The Enchanting Lake District

The Magnificent Lakes

The region's defining feature is its sixteen major lakes and numerous smaller tarns, each with its own distinct character and surrounding landscape.

Windermere

England's largest natural lake stretches for over 10 miles through the heart of the Lake District. The bustling lakeside towns of Bowness and Ambleside provide convenient bases for exploring. Take a lake cruise to appreciate Windermere's scale and beauty, with magnificent views of the surrounding fells. For a more active experience, try kayaking, paddleboarding, or sailing on the lake's expansive waters.

Ullswater

Many consider Ullswater the most beautiful of the lakes, with its dramatic setting beneath the imposing Helvellyn range. The elegant Ullswater Steamers have been carrying visitors along this serpentine body of water since 1859. The lake inspired Wordsworth's famous poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" after he spotted daffodils along its shore in 1802. The Ullswater Way, a 20-mile walking route around the lake, provides a perfect way to experience its changing moods and vistas.

Derwentwater

Often called the "Queen of the Lakes," Derwentwater sits in a perfect amphitheatre of mountains just a short walk from the market town of Keswick. The lake features four islands, including Derwent Isle with its 18th-century house (occasionally open to visitors through the National Trust). The flat 10-mile shoreline path makes for an accessible yet rewarding walk, while the Keswick Launch provides a hop-on, hop-off boat service to explore different parts of the lake.

Buttermere and Crummock Water

These twin lakes in the western Lake District offer a more peaceful experience away from the busier areas. Surrounded by dramatic fells including Haystacks (Alfred Wainwright's favourite mountain), they provide some of the most photogenic scenes in the national park. The gentle 4.5-mile walk around Buttermere is one of the most beautiful low-level routes in the region.

Majestic Mountains and Fells

The Lake District contains all of England's peaks over 3,000 feet, creating a dramatic landscape of rugged beauty.

Scafell Pike

At 978 metres (3,209 feet), Scafell Pike is England's highest mountain. The climb to its summit is challenging but rewarding, offering panoramic views that can extend to Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and the Isle of Man on clear days. Several routes ascend the mountain, with the path from Wasdale Head being the most direct. Proper preparation is essential, as weather conditions can change rapidly at higher elevations.

Helvellyn

Perhaps the most beloved of Lakeland mountains, Helvellyn combines accessibility with genuine mountain adventure. The famous Striding Edge approach is a narrow arête that provides an exhilarating scramble for experienced walkers with a good head for heights. The mountain's eastern crags stand in dramatic contrast to the gentle western slopes, while Red Tarn nestles in the coire below Striding Edge.

The Langdale Pikes

These distinctive peaks form one of the most recognisable skylines in the Lake District. Pike of Stickle, Harrison Stickle, and Pavey Ark rise dramatically above the Langdale Valley, creating a stunning backdrop for walkers and photographers. The valley below was an important site for stone axe production in Neolithic times, with the resulting tools being traded throughout Britain.

Haystacks

Though not among the highest fells at 597 metres (1,958 feet), Haystacks held a special place in the heart of Alfred Wainwright, the famous fell walker and guidebook author. His ashes were scattered near Innominate Tarn on its summit. The mountain's appeal lies in its rugged character, with a summit ridge featuring rocky outcrops, small tarns, and spectacular views over Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Literary Landscapes

The Lake District's beauty has inspired some of England's greatest writers, whose homes have become popular attractions.

Wordsworth's Grasmere

William Wordsworth, the most famous of the Lake Poets, lived in several homes around Grasmere and Rydal. Dove Cottage, where he lived with his sister Dorothy from 1799-1808, is now a museum offering insights into their daily lives and creative processes. Nearby, the larger Rydal Mount was Wordsworth's home from 1813 until his death in 1850. The poet's grave in St Oswald's churchyard in Grasmere village is a place of pilgrimage for literature lovers.

Beatrix Potter's Hill Top

Near the village of Near Sawrey, Hill Top Farm was Beatrix Potter's beloved retreat, purchased with the proceeds from her first books. The house remains exactly as she left it, filled with her personal possessions and items recognisable from her illustrations. The surrounding countryside directly inspired many of her stories, with the gardens, nearby villages, and farms appearing in tales like "The Tale of Tom Kitten" and "The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck." The Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead displays original illustrations and tells the story of her life as an author, illustrator, farmer, and conservationist.

Brantwood: Home of John Ruskin

Overlooking Coniston Water, Brantwood was the home of Victorian polymath John Ruskin for the last 28 years of his life. The house displays many of his drawings and watercolours alongside his collections of minerals, art, and personal possessions. The gardens, designed by Ruskin to showcase different habitats and aesthetic principles, offer spectacular views across the lake to the Coniston fells.

The Wordsworth Trust and Jerwood Centre

Adjacent to Dove Cottage, this modern research facility houses the world's greatest collection of Wordsworth manuscripts, books, and paintings. Regular exhibitions explore different aspects of Romanticism and the Lake District's literary heritage. The recently redeveloped site provides fascinating context for understanding how this landscape influenced the development of poetry and art.

Charming Towns and Villages

The Lake District's settlements blend harmoniously with the landscape, their stone-built architecture reflecting local traditions and materials.

Keswick

This vibrant market town sits between the shores of Derwentwater and the imposing bulk of Skiddaw mountain. Its pedestrianised centre features independent shops, outdoor equipment stores, and numerous cafés and restaurants. The twice-weekly market (Thursdays and Saturdays) has been running since 1276 and offers local produce, crafts, and street food. The town's Theatre by the Lake provides year-round professional productions in a stunning lakeside setting.

Ambleside

Located at the northern end of Windermere, Ambleside serves as an excellent base for exploring the central Lakes. The town features distinctive slate-built architecture, including the unique Bridge House perched over Stock Beck. With its numerous outdoor shops, restaurants, and proximity to walking routes, Ambleside attracts outdoor enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Nearby attractions include the remains of a Roman fort at Galava and Stagshaw Gardens with its spectacular rhododendrons and azaleas.

Grasmere

This pretty village nestled beneath Helm Crag (the "Lion and the Lamb") has retained much of its traditional charm despite its popularity. The Wordsworth connection makes it a cultural hub, while the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop continues to make Sarah Nelson's original 1854 recipe in the former village school. The annual Grasmere Sports in August features traditional Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, fell races, and hound trails.

Hawkshead

With its whitewashed cottages, traffic-free centre, and medieval squares, Hawkshead epitomises the quintessential Lake District village. William Wordsworth attended the grammar school here (now a museum), while Beatrix Potter's husband was the local solicitor. The village's narrow alleys, historic archways, and 15th-century church create an atmosphere that has changed little over the centuries.

Hidden Treasures

Beyond the famous lakes and mountains lie lesser-known gems that reward those who venture further.

Tarn Hows

This picturesque tarn surrounded by woodland was actually created in the 19th century when three smaller tarns were merged. Bought by Beatrix Potter and later donated to the National Trust, it offers a flat, accessible 1.5-mile circular walk with spectacular views. Though popular, its man-made origin means it's often overlooked by purists seeking natural beauty.

Cathedral Cave and Sweden Bridge

The Little Langdale valley contains fascinating industrial heritage including Cathedral Cave, a vast chamber within an old slate mine that can be explored safely (bring a torch). Nearby, the picturesque packhorse bridge known as Sweden Bridge spans the River Brathay in a secluded woodland setting—perfect for a peaceful picnic spot away from the crowds.

Borrowdale's Ancient Woodlands

The valley of Borrowdale contains some of England's most atmospheric ancient oak woodlands. Areas like Johnny's Wood feature gnarled, moss-covered trees growing among rock formations, creating an almost magical atmosphere that feels unchanged for centuries. In autumn, the colours are particularly spectacular.

Duddon Valley

Described by Wordsworth as "the finest in the Lake District" yet visited by relatively few tourists, the Duddon Valley features riverside paths, ancient stone circles, and dramatic mountain scenery without the crowds of the central Lakes. The Newfield Inn at Seathwaite makes an excellent refreshment stop during exploration of this unspoiled area.

Practical Information

Getting There and Around

The Lake District is accessible by rail via stations at Windermere, Penrith, and Oxenholme, with connecting buses to major towns. Driving gives more flexibility but requires negotiating narrow roads and limited parking. Consider using the extensive network of buses and boats to reduce environmental impact—the Stagecoach Lakes bus day tickets and Windermere Lake Cruises offer good value for exploring.

When to Visit

Each season offers different experiences:

• Spring: Daffodils carpet the lakeshores, woodland floors bloom with bluebells, and newborn lambs dot the fields
• Summer: Long daylight hours allow for extended walks, outdoor swimming in tarns, and busy festivals and events
• Autumn: Spectacular foliage colours the hillsides, crowds diminish, and crisp walking conditions prevail
• Winter: Snow-capped mountains create dramatic scenery, cosy pubs offer warm welcomes, and the winter light creates magical conditions for photography

Walking and Weather

The Lake District's changeable weather demands respect, especially in the mountains:

• Always check weather forecasts before setting out on walks
• Carry appropriate equipment including waterproofs, map, compass, and emergency provisions
• Consider using the services of a qualified mountain guide for more challenging routes
• The Weatherline service provides specific mountain weather forecasts and reports from Helvellyn

Conservation and Responsible Tourism

The Lake District faces pressures from its 19 million annual visitors. Help protect this special place by:

• Using public transport where possible
• Following the Countryside Code—respect, protect, enjoy
• Staying on established paths to prevent erosion
• Supporting local businesses and producers
• Considering a donation to conservation organisations like Fix the Fells or the Lake District Foundation

The Enduring Appeal

What makes the Lake District so special is the perfect harmony between natural beauty and human influence. This is a cultural landscape where centuries of farming have shaped the dales and fells, where literary giants found their voices, and where visitors continue to find inspiration and renewal.

Whether you come for challenging mountain adventures, gentle lakeside strolls, cultural exploration, or simply to soak in the atmosphere of England's most beautiful landscapes, the Lake District offers experiences that remain in the heart long after you leave. As Wordsworth wrote of this beloved region: "I wandered lonely as a cloud..." but visitors to the Lakes never truly feel alone—rather, they become part of a centuries-long tradition of those who have discovered beauty, tranquility, and inspiration among these hills and waters.