“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” – Henry David Thoreau
Do you wish to go on an adventure journey in the lap of nature to break up the monotony of your daily life?
If so, visit the Lake District in the UK and let yourself be enchanted by its unearthly beauty! North West England’s Cumbria is home to the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and England’s largest National Park.
The region showcases woods, fells (low mountains), and lakes in their most beautiful configurations.
It only takes a few seconds for you to become enthralled in the peace of its breathtaking scenery.
The Lake District is renowned for its enduring natural vistas. Many poets and artists have been moved by this land of glistening lakes and breathtaking mountains to express their souls through their works of art.
A rich cultural legacy in the form of traditional games and a full calendar of performances, and a refined cuisine establishment with roots in the region make it a perfect destination to travel to.
Lake District is a lover’s romantic getaway, an adventurer’s thrill, and a foodie’s paradise. Let us see how.
5 interesting Facts about Lake District National Park
- At 978 meters (3210 feet), Scafell Pike is National Park’s highest of 200 fell tops. It is also one of the 13 peaks given to the National Trust to memorialize the fallen soldiers.
- Out of 16 lakes in the National Park, the deepest lake in England is Wastwater (243 feet), and the longest lake in Windermere (10.5 miles long).
- Officially, Bassenthwaite Lake is the only lake. All of the others are “waters” or “meres.”
- Keswick in Lake District is home to the first pencil. The first pencil was created using a natural resource found at the Seathwaite graphite mine in the 1550s in Keswick, Lake District.
- The rocks in the Lake District present a striking timeline of approximately 500 million years.
Source: Lake District State Report 2018
3 Reasons Why the Lake District in the UK is So Famous
A Vista to Wide Array of Landscapes
The most desirable aspect of nature is on display in the Lake District’s woodlands, fells (low mountains), freshwater lakes, farmlands, and rich wildlifeJust stand in awe of their grandeur! The area’s impressive natural formations surround thousands of years of habitation.
The region is home to England’s largest and deepest lakes and tallest peaks. The rocks in the Lake District in the UK present a striking timeline of approximately 500 million years.
A Hub for Outdoor Recreation and Adventure
The largest density of outdoor recreation facilities awaits your wild wandering spirit. The fells can be accessed without any restrictions. It is the cradle of British mountaineering. Wordsworth’s “Guide to the Lakes” portrays the history of leisurely walking.Follow “Pictorial Guides to the Lakeland Fells” of A. Wainwright is the go-to resource for 214 fells in the English Lake District.
Engaging in paddle boarding, kayaking, and boating is the best way to enjoy the Lake District’s spectacular scenery or swim.
Sports like fall running, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling, and hound tracking are native to this area.
A Rich Cultural Heritage
Locals in the Lake District have helped shape the area’s stunning landscape by farming the land for generations.That is the main reason the area has the most land in Great Britain. Poets and writers of the romantic era, William Wordsworth, John Ruskin, Thomas de Quincey, Samuel Coleridge, and Alfred Wainwright, have found inspiration from the region’s stunning beauty.
Authors influenced by the UK’s incandescent beauty of the Lake District also include prominent children’s authors Arthur Ransome, Beatrix Potter, and Postman Pat creator.
Thousands of archaeological sites and monuments are included in the Historic Environment Record.
Attractions in Lake District
In ‘The Lady of the Lake Sir Walter Scott writes about the ethereal beauty of the Lake District-‘So wondrous wild, the whole might seem the scenery of a fairy dream.’Let’s list some of the wealth of attractions the region offers.
1. Windermere
Windermere Lake/Photo by Kai Bossom on Unsplash
Windermere, the largest lake in England, provides magnificent scenery in the most enviable form.
On a cruise, one can explore the shore’s attractions or enjoy the sights from the waters. Cruises can be the perfect way to explore the breathtaking vistas of alpine beauty, hidden beaches, and numerous forested islands.
Ambleside, Brockhole, Bowness, and Lakeside are popular countryside destinations at Windermere lake’s shore.
2. Scafell Pike
Be a savvy adventurer while climbing Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain peak. It is also a war memorial maintained by the National Trust.
Plan the climb to the top of the mountain. See Adventure Smart, which provides information on how to prepare for a day on the fells.
3. Aira Force Waterfall
4. Derwent Water
Keswick’s local lake provides an enormous spectacle of nature’s assets. Cat bells fell on the west, Friar’s Craig on the east side, and Borrowdale Valley on its southern side are postcard-perfect picturesque locations around the lake. It’s a must-visit tourist attraction.
5. Buttermere
Buttermere Lake, “the lake by the dairy pastures,” is noted for its stunning position among the northern fells.
A 1-2 hour walk around the lake and a great rock-cut tunnel add more to the wealth of attractions Buttermere offers.
6. Wastwater
Voted ‘Britain’s Favorite View, ‘’ Wastwater is England’s deepest lake at the foot of Scafell Pike. The famed screes that slope abruptly to the water’s edge are impressively seen from the road that winds along the shoreline to the head of the Wasdale Valley.
7. Ullswater
Stunning views across Ullswater are one of the Lake District’s easiest lakes landscape to access.
Thanks to Penrith, a beautiful market town, and the entrance to the Eden Valley. Pooley Bridge, Glenridding, and Howtown are the lake’s northern, southern, and middle communities. Patterdale and Watermillock are two other communities around the lake.
8. Castlerigg Stone Circle
Castlerigg Stone Circle is a Neolithic stone circle that dates back to 3000 BC. It is built in one of Keswick’s spectacular and evocative settings, with the mountains of Helvellyn and High Seat in the background providing panoramic vistas.
9. Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s House
Once the home of Beatrix Potter, a famous children’s author, the 17th-century historic house is now a house museum.
This artistic retreat illustrates Beatrix Potter’s life the way the author wanted it to be. Book a ticket here to enjoy the historic beauty of the house and its surreal gardens and surroundings.
10. Doves Cottage, William Wordsworth’s House
Wordsworth wrote some of his most renowned and well-known poetry at Dove’s Cottage in Grasmere, while his sister Dorothy kept her famed Grasmere notebooks.A tour of Dove Cottage gives a clear idea of what daily living would have been like for Wordsworth and his family. Avail the opportunity to absorb the cottage’s distinctive and creative spirit in just one ticket.
11. Honister Slate Mine
It is the last working slate mine in England. The most exciting and unforgettable Lake District Adventures may be found at Honister Slate Mines.
A challenging hike in the Lake District, the Honister Pass Circular Walk involves a steep ascent through the pass before making a full round around Fleetwith Pike and Black Star.
12. Pencil Museum
Keswick is the home to the first pencil. This one-of-a-kind pencil museum in Keswick is a must-visit stop to explore the history of graphite and pencils from its early origins as a cottage business to its current output.
13. Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway
At Haverthwaite Station, take in the vistas on your 3.5-mile ride in the carriage to Lakeside, the southernmost point of Lake Windermere. At Lakeside Station, the Aquarium of the Lakes provides sweeping views of Windermere.
14. Kirkstone Pass
The highest pass in the Lake District, accessible by car is Kirkstone Pass. It links Patterdale in the Ullswater Valley to Ambleside in the Rothay Valley. One can enjoy the stunning views of the mountains with delectable homemade meals at the traditional British Kirkstone Pass Inn.
15. Blackwell, Art and Craft’s House
Immerse yourself in an exciting schedule of art exhibitions, family-friendly activities, creative workshops, and events as you go back to view Blackwell as a family vacation home and school.16. Wray Castle
Wray castle is situated on the west bank of Windermere with miles of lakefront walkways, vast lawns, and woodland walks. Besides, the interesting architectural features of the castle attract a tourist galore throughout the year.
Outdoor Activities at Lake District
When visiting the Lake District in Cumbria, there are several other amazing things to do to keep your days exciting.
4×4 Off-Road Driving on the legal routes in the area, learning abseiling into one of the quarries down the slate mine, or, Bouldering and Scrambling the mini and mega mountains of the area are some of the several ways to explore the wilderness of the area.
Moreover, Bushcraft sessions, Archery, Canoeing, Kayaking and Raft Making, Mountain Biking and Cycling, Guided Fell Walks, Paragliding and Skydiving, and Rock climbing are some of the exciting activities one can opt for to satisfy the adventurous quest.
Numerous beer festivals, garden parties, agricultural exhibitions, music festivals, walking festivals, fall runs, bike races, etc., are held all year to add recreational adventures. Get the list of outdoor activities at Lake District in the UK here.
Where to Stay in Lake District?
After an exhilarating adventure over fells and lakes in the Lake District, relaxing in a comfortable bed with a cup of steaming coffee will round out your day.
The Lake District offers various lodging alternatives, including cabins, lodges, campers, caravans, five-star hotels, hostels, and bunkhouses. Be it bed and breakfast or self-catering, glamping, or touring caravan parks, you can enjoy the superb facilities available in the area.
A list of all lodging options in the region can be found here.
Typical Cuisine In Lake District
The visit to the Lakes is incomplete without enjoying some delicious specialty cuisine. The Cumbrian Lake District is home to several traditional British foods.
Sticky toffee pudding (Ullswater and Cartmel), Windermere Char, Grasmere Gingerbread (Grassmere), Cumberland sausages(Cumbria), Damson cheese (Lyth Valley), Kendal Mint Cake(Kendal are some of the reputable and high-quality dishes that gained popularity through time.
In addition to world-class cuisine, the Lake District in the UK is home to some great brewers and distillers. The region creates handmade whiskies, gins, and vodkas if you want to go on a bit stronger.
Dog lovers can check out the list of dog-friendly places to eat here.
When to Visit Lake District
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather,” John Ruskin said about Lake District’s weather.
This holds as every season has its advantage in Lake District in the UK. But the beauty of the Lake District shines brighter in spring and summer.
March through June are the drier months of the year, and October through January are the cold and wettest.
The greatest chance of snow occurs in February. So, anytime you’re going to have the most of the Lake District to yourself, it is truly the finest time to come.
How to Get There?
It takes about 3.5 hours to reach Lake District from London and 1.5 hours by train from Manchester International Airport.Last but not the least
Lake District in the UK is nature’s kaleidoscope of sparkling lakes and quiet mountains.Brace yourself to get entertained at a themed cruise or pompous festival celebration, get energized by a food and drink event or an outdoor challenge or grab the best seat to enjoy films, theatres, or arts and culture exhibitions in Lake District.
Everything here leaves an impression on your heart that lasts forever. Do let me know in the comments if you have ever been to this beautiful destination or intend to.
FAQs | Lake District Things To Do?
What is the most picturesque lake in Lake District?
The most picturesque lake in the Lake District is undoubtedly Windermere. It’s the largest lake in England and offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and mountains. It’s a popular spot for boating, fishing, and hiking and is well worth a visit if you’re exploring the area.
What is the Lake District famous for?
The Lake District is a national park in England. It’s famous for its lakes and mountains.
Who owns the Lake District?
Over fifty percent of the property is privately held, with the remainder belonging to organizations such as the National Trust, United Utilities, and the Forestry Commission.
What is the prettiest village in the Lake District?
Some of the villages often cited as the prettiest in the Lake District include Grasmere, Ambleside, and Hawkshead. These villages are all located in the central part of the district and are surrounded by stunning scenery, including rolling hills, lakes, and forests.
Why are there no trees in the Lake District?
The Lake District is a national park in the north of England. It’s known for its dramatic hills and lakes and is also one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The landscape is very hilly, and there are no large areas of flat land where trees could grow. The climate is also wet and cold, which isn’t ideal for tree growth.
Why is Lake Windermere special?
Lake Windermere is unique because it’s the largest natural lake in England. It’s also a popular spot for fishing and boating.
Can you buy property in the Lake District?
Yes, you can buy property in the Lake District. The area is popular with tourists and second homeowners, so many properties are for sale. Prices vary depending on the location and size of the property, but you can expect to pay at least £100,000.
What’s the deepest lake in the Lake District?
The deepest lake in the Lake District is Wastwater, which plunges to depths of almost 300 feet. It’s a stunningly beautiful spot and well worth a visit if you’re exploring the area.
Can you drink water from the Lake District?
The water in the Lake District is some of the cleanest in the country and is perfectly safe to drink. The lakes and rivers are constantly being monitored and treated, but you should always check with local authorities to ensure the water is safe for drinking. Some lakes may have high levels of pollutants or be infested with harmful bacteria, so it’s best to avoid drinking the water.
Is Windermere a lake?
Yes, Windermere is a lake. It’s the largest natural lake in England.
Which part of Lake District is the best?
Everyone’s opinion will differ based on their personal preferences. However, some might say that the best part of the Lake District is the northern region, known for its dramatic landscapes and rugged hills. Others might prefer the southern area, which has a more rustic feel and is home to England’s largest lake, Windermere. Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide which part of the district they prefer.
Is the Lake District a natural environment?
The Lake District is a natural environment, but humans have modified it. For example, people have built dams and reservoirs to store water for hydroelectric power and regulate rivers’ flow.
Can you camp anywhere in Lake District?
With a few exceptions, you can camp almost anywhere in the Lake District. A few areas are prohibited from camping, such as near roads and settlements. You should always check for restrictions before setting up camp. Some sites are more popular for camping, so be sure to find a spot that isn’t too crowded.
Are houses in the Lake District expensive?
Yes, houses in the Lake District are expensive. The area is popular with tourists and people who want to live in a rural location, so the demand for housing is high. This drives up prices.
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