The Lake District is one of England’s most startling areas of natural beauty. Covering a vast area of fells, mountains, lakes, and gorges in Cumbria, in northwest England, the Lake District is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
Protected as a national park and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District inspired generation after generation of poets, writers, and artists, from William Wordsworth to Beatrix Potter. Cruise across Lake Windermere, hike to the Old Man of Coniston, and tackle Scafell Pike (England’s highest peak), and you’ll soon find your own inspiration in the rugged outdoor terrain of the Lakes.
With so many things to see and do, you might not know where to begin. That’s why we’ve compiled our list of the absolute best things to do in the Lake District for you. Stick to these fun and unique Lake District bucket list recommendations, and there’s no doubt you’ll have an amazing time exploring this gorgeous part of England!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
The 12 Best Things to Do in the Lake District, England
1. Explore the Banks of Lake Windermere
You’re visiting the Lake District for the lakes, so why not start your trip with the biggest lake of them all? At 11 miles in length, one mile in width, and with an area of around 6 square miles, Lake Windermere holds the title of the largest lake in England and one of the top Lake District attractions.
The lake is lined with Victorian hotels and charming bed and breakfasts, making Lake Windermere the perfect base for exploring the region. The lake’s namesake village, Windermere, is one the smallest but quaintest places to visit, the bustling town of Bowness-on-Windermere is where the cruises depart from, and Ambleside, on the lake’s northern shores, is an excellent starting point for lakeside hikes.
2. Visit the Windermere Jetty Museum
One of the must-do things in the Lake District is stopping off at the Windermere Jetty Museum. Overlooking the water just outside of Bowness-on-Windermere, you’ll love exploring the many boats and steamers from the past that are preserved here.
Windermere Jetty Museum tells the tale of the Lake District’s most famous waterborne craft, as well as the crews, captains, and people that live around Lake Windermere. They also run tours on vintage steamers, so you can experience the joy of the Lakes yourself.
3. Tackle the Ullswater Way
The second-largest lake, and one of the best Lake District sightseeing attractions, is Ullswater. The lake is around 7.5 miles long, but it’s less than a mile across at its widest extent. Hikers will love tackling the Ullswater Way, a 20-mile-long walking route that circumnavigates the entire lakeside.
You could make the walk in a single day if you’re in great shape, but we prefer to slow things down and enjoy the Ullswater Way over two or even three days. You can take the Ullswater Steamers to various harbors along the lakeside, making it easy to pick up where you left off the day before.
4. Hike to the Old Man of Coniston
The Old Man of Coniston is one of the best sights in the Lake District. Overlooking Coniston Water, a long lake hidden among the fells, the Old Man of Coniston is a mountain peak rising to a height of 803 meters above sea level.
The circular walk from Walna Scar is around 6 miles in length, but given the uphill trajectory and beautiful views of Coniston Water (the third-largest lake in the national park) below, you’ll want to make this a leisurely day hike.
If hiking isn’t your thing, then why not take a cruise on the Victorian Steam Yacht Gondola instead and see the Old Man of Coniston from the lake’s waters?
5. Visit the Ruskin Museum in Coniston
While you’re exploring Coniston Water, a visit to the Ruskin Museum is one of the best things to do in the Lake District. Located in the village of Coniston, this excellent museum is named for John Ruskin, the Victorian writer and art critic whose work was heavily influenced by the natural beauty of Cumbria.
Ruskin purchased Brantwood, a large estate on the banks of Coniston Water (which you can also visit), and he died here in 1901. The museum was established a year after his death to not only explore Ruskin’s life and work but to tell the history of Coniston Water.
6. Follow in the Footsteps of William Wordsworth
William Wordsworth is the most famous of the legions of romantic poets and artists who descended upon the Lake District in the 18th and 19th centuries. Wordsworth wrote extensively on the natural beauty he found in the Lakes. He wrote, “I wandered lonely as a cloud” after visiting Ullswater, and for many years, made his Dove Cottage in the village of Grasmere his home.
Grasmere has never forgotten its poet laureate, and today, you can take a tour of Dove Cottage and learn more about Wordsworth’s life and work. The cottage has not only been preserved but transformed into what it would have looked like during Wordworth’s day, making this a fascinating living museum.
7. Explore the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
In Bowness-on-Windermere, you’ll find the World of Beatrix Potter Attraction. It’s one of the top things to do in the Lake District, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Relive those childhood memories as you explore the life and works of Beatrix Potter, one of the world’s best-selling children’s authors.
The creator of inspirational animal characters like Peter the Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck, Beatrix Potter spent much of her later life in the village of Near Sawrey, just over the lake from the museum, where she passed away in 1943.
8. Explore Wastwater, England’s Deepest Lake
The deepest lake in England is Wastwater, and of course, it’s one of the top things to see in the Lake District. Carving a path through the beautiful Wasdale Valley, Wastwater sits in the shadow of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain.
The juxtaposition between these two extreme natural sights is wonderful, and at 3 miles long, Wastwater is the perfect place for hiking. The lake itself reaches a depth of 79 meters, and its murky depths have made Wastwater a popular spot for freshwater scuba diving.
9. Summit Scafell Pike, England’s Highest Peak
At 978 meters high, Scafell Pike is the tallest mountain peak in England. Towering over the Lake District, the mountain is a mass of ridges and false summits, and anyone pushing for the top needs to be well-prepared for a long slog!
There are several routes to the summit, with the most popular trails starting and ending in Wasdale Head, near Wastwater. The standard hike is around 8 miles in total distance, and you’ll need 6-7 hours to complete it, depending on your fitness.
There are no facilities on the mountain, so take everything you could need for the hike, including plenty of warm clothes and wet weather gear.
10. Try the Famous Mint Cake in Kendal
Hikers, climbers, and fell walkers have fueled their Lake District adventures for at least 150 years with Kendal Mint Cake, a local candy that’s packed with sugar and energy. The original origins of this peppermint-infused sweet have been lost over the years, but the oldest recipe can be traced back to 1869.
The mint cake takes its name from the town of Kendal, which sits on the eastern boundary of the Lake District National Park. Visit the town today, and you’ll find three traditional companies – Quiggin’s, Romney’s, and Wilson’s – who are still cooking up batches of Kendal Mint Cake for all the outdoor enthusiasts to stock up on before venturing into the wilderness.
11. Enjoy Local Ales at the Keswick Brewery
Brewed using water from the Lake District’s fells, you can’t get more local than a pint of ale at the Keswick Brewery. Although the brewery is inspired by Cumbria’s age-old beer-drinking traditions, the company has risen to fame in a short period of time, since its founding in 2006.
You’ll find their diverse range of beers for sale all over the Lake District, including favorites like the Keswick Bitter and Thirst Quencher Pale Ale, but nothing beats a tasting at the tap room in Keswick itself, where you can try all their specialty brews and craft beers after a tour of the brewery.
12. Go Ghyll Scrambling in the Esk Gorge
If you’re looking for a real adventure, then ghyll scrambling is one of the most fun things to do in the Lake District. Ghyll scrambling is an extreme version of canyon walking (“ghyll” is a local term for a gorge or a deep ravine), and it involves jumping into rivers, climbing over rocks, and scrambling through gorges.
In the Lake District, one of the most famous ghyll scrambling spots is the Esk Gorge, where you can join organized tours that take you through the heart of this dramatic natural sight.
Ghyll scrambling is just one of the outdoor activities you can enjoy in the Lake District. The national park is a playground for adventure lovers, and you can take on everything from fell walking and mountaineering to rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking.
There you have it! The best things to do in the Lake District. What’s your favorite thing to do in the Lake District?
SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST
