Looking for the best things to do in the Lake District? We’ve been coming here every year for years so we know the area very well. Here is our list of the best activities in the Lake District for both hikers and non-hikers.
By: Mark Barnes | Last Updated: | Jump to Comments
The Lake District’s craggy mountains, ribbon lakes, and sheep-strewn fields combine to offer the best scenery in England.
We have been coming to this wonderful landscape for over 40 years, and every time we find something new and fun to do.
This is a list of all our favourite attractions and activities. It ranges from great hikes and thrilling scrambles to lake cruises and lazy lunches.
We have included our favourite wild swimming spots, the best drives, and where to go for a family-friendly picnic.
SUMMARY
We’ve spent so much time in the Lake District that it was difficult to get this list down to 28 things to do. To help you pick out the experiences you might like, we’ve organised this guide based on the different types of activities available. They are:
- On The Water – Cruises on the lakes that required no physical effort.
- Wild Swimming – Our pick of the best locations to swim in the lakes.
- Try A Scenic Hike – The hikes we love the most in the Lake District
- Soak Up The Beautiful Scenery – The best scenery in the Lake District you can get to without too much effort.
- Rainy Days In The Lake District – Indoor museums and attractions.
- Family-Friendly Activities – Things we think the whole family will love.
- Remote Experiences – A few selected out-of-the-way places.
- Towns & Villages – The best villages we think you should explore.
- Adventure Activities – Activities with a little more adrenaline involved.
MAP: LAKE DISTRICT BUCKET LIST
To help you navigate while in the Lake District, all the attractions listed in this guide are on the map below.
USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.
ACTIVITIES ON THE WATER
These are the best activities if you’re looking for an easy way to admire the stunning ribbon lakes in the area.
1. RIDE THE ULLSWATER STEAMER
There are several scenic boat cruises in the Lake District, but in our opinion, the best is the vintage wood-panelled steamer on Ullswater.
Ullswater is more remote than other lakes, so it’s much less crowded. High mountains surround the tear-shaped shoreline, creating a beautiful scene.
Book your tickets in advance from Ullswater Steamers, who have the largest fleet of heritage boats and several routes to choose from.
2. TAKE A CRUISE ON WINDERMERE
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England and the most popular in the Lake District. It’s more crowded than Ullswater, but it’s still worth visiting.
Windermere Lake Cruises has a selection of cruises, including traditional old steamers and sparkling new boats.
Cruises depart from Ambleside or Bowness, and you can include stops at popular attractions as part of the experience. These include Hill Top, Lakeland Motor Museum, and the Haverthwaite Railway.
3. DERWENTWATER HOP-ON HOP-OFF BOAT
Just a 10-minute walk from the centre of Keswick, Derwentwater is framed by the imposing crag of Catbells. It’s a stunning location with breathtaking views all around.
The best way to see it is on the Keswick Launch Co cruises. They have a 50-minute round trip where you can relax and soak up the scenery. Alternatively, you can hop on and off at any one of the 8 jetties around the lake.
Using it as a hop-on / hop-off boat, you can get to some great attractions, including Ashness Bridge, Lodore Falls and Lingholm, the holiday home of Beatrix Potter.
They also have a Hiker’s Ticket, which we used regularly to get to Hawes End, the starting point for the Catbells hike.
GO WILD SWIMMING
There are plenty of places to go wild swimming in the Lake District, but for this guide, we’ve selected just 3 that offer a good mix of experiences.
4. BLEA TARN
In our opinion, Blea Tarn is one of the most picturesque swimming lakes in the Lake District.
It’s high up in the mountains, and the water is perfectly still, dramatically reflecting the Langdale Pikes behind it.
In the interests of full disclosure, Blea Tarn is very cold, so we suggest you wait for a warm day. But if you can brave the temperatures, you won’t be disappointed.
There is parking 5 minutes walk to the lake (postcode: LA22 9PG) which starts at £5 for 2 hours. The machines accept cash only. It’s free for National Trust members. There are no facilities at Blea Tarn.
5. BLACK MOSS POT
Black Moss Pot is another fantastic swimming spot in the Lake District.
It’s located in a remote section of the Langstrath Valley, around a 45-minute walk from the village of Stonethwaite.
The swimming spot is squeezed between two craggy ledges, with a waterfall at one end and a rocky beach at the other.
You can paddle in from the shallow section at the beach, or leap from the high ledges.
We have included all the details about getting there and what else to do in the area in our guide to Black Moss Pot.
6. RYDAL WATER
We also love swimming in Rydal Water but for slightly different reasons.
Sheltered on all sides by mountains and low in altitude, Rydal Water is often a little stiller and a little warmer than many of the other swimming spots.
It’s a great place for an early morning swim, but the rocky beach and shallow shoreline make it ideal for families as well.
To get here, park at the Pelter Bridge Car Park (postcode: LA22 9LW), and then walk for 15 minutes along the lake’s western end. There’s a shelving beach, and the nearby grassy banks are perfect for a picnic.
TRY A SCENIC HIKE
We love hiking in the Lake District and come up at least once a year. We’ve written about our top Lake District hikes here, but below we have summaries some of the best.
7. SCAFELL PIKE
If we had to choose one walk in the Lake District, we would both say Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route without hesitation.
It’s a beautiful walk, a physical challenge and an interesting trail which uses an interconnected series of mountain shelves which steadily gain height.
The views across deep ravines to craggy mountain facades are second to none, and by the end of the day, you have climbed the highest mountain in England.
Our guide to hiking the Scafell Pike Corridor Route includes maps and detailed instructions.
8. LOUGHRIGG
Loughrigg is a little lump of a mountain in the centre of several beautiful Lake District valleys. We’d call the hike up to the top one of the best views you can get for the least amount of effort.
The summit has views of lakes and tarns stretching in all directions, with pretty villages tucked under imposing flanks, and an amphitheatre of higher mountains in the distance.
The slopes of Loughrigg are stunning with bobbling mounds of grass strewn with sheep, heather-covered hillocks split by zigzagging dry stone walls, and paths leading over wooden stiles down to shimmering lakes.
The hike starts at Pelter Bridge Car Park (LA22 9LW). It’s 8 kilometres return with an elevation of 360 metres. Instructions and details are on our Lake District walks guide.
9. HELVELLYN VIA STRIDING EDGE
Helvellyn is the third-highest mountain in the Lake District. The best ascent is via a thin ridge called Striding Edge, one of the best Grade 1 scrambles in the Lake District.
No special equipment or knowledge of climbing is required; all you need is a good head for heights, steady foot placement, and a reasonable level of fitness.
Once at the top, the views of the crinkling ridges of the Lake District are unbeatable.
We suggest you descend via Swirral Edge, which is a much wider ridge that will feel like a breeze after tackling Striding Edge on the way up.
All the details are in Helvellyn via Striding Edge.
10. CATBELLS
Catbells is mountain overlooking Derwentwater and one of the most popular walks in the area.
The trail to the summit is short, but it’s a steep climb. Rising in two stages, it zigzags along the mountain’s crest, providing impressive views on both sides the whole way up.
Once at the top, the 360-degree views are excellent.
It’s an energetic climb, and you may need your hands in several places. But there is nothing too difficult,t and it’s a great hike for anyone with a good level of fitness.
We have also covered this one on our best hikes in the Lake District post which includes maps and directions.
SOAK UP THE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY
11. CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE
The Castlerigg Stone Circles are one of the oldest and most beautifully set in Britain.
Constructed in a grassy meadow protected by dry stone walls, the circle is surrounded by the mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra, two of the grandest peaks in the Lake District.
At dawn or dusk on a sunny day, the long shadows of the stones create an air of mystery, and we’ve listed it as one of our favourite views in the Lake District.
Catch the 555 bus from Keswick to Castle Lane. Parking is available, but it’s very limited, so try to arrive early. Castlerigg is free to visit.
12. BUTTERMERE
Buttermere is a beautiful lake set in a remote part of the Lake District with mighty crags all around it.
You can either drive along the northern edge for wonderful views or take the 2-hour stroll around its perimeter.
There is a row of trees on the edge of the lake under the crags of Haystacks which forms a stunning reflection. It is probably the best view in the entire Lakes and is only a 5-minute walk from the Gatesgarth Car Park at the eastern end of Buttermere.
The town of Buttermere is at the western end of the lake and is a lovely place to grab a tea or coffee and try a classic Lake District ice cream.
13. FRIARS CRAG
Friars Crag is a viewpoint on Derwentwater just a short stroll from the centre of Keswick.
The last time we were here, we had a beautiful still day with snow clinging to the mountain tops. You can see how great the views are in the photos below.
From the viewpoint you can see Catbells reflected in the water, and the houses of Keswick framed by the mountain of Skiddaw.
For more information, read our guide to Keswick.
RAINY DAYS IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
If you spend more than a couple of days in the Lake District, it’s likely you’ll get at least some rain. So here are few things we recommend when the weather isn’t playing nice.
14. WORDSWORTH GRASMERE & DOVE COTTAGE
Wordsworth Grasmere is a museum dedicated to William Wordsworth. It’s located next to Dove Cottage, which was his home from 1799 to 1808, and the place where many of his most famous works were written.
The museum has a huge collection of artefacts dedicated to British Romanticism, including over 68,000 manuscripts, several rare first-edition books, paintings, and personal belongings of Wordsworth.
The Jerwood Centre, part of Wordsworth Grasmere, contains 90% of Wordsworth’s original manuscripts and Dorothy Wordsworth’s Grasmere Journal.
15. HOLKER HALL
The grand gardens at Holker Hall have a mix of formal gardens, flower-strewn meadows, and tree-lined paths.
There are some interesting things to check out including a lone Sequoia, a small stand of Monkey Puzzle Trees, and the Holker Great Lime, one of the 50 Great British Trees.
The magnificent magnolias and rhododendrons are out in April, but we have it on good authority (from the gardener) that July is the best time to visit.
16. LAKELAND MOTOR MUSEUM
The Lakeland Motor Museum has a collection of over 140 classic cars and motorbikes and a huge display of bicycles, pedal cars, caravans and assorted motor-related memorabilia.
The highlight is the Campbell Bluebird Exhibition, a special tribute to Malcolm and Donald Campbell, who broke the land and water speed records in the 1950s and 1960s.
The Lakeland Motor Museum is a great all-weather thing to do in the Lake District when it’s not looking too good outside. There’s a café overlooking the river.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
There are plenty of great attractions the whole family can take part in. Here are some of the best.
15. BEATRIX POTTER HOUSE
Beatrix Potter purchased Hill Top Farm in the village of Near Sawrey in 1905 with the proceeds from her Peter Rabbit books.
She took a keen interest in the conservation of the Lake District and, over the years, purchased several other farms leaving most of them to the National Trust.
Hill Top is still full of her personal belongings and original artwork, and fans of her work will really enjoy it.
The house and garden have delightful nods to the characters of her books. Kids will love the cute signs that bring to life the stories of Jemima Puddle-Duck and Tom Kitten.
16. PICNIC AT TARN HOWS
Tarn Hows is a picturesque lake owned by the National Trust that is ideal for family picnics, easy strolls and relaxing days out.
The path around the lake is less than 2 miles, making it an achievable walk for all levels of ability. In an effort to make the lakes accessible for everyone, the National Trust loans out pre-booked mobility scooters free of charge.
It’s a dog-friendly location that children will love, and the entire path is very pram-friendly.
Try to arrive before lunchtime in summer as Tarn Hows gets very busy. There are toilets, a National Trust information van, and a snack truck.
17. SUP ON CONISTON
The Coniston Boating Centre at the northern end of the Coniston Water rents motorboats, rowing boats, kayaks and Canadian canoes.
But one of the best ways to explore the lake with kids is on a stand up paddleboard. The lake is particularly flat and still making it safe and fun for families.
Keep an eye out for The Old Man of Coniston and Dow Crag on the western side, and grand houses surrounded by Grizedale Forest on the east.
18. HAVERTHWAITE RAILWAY
The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway is only a twenty-minute journey, but the old-world carriages transport you to a bygone era as it navigates a beautiful green valley near Windermere.
The journey starts at Haverthwaite with one stop at Newby Bridge, before ending at Lakeside on the southern end of Lake Windermere.
Services run roughly hourly and there’s an old fashioned tea room in the station.
If you’re not blessed with good weather, a vintage rail journey is a great family activity.
REMOTE EXPERIENCES IN THE LAKES
If you’re looking for a more remote experience, there are several valley that feel miles away from anywhere else.
19. HAVE A PINT IN THE LANGDALE VALLEY
The Langdales is one of the most remote and dramatic areas of the Lake District. You can read more about the area on our Langdale Pikes guide.
Apart from rustic scenery, this remote valley has some of the most authentic hiker’s pubs in the country.
Lanty Slees at Sticklebarn offers local ales and makes hand-crafted cocktails using its own Lanty liquor. Combine with hearty meals, tasty nibbles or a slice of cake.
Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel is one of the best watering holes in the Lake District. The legendary Hiker’s Bar is charmingly dated and directly under the towering pikes of the Langdales.
20. EXPLORE WASTWATER
Wastwater is the deepest lake in the Lake District and one of the most dramatically set.
With the sun reflecting off the mountains the water is illuminated in a shimmering glow. The imposing rocky spine of scree beside the lake perfectly captures the rugged and dramatic side to the area.
We love coming to Wastwater and it really feels like a very different landscape from everywhere else in the Lakes.
There are several little beaches sprinkled around the shore where you can launch for a long swim, and plenty of rocky platforms where you can sit back and soak up the view.
Head to the Saw Mill Café and Farmshop not far from the southern end for some great food.
21. DRIVE HARDKNOTT PASS
Hardknott Pass is the most dramatic and remote pass in the Lake District.
It has 30% gradients which twist through a series of sharp hairpin turns to reach the top of the pass. Most people drive past the top but the 15 minute walk to Border End has magnificent views over the Scafell massif.
It’s only open to smaller vehicles, and you need to drive very carefully. The last time we did Hardknoff we saw a car balanced on a boulder by the side of the road with all 4 wheels in the air.
TOWNS & VILLAGES
Some of the towns in the Lake District are very busy with tourists and not that enjoyable to visit (in our opinion). But, here are the towns we think should be on your list.
22. AMBLESIDE
Ambleside is centrally located on the northern shores of Windermere. Once a quiet market town, Ambleside is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Lake District.
There are several quirky buildings to admire including the 17th century Bridge House and a 70-foot waterfall called Stock Ghyll with is just a 15 minute walk from the centre of town.
You can also hike to Loughrigg Fell (as mentioned above) from the centre of town.
All our recommendations are in our guide to the best things to do in Ambleside.
23. CARTMEL
Cartmel, on the southern edge of the Lake District, has developed a reputation as a foodie destination.
Chef Simon Rogan has set up shop with two Michelin-starred restaurants and several of the hotels in town take pub grub to the next level.
The most important contribution Cartmel has made to the British food scene, however, is Sticky Toffee Pudding which was popularised by the Village Shop who developed a take-home version that is now sold in most supermarkets throughout the country.
Some of our food highlights in town include L’Enclume (2 Michelin stars), Unsworth’s Yard Brewery, for craft beers and pizza, and Cartmel Cheeses.
24. HAWKSHEAD
Hawkshead is a charming village in the southern half of the Lakes, located between Windermere and Coniston Water. The small pedestrianised centre contains artisanal delis, old-school chocolate shops, cafes and traditional pubs.
One of our favourite stops in town is KITTchEN Bar and Beershop, a small bar with a big selection of craft ales. If you’re in Hawkshead for the evening, don’t miss their regular rotation of events including Quiz Night, singalong or open mic.
Another great thing to do in Hawkshead is to take the path from behind the churchyard to soak up the views of the village nestled among the hills.
25. GRASMERE
Grasmere is often our first choice when we stay in the Lake District. The village has just enough options to provide a choice in the evenings, yet it’s small enough not to feel overcrowded.
It’s beautifully set, with a little brook running between pretty stone houses and mountains rising all around.
Grasmere has a good collection of hotels, a couple of excellent pubs (one of which brews its own beer), a gingerbread store and a useful Co-op.
Numerous walks leave right from town, including easyish ascents of Loughrigg and Helm Crag to the more challenging hikes of Helvellyn and Fairfield.
Grasmere itself is a beautiful lake. You can hire a boat for a quiet paddle or swim from one of its excellent beaches.
ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES
Finally, if you’re looking for adventure the Lake District has you covered. Here are the best adventure activities we’ve enjoyed in the lakes.
26. MOUNTAIN BIKE
Grizedale Forest is one of the best places for mountain biking in the Lake District. A series of MTB trails have been cut through the forest floor, catering to all levels of experience.
The 17-kilometre Hawkshead Moor Trail is great for beginers, while experts will want to try the jumps on the 1-kilometre long, but very steep, Black Trail.
Bikes can be hired from Bike Treks located right next to the visitors centre.
Grizedale Forest also has some great walking trails and a Go Ape Adventure Centre.
27. GHYLL SCRAMBLE
Ghyll scrambling involves climbing up narrow ghylls (canyons), sliding down waterfalls and jumping into deep pools with the assistance of ropes and protective equipment.
Under the instruction of a guide, you’ll be set small challenges based on your level of comfort.
Heavy-duty wetsuits, knee pads, gloves, wetsuit boots and a helmet are all provided.
Stickle Ghyll in the Langdales is one of the best places to try ghyll scrambling due to the high levels of water throughout the year.
We did our Ghyll Scrambling with Crag Adventures who were fantastic. You can see the photos they gave us below.
28. VIA FERRATA
Honister’s Via Ferrata Extreme is one of the best adventure activities I’ve ever done in the Lake District.
Over three hours, we scaled the edge of Fleetwith Pike using vertical ladders, overhang descents, a nerve-testing bridge and a cargo net climb.
You are kitted out with protective gear and clipped on to iron rails throughout the ascent, so no climbing experience is necessary. All you really need is a reasonable level of fitness, a good head for heights and a strong sense of adventure.
Although it is mentally and physically challenging, the guides at Honister Slate Mine do a great job of putting you at ease.
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.
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Thanks for your support. Paul & Mark
I think I’ll stick with the relaxing kayaking thank you lol!
Not even a quick scramble?
I’ve been wanting to try and experience this kind of adventure but I think I must enroll in a paddleboard lesson first for safety measures. This is awesome, thanks!
Thanks, Hannah – there are lots of adventures to be had in the Lake District.
Thanks for the info… Me and my adventure loving best friend will definitely visit this place soon…
Glad to hear it.
Wonderful blog!! Thanks for the amazing post. It is really a great blog to use for the travel lovers. For a special experience and wild nature, you must visit Shkodra – a gateway to the Albanian Alps.
We hope to be heading out to the Alps next year. Maybe our paths will cross. Thanks.
This post brought back very fond memories of a trip to the Lake District, one of my favorite destinations in Britain. We went hiking and paddling and also visited the Beatrix Potter museum. And, if I remember rightly, a pencil museum.
You do remember rightly. The Keswick Pencil Museum is a staple of wet weather days and great way to stock up on those 2hbs.
This post really shows that we need to head out of the cities and enjoy the Lake District on a return visit to England. Good to know there are some easy strolls to enjoy the scenery. And some great small towns to explore. Interesting to read that there are stone circles here too. We were intrigued when we visited Stonehenge and other stone circles around the world. We never pass on a chance to get out on the water. So good to see there are several options. Although I am probably passing on a wild swim in chilly waters. Not a great Canadian!
There’s no doubt it can be a bit cold. But it’s worth heading here for the scenery if nothing else. Thanks for your comment.
The view from Scafell Pike looks pretty, but I think the Loughrigg will be fine by me. I like your pictures of the Castlerigg Stone Circle with the shadows. It looks as dramatic as the color of the Black Moss Pot. And I think I will have good times even just strolling the Hawkshead Village.
We have to confess we got a bit lucky with the weather in May. Snowy tops and blue skies are a rare combination and was just perfect for the stone circle.
You’ve inspired me to definitely add this to my travel list. It spoke to me. I would love to do all these hikes, well maybe leave off the most challenging one of Via Ferrata. I would love to visit the stone circle, so the literary walk, rent e-bikes for the trails. And to top it off at a hikers pub. Great guide, saving for later.
Thanks a lot. Hope you make it out there in the not too distant future.
I have never been to Lake District or this side of the world. I definitely want to visit it someday. There are so many things to do at Lake District. Kayaking is something that I will surely do and also a boat on that lake seems amazing.
Hope you get the chance to visit. Its not easy at the moment but perhaps it will be better soon.
Wow! I did not realize that there is so much to do in the Lake District. I would love to drive over the high passes. The view is just breathtaking. Thank you for sharing about it. Will make sure to visit in the future. Studying the literary heritage sounds awesome too.
It’s got a little bit of interest for everyone and while most of the high passes are easy, you need to be a little careful going over Hardknott.
So much to do! Hiking, canoeing, exploring quaint villages and castles…the Lake District has been on my to-see list for awhile now. Sure hope things open up a bit again so I can travel where I want to! In love with your photo of the lake at the beginning of the post.
Thanks. That’s a picture of Loughrigg Tarn from the top of Loughrigg in what turned out to be beautiful evening light.
Oh man, we spent 3 weeks in England and so regret making it to this region…especially upon seeing your gorgeous photographs. I love that there is such a culture of walking in this region and thinking about the centuries of feet that have followed those trails. Plus, i love kayaking so i’d be paddling all over those lakes. Way to go for the cliff jump : )
I am not one for heights to be honest, so it looks higher than it was!
Your photos are so gorgeous! And the views from the high passes are quite amazing. It looks like such a beautiful place to visit!
Hope you get a chance to visit some time. Thanks for your comment.
The Western Lakes are a hidden gem. We hired a camper from Carlisle Campers (https://www.carlislecampers.com) and explored for 10 days. We visited the shores of Wastwater, Muncaster Castle and the miniature railway called the L’all Ratty which was fantastic and took us through great scenery. We too the railway to the end at Boot where we visited some of the local pubs. Ravenglass is also a a beautiful seaside town. Touring by campervan is really a great way to go and gives you a lot of flexibility. We hope others have such a great trip as we did.