Heading North soon and want to discover one of the most beautiful regions in England? You’ve come to the right place!
The Lake District is one of the most famous national parks in the UK and for good reasons, it’s absolutely stunning.
Whether you love to discover quaint villages, water activities, hiking or are into literature, you’ll find the perfect activities for you there.
The Lake District became a national park in 1951 and was added to the UNESCO list in 2017 which gives you an idea of how stunning this area is.
In this article, you will find 10 beautiful places in the lakes you should visit as soon as you can!
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1. Windermere & Bowness-on-Windermere
Windermere is a small town located by Windermere lake. This is often the starting point for people exploring the lake district. There is so much you can do here and it’s the perfect introduction for first-timers.
You can also walk all the way down to Bowness-on-Windermere which is a small village on the shores of the lake.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere:
- Hike up to Orrest Head and discover the beautiful views of the lake
- Visit the The World of Beatrix Potter
- Go on a lake cruise
- Enjoy some delicious food in a cosy pub
2. Ambleside
Ambleside is a small town located at the very end (north) of Lake Windermere. It’s one of the cutest small towns in the Lakes and the perfect place to stop and explore.
On a nice and sunny day, you’ll also enjoy grabbing a drink in one of the local pubs since a lot of them have outdoor space.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Ambleside:
- Roam around the town
- Check out the Bridge House
- Go to Stock Ghyll Force, a beautiful waterfall
3. Aira Force
Located in the northern part of the Lake District, near Ullswater, Aira Force is one of the best waterfalls to visit in England.
The area is managed by the National Trust which means you’ll find a large car park near the falls.
From there, you can go on a walk to the viewing platform. If you’d like a longer walk, you can also go around Gowbarrow Park. It’s very scenic and you can enjoy some views of the lake.
Aira Force is 65-feet high and is particularly beautiful. You can also go up the stairs and walk along the river.
4. Keswick
Also located in the Northern part of the national park, Keswich is the perfect starting point to explore Derwentwater.
The scenery in this area is breathtaking. Between the lake and the mountains, you will love it!
It’s also one of the bigger towns (though, as any other Lake District town, it’s not that big) which means there are loads of things to do.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Keswick:
- Walk to Derwentwater and enjoy the views or go paddleboarding
- Cumberland Pencil Museum
- Try some local products at Keswick Market
- See a show at the Theatre By The Lake
5. Scafell Pike
This is by far one of the most famous hikes in the UK! Scafell Pike is a mountain peak located near West Water.
It has an elevation of 978 metres above sea level which makes it the highest mountain in England.
It’s part of the 3-Peak Challenge which also includes the highest peaks in Wales and Scotland, Mount Snowdon and Ben Nevis.
It takes about 4 hours to complete the hike to the top. It’s a challenging hike but well worth it since the views are incredible from here.
6. Buttermere
Located in the north west part of the Lake District, Buttermere is the ideal destination if you are looking for a single location that boasts lakes, cute villages and a valley.
It’s home to some of the best views in Britain and there are so many hiking opportunities here.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Buttermere:
- Walk around Buttermere lake
- Stand Up Paddle and kayaking on Buttermere Lake
- Wild Swimming
- Visit the Honister Slate Mine
7. Castlerigg Stone Circle
This one is for all the history buffs out there! If there is something Britain is famous for, it’s its stone circles. From the world famous Stonehenge to the one from Outlander, there are so many you can see in the UK and the Lake District is no exception.
Located near the town of Keswick, the Castlerigg stone circle is definitely somewhere you should add to your list of places to visit in the lakes.
It is one of the earliest stone circles since it was built around 3000 BC. The site is now managed by the English Heritage. You can easily get there by car but please note that there is very limited parking so it’s better to get there early.
The views over the mountains are fantastic so it’s a great spot at sunrise.
8. Glencoyne
Located on the side of Ullswater, Glencoyne is a bit of a hidden gem but well worth the visit if you are in the area.
It’s very close to Aira Force, which means you can visit both in one day.
You will find a small National Trust car park on the side of the road (free for members) and you can cross the road to go to the small beach. This is an excellent launching spot for SUPs and kayaks.
You will also find a walking path that leads you to a waterfall.
9. Grasmere
Grasmere is a small village located in the heart of the Lake District. It’s an excellent spot to visit if you are on your way from Windermere to Derwentwater (or the other way round).
Here are some ideas of things to do in Grasmere:
- Visit the Wordsworth Grasmere museum
- Roam around the village and check out the St Oswald’s church
- Go to the Allan Bank National Trust property
10. Hawkshead
Hawkshead is located on the other side of lake Windermere compared to Bowness-on-Windermere and near Esthwaite Water.
It’s one of the cutest villages in England and the perfect place to spend the day.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Hawkshead:
- Roam around the village (the cobblestone streets are so cute)
- Get a nice lunch in one of the local cafés
- See the house where Beatrix Potter used to live
- Go on one of the Graythwaite Adventures
- Visit Hill Top (National Trust)
Map of these beautiful places in the Lake District
I hope this article has given you loads of ideas of places to visit in the lakes. This is truly one of the most beautiful parts of Britain so I know you’ll love it!
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