10 Best Views in the Lake District

The Lake District is packed with sensational scenery. Here are our 10 favourite views, almost all of which are only a short walk from the nearest car park.

There’s no doubt about it, the scenery in the Lake District is special.

Craggy mountains frame shimmering lakes connected by rivers that course through valleys. Dry stone walls bound fields dotted with sheep, busy maintaining a neat carpet of green.

While we love nothing better than climbing to the highest peaks in the lakes, or taking on the challenge of scrambling to imposing vistas, many of the best views in the Lake District are easy to get to.  

Almost all of the beautiful viewpoints on this list can be reached by car. A few of them require a short walk, but nothing too strenuous.

We marked the exact locations on a map and included the nearest car park.

We have also included tips for photographers, including where to be to get the best views, the right time to be there, and which locations are good for sunrise and sunset.

MAP OF BEST LAKE DISTRICT VIEWS

The map below shows the exact location of the best viewpoints and the most convenient place car park.

Almost all viewpoints are just a very short walk from the car. Two are a little longer, but both walks are excellent and are included in our favourite walks in the Lake District.

BEST VIEWS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

1. BUTTERMERE

Our favourite views in the Lake District are around Buttermere Lake. In the rain and wind, the mighty crags surrounding it form a forbidding barrier to other valleys. But on a calm day, the reflections of the mountains in the still water are spellbinding.

To soak it all in, you can take the 2-hour 20-minute hike that circumnavigates the lake. But the highlight of the walk is the view over a lovely stand of trees perched on the edge of the lake under the imposing crags of Haystacks.

The view is best seen about an hour after dawn when the tops of the trees are bathed in early morning sun.

Directions: Park in Gatesgarth Car Park. Walk ten minutes to the eastern edge of Buttermere Lake (see map above for exact location).

2. FRIARS CRAG

The town of Keswick is the adventure capital of England, but the remarkable views from the waterfront don’t take deftly leaps or tricky scrambles to achieve.

Simply amble through Crow Park, and along the lakeside to Friars Crag and views open up in all directions.

We came here on a still day when snow was still on the mountaintops and the views were crystal clear.

Catbells could be seen reflected in the waters of Derwentwater, and the houses of Keswick were beautifully framed by the mountain of Skiddaw behind.

For more information, read our guide to Keswick.

Directions: Park at Keswick Lakeside Car Park. It’s an easy fifteen minute stroll via Crow Park to Friars Crag.

3. WASTWATER

Wastwater is remote and wild. The grandest peaks of the Lake District soar around the shore creating an amphitheatre of rock and stone. Scafell Pike and Scafell, the two highest fells can be found here but it is Great Gable that steals the show.

Towering above the head of the valley it is a perfect inverted cone with precipitous slopes above grassy banks. The drive along the north-western bank of the lake is sensational.

We came here on a glorious summer’s day, went for a dip in one of our favourite wild swimming spots in the Lake District and soaked in the views.

Directions: Drive the road to Wasdale Head along the western edge of Wastwater, stopping frequently to take photos. There is free parking at the edge of the road.

4. LOUGHRIGG

Loughrigg is a little lump of a mountain which packs a big punch. It sits at the centre of a host of attractive valleys and although only a little more than a thousand feet high, (335 metres) it has surprisingly wide-ranging views.

It does require a 45-minute walk to get to the summit but it’s well worth the effort. From here the villages of Grasmere and Ambleside can be seen surrounded by several summits and lakes.

But the real highlights are the slopes of Loughrigg themselves. Bobbling mounds of grass strewn with sheep, heather-covered hillocks split by zigzagging dry stone walls, and earthen paths heading over wooden stiles combine to create a beautiful setting.

Being centrally located, Loughrigg is a great place to base yourself. Check out these Luxury Cottages in the Lake District for some ideas.

Directions: Park at White Moss Car Park or in Ambleside and follow the well-signed paths for about 45 minutes to the summit.

5. CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE

There are many stone circles and intriguing Roman ruins dotted across England, but none are more dramatically set than Castlerigg.

Built about 5,000 years ago, a series of large stones form a circle in a grassy field. No one quite knows their purpose, which only adds to their allure. Nonetheless, they form a beautiful focal point in a stunning area.

We were lucky enough to be here on clear sunny morning. The low sun cast sweeping shadows across the fields as snowcapped Blencathra looked on from behind.

Directions: Park in a layby on Eleventrees Road (Regional Route 71) just outside Keswick, and walk two minutes across the meadow to the stone circle.

6. LATRIGG

Latrigg is a little promontory on the slopes of Skiddaw with views to die for. We often sit on the grassy summit a sunset, crack open a couple of beers a and watch the last rays of light hit the mountains.

To the north, the rounded summits of Skiddaw endlessly rise. To the east, the waves of ridges of Blencathra hover over the distant Pennines. And to the south, the town of Keswick rests peacefully on the edge of Derwentwater with the highest peaks of the Lake District rising behind it.

Directions: Park at Underskiddaw car park. The viewpoint is on the summit of Latrigg, an easy 15-minute walk from the car park.

7. BLEA TARN

High up on the rugged slopes between Great and Little Langdale, Blea Tarn feels like one of those inaccessible places that should be difficult to reach. However, a steep winding road allows you to get here with little effort on one of the great drives in the Lake District.

From the edge of the tarn, the Langdale Pikes—some of the most imposing mountains in the fells—are at their dramatic best, their craggy summits reflecting in the tarn.

We often bring a picnic and take a dip in the lake. Or hike for 30 minutes to the summit of Side Pike. This little mountain offers more excellent views over the patchwork fields of the Langdale Valley.

Directions: Park at the Blea Tarn Car Park. It’s free for National Trust members. but otherwise bring some coins (£3 for 2 hours and £5 all day). From the car park, it’s a 5-minute walk to the edge of the Blea Tarn.

8. DUKE OF PORTLAND BOATHOUSE

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the area and much less visited than Windermere, the biggest. But it offers better Lake District viewpoints because of the high mountains that surround its southern end. Additionally, the bays that run from Glencoyne bridge down to Glenridding are beautiful.  

You can drive all along the western bank hopping out of the car and taking photos. But the highlight is the Duke of Portland Boat House. This lovely wooden house is perched over the still waters.

It’s a great photo opportunity and one of the best places to stay in the Lake District.

Directions: Park in the lay-by right next to the boathouse and walk north along the road for the best views.

9. ASHNESS & SURPRISE VIEW

Tucked along a narrow road that runs from Derwentwater to Watendlath, three of the best views in the Lake District are easily reached by car.

Firstly, stop at Ashness Pier where a wooden jetty stretches into the shallow depths of Derwentwater creating a beautiful peaceful scene with the slopes of Catbells in the background.

Secondly, stop at Ashness Bridge, where an old stone packhorse bridge crosses Barrow Beck.

Finally drive up to Surprise view where high up on a platform peering through a gap in the trees, you are rewarded with great views over Derwentwater and the surrounding mountains.

Directions: Drive south from Keswick on the B5289. At Ashness pier, turn left, and there is a small car park just after the junction. Then get back in the car and drive over Ashness Bridge, where there is another small car park. Finally, continue on to Surprise View, which also has its own car park. See the map above.

10. RANNERDALE KNOTTS

We love the views from the top of Rannerdale Knotts.

This small mountain sits between Buttermere and Crummock Water and has beautiful views over both, with many of the highest mountains in the Lake District in the background.

Unfortunately, it cannot be reached without a hike. It’s not too long, taking 1 hour and ascending about 1,000 feet. But the rewards make the effort well worthwhile.

Directions: Park in Buttermere and follow the map, which you can find on the Rannerdale Knotts walk in our best walks in the Lake District.

BEST SUNRISE VIEWS

If you are a dedicated photographer or are just keen to get the best views in the best light, then try to get to the best viewpoints around sunrise of sunset.

Here are our suggestions for the best spots around sunrise.

KESWICK AREA

The area around Keswick is great for sunrise. The wide valley to the east allows sunlight to reach the land shortly after dawn.

In one morning, you can start at Latrigg, then visit Castlerigg, and finally park at the Keswick Waterfront and walk to Crow Park and Friars Crag.

BUTTERMERE

Buttermere is beautiful any time of day, but is at its best about 45 minutes to 1 hour after dawn, when the sun lights up the trees at the eastern end of the Lake. Autumn is a lovely time to be here as the colours are a golden brown and dawn is not too early!

CONISTON & ELTERWATER

We have not included the area around Coniston and Elterwater in the list of best views, but they are great for photographers. Come here on a cold morning, and a gentle mist hangs over the lakes.

It can be a bewitching, ethereal time to explore. Take a flask of coffee, sit down, and watch the sun burn through to reveal magical countryside.

BEST SUNSET VIEWS

While there are some excellent sunset opportunities at the top of the high fells, getting back in the dark can be difficult. Our suggestions for good Lake District sunset locations are either easy to get to by car or a short walk back.

LOUGHRIGG

At sunset, the golden shimmer of the grassy slopes of Loughrigg are magical. The lakes glisten in the early evening light and the views back towards the highest peaks – shooting into the sun – provides some beautiful warm atmospheric shots. 

WASTWATER

The dramatic scree slopes of Wastwater are nicely lit by the setting sun. Any spot from the road along the lake will provide a great vantage point to watch the colour drain from the day.  Finish up with a pint at the Wasdale Head Inn.

BLEA TARN

Around one hour before sunset, the view from Blea Tarn across to the Langdales is one of the best in the Lake District. The evening sun lights up the beautiful formation of the Langdales, and the whole scene is reflected in the lake.

It’s a sight to remember and a great spot for a picnic.   

MORE LAKE DISTRICT GUIDES

• Find your perfect area with our guide to the best places to stay in the Lake District.
• Use our detailed guide to see the Lake District without a car.
• Tackle one of our favourite hikes in the Lake District.
• Attempt one of the many routes up Scafell Pike.
• Or choose the best option and hike the Corridor Route.
• For the best Grade 1 scramble, hike Helvellyn via Striding Edge.
• Try one of these amazing wild swimming locations in the Lake District.
• There’s more than hiking, find more great things to do in the Lake District.
• Check out our easy-to-reach best views in the Lake District.
• Find all the great things to do in Keswick.
• Discover all the best attractions in Ambleside and the nearby area.