-friendly strolls to conquering England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, the Lake District National Park offers countless walking trails for every adventurer.
Hiking in the Lake District offers a diverse range of landscapes – shaded forest paths, dramatic ridgelines, serene lakes, hidden waterfalls, you name it – you’ll be reaching for the camera at every turn.
One of the best hikes in the Lake District is the Old Man of Coniston, which leads you past beautiful alpine lakes, through remnants of disused mining quarries and up to a summit with incredible views over Coniston Water and the neighbouring town.
Another great hike is Helvellyn, England’s third-highest mountain, offering incredible vistas and dramatic ridgelines. And, Cat Bells is perfect if you’re looking for a shorter hike, with sweeping views over Derwentwater, some of the best views in the Lake District.
Explore Bowness-on-Windermere, one of the best towns in the Lake District
Bowness-on-Windermere (or Bowness) is one of the best places to visit in the Lake District, welcoming millions of visitors every year.
Sitting on the shores of Lake Windermere, in the heart of the Lake District, it’s a haven for outdoor activities both on and off the water. Water sports enthusiasts will enjoy the myriad of activities on offer from sailing and kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding, boat hire, and many more!
On land, Bowness is surrounded by walking and biking trails leading you through some of the best scenery in the Southern Lakes. For one of the best walks in the Lake District, that’s also fairly easy, head up to Orrest Head for incredible panoramic views over Lake Windermere.
After a day on the lake or in the mountains, explore the charming town on foot and browse the cute independent boutiques selling locally-made products with everything from souvenirs, jewellery and gin to beers, jams and sticky toffee puddings. There’s even a year-round Christmas Shop!!Â
Bowness is also home to numerous bars, cafes and restaurants; perfect for trying some tasty local food and refuelling after an activity-filled day. It’s easy to see why Bowness is one of the best towns in the Lake District and why it sees so many visitors.
Enjoy the Local Produce
As well as being a huge outdoor playground, the Lake District is a haven for foodies.
Discover a wealth of regional specialities, including Cumberland sausage, Kendal Mint Cake, sticky toffee pudding, Grasmere gingerbread, damsons, Herdwick lamb, local cheeses and smoked fish caught from the lakes.
These traditional foods have been adapted over the years with unique twists and flavours such as Kendal Mint Cake liqueur, damson ketchup, Herdwick lamb pies and gin infused with local botanicals – ideal as gifts for friends and family, or even a treat for yourself.
There are many places you can try these traditional foods, including supermarkets, speciality food stores, markets, cafes and farm shops. But, one of the best places is a cosy countryside pub which you’ll have no trouble stumbling into in the Lake District!
Admire the View over Bassenthwaite Lake, one of the best views in the Lake District
The view over Bassenthwaite Lake is hands-down one of the best views in the Lake District!
Located in the northwest of the Lake District National Park, Bassenthwaite is one of the quieter areas compared to Bowness and Windermere, making it a perfect escape from the crowds, where you can really connect with nature.
One of the best views is from the top of Sale Fell – a short walk with only a slight incline, offering an incredible view over Bassenthwaite Lake, nestled at the foot of Skiddaw.
Interestingly, Bassenthwaite Lake is the only official lake in the Lake District! While there are many other bodies of water, officially they’re called ‘tarns’, ‘waters’ or ‘meres’. Even Lake Windermere’s official name is just Windermere!
At 6.4 kilometres long and 1.3 kilometres wide, Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the largest lakes in the Lake District. It’s perfect for relaxation as motorised vehicles aren’t allowed on the water. Instead, you can enjoy sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding, swimming, kayaking and rowing.
Tuck Into Some Delicious Gingerbread
Dating back to 1854, Sarah Nelson invented Grasmere Gingerbread in the village from which it gets its name.
It’s a unique and delicious recipe – part cake, part biscuit – that’s remained a closely guarded secret and is enjoyed by food lovers from all around the world.
Today, the shop is run by third-generation owners, and it’s rare not to see a queue down the street of people lining up to enjoy this sweet treat and the tempting aroma of freshly baked gingerbread wafting through the air.
If you can’t visit in person, or you loved it so much you want to purchase more after you’ve left, you can order it online from their international store.
Hike to Sir John Barrow Monument, unique things to do in the Lake District
Hiking to the Sir John Barrow Monument is one of the lesser-known things to do in the Lake District, but if you’re visiting Ulverston, it’s definitely worth a trip.
Born in Ulverston in 1764, Sir John Barrow was a founding member of the Royal Geographical Society. The monument, built in 1850 to commemorate him, sits at the top of Hoad Hill and can be seen from miles around. Standing at 100 feet, the tower was intentionally built like a lighthouse to resemble the Eddystone Lighthouse in Devon as a tribute to Barrow’s connection to exploration and guidance.
The hike up to the monument is relatively easy, and from the top, you can enjoy wonderful views over Ulverston, Morecambe Bay and the surrounding countryside and mountains.
Everything You Need to Know to Visit the Lake District
Best area to stay in the Lake District
There’s no one best area to stay in the Lake District, as everywhere offers something different. And, as the Lake District National Park is the largest national park in the UK, you’ll likely have to do a bit of driving no matter where you stay.
With that in mind, here are some of the best places to stay in the Lake District and why they make a great base.
Bowness-on-Windermere is one of the most popular places to stay in the Lake District. Visitors flock here to enjoy Lake Windermere’s many water-based activities, as well as enjoy the lively town’s boutiques, cosy pubs and restaurants and museums.
A 5-minute drive from Bowness is Windermere, another of the most popular places to stay in the Lake District. Windermere also has a train station with direct links to Oxenholme and Manchester, so it’s convenient if you’re not visiting with a car.
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Bowness is one of the top centres for outdoor activities in the UK, with plenty of tour guides and activity centres right on your doorstep who will do the organising for you if you wish.Â
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Something to be mindful of, however, is that these towns are the most popular places to visit in the Lake District, so they get very busy, particularly during the school holidays. They’re also the most expensive places to stay. If you can avoid the holidays, we’d recommend doing so.
Another of the best places to stay in the Lake District is Ambleside, a bustling market town at the northern end of Lake Windermere. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the national park, so it makes an excellent base to explore.
Ambleside is a walker’s paradise, with some of the best walks in the Lake District beginning near Waterhead Pier, less than a mile from the town centre. There’s no shortage of pubs, cafes and restaurants, as well as independent shops, galleries and local produce – perfect to enjoy after a day in the mountains.
The closest train station is Windermere, approximately 5 miles away, with a direct bus connecting the two in around 10 minutes (see below).
The market town of Keswick is the Lake District’s most northern town, so if you’re planning on spending most of your time exploring the North Lakes, Keswick will be your best base.
Sitting between the calm waters of Derwentwater and the steep slopes of Skiddaw, Keswick is enveloped in magnificent landscapes. It’s also another of the UK’s main outdoor activity centres, with a range of tour groups and activity companies offering everything from guided hikes to water sports.
The closest train station to Keswick is Penrith, around 27 kilometres away. A bus connects the two; however, having a car will make exploring other things to do in the Lake District much easier.
The last area we’ll mention as a base to explore the best things to do in the Lake District is Ulverston, where Andy spent 5 years living as a teenager.
Ulverston is one of the best places to stay in the Lake District if you want to avoid the crowds that flock to Bowness and Windermere. It’s quieter, less touristy, and you’ll find accommodation is more affordable, with your money going further.
Ulverston is a quaint market town with picturesque cobbled streets and beautiful old buildings. It’s the birthplace of Stan Laurel and home to the world’s only Laurel and Hardy museum!
There’s a train station with direct links to Lancaster; however, we’d highly recommend having a car if using this as your base. Public transport is limited, and a car will give you more freedom to explore the Lake District National Park.
How to get around the Lake District National Park
The easiest way to get around the Lake District National Park is by car. This gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore at your own pace, particularly when distances between areas may be longer than you expect. Public transport is available, but it requires a fair bit of planning.
A big advantage of driving is being able to arrive as early as possible at the major hotspots, which get very busy by mid-morning when the tour groups arrive.
That said, you definitely don’t need a car to get around the best places to visit in the Lake District, as it’s very well connected to major towns and cities via trains and buses. Direct trains from Manchester go to Windermere, Kendal, Penrith and Oxenholme and from London to Penrith and Oxenholme. Regional trains travel between the smaller towns.
You can use several bus routes to explore the best things to do in the Lake District. Some of the most popular are the 555, 599 and 508, which stop at many of the main attractions. Check here for all of the bus routes in the Lake District.
Our Top Tip: many services operate a reduced schedule during winter, so if you’re planning a car-free trip in the colder months, expect more planning.
A really great option for getting around the Lake District is by joining an organised tour. Get Your Guide has loads of amazing group trips and private tours where all the planning and driving are done for you!
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The best time to visit the Lake District
The best time to visit the Lake District is late spring and early autumn. The days are long and still quite mild, but you’ll avoid the peak crowds.
During July and August, prices are ramped up, and hotspots like Bowness and Windermere see thousands of visitors every day. Walking around the small towns and driving on narrow country lanes can be quite overwhelming and dampen the mood a bit.
If you’re limited to school holidays, consider staying somewhere like Ulverston. It’s much quieter, has a lovely local atmosphere and still has plenty of pubs, restaurants, shops and cafes.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide to the best things to do in the Lake District. If you have any questions or want to know more about the UK’s largest national park, leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you.
Don’t forget to check out some of our other UK guides for more travel inspiration. And, make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with our adventures in real time 😊Â
