Everything you should know about the U.K.'s Lake District
From its impressive literary connections to its iconic landscapes, this Cumbrian national park in northwest England has stunning scenery, world-class hiking trails, tranquil lakes for sailing and historic woodlands in abundance.
It’s no surprise that William Wordsworth took inspiration from this beautiful, 912sq-mile national park, packed with glistening lakes, rugged fells and some of the most epic views in the world. The English poet spent nine years living in Dove Cottage in Grasmere, a village now famed for its delectable gingerbread. Wordsworth wrote many of his best-loved poems during this time in the early 1800s, including the renowned I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud, and called the historic village “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.
Children’s author Beatrix Potter was similarly besotted with the area, and her work was influenced by her idyllic childhood summers here in the 1880s.
But the biggest draw for the 18 million people who visit The Lakes, as the area is colloquially known, every year is its dramatic mountain range and iconic fells, including England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike. The peak was popularised alongside 213 other rocky summits by Alfred Wainwright, the legendary fell-walker and author of The Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells; walkers can often be heard rejoicing at the achievement of ticking off ‘another Wainwright’.
Best times to visit the Lake District
Late spring (May) and early autumn (September to October) provide ideal weather conditions for walking, as beautiful blooms and gorgeous bronze and russet foliage abound — keep an eye out for Wordsworth’s favourite golden daffodils in spring. There are fewer crowds and more affordable accommodation on offer at these times of year, too.
Average daily temperatures reach up to 20C in summer — peak season is between June and August — while lows can tumble to 0C in winter. The region is notorious for its rainfall, with around 200 wet days per year. In fact, it’s always worth packing waterproofs and wellies, no matter the forecast. In the colder months, fell-walkers should be equipped with crampons and heavy-duty hiking boots for icy, unpredictable conditions.
Where to find the best views of the park
Every patch of this national park will drain camera rolls, but for a moment to remember, head to Surprise View, three miles outside Keswick. Tucked away on a cliff edge above Borrowdale, the viewpoint is steep yet drivable. Follow the road around Derwentwater until a sharp turn leads to the famous Ashness Bridge — one of the most photographed structures in Cumbria. Continue up past the cattle grid, pull into the car park and prepare to be amazed. Panoramas across the Borrowdale Valley, Derwentwater and, on a clear day, Bassenthwaite Lake, are out of this world.
Aside from the fell summits, you’ll find plenty of spectacular views in one of the most unexpected places — laybys. Noble Knott car park, on Whinlatter Pass, offers up some majestic mountain scenery. Look out for the ice-cream van (in summer) to know when to jump out of the car. There’s Bassenthwaite in the foreground, Skiddaw on the right and Whinlatter Forest to the left.
The eastern side of Tarn Hows, between Coniston and Hawkshead, is another unmissable viewpoint. The pine-fringed lake reflects Langdale Pikes, the iconic Old Man of Coniston and Helvellyn, and is particularly stunning at sunset.
Where to find the best hiking trails
Depending on ability, Wainwright’s 214 fells are a big hit, while myriad other walking routes around tarns, lakes and paths crisscross the landscape.
Buttermere Walk is just over four miles and a flat, easy hike around its namesake lake. Popular with families, part of the loop follows the old Victorian route in the shadows of giant peaks such as Haystacks, Grey Knotts and Great Gable.
For beginners who want to tackle one of the iconic Wainwrights, the modest 451-metre-high Cat Bells offers an introduction to hiking without the need for much preparation. The most popular route is three-and-a-half miles and starts from Hawes End, near Keswick, gently winding upwards with some steep parts that require a little scramble in places but is still manageable for most. The summit offers up beautiful vistas across Derwentwater. It can be completed as an out-and-back hike or via a circular loop.
Fancy ticking off as many of those coveted Wainwrights as possible in one fell swoop? Hike the Fairfield Horseshoe, which is 10-11 miles and a strenuous, circular trail starting and ending in Ambleside. It’s challenging, with an ascent of up to 1,103 metres. Head clockwise to tackle the steepest parts first and be cautious of the rocky terrain and grassy ridges that can become slippery, and prepare for a short scramble. It’s all worth the effort though, as it takes in eight Wainwright summits including Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar.
It’s possible to climb the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, but a good level of fitness is paramount. Even the shortest route — over five miles — via Wasdale Head, is challenging. As many as 250,000 people climb the peak each year, overcoming the steep, rocky terrain which, at times, requires scrambling. The summit is special, if the weather and visibility play ball.
Where are the best spots to see wildlife
With a diverse range of species across its vast lakes, mountains and forests, there are wildlife sightings around every corner in the Lake District. Red squirrels dominate woodland areas, such as Whinlatter Forest, Dodd Wood and Shap Wells, with early morning or late afternoon being the best times to spot them foraging for nuts.
To see red deer, head to Martindale, on the southeastern side of Lake Ullswater. The valley is home to one of the oldest herds in the UK. The deer roam The Nab, as well as the fells in Mardale and Kentmere. Visit in rutting season (October) and listen out for the distinctive male bellowing at dawn or dusk, with cameras ready for when they lock antlers. Make sure you don’t approach any wildlife and stay at a safe distance.
Bird lovers can watch ospreys swooping down to fish and feed their young on the shores around Bassenthwaite Lake, too. There are viewpoints with telescopes along trails in Dodd Wood, on the eastern side of the lake.
What are the best things to do
There’s more to this beauty spot than hiking, with an array of water sports on offer across its 16 lakes and numerous tarns, particularly during summer. Boating, rowing, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing and fishing can be enjoyed on most bodies of water, with equipment hire available at Coniston, Derwentwater, Ullswater and Windermere.
Smaller lakes, tarns and reservoirs don’t allow motorised boats, while permits are needed on Bassenthwaite and registrations required on Windermere.
Off the water, a trip to Aira Force never disappoints. The 18th-century pleasure ground near Penrith was the backdrop for Wordsworth’s poem Somnambulist, with a 20-metre waterfall that cascades down ferns and rocks as the centrepiece. Arrive by boat and wander back along Ullswater Lake for stunning valley vistas.
Popular tourist attraction Honister Slate Mine, at the top of Honister Pass near Keswick, is the last working mine of its kind in England. Join mine tours (kids go free), ghost walks, a thrilling Climb the Mine experience and the award-winning Via Ferrata Xtreme — a three-hour, adrenaline-fuelled adventure across Honister Crag. A guided ascent culminates at Black Star summit, 634 metres high, but those brave enough are rewarded with 360-degree panoramas.
Best things to do for families
Little fans of Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo will be eager to seek out the main character, along with wooden sculptures of all his pals, on a one-and-a-half-mile trail in Whinlatter Forest. It’s free, buggy-friendly and has a playground nearby — promises of ice cream might be the only way to drag kids away.
Sticking with the literary theme, The World of Beatrix Potter, in Bowness-on-Windermere, brings the author’s charming tales to life. Interactive exhibits lead visitors through the pages of Peter Rabbit and Co’s adventures, including a show garden where iconic moments from the books are recreated — look out for Mr McGregor and the gooseberry bush where Peter got caught.
If the family wants to hit the water without getting wet, a cruise on the Ullswater Steamers from Glenridding to Pooley Bridge is yet another way to see this scenic region. There are four different piers to get on and off, with cruises ranging from 20 minutes to two hours. They’re dog friendly, too.
Where to stay in the Lake District
There are more than 100 campsites and glamping sites scattered across the area. One of the best is Low Wray in Ambleside, on the shores of Lake Windermere. It has pitches for tents, campervans and motorhomes, as well as pods and safari tents. Surrounded by nature trails with attractions, cafes and pubs nearby, the site has amenities plus regular wood-fired pizza evenings. A minimum two-night stay costs from £48 for a backpacker pitch to £120 for a furnished pod.
A cosy B&B such as Appletrees Guest House in Keswick offers both lake- and mountain-view rooms in a splendid Victorian setting. Just minutes from the town centre, Theatre By The Lake and Derwentwater, it’s ideally located and costs from £246 for a two-night stay, B&B.
For a special occasion, choose from one of many luxury hotels, including the beautiful 4-star Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa in Borrowdale. Uninterrupted views of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells, seen from its 87 rooms and suites, will make it hard to leave. Spa Suite guests can enjoy a complimentary two-hour spa pass for each night’s stay. Standard rooms start at £265 per night, B&B.
What else should you know
Come well equipped for all weathers as certain areas of the Lake District have their own microclimates. Layers, walking gear, waterproofs and hiking boots (plus crampons, if necessary) are vital for determined fell walkers.
Wild camping isn’t permitted in the national park without the landowner’s permission — this includes car parks and roadside verges — so be sure to pitch up on proper sites.
Tourist information centres are located across the region in towns and lakeshores. There, you’ll find tips, itineraries and advice in that friendly manner that England’s northwest is famous for.
How accessible is the park
Many fell tracks, pathways and woodland trails are wheelchair-accessible, including the Miles without Stiles initiative — 50 easy-access routes set up for those with limited mobility. Campsites, self-catering cottages, B&Bs, guest houses and most hotels have been adapted for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
