10 Best Things to Do in the Lake District

Ravenglass is a pretty village that lies on the Lake District coast, home to maritime museums, a natural harbour, a Roman bathhouse, and the nearby 13th-century Muncaster Castle. However, its most popular tourist attraction is its railway tours, which run 7 miles from Ravenglass to Eskdale. During your trip on a miniature heritage steam train, you’ll see scenic hills, an estuary, and the spectacular Scafell range (England’s highest mountains).

Initially opened to transport iron ore in 1875, the railway line now carries over 120,000 passengers per year. Trains depart from Ravenglass around every 20 minutes throughout the day during peak season, and all-day return tickets cost around £12.50.

Lake Windermere covers an area of nearly 15.5 sq km, making it the largest natural body of water in the nation. You can view the lake from dozens of hilltop and waterfront bars, cafés and restaurants, or you can traverse its many trails by foot, bicycle and even Segway. The best sights are from the lake itself, which you can enjoy by renting a row or self-drive boat.

Boat rentals are available in Waterhead, Low Wood, Brockhole, and Bowness. If you enjoy fishing, there are tours offering the chance to catch native fish like salmon, perch, and arctic charr. You can take the entire family on a 1-hour sailing trip for around £30, and first-time sailors will receive adequate safety training.

The Castlerigg Stone Circle is a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to the Neolithic period. This unique landmark is about 1.6 miles east of Keswick, a historic market town between the Skiddaw Mountain and Derwentwater Lake. Archaeologists believe the circle was built as part of a megalithic tradition around 3,200 BC, making it one of the oldest stone circles in Britain and possibly Europe.

From this ancient monument, you can relish sights of some of the Lake District’s highest peaks. It’s about a 35-minute walk to the site from the town of Keswick. Because the Castlerigg Stone Circle has a solar alignment, the best time to visit is during the summer solstice.

The Lake District has provided a home to many famous poets, authors and novelists, most notably Beatrix Potter, the world-renowned author of children’s books who wrote classics including The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Potter once lived in the village of Near Sawrey in a 17th-century farmhouse, which is open for public tours thanks to the late author’s own will. Most of the interior remains unchanged since the author’s residency.

You can get to the Hilltop farmhouse by car, but the most fun way to get there is to take a ferry across Windermere for about 50p and then traverse the scenic 2-mile trail that leads to this iconic landmark.

Scafell Pike stands at 978 metres, making it the highest peak in England. There’s no denying that climbing the mountain is physically enduring, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the entire Lake District when you reach the summit. Trails to the top of the mountain start from Langdale, Borrowdale and Eskdale, but the easiest way to ascend the Pike is to begin at Wasdale.

Expect to hike for up to 4 hours to reach the top of Scafell Pike from Wasdale, during which you’ll cover over 5.5 miles of spectacular scenery. Remember to check the weather forecast and wear appropriate gear (especially footwear) before embarking on this daring but gratifying journey.

While many aspects of a Lake District holiday can be quite pricey, the one thing that remains entirely free is the breathtaking landscape that first made the area famous. There’s no charge for entering UK national parks and using their well-marked hiking trails, so lace up your boots and get out there!

It’s worth noting that, because of the deep valleys and high mountains, mobile coverage in the Lake District is patchy at best and non-existent at worst, so you can't rely on using Google Maps to get around. A GPS or map (with the know-how required to read it) is essential if you're planning to do a lot of hiking. Ordnance Survey maps of the area are highly detailed but can be pricey.

The Low Gillerthwaite field offers spectacular views of the Milky Way on a clear night thanks to having a very low level of light pollution. Said to be the least inhabited valley in England, it’s one of the few places in England that has been officially named a Dark Sky Discovery Site, and the local tourist centre offers telescope tours and stargazing events.

We recommend checking the evening weather forecast before booking a trip to the Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre – overcast skies will spoil your view of the stars. All profits generated by the Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre are donated to charity. Opening times can vary depending on the weather and season, so call in advance before visiting the centre.

Keswick Market is one of the best places to soak up the local culture and stock up on arts and crafts, takeaway bites and local produce. This award-winning outdoor market is open every Thursday and Saturday, and has been running for over 740 years.

In almost every village in the Lake District, you’ll find boutique stores, designer brands and souvenirs. Other notable weekly markets are held in towns such as Barrow-in-Furness (Monday), Penrith (Tuesday), Ambleside (Wednesday), and Egremont (Friday).

The Lake District is draped in history, but it also boasts a wealth of new and trendy hotspots that are well worth a visit, one of them being the Lakes Distillery. Here, you can learn how spirits including gin, vodka and whiskey are made from local produce before sampling a few shots for yourself. Tours run daily, and you can meet their in-house alpacas on weekends.

Following the tour, you might want to stock up on a few bottles of these authentically local treats to take home. You can also soak up some of the alcohol from the tour by dining at its on-site restaurant, which serves traditional British pub grub.

There’s no shortage of traditional pubs surrounding the lakes of the Lake District National Park. You’ll find some of the oldest pubs in the towns surrounding Lake Windermere, which serve local craft ales and lagers, as well as a range of traditional English dishes.

Located in Bowness, one the longest-established pubs in the Lake District is the Hole in t’Wall, which dates back to 1612. Besides the heating and electricity, the décor of this charming pub remains largely unchanged.