Choose from 24 Fun Things to Do in Lake District
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Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
Running over a distance of 7 miles (11.3 kilometers) between Ravenglass and Dalegarth stations in the valley of Eskdale, the La'al Ratty — as the locals call it in old Cumbrian dialect — is a fascinating minimum-gauge heritage railway train in the heart of Cumbria. The journey to Ravenglass, the only coastal village in the Lake District National Park, takes roughly 40 minutes, a scenic ride if there ever was one; the train goes through the hills and across the estuary along the foot of the spectacular Scafell range, England’s highest mountains.
Vastly popular with tourists now, the train initially opened in 1875 to transport hematite iron ore from mines in the Boot vicinity and eventually starting carrying granite, good, produce and even passengers. It wasn’t until the mid-1960s that local railway enthusiasts realized the full touristic potential of the railway line and started building locomotives to accommodate the rapidly growing numbers of visitors to the Lake District. Today, the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway carries over 120,000 passengers each year.
The particularity of this railway line, outside its spectacular scenery, is its historical steam engines, some of which date back to the late 1800s.
Practical Info
The train calls at Ravenglass (where the headquarters and museum are located), Muncaster Hill, Miteside Halt, Murthwaite Halt, Irton Road, The Green, Fisherground, Beckfoot and Dalegarth for Boot. There are up to 16 trains daily during the high season, with service every 20 minutes or so between 8:30 a.m. and 6:40 p.m. Ravenglass is just 2.5 hours away from Liverpool, Manchester (via M6, A5090, A5092 and A595) and Newcastle (via A69, A5086 and A595). All-day return tickets cost £12.50 for adults, £6.25 for children and £34 for families (two adults, two children). Children under 5 ride for free.
Address: Ravenglass Station, Ravenglass, England
Hours: During high season, trains run every 20 minutes between 8:30 a.m. and 6:40 p.m.
Admission: Adults: £12.50, Children: £6.25, Families: £34, Children under 5: Free
From $ 19
Bowness
From the imposing white façade of the Belsfield Hotel to the busy shops in the town centre, much of Bowness reflects its rise to prominence during the Victorian era. It was then that the town’s position on Windermere first made it a magnet for visitors, transforming it from a sleepy village to the hugely popular destination it is today.
Many use Bowness as a base for further travels throughout the Lake District, but the town itself is worth exploring. Visit World of Beatrix Potter, dedicated to the life and work of the renowned children’s author, the 15th century St Martin’s Church and Blackwell, an outstanding example of Arts and Crafts architecture.
The railway station in the adjoining town of Windermere is one of the main transport hubs of the area. Bowness is a starting point for all manner of nautical expeditions on Windermere; take a steamship or hire your own rowing boat or motorboat.
Address: England
From $ 39
Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel
Once described as “seamlessly elegant” by The Daily Telegraph, Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel is indeed one of the best hidden gems in the English Lake District. Built as a summer home for a wealthy mill owner in 1879, it’s located just outside the quaint village of Bowness-on-Windermere and set among 6 acres (2.4 hectares) of stunning gardens and woodland. The four-star country hotel overlooks the largest lake in Cumbria and boasts 34 tastefully decorated and luxurious guest rooms and two AA Rosette dining rooms (famous for their tasty afternoon tea), which are open to nonresidents. Other amenities include an indoor heated pool, a sauna, beauty and holistic therapy rooms, and a fitness room.
What makes Lindeth Howe so famous, besides its spectacular setting, is its previous owner, who was none other than famed author Beatrix Potter. She penned and illustrated two of her famous children’s stories, Timmy Tiptoes and Pigling Bland, while staying at Lindeth Howe between 1902 and 1913.
Practical Info
Lindeth Howe Country House Hotel’s guest rooms come equipped with bath, shower, tea- and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, hair dryer and a digital flat screen TV with radio. The hotel is located in the heart of Lake District National Park, just 1.5 hours north of Liverpool and Manchester via the M6 and the A591.
Address: Lindeth Drive, Longtail Hill, Windermere, England
Admission: Rates start at $306 (£225) per night.
From $ 480
Tarn Hows
One of the most-popular tourist attractions in the Lake District, “the Tarns,” as the locals call it, is a picturesque area visited by over half a million tourists per year since the 1970s. Rightfully so: not only is this an area of outstanding beauty, but it’s also yet another gem bequeathed to the National Trust by Lake District aficionado Beatrix Potter.
A tarn is a mountain lake that was formed in a cirque excavated by a glacier, which is later filled with rain or river water. Despite being an icon of the Lake District, Tarn Hows is not typical of the region in terms of landscapes; surrounded by thick conifer woodlands, the actual tarn is partly artificial, having been created by James Garth Marshall in the 1850s. It consists of three distinct tarns, which merged in the 19th century.
Located in the low-level valley nestled between the villages of Coniston and Hawkshead, Tarn Hows is now just more than half a mile long (just under 1 km) and 820 feet (250 meters) wide, and contains five islands. It is fed at its northern end by numerous valleys and basin mires and drained by several waterfalls that cascade down the Glen Mary Bridge.
Hikers and trekkers will enjoy the accessible 1.5-mile (2.4-km) path that circles the tarn, while fauna enthusiasts will appreciate the heavy presence of Galloway cattle and Herdwick sheep.
Practical Info
Tarns Hows is just under two hours from both Liverpool and Manchester (via M6, A591 and B5286) and 2.5 hours from Newcastle (via A69, M6, A66 and A591). Car parking is free for National Trust members but costs a small fee to nonmembers. The Tarns are open all day, every day of the year, free of charge.
Address: Boon Crag, Coniston, England
From $ 39
Coniston Water
The third-largest lake in the English Lake District doesn’t fail to impress; at 5 miles (8 km) long, 184 feet (56 m) deep and half a mile (0.8 km) wide, it has been a favorite of kayak and canoe aficionados for several decades now and continues to entice visitors seeking stunning scenery and a feel for the much-hyped Lake District. Once the main fish source for the monks of Furness Abbey in the 13th century, it is now the home of the elegant, Victorian-era steam yacht Gondola, which sails from one end of the lake to the other between March and November.
Around the lake, there are three main villages, Coniston, Brantwood and Hawkshead, where visitors can sleep, eat, drink and shop as they please. Hawkshead is particularly lovely and easy to explore on foot, featuring charming cobble lanes and the fan-favorite Beatrix Potter Gallery.
Coniston Water has been depicted several times in fiction, with its most famous mention in Arthur Ransome’s novel Swallows and Amazons. The lake also received major international and local press during the 20th century because of the role it played in many water-speed world-record attempts. The record was finally set on August 19, 1939, by Sir Malcom Campbell. His son, Donald, subsequently tried to achieve the mind-boggling 300-miles-per-hour record in 1967 but was tragically killed on the second leg of his attempt. The Ruskin Museum in Brantwood features a complete exhibition on the event.
Bicycles; motor, sailing and rowing boats; canoes; and kayaks are available for hire at Coniston Boating Centre. Trekking is also a popular activity among visitors, as the lake is surrounded by gorgeous mountain scenery, including the famed Old Man of Coniston.
Practical Info
Coniston Water is located in the south of Lake District National Park and can be reached from Liverpool and Manchester by car in two hours via the M6, the A590 and the A592.
Address: Lake District, England
From $ 62
Wastwater Lake
England’s deepest lake and the focal point of one of the Lake District’s most striking vistas, Wastwater Lake is best known for its rugged screes – the rocky cliff faces that plummet into the water along the east bank. With its inky blue waters and backdrop of craggy peaks, including Red Pike, Great Gable and Scafell Pike, England’s highest Mountain, it’s easy to see why the remote lake was named “Britain's Favorite View” back in 2007.
The main activity at Wastwater Lake is hiking and a network of trails run along the waterfront and out into the surrounding mountains and Wasdale Valley, or else it’s possible to rent a kayak or canoe to cruise around the lake (sailing and motor boats are banned).
Practical Info
Wastwater Lake is located in the western part of the Lake District National Park.
Address: Lake District, England
From $ 62
Lake Grasmere
Famously described by Wordsworth as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’, Lake Grasmere has high credentials and the powder-blue lake, bordered by emerald green hillsides and lush woodlands, is certainly among the most attractive in the Lake District.
Grasmere’s fame means it’s also one of the National Park’s top destinations and huge crowds flock to the lakeside during the summer months to walk around the lakeside, paddle around the lake on a rowing boat or kayak, or explore the eponymous village, renowned for its handmade chocolates and gingerbread. Grasmere Lake is also a popular stop for literary fans, with top attractions including the Wordsworth family graves and Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, both former homes of Wordsworth and preserved as museums.
Practical Info
Lake Grasmere is located just south of Grasmere village in the center of the Lake District National Park.
Address: Grasmere, Lake District, England
From $ 39
Muncaster Castle
A holiday in England wouldn’t be complete without visiting a haunted and historic castle. Cue Muncaster Castle and Gardens, a lavish 800-year-old property that is still lived in by members of the Pennington family, owners of the estate since the Middle Ages. Located in the idyllic Western Lake District and overlooking the Esk River, the castle was constructed in 1208 — it could, however, be much older than that; it is suspected that the castle was built over foundations dating back to the Roman era.
Because of its key location along the Scottish–English border, Muncaster Castle features a fine example of a 14th-century peel tower, which was endemic to the area and intended as a watch tower where signal fires could be lit by the garrison to warn of approaching danger. Once described as “a gateway to paradise” by John Ruskin, the castle’s Terrace Walk features verdant flora and a meadow maze.
One of the main particularities of the castle, outside its exceptional architectural heritage, is the presence of a ghost who goes by the name of Tom Fool, court jester. Rarely seen but frequently sensed, his playful spirit has been playing tricks on Tapestry Room visitors for well over four centuries.
Practical Info
Muncaster Castle is open from March 30 to September 3 from noon to 4:30pm six days a week (closed on Saturdays for private functions). Tickets to the castle, gardens, owl center and maze cost £13 per adult, £7.50 per child and are free for children under 5. On-site parking is free for those who come by car from Liverpool or Manchester. The journey takes 2.5 hours via the M6 and the A5092. On-site accommodation is also possible at the Coachman’s Quarters B&B, with rates starting at £60 per night.
Address: Ravensglass, England
Hours: Open from March 30 to September 3 from noon to 4:30pm, Sunday-Friday. Closed Saturdays.
Admission: Adults: £13,Children: £7.50, Children under 5 are free.
From $ 19
Bibury
Bibury is a village in the Cotswolds of England and the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of Gloucestershire. It lies along the River Coln, which is a tributary of the River Thames. Visitors can stroll down Arlington Row to admire cottages that were built in the late 1300s as monastic wool stores. In the 17th century, they were covered into the weavers' cottages you see today. Many of the ornate buildings have protection status, and this row of cottages is featured on the inside cover of all United Kingdom passports. It has also been used in television and movie filming, such as Bridget Jones Diary.
Bibury is also rich in natural and wildlife attractions. Rack Isle, which is named for where wool was once hung to dry on racks, is a water meadow that provides an important home for many plants and birds. Here you can see mallards, coots, moorhens, water voles, marsh orchids, flag irises, and marsh marigolds.
Practical Info
Bibury is located 83 miles west of London and 29 miles west of Oxford. It can be reached from Oxford using route A40 and B4425, or by train to Moreton-in-Marsh and then by bus.
Address: Bibury, South East England, UK, England
From $ 110
Derwentwater
Nestled in the northwestern part of the English Lake District, Derwentwater is one of the principal bodies of water that characterize the region. It is most famous for the viewpoint from Friar’s Crag promontory (described by John Ruskin as “one of the three most beautiful scenes in Europe”) and the hilly fells of Cat Bells, a picturesque attraction of the Lake District National Park. The lake is circled by an extensive network of trails, including an eight-mile (13-km) long walking trail, which is popular with both locals in need of a good workout and visitors seeking jaw-dropping backdrops. Early mornings treks are well worth the wake-up call, as the lake transforms into a calm, stoic mirror of the mountains that surround it. Photogenic opportunities await!
And with such beautiful lakeside scenery comes many marinas, the major ones being in Keswick, Portinscale and Lodore Falls. Boat hire is available from all three villages. The Keswick Launch Company also offers regular 50-minute cruises around Derwentwater with seven landing sites located at every corner of the lake. More than just a nautical halt, Keswick is also home to one of Northern England’s most popular theaters, Theatre by the Lake, which features well-known plays lakeside year-round, just five minutes from the town center.
Derwentwater features three uninhabited islands as well as Derwent Island and its famous Derwent Island House, a privately owned 18th-century manor open to the public five days a year.
Practical Info
Derwentwater’s main city, Keswick, is located two hours north of Liverpool and Manchester and can be accessed via the M6 and the A66. It is also reachable from Newcastle via the A69, the M6 and the A66.
Address: Lake District, England
From $ 39
Hill Top Farm
Beatrix Potter’s love affair with the English Lake District is practically as famous as her children’s tales. Her numerous and extensive holidays in the bucolic North West England region included stays at the Hill Top Farm, which she bought in 1905. The celebrated author spent as much time as she could in her beloved house, where she found inspiration in the farm and neighboring villages. She even used the exterior of Hill Top Farm as the setting of some of her original tales such as The Tale of Samuel Whiskers.
As a major and longtime supporter of the National Trust, it was natural for Potter to bequest the six-room farmhouse and its flourishing grounds to the organization upon her death, with the condition that it be kept exactly as she left it, including china, furniture and decorative items. It has since been open to the public, with over 1.5 million visitors hailing from around the world since 1946.
The traditional cottage was built in the early 17th century. It is now the most famous literary shrine in the Lake District and offers an immersive, time-capsule type of look at how Beatrix Potter led her creative life within its walls.
Practical Info
The farmhouse is located near Sawrey, which can be accessed in less than two hours from Liverpool and Manchester via the M6, the A590 and B5285. A timed ticket system is in operation in order to avoid overcrowding, and tickets cannot be booked in advance. Visitors should consider visiting early in the morning to secure tickets, as they sell out frequently.
Address: Near Sawrey, Hawkshead, Ambleside, England
Admission: Adult: £10, Child: £5, Family: £25
From $ 65
Hardknott Roman Fort
Built under Hadrian's rule in the second century, Hardknott Roman Fort (initially named Mediobogdum by the Romans) is a must-do for history buffs who find themselves in the English Lake District. More than just a simple amass of old stones, the archaeological remains are 374 feet (114 meters) long and well-marked, allowing visitors to clearly identify the ancient headquarters building, the commandant’s house and the bath house. The parade ground site still lies beside the fort and is now considered to be the finest surviving example in the Western Empire.
Thanks to its remote location high in the mountains of the Lake District, Hardknott Roman Fort boasts breathtaking panoramas of the national park. On clear days, the view stretches all the way to the Isle of Man and the Irish Sea. What used to be one of the loneliest outposts in the Roman Empire overlooks the River Esk in both upper and lower Eskdale. It was initially built to protect the busy and strategic Hardknott Pass, which was the main link between the coastal fort at Ravenglass and the Roman garrisons at Ambleside and Kendal.
Practical Info
The fort is located in the heart of the Lake District National Park. It can be visited from Liverpool and Manchester by car in two hours via the M6, the A591 and the A593. Visitors should be aware that Hardknott Pass is frequently referred to as one of the most-challenging and steepest drives in the UK, with a gradient of almost 20 degrees and several hairpin bends.
Address: Eskdale, England
From $ 62
Castlerigg Stone Circle
There are numerous neolithic stone circles in the Lake District and nearby areas, the most popular being at Castlerigg. This more-or-less round grouping of 38 boulders, with a rectangle of 10 more joining the inner edge of the circle, dates back some 5000 years, making it even older than Stonehenge. And like Stonehenge, the arrangement of Castlerigg Stone Circle is clearly linked to movements of the sun and moon, although the original ceremonial purpose of the stones is lost in time.
The stones themselves are impressive; add the majestic backdrop of Skiddaw, Blencathra and other mountains and you can see why this site has drawn admirers for millennia. An ideal spot to contemplate the mysteries of the past amidst the serenity of nature.
Practical Info
The stone circle lies on the edge of Keswick and makes a pleasant walk from the town center.
Address: England
From $ 39
Buttermere Valley
With its three lakes framed by a seemingly expanse of rolling hills and craggy peaks, Buttermere Valley is one of the Lake District’s most striking landscapes, and it’s been a popular spot for walkers and nature enthusiasts since the 18th century.
The tranquil Buttermere village makes the obvious basecamp, but most visitors come to hike the scenic lakeside trails or scale the surrounding peaks, which include the 851-meter Grasmoor and 806-meter High Stile, as well as Scale Force, England’s highest waterfall. Honister Pass is the main road running through the valley and during the summer months, swimming and rowing are popular activities on the lakes.
Practical Info
Buttermere Valley is located close to the western boundary of the Lake District National Park, approximately 35 km by road from Grasmere.
Address: Buttermere Village, Lake District, England
From $ 39
Ullswater Lake
Located in the northern half of Lake District National Park, Ullswater Lake is the second-largest lake in the area and is consistently cited as one of the most beautiful English lakes. Often compared to Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, it is 9 miles (14.5 kilometers) long, 0.75 miles (1,200 meters) wide and has a distinct “Z” shape, which is enhanced by the steep mountains that surround it.
The village of Glenridding, located at the southern end of the lake, is the main gathering place in the area. It is especially popular with tourists, as it’s the starting point of the long hike to the top of England’s third-highest mountain, Helvellyn, along the Striding Edge. (This hike, however, is not for unexperienced mountaineers and should be planned with care.) The village is also where most of the nautical-equipment-rental shops are, for activities such as boating, sailing, rowing, diving and windsurfing. Two Victorian steamer boats circle the lake from Glenridding year-round, while three newer, diesel-run boats offer more frequent trips.
Practical Info
Ullswater Lake and Glenridding can be reached from Newcastle in 1.45 hours via the A69, the M6 and the A592. The trip takes just over two hours from Liverpool and Manchester via the M6, the A591 and the A592.
Address: Lake District, England
From $ 39
Crummock Water
Despite being the largest and central lake of the Buttermere Valley, Crummock Water is often overlooked in favor of neighboring Buttermere Lake, but there are plenty of good reasons to visit both. Measuring around 4 km in length, hiking around the lake from Buttermere takes around 3 hours and takes in highlights like Scale Force, England’s highest waterfall, which feeds into the lake, and the view from the lakeside Rannerdale Knotts.
Rowing, kayaking and canoeing are all popular pastimes on Crummock Water, but the clear waters are also ideal for swimming during the summer months and the abundance of brown trout and salmon make it a popular choice for fishing.
Practical Info
Crummock Water is located in the Lake District National Park, just north of Buttermere.
Address: Cumbria, England
From $ 39
Rydal Water
Despite its diminutive size at just over 1 km long, Rydal Water’s strong literary connections have cemented its status as one of the Lake District’s most visited spots. Wordsworth’s Seat, overlooking the western bank, was renowned as the poet’s favorite viewpoint, while nearby points of interest include Nab Cottage, once home to Thomas Quincey and three of Wordworth’s former homes – White Moss House, Rydal Mount and Dove Cottage.
One of the few boat-free lakes, Rydal Water makes a perfect spot for open-air swimming during the warmer months, while the lakeside hills are at their most beautiful in spring and autumn, when fields of wildflowers and colorful foliage add a rich range of hues.
Practical Info
Rydal Water is located in the center of the Lake District National Park, just south of Grasmere.
Address: Rydal, Lake District, England
From $ 39
Borrowdale Valley
A wild stretch of grassy peaks, oak woodlands and rolling sheep pastures hugging the banks of the River Derwent, the rugged beauty of Borrowdale Valley is undeniable and its central location at the heart of the Lake District makes it a prime through-route for hikers. Linked by the Honistor Path to Buttermere Valley in the West and Derwent Water and Keswick in the north, the scenic valley passes through the villages of Seatoller, Borrowdale and Rosthwaite, and lies en-route to the famous peak of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.
It’s Borrowdale unique landscape, sculpted by ancient glaciers, that is its biggest draw, and natural highlights include the narrow ravine known as the Jaws of Borrowdale, the nine-meter-tall Bowder Stone, the Lodore Waterfall and the vast woodlands, which host an impressively diverse ecosystem and a large variety of birds.
Practical Info
Borrowdale Valley is located in the north of the Lake District National Park, just east of Buttermere, and Keswick is a great base for exploring the area. As an alternative to driving, take one of the buses that leave from the town, taking in highlights of the valley.
Address: England
From $ 39
Scafell Pike Mountain
Towering 978m over the surrounding lakelands, the craggy peak of Scafell Pike is England’s highest mountain and it’s long been a popular challenge for hikers. Located at the heart of the Lake District National Park, Scafell Pike is one of a string of high fells that run between Wast Water and Buttermere lakes, including the nearby High Stile, Red Pike and Great End.
Tackling the mighty peak is a manageable challenge for hikers with a reasonable fitness level and can be completed in a day. The most popular route sets out from Seathwaite and follows the scenic Corridor Route from Sty Head to Lingmell Col, before climbing to the summit of Scafell Pike – an approximately 7-hour round-trip hike.
Practical Info
Scafell Pike Mountain overlooks the eastern bank of Wast Water lake in the Lake District National Park.
Address: Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England
From $ 19
Beatrix Potter Gallery
For over a hundred years, characters like Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle and Peter Rabbit have made an indelible impression on children in Britain and beyond. Their creator, author Beatrix Potter, is intimately connected with the Lake District and this charming, compact gallery celebrates that bond with a display of original drawings showing the genesis of her books, which she wrote and illustrated herself.
The Beatrix Potter Gallery is housed in a 17th century building which was once the office of Potter’s solicitor husband, William Heelis, and is situated in the town of Hawkshead. Exhibits also tell the life story of Potter herself and her commitment to conserving the natural beauty of the Lake District.
Practical Info
The village of Hawkshead is a picturesque 20-minute drive away from the town of Windermere. Once there, allow time to walk around this quaint market village, where the winding streets are closed to traffic. Apart from the Beatrix Potter Gallery, highlights include the Quaker Meeting House, known as the “Birthplace of Quakerism”, and the Old Grammar School once attended by poet William Wordsworth.
Address: Main Street, Hawkshead LA22 0NS, England
Hours: Closed Fridays, hours change seasonally
Admission: Adults: £4.40
From $ 65