Famous for its many beautiful lakes, the Lake District is visited by those from far and wide who come to experience one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Mountains, valleys and woodlands caress the lakeside, and it is these landscapes and natural surroundings that earned the Lake District its UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2017.
But the beauty doesn’t stop with the wild nature. The idyllic and picturesque villages situated throughout the Lake District are truly beautiful in their own right, with gorgeous stone buildings, picturesque winding lanes and cobbled streets. These historical and characterful settlements have grown to be some of the most-visited locations in the UK whilst retaining everything old fashioned about them. Now lively and bustling places to be, you can enjoy days out exploring all their quirks, browsing unique boutiques, grabbing a coffee in a cosy tea room and enjoying all the wonderful experiences on offer!
Here we list a few of our favourites which we feel are a must-see when staying in the Lake District.
Hawkshead
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA22 0NT
Described as the prettiest village in the Lakes, Hawkshead was once a prosperous medieval town and is now a well-loved base for exploring the southern lakes and beyond. Made up of paved streets and whitewashed houses, you can spend hours pottering about window shopping, grazing in all the welcoming cafes and treating yourself to a cream tea.
Highlight attraction: Hawkshead brewery Tour
Nearest Lake: Esthwaite Water
Where to eat:
The Red Lion Inn - a traditional coaching inn open daily, serving a range of scrumptious homemade pub meals. (Dog Friendly)
Kings Arms Hotel - A traditional Lakeland inn. Good food, real ales, breakfast (Dog Friendly)
Things to do
Fishing at Esthwaite Water
Shopping in the Hawkshead Store
Walking through Grizedale Forest
Sight seeing at Wray Castle
Coniston
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA21 8EH
Coniston is a brilliant village for the outdoor enthusiast, with The Old Man of Coniston and the fells right on the doorstep. Hillwalkers, climbers and mountain bikers come from near and far to experience the magnificent outdoors and enjoy their down time back in this lively spot. With lots of cafes and pubs, there is plenty of choice for eating out and being close to Coniston Water - there are opportunities for boat trips, and also lazy days with picnics.
Highlight attraction:
Nearest lake: Coniston Water
Where to eat: The Yewdale Inn welcomes locals and visitors alike to enjoy its warming food and drink on offer all year round. This pub is dog-friendly.
Things to do
Steam Yacht Gondola
Brantwood
Ruskin Museum
Tarn Hows
Keswick
Location: Northern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode CA12 5DN
This beautiful market town, nestled in the shadow of the mountains, is an idyllic and memorable town settled on the shores of Lake Derwentwater. Now a major centre for tourism in the Lakes, Keswick offers a wide range of attractions from shops, restaurants and museums to boating trips on the lake. Outdoor activities such as walking, climbing and biking are amongst the many sports undertaken in this beautiful area.
Highlight attraction: Keswick Mountain Festival – an annual festival attracting around 20,000 visitors to enjoy three days of world-class sports, outdoor activities, talks, films and music.
Nearest lake: Lake Derwentwater
Where to eat: The Chief Justice of the Common Pleas we would'nt normally recommend a chain pub but this Weatherspoons is set in a old magistrate's court built around 1901 with court house and jail cells intact.
Things to do
Catbells Lakeland Walk
Derwentwater Surprise View
Keswick Brewing Company
The Lakes Distillery
Kendal
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA9 4BT
Situated to the south of the Lake District, Kendal is especially well placed to cater for everyone’s holiday needs. Being home to a fine selection of shops and boutiques, two castles, two museums and many historical buildings, the town itself will keep you busy for hours. Lake Windermere is a small 9 miles away so a trip to the waterside couldn’t be easier and where you'll find boat trips, water sports and beaches to play on. Kendal should definitely be on the list!
Highlight attraction: Kendal Castle is situated on a mound-like hill, known as a drumlin, to the east of the town of Kendal. The building has been a ruin since Tudor times and is free for the public to explore.
Nearest lake: Lake Windermere
Where to eat: The Moon Highgate offers expertly prepared, high-quality food in a comfortable relaxed setting. All produce is sourced from across Cumbria.
Things to do
Sizergh Castle
Try Kendal Mint Cake
Lakeland Maze Farm Park
Kendal Shopping
Bowness-on-Windermere
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA23 3HE
This is Lakeland’s most popular holiday resort and being an excellent centre for boating activities, Lake Windermere alone has over 10,000 boats registered. So, if you are a fan of boats, this is the place to admire them! The lake is today one of the prime destinations for water sports in the Lake District. Several marinas and sailing and windsurfing centres are to be found on the shores. You will also find a large selection of Adventure Activity companies, guides and instructors for all abilities based around the lake.
Highlight attraction: Brockhole Visitor Centre – set in 30 acres on the shores of Windermere, this is host to a variety of activities from tree-top trails and pony rides to kayak tours.
Nearest lake: Lake Windermere
Where to eat:
The Angel Inn is a Lakeland gem in the heart of Bowness-on-Windermere with fantastic food and drink whilst taking in views of sweeping water and forest.
Boaters Bar the Lake District’s premium venue, is situated on the shore of Lake Windermere offering unrivalled views across the water. Since its opening in 2019, Boaters Bar has taken to the Glebe like a duck to water and has proven itself to be a hit with Bowness locals and visitors alike. (Dog Friendly)
Things to do
The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
Lake Boat Cruise
Boat Hire
Lakes Aquarium
Grasmere
Location: Central Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA22 9TA
This little village is probably one of Cumbria’s most popular destinations, thanks to William Wordsworth (1770-1850). Dove Cottage, where the poet used to live with his sister, still stands and opens its doors as a small museum. Most of the buildings here date back to the 19th century, though the surrounding countryside farms are much older. Today Grasmere is totally given over to the tourist industry, with plenty of gift shops, places to stay and places to eat. It has a lovely vibe and can easily fill a slow-paced afternoon.
Nearest lake: The lake at Grasmere
Interesting fact: Wordsworth and his wife have a tombstone in the churchyard of St Oswald’s Church, now one of the most visited literary shrines in the world.
Where to eat: Greens Café & Bistro serves breakfasts, lunches and a wide selection of cakes and pastries baked freshly for you.
Things to do
Try Grasmere Ginger Bread
Wordsworth Daffodil Garden
Alcock Tarn
Wordsworth Grasmere
Cartmel
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA11 6QB
The ancient village of Cartmel is famous for the 12th-century Cartmel Priory, with its beautiful stained-glass windows, modern sculptures, and ancient choir stalls. It houses a variety of interesting shops and traditional pubs around its main square, and in the narrow winding streets leading off from it there are a variety of historically interesting buildings. The maze of lanes and bridges cross a sweet little river where you can see ducks and swans enjoying the lazy currents.
Highlight attraction: On the market square is Cartmel Village Shop, famous for its sticky toffee pudding.
Nearest lake: Southern Lake
Interesting fact: The village is most famous for its ancient priory which has been a place of Christian worship for 800 years.
Where to eat: Food is a major attraction with Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume restaurant holding two Michelin stars. Dine here and please those taste buds!
Things to do
Cartmel Priory
Unsworth’s Yard Brewery
Lakeland Segway
Hales of Cartmel
Ambleside
Location: Southern Lake District
Car Park: Postcode LA22 0DB
A picturesque village next to the northern shore of Lake Windermere. Popular with tourists and home to the most photographed building in the Lake District, The Bridge House.
Highlight attraction:
Nearest lake: Lake Windermere
Where to eat:The Flying Fleece a traditional British pub located in the heart of Ambleside, The Lake District. Enjoy a pint of ale by the log fire or drinks outside on there beautiful terrace. serves homecooked meals and are family and dog friendly.
Things to do
Hayes Garden World Ambleside
Bridge House
Loughrigg Fell
Hill Top, Beatrix Potter's House
For more information on this wonderful holiday destination, check out our full guide to the Lake District where we list the best places to go, fun things to do and see, great walks and outdoor pursuits and, of course, the best places to eat!
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