One of the most picturesque places in England with views for days and a fantastic culinary scene making use of amazing local produce, it’s no surprise that the Lake District is the most visited national park in the UK.
Keep an eye out for: The Lakes – Namesake of the area you won’t be able to wander far without stumbling across one of the sparkling lakes, tarns or waters.
How to get to the Lake District
By train – The nearest major train station to the Lake District is Oxenholme, which acts as a connection between the cross country trains and regional trains which can take you to some of the smaller towns including Windermere, Barrow and Kendal. High speed trains run from London (3 hours), Glasgow (2 hours), Edinburgh (2 hours) and Manchester (1 hour 30) to Oxenholme several times a day, and by booking well in advance you can get tickets for very reasonable prices.
By car – With its enviable position in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside, the easiest way to get to and around the Lake District is by car. Just off the M6 motorway, to drive to the Lake District from London takes around 5 hours. As the high speed Virgin Trains take less time than this, you could choose to catch the train up to Oxenholme and then rent a car from there in order to enable you to explore more of the Lakes at your leisure.
By plane – All nearby airports are around a 2 hour drive from the Lake District National Park. The nearest airports are Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow all of which are served by the majority of European cities with daily direct flights. From the airport it’s easiest (and cheapest) to arrange a transfer with the place you are staying in advance. You can also rent a car from the airport and self drive to the Lake District.
Where to stay in the Lake District
Holbeck Ghyll – With one of the best views of Lake Windermere in the Lake District, Holbeck Ghyll is a great place to stay for first timers to the Lakes. There are several popular walking routes that start right from your door or if the weather is against you, you can hide away in the spa. Rooms are playfully named after Beatrix Potter characters and look out over the lake or back towards the fell.
The Gilpin – The Gilpin Hotel offers the ultimate luxury retreat, with only 25 rooms, two award winning restaurants and a croquet lawn! For ultimate luxury the five aptly named spa lodges come with their own integrated spa complete with outdoor hot tub looking out over the moors.
The Forest Side – Combining a Michelin star restaurant with plush rooms, the focus at the Forest Side is unashamedly on the food. No stay here is complete without enjoying Kevin Tickle’s locally inspired menu. Aside from the food, you can meander into local Grasmere to walk off some of your ten course plus tasting menu, or curl up by the fire with a game of Scrabble in a food coma.
The Samling – Another hotel with epic views and another hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant, you certainly can’t go wrong with the Samling. Perched overlooking Lake Windermere, you can both dine and sleep with the quintessential lake views.
The Malabar – Just across the motorway from the Lake District, retreat to the Malabar for a cosy escape. Make yourselves comfortable within your home away from home as Fiona and Graham look after your every need, from a cracking breakfast to a bottle of vino from the wine cellar.
Where to eat in the Lake District
The Three Hares – Bakery and casual cafe during the day, the Three Hares transforms into a wonderful restaurant in the evenings where a table is hot property! Championing local produce with a twist you’ll likely find combinations of ingredients you’ve never heard of, and then wonder why after just one bite. Accompanied by a great wine selection, this is best place to dine in sleepy Sedbergh.
L’Enclume – Culinary gem of the Lake District, Simon Rogan’s iconic riverside restaurant L’Enclume is enough reason in itself to venture up to Cumbria! Winner of two Michelin stars, L’Enclume focuses on home-grown and hand-picked ingredients reflecting the very essence of farm to table cooking. Dishes change regularly due to season availability, but if you manage to snag a table you can be sure of a meal to remember.
Lake Road Kitchen – With only nine tables, a meal at Lake Road Kitchen is a very personal affair, with daily changing menus making the most of local ingredients, many from the restaurant’s own garden. Renowned for the best meat and shellfish sourced from Northern Europe, the star of the show, if you’re lucky enough to try it, is the Cumbrian Blue Grey beef with marbling similar to wagyu.
The Forest Side – Focusing on locally sourced seasonal produce the Forest Side will take you on a culinary journey of the Lake District! Enjoy playful dishes such as a “little critter fritter”, and their iconic venison pastrami paired with a range of interesting wines from small organic and biodynamic producers.
Drunken Duck Inn – Combining good pub grub with a classier side, the Drunken Duck Inn is a popular spot in Ambleside perfect for a hearty lunch after a walk around the Lakes. Try some of their home-brewed ales alongside globally inspired dishes, and settle down for the night.
Where to drink in the Lake District
The Chocolate House – After a Winter walk around the Lakes, there’s no better way to warm up than a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Pick from one of 16 speciality hot chocolates served at The Chocolate House including some rogue flavours, my favourite has to be the Highwayman.
The Lakes Distillery – Peek behind the scenes of this working distillery and taste their whisky, gin and vodka during a tour of the Lakes Distillery. Learn something new about your favourite tipple and don’t miss out on a chance to try the delicious flavoured liqueurs.
Kirkstile Inn – With one of the best beer gardens in the Lake District there’s no better place for a pint in the sunshine than Kirkstile Inn. They focus heavily on beer brewing some of their own ales and also featuring ever-changing guest ales, and even host two annual beer festivals.
The Fizzy Tarté – Located in Bowness on Windermere this bar has something for everyone with a range of cocktails and the largest selection of champagne in the Lake District. The vibe is sophisticated and the Fizzy Tarté pride themselves on great service. If you’re looking for a great night out they also offer cocktail making classes.
What to see & do in the Lake District
Enjoy some of the Lake District’s beautiful views – The Lake District is full of amazing viewpoints looking out across the picturesque landscape, some are a nice easy walk from a car park, and others require a little more of a hike but each is worth it! Our favourites have to be Tarn Hows for its spooky otherworldliness and Claife Viewing Station for great views of Windermere through the stained glass windows.
Wander into the quaint lakeside towns – Dotted around the edges of the Lakes are little chocolate box villages to explore. Visit famous attractions including Grasmere’s famous gingerbread shop and the World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, or spend your time meandering between quaint shops and cute little tea rooms.
Take to the water – Unsurprisingly the Lake District is home to several picturesque lakes worth exploring and what better way than to see them from on the water! Hop on one of the Windermere Lake cruises from popular lakeside towns including Bowness and Ambleside for a relaxing journey around England’s largest lake. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous charter your own boat for a few hours to take in the sites.
Challenge your fear of heights along Via Ferrata – For the more adventurous visitors to the Lake District looking for an adrenaline rush the Via Ferrata is a great way to catch some amazing views of the Lakes whilst pushing you out of your comfort zone. Climb up ladders embedded in the rock, walk along wire bridges and scramble up cargo nets to reach the top of Fleetwith Pike.
Curl up by the fire with a good book or a game of Scrabble – Being England you can’t always trust the sun to be shining. Hide from the rain in a cosy pub or beside the crackling fire in your hotel with a glass of wine and a game of Scrabble, loser buys the next round!
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