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The Lake District is the largest national park in England. That alone will tell you that narrowing down to 10 must visit places in the Lake District is no easy task. Especially for someone who grew up here, like me.
Picturesque towns and villages, spectacular views at the end of fabulous hikes – it mostly comes down to the scenery for very good reason.
But you won’t be bored of it, I can promise that. And there’s even more to the Lake District if you know where to look…
Where Is The Lake District?
Up in the north of England, in the western county of Cumbria, is the unbelievable Lake District National Park. From Carlisle, Cumbria’s only city, you can be in the park in around 30-45 minutes.
You can take public buses to some of the main towns like Keswick, Kendal or Ambleside. But seeing some of the popular spots in between can be more of a challenge.
Sitting on top of a double decker bus swerving around the tight country roads might be mildly terrifying but you do get a good view, and it’s rather inexpensive.
Most visitors, however, find it easier to have a car to explore the beautiful national park. That way you can go at your own pace – and stop where and when you want.
To get to the Lake District from elsewhere in the country, you might be in for a bit of a journey. Manchester to the Lake District is around a 90-minute drive and it takes around 5 hours from London.
How Many Days Should You Spend In The Lake District?
You’ll need at least a week to really see enough to make the visit worth it. If you’re already visiting the north of England or from nearby, then you can probably get away with a long weekend. But you’ll end up doing a whistle stop tour and probably miss some of the best places and hidden gems.
A week in the Lake District is a nice amount of time. Rent a holiday cottage as a base and go exploring during the day. Or spend a couple of nights in 3 or 4 different towns as you travel around.
Where to stay in the Lake District
Keswick or Bowness-on-Windermere are two of the most popular places to stay. They are central enough to a number of the must visit places in the Lake District that you can make a good base in either of them.
Personally, I love Ambleside and Grasmere. Both are close enough together that you don’t really need to stay in both. But they are both rather busy due to the size and central location. Although maybe not as busy as Bowness.
For a little more out of the way, and no less uniquely pretty, I like Coniston, Hawkshead or Glenridding.
If you’re planning more adventures in Cumbria outside of the Lake District, such as visiting Hadrian’s Wall, then Carlisle makes a really good base. The city is big enough with lots of B&Bs and hotels. It’s my hometown so I’m a bit biased, but I think it’s worth a visit too.
Absolute must visit places in the Lake District
This felt like such an impossible task. Narrowing down to not only the popular choices, but other must visit places in the Lake District. Here are some of my picks for locations you have to visit on your journey through this magical national park.
RYDAL CAVE
The site of an old slate quarry – which you see a lot of around the Lake District – this cave is actually man-made. But don’t let that make you think it’s any less impressive to visit.
The hike to get to Rydal Cave is only around 30-minutes from a couple of different parking areas including White Moss car park, or even some free roadside spots.
The views along the way are breathtaking and the cave itself is very unique. It makes for a short, but fun, activity.
The jagged edges of the cave, the water creating incredible reflections, and the eerie, secluded location make this a truly marvelous place to visit.
HILL TOP
Did you grow up reading Peter Rabbit and all those other animal-related books by Beatrix Potter? Well in the Lake District you can not only visit the house she lived in, but see parts of the house featured in her books, like the garden.
Beatrix Potter lived in the Lake District for many years and left much of her estate to the National Trust. Hill Top is just one of those spots, and is now a museum you can look around, and enjoy the countryside of the Lakes as she did.
See original letters and drawings – how her books started. Explore the 17th Century house left in the way Beatrix Potter would have known it, including with much of her original furniture and possessions.
BRIDGE HOUSE
Speaking of houses, can you imagine a family of 8 living in this one? Bridge House is well known in the Lake District for being one of the smallest houses, but also for, as the name suggests, spanning the water like a bridge.
If you’re lucky Bridge House might be open and you can take a peek inside. The house more or less closed to visitors during 2020 due to the size and inability to social distance. It has reopened on a more limited basis since.
But open or not, it’s a place that’s worth seeing, and of course allows for some lovely pictures. After all, it’s not like you’ll see a house like this anywhere else.
AFTERNOON TEA AT A FANCY HOTEL
Afternoon Tea is a British institution, and what better location to enjoy it than in the fabulous countryside of the Lake District. There are a number of must visit places in the Lake District for Afternoon Tea. But a fancy hotel is always my preferred setting as they typically hold the best views.
Afternoon Tea in the Lake District can run you anywhere from £15-35 per person on average, and most places require booking in advance.
Afternoon tea is usually a set menu, although many places accommodate common dietary requirements such as vegetarian or gluten free. Be sure to ask in advance of booking though.
I love Storrs Hall for afternoon tea. I’ve been there a few times now as it’s such a quintessential English setting. The view of the lake isn’t bad either. The Daffodil Hotel in Grasmere was one of my favorite afternoon tea experiences, the food was simply amazing.
AIRA FORCE
It’s not all lakes in the Lake District. How about a very scenic walk to a rather beautiful waterfall? Aira Force is found at the end of a well maintained and popular trail that winds along the river that feeds into the falls. There are also a number of smaller falls along the way.
To access Aira Force, there’s a path and a lot of steps down to the viewing bridge at the base of the 70+ft falls. There’s also a really good view from the bridge over the falls – perfect for a different perspective.
If you’re very lucky the sun might come out at just the right time and create a rainbow over the falls, a magical sight. The walk to the falls is about 30-minutes each way, but unfortunately isn’t very accessibility friendly.
RYDAL HALL GARDENS
Not to be confused with Rydal Mount, the nearby former home of poet William Wordsworth, Rydal Hall is an impressively elegant hotel. But it’s actually the gardens that are the attraction for me.
Entry is free, although if you drive there you will have to pay for parking which is £5. If it’s full, you can also try Pelter Bridge car park at the bottom of the hill and walk up. This also gives you access to Rydal Cave if you want to combine the two on a visit.
The garden at Rydal Hall is well maintained, and very pretty, although not huge. But the hidden gem is the almost 400-year old Grot, a stone grotto with the best view of a waterfall where the window perfectly frames the scene. It’s one of the must visit places in the Lake District if you’re in the area.
LA’AL RATTY TRAIN
One of the must visit places in the Lake District, especially if you have kids with you, is the small steam train ride through Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway. Known as “La’al ratty”, which is “little railway” in Cumbrian dialect, the train ride is about 40-minutes each way between the main stations of Ravenglass and Dalegarth.
Choose from a one way journey or return, and between an enclosed carriage, partially covered, or fully open carriage. See if you’re brave enough to take a chance on Cumbrian weather. Or upgrade to the fancy observation car.
Take in the scenery, stop for a bite to eat at the pub at the end (or middle, depending on where you start your journey) and explore the area on foot unless you return on the next train. Either way, it’s a fun day out and a more relaxing way to see more of the Lake District.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Check their schedule in advance as the train closes for the winter season.
ULLSWATER STEAMERS
Speaking of relaxing ways to see the Lake District. How about taking a boat ride? There are a few places to get on a boat in the Lake District. Take the Windermere Lake Cruise, or go kayaking on Derwentwater. But my favorite is a trip on the Ullswater Steamers.
The 7-mile journey from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding (or vice versa) takes an hour. Book a one way or return, or a shorter trip from Glenridding to Aira Force and save finding parking near the waterfall.
Ullswater is a wonderful place to see and photograph, but it’s even more impressive to photograph some of the beautiful scenery from the steamer boat.
WARNSCALE BOTHY
One of my favorite hikes in the Lake District, getting to Warnscale Bothy isn’t incredibly challenging, but is worth it despite the fact you might take at least one wrong turn.
A Bothy is a small hut, often used by travelers or shepherds in the past, but now just basic free accommodation for hikers. Warnscale Bothy in particular is so special because of the incredible view from it over Buttermere, the huge lake below.
Park at Honister Slate Mine and set out on the trail which is about an hour in each direction. The trail starts with a steep uphill climb but soon levels out. There’s a brief down and up in the middle of the hike to cross a small stream but it’s a lovely trail.
HONISTER SLATE MINE
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Even if you don’t care to hike the trail to Warnscale Bothy, you should still make time for a visit to Honister. The slate mine, which is where you park for the above hike, is a working slate mine that you can tour.
As the last working slate mine in England, take a truly unique tour underground to learn all about the slate from the region, what it’s used for and how they get it out of the mine.
At the end of the tour you can stop by the shop and buy all sorts of slate-related gifts including some stunning larger-scale creations for your garden. Game for a bit more of a thrilling adventure? Try a Via Ferrata tour of Honister, and really get a birds eye view of Honister Pass.
KIRKSTONE PASS
If you’re looking for some altitude induced views look no further than the Lake District’s highest mountain pass. Kirkstone Pass has a section of the road leading to it known as The Struggle which should really sum up the kind of place this is.
Do not attempt this route in the winter during snow and ice. However, at other times of the year I cannot recommend it enough for a unique view of the Lake District.
Access Kirkstone pass from Ambleside, and continue up the road in a low gear, stopping at some of the pull out areas along the way to snap a pic or 75.
Keep an eye out for local wildlife – sheep and cows – that dot the landscape. Kirkstone Pass is the most direct route from Windermere to Ullswater, two of the Lake District’s fabulous lakes.
CAT BELLS
You don’t have to go too far for views in the Lake District – but the higher you go, the better they get. There are unlimited trails to hike, up and down the fells of the Lakes. While many can seem daunting, especially if you’re not much of a hiker, Catbells is a great place to start.
Less than 3 miles of hiking, it will probably take you about 3-hours with plenty of time for snapping photos of the gorgeous scenery. On a clear day you’ll get to see over Derwentwater and Keswick.
This non-technical hike can be done with children too, so is one of the more family friendly summits.
TOP CATBELLS ALTERNATIVE: If this still seems a bit of a difficult climb for you, try Latrigg Fell on the other side of Derwentwater. It’s much easier to climb, a lot less steep and more of just a long path. But the views of Keswick and Derwentwater can still be magnificent.
SKULL CAVE
We’re not done with caves on this list of must visit places in the Lake District. Skull Cave is as unique as it sounds. The site of an old quarry, there are two main ways to see the cave. From inside and from above.
The walk to the viewpoint looking down on the cave and the quarry pool below is really easy. It’s only a few minutes from the free car park. The openings of the cave, when reflected in the water on a calm day, create the appearance of a skull.
To access the cave itself, there’s a trail a short walk away. When inside the cave you can also get the idea of why it’s called Skull Cave. It’s dark and dank and just as creepy as the name suggests. But you can also clearly see the “eyes” of the cave, with the quarry pool behind.
TOP TRAVEL TIP: Getting to the car park for Skull Cave does involve driving along some narrow winding roads. Be prepared for some tight spots and keep an eye out for passing places in case you meet anyone coming the opposite direction.
CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE
This one was left for last on purpose, as it’s one of my favorite spots in the Lake District. On a smaller scale than Stonehenge, but free to visit unlike Stonehenge, this ancient stone circle is perfectly situated on the top of a hill.
Panoramic views of the mountains and fells change as often as the weather that highlights them. One minute it can be raining, the next beautiful sunshine.
The mystical feeling around Castlerigg Stone Circle with the ever-changing weather is what makes this such an interesting spot to visit.
For 5000-years these stones have stood here. And it’s such a magical feeling to be able to walk right up to their circular design.
Best Places To Check Out in Lake District
There’s no shortage of fun things to see and do in the Lake District. Even if you’ve been there hundreds of times like I have. As a former local, I enjoy a drive into the Lakes, hiking to the best view points and then relaxing with hard earned pint in a pub or afternoon tea if I’m feeling fancy.
While a lot of the places I’ve mentioned here are popular enough, there are a few that are not often top of the list for people to visit. Which is what makes them extra special. And even more worth going to see.
Parking in the Lake District is not easy unless you’re in the main towns and walk from there. There are lots of places where you have to walk distances to find them, so the easy to access places become the most visited. All of the locations I’ve mentioned here are easy enough to find, knowing that most people don’t often have the time to be walking all day to get somewhere.
But if you have a more leisurely stay in Lake District, I recommend leaving the car behind, and taking a public footpath to wherever it leads. There’s no doubt it’ll be somewhere beautiful.
Whatever you end up seeing and doing in the Lake District, don’t rush yourself. Leave plenty of time to explore, and even more time to sit and take it all in. The Lake District is one of my favorite areas to visit, and I just love sharing it with people.
If you’ve enjoyed this post leave a comment or share using the social media buttons below. What are some of the top spots in the Lake District you might recommend? Or which of these would you absolutely not want to miss?
Ah, the Lake District! One of the loveliest places in the UK. We’ve visited many times (Grasmere is one of our favourites – we tend to avoid Windermere) but haven’t yet managed to visit many of the locations you mention here. You’re right about the parking being tricky. Rydal Cave, Honister slate mine, Skull Cave and the Castlerigg stones are all calling our names. (We love standing stones and knew about Castlerigg but have never visited.) We’ve driven Hardknott Pass but not Kirkstone Pass, so need to add that to the list for our next visit. Great post about one of the most beautiful places in the UK and we especially love that you’ve highlighted more locations for us to discover.
Excellent list enough to make someone like myself to dream and revisit that dream thereafter. The Lake District has long fascinated me and although I haven’t traveled to the UK yet, I’d very much keen to explore Cumbria – which holds a certain spell. It will be a delight to explore the landscape and base oneself in one of the towns. There’s sights, tea, magic and trains! #flyingbaguette
Jan – https://flyingbaguette.com/
As a child, I loved my summer holidays in the Lake District and created many dreams of living in the Bridge House. Your lovely photos brought back memories of exploring places around the area (although many of the names were lost). The Lake District offers so much: nature, history, good food, and picturesque villages and towns. Your guide is superb — it’s clear to recognize your connection and love.
Lyn | http://www.ramblynjazz.com
I spent one day in the Lake District and it down poured. We did a short hike and that’s about it. I’d love to check out the Ullswater Steamers and the surrounding area. The Ridal cave would also be really cool to explore.
It’s been a while since my only visit to the Lake District and agree that Ambleside and Grasmere are very picturesque and definitely need to be seen and visited. I wouldn’t be too keen on renting a car but understand this is necessary to reach all the hiking trails and also stop at spots to take in the beautiful nature. I love the Afternoon Tea, but guess Lake District is first and foremost a hiking destination and needs to be explored outdoors. The Cat Bells hike sounds doable to me and your picture reminds me a bit of the landscape in New Zealand. Thanks for sharing all your local insights and passion for the Lake District.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
I didn’t know about the Lake District, shame on me! The landscapes are magnificent, like something out of a painting or a bucolic movie. I can see myself driving those roads and stoping from time to time to enjoy the views.
Castlerigg Stone Circle has piqued my curiosity. I have an enormous fascination for these “mystical” places, full of history and symbolism.
The list is excellent and shows a very diverse offer for those visiting the region. Not to mention that 5 o’clock tea, which sounds like an excellent idea!
I visited the Lake District many years ago and often wish I could get back there again sometime soon.
The scenery there is some of the best in the UK and with some very unique sites as you point out – like the home of the Peter the Rabbit books writer.
What did strike me about the area is the absolute peace and serenity as well as the beautiful sights which your post displays brilliantly.
Oh! I had no idea you were from this part of the UK originally! You lucky thing to grow up in such a gorgeous (if soggy) area!! This is easily the best list I have seen about the a Lake District and really useful, so thank you! I LOVE the skull cave – what a cool sight.
Also heh – “You don’t have to go too far for views in the Lake District – but the higher you go, the better they get.” This made me smile, as I feel that is true everywhere! 😉
It has been a while since I was in the Lake District but I remember it as if it was yesterday. I loved visiting Beatrix Potter home and those afternoon teas!
Excellent list. My favourite from our explorations has been the Honister Pass. Stunning.
I want to go back there again to see the Skull Cave. Looks awesome.
What a neat place to visit. Beatrix Potter! Tea at a fancy hotel! A boat ride! So much to see and do!
I hope to visit the Lake District National Park one day! The Bridge House and Aira Force have caught my attention the most! Thanks for sharing!
Love your list of the best places to see in the Lakes. We visited a few years ago but missed a bunch of these great suggestions! I’ve pinned it so I can refer back to this list when we go again next year!
Wow, the Lake District sounds amazing. I love hiking and there are so many interesting spots to explore. 🙂 I’ve never done afternoon tea either, and this is probably one of the best places to do so! Pinned this one so I can go back and research when I’m ready to go!