There is so much to do in the Lakes, the place is just one big playground. However, we’ve whittled down the list with something for everybody:
Hire motor or rowing boat on any lakes
Get out on the lakes and take command of your own ship in a style that you fancy. Hone those rowing skills you might never know you had with a rowing boat hire, or relax in the shelter of a motor boat. All the main lakes (Derwentwater, Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston) offer rowing and motorboat hire. There are quite a few companies, so we’ve created a whole new list you can reach by clicking here.
Treetop Adventures and GoApe
Fancy a bit of a challenge through the trees? There are numerous tree adventure companies, including GoApe in Grizedale forest and Zip World beside Windermere.
Honister
From the ruins of an old slate mine emerged an adrenaline fuelled experience like nowhere else in the lakes. Climb the face of a cliff via the Via Ferrata or cross a gorge with the invisible bridge. Or simply enjoy a mine tour and learn about the history of this beautiful valley. Check out their website here.
Windermere Jetty Museum
Boats have been bobbing around the lakes for centuries. The Jetty Museum has a beautiful collection of finely restored classic boats, ranging from steam launches where landed gentry lunched, to speed machines setting records on the lake. The museum is very well laid out and the building itself even word an architectural award.
World of Beatrix Potter
For fans of the book, Beatrix Potter World offers an insight into not just the stories, but the inspiration behind them. Far from a kids museum, this is very much one for the young and old at heart.
Hill Top House
Beatrix Potters house, Hill Top House, has been meticulously kept as it was when Beatrix lived there nearly a century ago.
Walk tarn hows
This vast man made tarn (lake), was once the preserve of a private estate, but now one of the grandest tarns in the lakes. If you’re in the area Tarn Hows makes a nice hour or twos walk and a lovely picnic spot.
Blea Tarn
If you’re over Langdales way then Blea Tarn is a lovely way to spend an hour. No circular walk, but a lovely out and back in one of the most spectacular parts of the lakes (The scenery was used in an opening sequence to Countryfile)
Grasmere town
Grasmere is wonderful quaint lakeland village. park up, walk around the town, enjoy a tearoom or two and maybe head down to the lake.
Wordsworth Cottage and Museum
Visit “The loveliest spot that man hath ever known” and learn more about one of the worlds literary greats; Wordsworth at his old house of Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Museum in Grasmere. Come in early Spring to enjoy the famous daffodils.
Spa day
Everyone loves a spa session and the lakes is full of spa hotels. But save the £400 a night accommodation and head over for the day. We recommend Lodore Falls Hotel, Low Wood Bay Hotel and Langdale Hotel just for three to name.
Aira force
A beautiful round walk to see a spectacular waterfall, Aira Force. You can park at the lower car park for a longer circular walk or the upper one for a slightly shorter walk, although the upper car park is smaller. You can also extend a walk from the upper car park to Garbarrow fell.
Cruise on a lake
Each of the larger lakes (Derwentwater, Ullswater, Windermere and Coniston) have their own unique cruise boats from which you can relax and enjoy a nautical trip out. Derwentwater has traditional wooden launches, while Ullswater has some of the oldest ferries in the UK. Windermere has an armada of larger launches taking your the full 10 miles of Englands largest lake while Coniston has the only steam powered launch in the lakes.
Why not make it an active voyage? Most of the launches and ferries stop off along the lakes and allow you to enjoy one way walks along the lake shores.
Round Buttermere walk
Buttermere is one of the most unspoilt and beautiful valleys in the lake district and this flat 5 mile walk around the lake is a grand day out, which can be mixed in with a trip to Honister Slate Mines and activities. Our recommendation is to park at Gatesgarth, just after Honister pass and walk down one side of the lake to Buttermere village for a a refreshing tea and cake or a delicious lunch before coming back up the other side.
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
The La’al Ratty, as the locals call it, is an old slate railway that turned to tourism over 100 years ago. Rattling from the sandy coastal town of Ravenglass, where you can play in the sand or watch the gulls diving in the sea the steam trains take you deep into the picturesque Eskdale valley. We recommend considering a pub lunch in Boot.
Threlkeld quarry
Another railway, but a bit closer to home and shorter, the Threlkeld Quarry offers a wonderful insight into the industrial heritage of the local area. It’s not a whole day out, but great if you have a couple of hours to spare, maybe if you have time to kill when you arrive or leave?
Lowther castle
On the edge of the lakes is what is, but can’t truly be described as, the ruins of Lowther castle. An old lord left it to ruin barely a century ago, but over recent years it’s flowered into a beautiful destination with a famous garden and estate to walk around.
The National Trust is synonymous with the Lake District. This might be in part due to it’s connection to Mrs Hellis (Beatrix Potter), who used her mass of wealth to purchase, preserve and then donate vast numbers of farms and acres of land to the National Trust. But there’s far more than just land and farms to be enjoyed in the Lakes.
This really is a short list of National trust properties int he Lake District. You can find more here.
Aira Force
There are plenty of waterfalls in the Lake District, we can see some from Low Nest. But none are like Aira Force. The National Trust have done a great job of creating a lovely little walk from the bottom car park, winding up one side of the beck through ancient woodlands and over traditional lakeland stone bridges to give a spectacular view of the falls from multiple locations.
While it can be bashed out in less than an hour; we’d recommend you to take your time and enjoy the woods and surrounding areas. There is a cafe, but also a picnic area by the main car park so you can enjoy an al alfresco lunch. This could be a great stop off if you are visiting Ullswater for the day.
Hill Top Farm
Explore Mr Macgregor’s garden and get a glimpse into Beatrix Potters life at the house that she called home for much of her life in the Lake District. You can see what made this place so special and how it inspired her to preserve other farms like it (such as nearby Yew Tree Farm, the set of the movie Mrs Potter). Outside you can explore her famous gardens and take a walk to Moss Eccles Tarn.
Wordsworth House and Gardens
“The loveliest spot that man hath ever found”.
Discover the place that bred and inspired one of Englands greatest poets and laureates. Far more than just a house you can explore the gardens that captivated a young William and gave him a life long passion for gardening. Whats more; situated in Cockermouth on the edge of the Lake District, this is the perfect place to escape the busier in the central lakes at peak season.
Tarn Hows
If you’re ever exploring between Ambleside and Coniston then we thoroughly recommend stopping off and having a lovely stroll round Tarn Hows. This man made tarn offers a gentle yet very picturesque 2 mile walk, which can take an hour or 2 depending on how often you stop to admire the stunning scenery.
Fell Foot
Situated at the bottom of Windermere the ground of this old country residence boasts a lovely manicured old country garden with quaint boathouses, rowing boat hire and plenty of space to enjoy a picnic. As a kid Alasdair’s family would take their canoe and boat down here.
I don’t think we’re breaking any news that it rains in the Lake District. The lush green fells need a regular soaking to keep themselves looking so good. But what to do when the heavens have opened? First of all; don’t worry, there’s loads of great things you can do when it’s raining in the Lake District, and in the surrounding area.
Things to do around Keswick
There’s lots of things you can do around Keswick when it’s raining. From the bustling markets and quaint cafes of the town itself, to the sophisticated distillery tours and historic mining museums. But for those who like to keep active the old slate mines at Honister are an ideal dryish activity, while the Keswick climbing wall also boasts a cafe! Here’s a few of our ideas for you
The Lakes Distillery
Fine food and extra fine booze. What’s not to love. Not just a maker of exquisite gin, The Lakes Distillery is the crafter of the finest English Whisky. As well as tours of the distillery there are numerous tasting experiences and a delicious bistro.
www.lakesdistillery.com/
Keswick Brewery
You can never tour too many breweries! Keswicks brewery not only offers tours, but also has its own bar.
www.keswickbrewery.co.uk/
Honister Slate Mines
Learn about the fascinating history of slate mining in the Lake District while exploring the old mine shafts.
www.honister.com/product/mine-tours/
Threlkeld Railway and Quarry Museum
Pan for (fake) gold while you wait for the narrow guage train to take you up the steep track to the top of the mine where you can explore old exavators.
www.threlkeldquarryandminingmuseum.co.uk
The Puzzling Place
Enjoy optical illusions and puzzling puzzles. A great quick town escape.
www.puzzlingplace.mobi/
Keswick Launch
Huddle inside one of the Keswick Launches and enjoy the spectacular scenery around Derwent Water.
www.keswick-launch.co.uk/
Kong Adventures
Whether a total novice or experienced climber Kong Adventure, in the centre of Keswick is a great active wet weather option.
www.kongadventure.com/
Keswick Climbing Wall
Just a 20 minute walk from Low Nest, next to the Castlerigg stone circles is Keswick Climbing Wall. Great for experienced and newbie climbers, with the added bonus of a cafe!
www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk
Lakeland Culture
Dove Cottage and Wordsworth Museum – www.wordsworth.org.uk
Heaton Cooper Studio – www.heatoncooper.co.uk
World of Peter Rabbit – www.hop-skip-jump.com
Windermere Jetty Museum – www.lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum
Hill Top Farm – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hill-top
Wordsworth School – www.hawksheadgrammar.org.uk
Wordsworth House and Gardens – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wordsworth-house-and-garden
Brantwood, Coniston – www.brantwood.org.uk
Muncaster Castle – www.muncaster.co.uk
Trains, Boats and Wildlife
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway – www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk
The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway – www.lakesiderailway.co.uk
Windermere Jetty Museum – www.lakelandarts.org.uk/windermere-jetty-museum
Lakes Aquarium – www.lakesaquarium.co.uk
Coast Aquarium, Maryport – www.coastaquarium.co.uk
Lake District Wildlife Park – www.lakedistrictwildlifepark.co.uk
Get On The Water
Ullswater Steamer – www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk
Keswick Launch – www.keswick-launch.co.uk
Windermere Cruises – www.windermere-lakecruises.co.uk
Coniston Gondala – www.nationaltrust.org.uk/steam-yacht-gondol
Self Drive Motor Boat – All the main lakes have self drive motor boats available to hire. Most have an en closed cabin so you can enjoy the beauty of the lakes, but in the comfort of the sheltered cabin.
Get Active
Kong Adventure – www.kongadventure.com
Keswick Climbing Wall – www.keswickclimbingwall.co.uk
Ambleside Climbing Wall – www.amblesideadventure.co.uk/ambleside-wall
Kendal Climbing Wall – www.kendalwall.co.uk
Finally
One last option; grab a coat and get out for a lovely walk in the rain. If the weather forecast is bad then we wouldn’t recommend doing anything to high or out of your comfort zone. But the rain gives a whole new dimension to the views you’d normally get. Particularly round tarns and lakes. As Billy Connolly says: there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. So grab ya wellies and enjoy the Lake District at one of its finest moments.
A gander up Dollywagon & Helvellyn
This walk takes on one of the highest mountains in England, Helvellyn, while passing a tarn hiding a golden crown and all importantly finishes in a pub!
Leg 1 – Dunmail Raise to Grisedale Tarn
After 15 minutes on the bus from Low Nest, get off at Dunmail Raise. Parking is available on the roadside, but for this route it’s best to get the bus.
This open barren land is riddled with mystique and history. The story goes that after King Dunmail, the last King of Cumberland and Strathclyde, one of his loyal servants took his crown and ran up to Grisedale tarn where he threw the gold crown into the tarn, never to be seen again. Sadly while I would like to say “until now”, if I had found this ancient gold crown I would not be typing this and instead would be halfway to my subsequently purchased Caribbean Island.
The climb is well trodden and easy to follow. You follow the roaring stream all the way up the ghyll until you reach Grisedale tarn. It’s about a mile, about 30 to 45 minutes of walking. While steep it is a good warm up for the walk ahead.
The views from the tarn alone are worth the walk, you truly feel in the centre of the Lakes.
Leg 2 – Grisedale tarn to Dollywagon
The best route up is to get to the Eastern side of the tarn and follow the path up. The path zig zags, but rarely with steps. While the height gained is around 200 metres once at the top you’re basically on the ridge.
Leg 3 – Dollywagon to Helvellyn
After an hour of walking up hill there is no feeling like getting on the ridge. You go from walking at a snails pace sweating a litre a minute to strolling along as if you’re on Oxford Street. However you’re not on Oxford Street, you’re somewhere far better, you’re on the Helvellyn Ridge. With clear skies you have views almost as far east as the North Sea (It feels like that anyway!), but even on cloudy days (like our one) there’s something truly beautiful about this path.
The path itself is well trodden so easy to follow. There are cairns every 20 metres at points so it’s actually quite hard, but still possible, to get lost.
There is a small dip between Dollywagon and Helvellyn, but not a huge amount and the path up to Helvellyn is nice and gentle. As you walk up, note all the boulders strewn across the plateau. Then just as you approach the top read about how a crazy bloke who landed a plane there on December 22nd 1926. Apparently landing was easy, but to take off they had to do a James Bond Golden Eye style nose dive over the edge.
Take time to rest and enjoy the view in the cross shelter offering a welcome escape from the inevitable piercing wind from nearly all directions.
Leg 4 – Helvellyn to the Kings Head Pub
After taking the inevitable photos of Striding Edge and selfies at the trig point it’s time to head down. Like much of the walk the track down is fairly easy to find and follow, even in poor visibility. However still take compass bearings.
The footpath is a pretty busy one. Follow it all the way down and you’ll get to the Thirlmere carpark. It’s also one of the easiest ascents of Helvellyn. There are great views all the way down. Be sure to try and spot Low Nest!
You will have to start to keep an eye on navigation as halfway down you’ll have to escape the mob and head right. This last bit is sublime. You’re unlikely to see another person. The ferns and heather also means few if any sheep, so dogs can run around happy and free.
The Kings Head just appears from behind a crags and you can almost taste that celebratory drink! It’s a great traditional Lakeland Pub and the perfect place to finish the walk.
Heather enjoying the walk
We made it up Dollywagon!
The Hellvelyn shelter appears out of the mist
Who would think to fly a plane to Helvellyn?!
White Side, Raise and Stybarrow
Blencathra and Skiddaw from Helvellyn (Low Nest just in view)
Descending from Helvellyn down to Thirlmere
Well earned pint at the Kings Head
