21 best things to do in the Lake District
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Think of things to do in the Lake District and, besides wintery stomps or sunny lounges by the spectacular bodies of water, you could be a little stumped. It’s that startling beauty which attracts people to this UNESCO World Heritage Site – but there's also a fantastic culinary scene, and activities galore should the rain dampen a family holiday. The importance that Cumbria places on food is even apparent if you stop off at the county’s award-winning service station, Tebay, on the way. With its farm shop, butchery and deli counter, as well as some spectacular panoramic views, it serves as a taster of what’s to come as you head into Wordsworth Country.
Best things to do in Lake District
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1. Ennerdale Water
Lying in the westernmost area of the Lake District, Ennerdale Water is a glacial lake with clear traces of prehistoric activity. More recently, Wordsworth’s work, The Brothers, was inspired by a visit he made here with Coleridge. Walking the seven-mile loop around the lake isn’t particularly challenging in terms of terrain, other than some scrambling at Anglers Crag – which the views over the water will make worthwhile. Don’t rush this walk on the basis of its relative ease, though – factor in extra time to admire the landscape, which seating areas along the way make even more enjoyable.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
- Val Corbett
2. Wordsworth House
Located in the market town of Cockermouth, William Wordsworth’s childhood home was saved from demolition (to build a bus garage in its place!) in the 1930s and is now owned by the National Trust. Take a trip into Georgian England via a guided or audio tour and get a glimpse into how life would have looked for Wordsworth and his sister, Dorothy, complete with meals on the table and a kitchen fire ablaze. The site is family-friendly, with dressing up clothes and toys in the children’s bedroom, while the exhibition rooms host an annually changing display. Don’t miss the walled riverside garden, in which the poet frolicked as a child and from which he is thought to have drawn inspiration for his adult works.
Address: Wordsworth House, Main Street, Cockermouth, Cumbria CA13 9RX
Price: Adults from £8.50, children from £4.20 and families £21.20. Free for National Trust members.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk 3. Lakes Distillery
Spirits here are made from filtered water from the nearby fells, and on a tour of the distillery, you’ll visit the Still Room and be coached on how casks impact flavour. Afterwards, you have the opportunity to sample the distillery’s whisky, vodka and gin, with a further discount on in-store purchases so that you can take your favourites home with you. Even if you have little interest in sampling the spirits, the on-site restaurant – housed in what was once a cattle parlour – offers robust flavours and locally sourced products.
Address: The Lakes Distillery, Bassenthwaite Lake, near Setmurthy, Cumbria, CA13 9SJ
Price: Adults, £15, teens: £5, children aged 6 to 12, free (children under the age of 6 are not permitted on the distillery tour)
Website: lakesdistillery.com4. The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden
Large windows offer exceptional views of Skiddaw, which is one of England’s highest mountains – and the premises’ setting, on the shore of Derwent Water, makes it even more scenically alluring. The menu’s ‘Cumbria first’ policy means that you can expect seasonal deliciousness sourced from local farms and producers, as well as baked goods made on-site – a treat even more special if you book in for afternoon tea. It doesn’t stop within the grounds, however – the Lingholm will also point you in the direction of the area’s best pubs and restaurants. There’s a gorgeous walled garden, too, which has a Beatrix Potter connection – as a frequent visitor to the estate, she is said to have drawn inspiration from some of her best-known stories, including The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin and Peter Rabbit, from here.
Address: The Lingholm Estate, Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 5TZ
Website: thelingholmkitchen.co.uk
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5. Dove Cottage
A visit to Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth spent many years of his adult life and wrote several of his most celebrated works, is an invaluable addition to a Lake District itinerary. Using insights from the poet’s writings and his sister’s journal, snippets of everyday life as it must have been in the early 1800s, have been recreated here. Behind Dove Cottage, the garden that Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot man hath ever found” has been restored, allowing visitors to experience the enjoyment and inspiration it brought him. Nearby, a museum holds a collection of his works, accompanied by those of his contemporaries, while the grounds of St Oswald’s Church, down the road, are home to his humble headstone – a much-visited site for lovers of literature.
Address: Dove Cottage, Grasmere, Cumbria, LA22 9SH
Price: a child’s ticket is priced from £6 (5s and under free); adult ticket from £14. Tickets are valid for unlimited visits for 12 months from day of purchase. Entry is every 40 minutes, booking in advance is recommended.
Website: wordsworth.org.uk - Getty Images
6. Grasmere
While visiting Wordsworth’s home, take time to explore Grasmere itself, and enjoy the contrast between its chocolate box prettiness and the majesty of its wild setting. Dry stone wall-flanked streets, quaint tearooms, independent retailers and the Grasmere Brewery lend themselves to gentle exploration, but there are also waterfalls, caves and thickly wooded areas where you might see a rare red squirrel. Just two miles out of the village, the Glen Rothay Hotel joins woodland, which is home to an impressive population of badgers: head here for a drink as night falls for your best chance of spotting one. Also, stop by Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, formerly a church cottage and home of Sarah Nelson, whose 1854 recipe for gingerbread became so prized that she safeguarded it in a bank vault. The recipe remains a secret to this day, and the gingerbread is still wildly popular with locals and tourists alike.
Address: The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, Church Cottage, Grasmere, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9SW
Website: visitcumbria.com, grasmeregingerbread.co.uk - Getty Images
7. Wastwater
England’s deepest lake is three miles long and half a mile wide, surrounded on all sides by mountains, including Scafell Pike – England’s highest. All along its southeastern edge, the Screes lend a menacing appearance to the lake, rising above it in a towering formation of rock fragments. There’s evidence of Norse farming from the 9th and 10th centuries, and St Olaf’s Church – one of the country’s smallest – is at the lake’s northern end, featuring exposed roof beams that are believed to have been repurposed from Viking ships. The graves of many climbers who have died on the surrounding fells can be found in the churchyard, while modern-day explorers can tackle the 9km Wastwater Loop for fabulous views of the lake, refuelling at one of the area’s atmospheric pubs, such as the Wasdale Head Inn, afterwards.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk
- Alamy
8. Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House
Originally built as a holiday home for a wealthy Manchester family, Blackwell was designed by English architect M H Baillie Scott. Design details such as inglenook hearths, hand-carved oak and stone panelling, plus Art Nouveau-stained glass provide a gorgeous setting for the property’s current incarnation as an Arts & Crafts House, with exhibitions, activities, workshops and events based on objects from the Arts & Crafts collection, as well as loans from public and private lenders. Blackwell’s use as a school from WWII until the mid-70s is celebrated in a permanent exhibition, while refreshments can be taken in the tearoom or on the terrace against a lake setting.
Address: Bowness-on-Windermere, Windermere LA23 3JT
Price: Adults £12, children aged 5- 15 £6. Tickets are valid for multiple visits for 12 months. Under 5s go free.
Website: lakelandarts.org.uk
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9. Windermere and Ambleside
As England’s largest lake, Windermere covers 10.5 miles and is surrounded by impressive peaks. Whether you take to the water, hike the lake’s shoreline or explore the surrounding villages, it’s not difficult to see why this is one of the Lake District’s most popular areas. Brockhole House and Gardens, a lakeside Arts & Crafts Villa, has gorgeous gardens with views of Windermere and various pikes, including Langdale Pike and Pike of Stickle; stroll through the grounds before heading out on a lake adventure on a paddleboard, canoe or boat.
Website: windermereinfo.co.uk; amblesideonline.co.uk
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10. Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
Beatrix Potter bought this 17th-century farmhouse in 1905, with the proceeds from The Tale of Peter Rabbit, and left it to the National Trust upon her death in 1943. In accordance with her wishes, it’s been left undisturbed, complete with William Morris wallpaper and the writer’s signature straw hat on a chair. The charming grounds are an informal cottage-garden jumble of herbs, flowers, vegetables and fruits – including the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her egg. A limited number of guests are allowed in the house and can book your visit up to two weeks in advance, with tickets on sale each Thursday.
Address: Near Sawrey, Ambleside LA22 0LF
Price: Adult tickets from £15; children from £7.50.
Website: nationaltrust.org.uk - Tom Kay
11. Theatre by the Lake
A Cumbrian community hub with a spectacular setting on the shores of Derwentwater, this theatre has two stages, one with seating for up to 400 and another for smaller, more intimate audiences. Both present shows by visiting theatre groups, as well a varied programme of their own local productions, and the year always ends with a fun-filled family Christmas show. In fact, numerous productions throughout the year are tailored to be enjoyable for children; the theatre is also wheelchair- and dementia-friendly. An on-site café/ restaurant gives visitors a wide choice of snacks and hot meals to enjoy while taking in the view, which changes in different lights and seasons.
Address: Lakeside, Lake Road, Keswick CA12 5DJ
Website: theatrebythelake.com - Getty Images
12. Keswick
Keswick itself – the market town near which Theatre by the Lake is located – might have been lifted from the pages of a picture book and, like Grasmere, makes for an even more compelling view due to its backdrop – in this case, the soaring hulk of Skiddaw mountain. It’s a good base for boat excursions on Derwentwater, or fell walking, with boots available to hire from outlets within the village. Mountain bikes may also be rented for those who prefer to explore on two wheels. The town was granted its market charter by King Edward I in 1276, and the market continues to this day on Thursdays and Saturdays (9am to 4.30pm) with around 60 traders selling a range of local food and drink, as well as crafts.
Website: keswick.org
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13. Rheged Heritage Centre
Prepare for the inevitable rainy day by checking out the cultural programme at Rheged Heritage Centre, which offers a variety of exhibitions and workshops. There’s also a gallery, cinema, café, shop and soft-play, as well as a co-working area. The Centre has been sympathetically designed to blend with its surroundings, with Britain’s largest grass-covered roof giving it the appearance of a Lakeland Hill.
Address: Redhills, Penrith CA11 0DQ
Website: rheged.com 14. Cranstons Cumbrian Food Hall and Café
Founded as a butchery in 1914, Cranstons evolved to become a food hall some 20 years ago and is fresh from a recent renovation. Less than a five-minute walk from Penrith train station, it’s a great place to pick up fresh meat and deli goods, as well as a huge variety of locally sourced produce – ideal if you’re self-catering. There’s also a fresh fish counter, but meat eaters shouldn’t miss the region’s famous Cumberland sausage, while local craft ales and gins, plus honey and preserves, make great gifts to take home. As well as the café upstairs (try the scones), the refurbed food hall has a hot food counter with sausage rolls, pies, butties and meal boxes, as well as self-serve salads and fresh squeezed juice bar.
Address: Cranstons Cumbrian Foodhall, Ullswater Road, Penrith, Cumbria, CA11 7EH
Website: cranstons.net- Getty Images
15. Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre
Set within sprawling grounds, the Cumberland Bird of Prey Centre has activities ranging in time from one hour to five days, each under the instruction of a fully trained falconer. Guests can interact with species including vultures, owls, falcons and eagles on activities such as Hawk Walks and Owl Experiences, many of which can be tailored to groups or families. Although all of the Centre’s activities have been designed for people participating, it’s also possible to add spectators on to your booking, which should be made in advance. Note that the Centre is closed for winter during February and March.
Address: Sandhill, Moorhouse Road, Thurstonfield, Cumbria CA5 6HB
Price: From £45
Website: birdofpreycentre.co.uk - Getty Images
16. Castlerigg Stone Circle
As if the mystique of a stone circle were not enough, Castlerigg is possibly one of the oldest in Britain (it’s thought to have been constructed around 300BC) and has the drama of a mountainous and sometimes menacing backdrop. As a Neolithic, rather than Bronze Age (circa 2000 – 800BC) stone circle, Castlerigg is devoid of burial remains and features 38 large stones, although there were originally 42. There’s been speculation that the placement of the stones may have had astrological significance but whatever their purpose or meaning, they form a broodingly special spot, which hums with the resonance of millennia.
Address: Castle Lane, Underskiddaw, Keswick, Cumbria, CA12 4RN
Price: Free and open during ‘reasonable daylight hours’
Website: english-heritage.org.uk
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17. Stargaze at Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre
An accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site, the Centre is set in Ennerdale, at the base of Red Pike, Pillar and Steeple. The nearest public road is about two miles away, making the remoteness of this site even more apparent, and the relative simplicity of the premises, which have been upgraded from 17th century agricultural buildings, adds to this appeal. There’s self-catering accommodation for up to forty people, with five dorms and a large field for campers. Check the website calendar for forthcoming stargazing events, or simply wrap up warm and enjoy the spectacle of the night sky.
Address: Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre, Ennerdale, Cleator, Cumbria, CA23 3AX
Price: Adult (18+) per night £20.50, children 5 – 17 £15. Discounts for members
Website: www.lgfc.org.uk - Ben Barden
18. Ride on an Ullswater Steamer
While there are several boat tour operators in the Lake District, Ullswater Steamers is one of the oldest, with a fleet of five heritage boats and a 160 year-plus history. With all steamers having covered outdoor seating, as well as indoor saloons, this is an all-weather activity – indeed, while Ullswater Valley is breath-taking on a clear day, it takes on a moody majesty under grey skies, with ancient geological activity contributing to a dramatic landscape. Running 363 days a year, with various embarkation points along the eight-mile route, there are also special events throughout the year, such as gin tasting cruises and dawn photography outings.
Price: Adults from £15, children from £10
Website: ullswater-steamers.co.uk - Alamy
19. Visit Holker Hall
The name Holker came from Norse invaders and means “a rise in marshy ground” – a name that in no way prepares you for the beauty of this stately home and its 23 acres of grounds. The House was originally built in the 17th century but rebuilt after almost being lost to a fire: what you now see is Neo-Elizabethan in style, including the tower and cupola, although many interior design features are reminiscent of what was destroyed in the blaze. In the gardens, visitors can wander through a range of distinct styles, including manicured borders and lawns, and untamed areas of wildflowers and woodlands. There’s a café and food hall on site, and picnics within the grounds are welcomed.
Address: Cark-in-Cartmel, Nr Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 7PL
Price: Adults £38.50 for a year from purchase; children under 12 visit for free.
Website: holker.co.uk - Alamy
20. Eat out in Cartmel
It’s hard to go wrong with food in the Lake District, where hearty, local fare abounds. Cartmel is deservedly famous for its sticky toffee pudding but, more recently, it’s also gained Michelin stardust, thanks to chef Simon Rogan. Whether you dine at the laid-back, single-starred Rogan & Co or at the three-starred L’Enclume, you’re in for a gastronomic treat – and L’Enclume, Aulis provides an additional and exclusive six-seater chef’s table experience. There are also many other top-notch eateries in the area, including The Pig and Whistle and The Cavendish Arms.
Address: Rogan & Co, Devonshire House, Devonshire Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6QD; L’enclume, Cavendish St, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6QA,
Website: roganandco.co.uk; lenclume.co.uk
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21. Go wild swimming
In such a watery area, is there any excuse for not taking a dip? You can swim in most of the region’s lakes and tarns, although not in Ennerdale Water, Haweswater Reservoir, Thirlmere Reservoir nor Kentmere Reservoir. Be aware that some areas may be very cold, even during warm weather, and plan your swim accordingly; you may also encounter blue-green algae, which can be harmful to humans, but more particularly to dogs. There are also several swimming spots to enjoy as you hike the fells, such as Buttermere Infinity Pool (start from the parking area at Gatesgarth Farm) which is backed by a waterfall and has gorgeous views over the valley. Sour Milk Ghyll, about a 4-mile walk from Grasmere, is another option – it’s fed by frothing waterfalls that Dorothy Wordswoth described as “a broad stream of snow.”
Website: lakedistrict.gov.uk