Renowned for scenery through its diversity of lakes, forests, farmland, wildlife and mountains. The Lake District is home to the likes of hiking, walking, pottering around small villages, rowing, cycling, cultural heritage and rock climbing, so there is an abundance of things to do. Some of its most popular towns include Bowness on Windermere, Grasmere, Ambleside and Keswick, all with there own unique charm, there are also plenty of less discovered more tranquil locations on offer.
Accommodation
For accommodation, there is something for everyone, you can go basic to luxury, book a cottage, a B&B or go glamping, if you're on a budget there's plenty of youth hostels and campsites on offer.
Our top accommodation recommendations for every budget:
Wild Camping
YHA Hostel and Camping (Windermere)
YHA Hostel (Ambleside)
Static caravan (Keswick)
Brathay Hall, (Ambleside) ranging from the main hall to dorm style accommodation
B&B Rosemount (Winderemere)
Cottages (Ambleside, Keswick and Grasmere)
Luxurious Cottages and HousesLingholm Estate (Keswick)
Transport
Good public transport into Windermere and Kendal for those that don't have a car, then there's plenty of buses and boats to get around! If you're getting their by car you won't be able to stop staring at the views all along the drive!
Things to do
There's several locations around Windermere where you can hire boats including Bowness on Windermere, hire an electric self drive or a row boat and explore the lake on your own accord, or take a Windermere boat cruise they offer different routes take the red route to Ambleside and back again, a much better way to visit either Bowness or Ambelside and avoid needing to park. Take the yellow to Lakeside and back, the blue to Waterhead with stopping points, or the circular island cruise route exploring different sceneries around the lake.
Did you know there is actually only one lake in the Lake Distict and that's Bassenthwaite Lake so the most famous and largest, Windermere is not technically classed as a lake. The others are just defined as bodies of water such as 'mere' or 'waters'. Remember this for a pub quiz! Alongside Windermere and Bassenthwaite there as 14 others to explore, so don't just immediately jump to the most popular Windermere. Discover, Ullswater, Derwentwater, Coniston Water, Haweswater, Thirimere, Ennerdale Water, Wast Water and Crummock Water.
Beatrix Potter is synonymous with the Lake District so you'll find related attractions all over the Lakes. You can learn about the legend of King Arthur and the Excalibur at Ullswater, and discover its much quieter shores comparative to Windermere, for even quieter yet again opt for one of the lesser known locations. All of the Lakes are surrounded by small villages to stay in you just have to find the right one for you.
Not to far from Keswick, find Honister, a slate mine located on the Honsiter pass. You can take a mine tour, however, our reason for including honester is primarily due to its via ferrata adventures. Try out the classic or if you're feeling brave the 'extreme', whatever suits you, this is one recommendation we pass to everybody.
Hike the famous Scarfell Pike or Old Man Conistan both have stunning views. Do Old Man Coniston hike as a bigger loop and take 2 days and camp in the fells overnight, couldn't recommend this enough and despite its popularity we had it all to ourselves in the middle of summer. Fancy an even greater challenge try hiking Scarfell Pike from Langdale, the Kirkstone Pass Loop, or the entire Hellvellyn Ridge. If you're not keen on hiking all day, then don't worry there's still something for you, walks of all difficulties and lengths can be found in the Lake District, there's no end to the footpaths. Just visit one of the tourist information offices or have a google and you'll find some guided walks and maps. One of my favourite easy access view points of Lake Windermere is Orrest Head a steady half hour ascent, all signposted hike to the viewpoint.
Some favourite short walks near Windermere include;
Post Knott and Branfell - a 2.5 mile loop - taking 1.5 hours - starting at the Information centre near the main pier at Bowness.
Stock Ghyll - a 2.5 mile loop - taking 1.5-2 hours plus an extra 2 hours for High Sweden Bridge Extension, - start at the market place clock tower in the centre of Ambleside.
Orrest Head loop, - don't just walk up and back down again, enjoy a 2.5 mile loop, - taking 2 hours, - starting from the Windermere Tourist Information centre, this is by far the most popular walk on the list so don't expect to have the viewpoint to yourself by any means.
Unfortunately, we don't have any short walks to recommend for other parts of the park, having only done longer walks in these areas.
Special mention to a favourite cafe
The Rattle Ghyll, Ambleside mainly because of it's cake platter, the best idea for any cafe, vegetarian and vegan friendly also!
Socks and Sandals
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