The clue to the area’s attract is within the identify. A dozen or extra lakes – sinuous, fairly, forbidding – vie for consideration. Throw in craggy fells, tumbling waterfalls, timeless villages of whitewashed cottages, and the pull is irresistible. Even when it’s damp – and it ceaselessly is – the surroundings merely acquires a layer of misty romanticism. Its compact measurement (round 30 by 40 miles), along with its quick access (20 minutes from the M6), makes it top-of-the-line locations in Britain to benefit from the nice outdoor whether or not ticking off the fells (together with England’s highest), strolling a lakeshore or taking to the water.
It’s not all high-energy stuff although. Writers have been drawn and impressed by its magnificence, so you may nostril across the properties of kids’s writer Beatrix Potter or poet William Wordsworth. There are quirky museums (from steamboats to pencils), absurdly fairly villages (together with Cartmel and Hawkshead) with Instagrammable views plus – the final word leisure – lake cruises. Base your self in a lakeside city in order for you selection, or a valley village for the massive outdoor.
For additional Lake District inspiration, see our guides to the world's finest accommodations (together with one of the best luxurious accommodations), eating places, pubs, issues to do and walks.
On this information
- The way to spend your weekend
- The way to spend your week
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Insider ideas
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When ought to I go to the Lake District?
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The place to remain within the Lake District
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What to deliver dwelling
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Important data: what to know earlier than you go
The way to spend your weekend
Until you're planning a weekend of fell-walking, base your self within the central Lakes. Ambleside has all-round enchantment with a variety of retailers, lodging selections (attempt Ambleside Townhouse, from £99, or Rothay Manor, from £220), consuming choices and extra respiration house than equally central Bowness.
Lake Windermere is a 15-minute stroll for leisurely lake cruises together with the choice to hop off on the Windermere Jetty Museum to wander its assortment of classic steam launches, speed-boats and rowing-boats. Homeground, in Windermere city, makes an excellent brunch selection. Within the afternoon, both take the ferry from Bowness throughout the lake to Close to Sawrey to discover Beatrix Potter’s Seventeenth-century farmhouse, Hill Prime, stored as she left it when she died in 1943. Alternatively, head a mile south of Bowness to Blackwell a surprising Arts and Crafts home with enviable views throughout the lake (good café, too). For dinner, preserve it native and enjoyable at Lucy’s on a Plate within the centre of Ambleside. Discover extra of one of the best issues to do within the Lake District in our information.
Subsequent morning head three miles north to Dove Cottage in Grasmere, the place poet William Wordsworth wrote most of his main works. Afterwards, take the Coffin Path (extra scenic than it sounds) from behind the cottage to Rydal Mount Wordsworth’s ultimate dwelling, two miles away and with its romantic backyard. Discover extra of one of the best walks within the Lake District in our information. Again in Grasmere, Mathilde’s Cafe is an efficient lunch choice and a part of the Heaton Cooper Gallery (heatoncooper.co.uk) the place you may decide up high quality panorama prints for a really affordable value. The village is a helpful spot for items – together with Grasmere Gingerbread – however if you happen to nonetheless have vitality, drive over Kirkstone Move to Ullswater and the scenic stroll as much as Aira Pressure waterfall.
For dinner, there’s positive eating at Grasmere’s Michelin-starred Forest Aspect or punchy flavours on the eclectic Jumble Room, each in Grasmere. Discover extra of one of the best restaurant within the Lake District in our information.
The way to spend your week
After a few days exploring round Ambleside (see above), head north to Keswick, a jolly city on the shores of Derwentwater. To remain proper within the centre, take into account the Royal Oak (from £125) or, for a quieter valley location, plus a spa, attempt the Lodore Falls Resort and Spa (from £220).
Take to the water: both actually on paddleboards or a selection of craft at Derwent Water Marina, or extra leisurely on a conventional picket launch. Mix the latter with a stroll up Cat Bells, a preferred ‘starter fell’ for households, by hopping off at Hawse Finish. Alternatively, comply with the lakeside stroll again to Keswick, calling in at The Lingholm Kitchen for lunch or afternoon tea.
After a browse round Keswick, with its twice-weekly market, Pencil Museum, theatre plus big vary of out of doors clothes retailers, head north up the quiet east aspect of Bassenthwaite Lake for a ‘wee dram’. The Lakes Distillery produces gin and vodka in addition to whisky, and a behind-the-scenes-tour permits you to not solely watch, however style a tot of all three.
South of Keswick is Borrowdale, presumably the Lake District’s most picturesque valley. Grange is a reasonably spot for a stroll throughout fields to the lake or a stroll alongside the wooded riverside path. Then maintain on to your seat, as you navigate the one-in-four Honister Move on the head of the valley to Honister Slate Mine, a still-working 18th-century mine. Other than its store, choices embrace a mine tour or, if you happen to’ve a head for heights, an exhilarating ‘by way of ferrata’ climb. Honister can also be a place to begin for climbing Nice Gable, if you wish to tick off one of many iconic fells.
Come the night, there’s Michelin-star eating at The Cottage in The Wooden, or pizzas and reside music at The Pocket. For a drink afterwards, discover extra of one of the best pubs within the Lake District in our information.
Spherical off the week within the softer southern Lakes maybe staying on the Masons Arms close to Cartmel Fell (from £125) or the family-friendly Swan Resort at Newby Bridge (from £180). Let the children burn off vitality in Grizedale Forest with its biking, mountain-biking and tree-top assault-course choices. For the walkers, Gummer’s How is a brief, often sharp, climb with disproportionately good views for the straightforward 40-minute ascent. Discover extra of one of the best walks in our information.
To the west of Grizedale, overlooking Coniston Water, is Brantwood, dwelling of the Victorian artwork critic, thinker and artist, John Ruskin. The gardens are value exploring, too; the best technique to arrive is by the Victorian steam yacht, Gondola, from Coniston village. The Black Bull within the latter, is a positive spot for a pint from its microbrewery. Additional south is picture-box fairly Cartmel, with twisting lanes, Twelfth-century Priory, racecourse, and browsable foodie and present retailers. It’s additionally dwelling to 2 of chef-restaurateur Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred eating places; ebook forward!
Insider ideas
Mountain climbing etiquette
Should you’re planning on mountain climbing on the fells, important gadgets embrace correct boots, good waterproofs (ideally Gore-Tex or equal), loads of meals and water and an in depth strolling map; a compass could be very helpful, however provided that you truly know use it. Take a cell phone in case of emergencies, however don’t depend on with the ability to get a sign. Examine the climate forecast earlier than you allow. It's additionally wise to let somebody know the place you've gone earlier than you set off. Follow the paths on the fells to keep away from erosion, and don’t litter.
Prime trails
Probably essentially the most majestic of the Lakeland peaks, Nice Gable (2949ft, 899m) generally is a slog from the normal beginning factors of Seathwaite in Borrowdale or the valley of Wasdale. From the highest of Honister Move, nonetheless, on the head of Borrowdale, you’re already at a better place to begin which makes it a shorter, although nonetheless satisfying, climb.
At Tarn Hows, one of many Lake District’s prettiest landmarks, most individuals keep on with the round waterside stroll. Department off on the northern finish, nonetheless, and also you’ll lose the crowds and discover the observe up Black Fell. From the simply gained 1059-foot (323m) summit you acquire unseemly good views for a comparatively simple 45-minute stroll from the tarn.
Sights
For lake and fell views, however with out the crowds and parking problems with the favored websites, attempt Haweswater or Ennerdale Water. Neither supply cruises, watersports or vacationer present retailers, however they do supply exceptional views, lakeside strolls and fell-walks – in addition to peace. The Haweswater Resort on the former, and the Fox and Hounds Inn and The Collect, at Ennerdale, are pleasant spots to refresh.
Do you know?
The Lake District has extra sheep than locals, the hardy Herdwick breed being essentially the most well-known, they usually are likely to suppose they personal the place. Significantly in upland areas they’re discovered wandering the roads – or sitting down, because the tarmac is hotter than grass. You’re anticipated to decelerate and wait patiently till you may cross them safely.
Resort Q&A
Should you’re planning on a lot of strolling, verify forward whether or not your resort or B&B has a drying room. Dealing with muddy boots and dripping waterproofs – fairly possible, given the world’s capricious climate – is difficult in a visitor bed room. And is probably not allowed, which implies leaving moist issues within the automotive. If there are drying services, pack a vibrant tag so you may rapidly determine your boots the following morning.
When to go
Rain and the Lakes go collectively, nicely, like crumpets and butter, so all the time be ready. Whereas the wettest and coldest months are November to January, heavy showers can strike at any time and snow can stay on the fells till late spring; it’s important to verify the climate if you happen to’re planning to go fell-walking. Snow can often make extra rural roads and mountain passes impassable.
The warmest months are June to August however these are additionally the busiest when costs rocket, automotive parks are packed and visitors jams may be frequent. Equally busy are Easter and college half-terms. Should you can, go for the shoulder months: in April and Could the climate is extra settled and warming up; in September and October the woodlands blaze with autumnal color.
The place to remain
Finest for dog-friendly rooms
Canines have their very own, very posh, washroom, in addition to treats, when staying at Rothay Manor (from £220), whereas there’s loads of good walks from the doorstep at The Queens Head, Troutbeck (from £145) plus helpful exterior faucet and terrace.
Discover extra of one of the best dog-friendly accommodations within the Lake District in our information.
Finest for households
Kids will likely be properly exhausted with all of the actions, together with paddleboarding, archery and Youngsters Zone, at One other Place (from £250), as they are going to with the indoor and out of doors play areas, plus pool, at The Swan (from £180).
Finest spa accommodations
For views of fells and lake from the indoor/out of doors spa, it’s laborious to beat the Lodore Falls Resort and Spa (from £220) whereas the Langdale Resort and Spa (from £171), and likewise with an indoor/out of doors zone, features a personal ‘mini-spa’ for 2.
Discover extra of one of the best spa accommodations within the Lake District in our information.
What to deliver dwelling
Honister slate – superbly clean and distinctively darkish greeny-grey, yow will discover homewares, from door knobs to cheese boards, plus backyard benches and ornaments, or order a custom-made house-name or quantity.
There are dozens of Lakeland artists – some good, many dangerous – however the Heaton Cooper household (now within the third era) has produced a number of the most interesting iconic and arresting photos with panorama prints ranging from round £10. Buy from Heaton Cooper Studio in Grasmere.
Important data
- Vacationer Data: There are vacationer workplaces in the primary cities together with Windermere, Ambleside, Keswick and Coniston. It’s also possible to discover a lot of data on the tourism board's web site visitlakedistrict.com. Or attempt visitengland.com.
- Emergency Companies: Ambulance/Police/Fireplace/Mountain Rescue 999.
- Customer Passes: Nationwide Belief membership could be very helpful right here, because it permits you free entry to all NT properties and likewise lets you park in NT automotive parks.
Native legal guidelines and etiquette
- Don’t dismiss bus companies; they keep away from parking hassles and driving frustrations, each frequent eventualities in peak season. Helpful companies embrace the 555 between Kendal and Keswick, 599 between Bowness and Grasmere, and 505 from Windermere to Coniston.
- At all times pack waterproofs. Lake District climate modifications ceaselessly, and with out warning. If planning on strolling, embrace first rate boots.
- If not tied by college holidays, take into account visiting in early summer season or October, the latter a deal with with autumn colors. In any other case, journey mid-week to keep away from weekend day-trippers.
About our skilled
Helen Pickles is Telegraph Journey’s Lake District skilled. An upbringing of moist caravanning holidays to climb its fells and shriek on the coldness of lake-paddling began a curious love affair. She will be able to nonetheless be left breathless by its magnificence – and never simply the uphill slogs.
