Lake District National Park Best Viewpoints

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I was lucky enough to have grown up around the Lake District National Park. Originally I’m from Carlisle in the UK which is in Cumbria, the county where you will also find (in my opinion) the most beautiful National Park in the country. Sundays were spend driving into the Lake District, visiting the small towns and having picnics with a view to beat all views.

My Dad loves photography, and spends a lot of time searching for the perfect shot in the Lake District. Of course, they’re all the perfect shot. But the fun is in visiting as much as you can to keep admiring one of the best places in the UK.

It was because of my Dad’s photography I thought about this post. I wanted to show everyone what an amazing part of the world I’m from, and showcase some of his fantastic photos. All these pictures were shot by my Dad, Grahame Gilbert. I hope you like them as much as I do.

What is the Lake District National Park?

The Lake District is one of the United Kingdom’s 15 National Parks. It is in the county of Cumbria, which is where I’m from. Cumbria is in the North West of England.

You think England gets a lot of rain, but Cumbria feels like the wettest part of the country sometimes. A nice day just means it’s not raining. Nothing more, nothing less. But all that rain has to have something to do with the beauty of the Lake District. The green fields and of course, all the lakes.

So how many Lakes does the Lake District have anyway? The answer officially is one: Bassenthwaite Lake. All the others are meres or waters, other names for larger bodies of water. But all in all there are 16 lakes in the Lake District. Then after it’s been raining for a while the puddles are verging on being lake-esque.

Windermere

Windermere is England’s largest Lake. Probably the most famous of them all too. It’s about 11 mile in length and nearly a mile wide in places. This is one of my favorite lakes as it’s so picturesque. Windermere is also right next to Ambleside, my favorite place in the Lakes.

There’s a boat that takes people across the lake from Ambleside to Bowness, a popular tourist stomping ground. In fact, this may be one of the busiest areas of the Lake District National Park in the summer.

When we stayed overnight in Ambleside we went for both an evening walk to Windermere to catch the sunset, and were up early for sunrise at the lake. Both were magical.

The cool thing about the North of England is that there is so much history here. 2000 years ago the Romans had a fort called Galava at Waterhead, Ambleside. And the nearby Langdales used to be the centre of the stone axe making industry of prehistoric man. You don’t appreciate how interesting the history is when growing up, but I love to learn about it now when I’m back.

Ullswater

Ullswater, the second largest lake is about 9 miles long. For much of its length it forms the old County boundaries between Westmorland and Cumberland. You can now walk around Ullswater on newly laid paths or take a cruise on the lake.

I remember going here on a school trip once and taking the boat tour. I should do that again, but this time without 30 other junior school kids. The reflections on Ullswater always suck me in, especially when it’s misty.

The nearby waterfall, Aira Force, is well worth a visit and quite spectacular when the sun creates a rainbow in the falls if you are lucky enough to see it. We used to visit this place all the time when I was younger. I think it was a nice walk that my parents could get me to do without being so long that I was complaining the whole time. Parents take note.

Consiton Water

First of all, how awesomely ominous does this photo look? It’s like the opening credits to a Game of Thrones spin off. The scenery in the Lake District National Park is beautiful, but sometimes the best times are when there are a lot of clouds, or just before a rain storm when it’s incredibly dramatic.

In the background of this photo is Coniston Water. It is about 5 miles long and the third largest lake in the Lake District. Coniston was made famous for the record breaking Bluebird water speed records of Malcolm and Donald Campbell. Unfortunately the final record attempt by Donald in 1967 ended in disaster.

Bassenthwaite

Well now that I’ve thoroughly ruined the mood with that uplifting story, let me win you back with this gorgeous winter photo of Bassenthwaite.

Bassenthwaite Lake is about 4 mile long and is the fourth largest lake in the Lake District. On the eastern side is Dodd Wood where there is a viewing place to observe Ospreys during their summer visits here.

Nearby is Whinlatter Forest Visitor Centre. It’s a popular adventure play and mountain biking area. They have a lot of discovery trails leading to wonderful view points, which is why I like to park the car and walk up to Whinlatter when I’m back in the UK.

Another popular place for school trips, I went myself when I was 10. When it first opened it was the place every school trip went. Again, it’s much nicer now without 30 of my classmates tagging along.

Derwentwater

Derwentwater is only about 3 miles long and just over a mile wide in places. The town of Keswick is just a 10 minute walk away. I’m a big fan of visiting Keswick for their lovely country pubs, gift shops and weekend markets at various times of the year.

That’s the trifecta of things to make me love a place. There’s an old sweet shop which is filled with all the sweet treats you could ever possibly want. Make sure you visit if you end up in Keswick.

Also near Keswick is Castlerigg Stone Circle. Think Stonehenge, but smaller and free! Plus Stonehenge is all roped off, and Castlerigg you can climb all over the stones if you want to. I wouldn’t recommend it, and it’s better for them if you don’t.

But what I mean is that Stonehenge has too many rules that you can’t really enjoy it as much now. Castlerigg is well worth a visit though, especially on a nice day as the sun is going down.

Haweswater

Haweswater was originally only 2 miles long, but is now a 4 mile long reservoir for the North West of England. It was created in 1935 when they abandoned and flooded of the villages of Mardale Green and Mesand (somewhat controversially). I’ve visited in summer before when it’s been particularly dry and the remains of the village have come into view as the water is low.

Ennerdale Water

Ennerdale is 2 and a half miles long. It is the most westerly lake within the Lake District National Park. This lake is the only one to have no public road running along it but there are two main car parks close to it. I love how quiet this lake is due to its location, and there are some easy walks around it. Plus, look at that view!

Wastwater

Wastwater is the deepest of all the lakes at 260ft deep. Looking up the lake toward Wasdale Head on the right is England’s highest mountain Scafell Pike. Beautiful views on a nice day. I’m not a climber but you can often see people walking along the ridges of the mountains and fells around the Lake District.

Crummock Water

Crummock Water is two and a half miles long. Walking around this lake you will come across the “Secret Valley” of Rannerdale where a battle took place between the locals and Norseman against the invasion on the Normans. Apparently they lured them to this valley and slaughtered all the Normans.

Legend has it that because of the blood spilled, the valley is covered in Bluebells come the spring. Today’s depressing history story brought to you by me! But if that isn’t a tale about turning lemons into lemonade I don’t know what is.

Buttermere

Buttermere is just along the road, joined by a river to the larger Crummock Water and is about one and quarter mile long. Buttermere was once joined to Crummock Water until it separated into two lakes.

For all of my Dad’s photos, I will say Buttermere usually makes the most picturesque ones. Maybe it’s just that he always seems to be here on a perfectly clear sunny day. With all the rain in the Lake District National Park, this might be the real miracle.

Esthwaite Water

Esthwaite Water is 5 miles long and half mile wide. It is well known in the area for its trout fishing. It is situated between Coniston and Windermere with Beatrix Potter’s Troutbeck Farm close by.

Last year when I visited my parents in the UK, we spent a night in the Lake District and visited Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s other Lake District home, a place I hadn’t been to since I was a kid. You may know Beatrix Potter as the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Loweswater

Loweswater is just over a mile long and is much quieter than neighboring Crummock Water and Buttermere. It has a lakeside path with Holme wood and within this is Holme Force, a waterfall. Not too often visited but rather spectacular.

Rydal Water

Rydal Water is small like its neighbor Grasmere. Rydal Mount is nearby, the home of William Wordsworth from 1813 till his death in 1850. It is still in Wordsworth ownership and is open to the public. Rydal Cave is another cool place to see around here.

Brotherswater

Brotherswater, one of the smallest lakes, is only half a mile long. It was once connected to Ullswater. Originally it was called Broad Water but the name was changed after two brothers drowned there in 19^th century.

Views of Kirkstone Pass are incredible and on the other side is a road to Ambleside. If you’re traveling in the winter, watch out though as Kirkstone Pass is not the best road and they sometimes close it if it becomes icy or snowy. Looking at this picture you can see why.

Elterwater

Elterwater, another small lake with spectacular views is in the Langdales. The little trip to nearby Blea Tarn is one of the best views of this area. I went for a lovely walk here last fall with my parents, going through Little and Great Langdale.

Tarn Hows, a man-made lake of exceptional beauty near Coniston is well worth a visit with picturesque views and easy walks all around.

The Langdales

Little and Great Langdale are some of the most scenic in my opinion. They have a great little pub we visited, The Britannia. Make sure you stop in for a pint of ale after a nice walk around the area. It could be the wettest, most miserable day and you’ll still find it full of hikers. Us Brits do love a good beer and a chance to gather and moan about the weather after all.

Best views in the country?

I think that’s for you to decide, but based on these shots, I’d say the Lake District National Park is in the run for most scenic area of the UK. I’ve always enjoyed taking a drive out to the Lakes, walking around the small villages, lakes and tarns. Stopping for a few photos or a picnic where you rarely run into too many people.

The Lake District has a charm, and I’m glad I was able to grow up around here. I get back as often as I can, and I think you can see why. Another thing about the Lake District is you’ll get to see the true British wildlife – sheep. They’re everywhere, and they rule the road.

My Mum and I always make fun of my Dad for his incessant photo taking. When we go on vacation he’s always either ten steps behind or we have to run to catch up as he’s onto the next photo. But as you can see by these photos, he is good at capturing the moments, the beauty of the Lake District National Park, and the most incredible landscapes.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. Let’s get my Dad some recognition. Have you ever been to the Lake District? What’s your favorite place to visit?