LakeDistrict
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in the Lake District reveals the full extraordinary depth of England's most celebrated landscape. Beyond Windermere and Grasmere lie the prehistoric mystery of Castlerigg Stone Circle, the Victorian steam yacht on Coniston Water, the magnificent Cat Bells ridge above Derwentwater, the hidden hamlet of Watendlath and the summit of Skiddaw with its view from Scotland to Wales. This route moves from the central Lakes through the dramatic western valleys of Buttermere and Borrowdale to the northern fells of Skiddaw and Keswick, then returns south to the quieter shores of Coniston Water and Tarn Hows. Five days covering every dimension of the finest mountain landscape in England.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to October
Getting There
Train to Windermere from Oxenholme, then bus or car
Getting Around
Car essential, lake launches, walking
Budget Per Day
Approx 95 to 265 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate to challenging, high fell options
DAY 1
CENTRAL LAKES
MORNING
WINDERMERE AND AMBLESIDE, GATEWAY TO THE CENTRAL LAKES
Windermere is the largest natural lake in England, 10.5 miles long and up to 220 feet deep, its extraordinary shoreline of wooded islands and Victorian boat houses giving it an atmosphere quite unlike any other lake in Britain. The Windermere Lake Cruises ferry connects Ambleside, Bowness and Lakeside in the finest boat journey in England. Ambleside at the head of the lake is the finest base town in the Lake District. Cruises from approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GRASMERE, THE HOME OF WORDSWORTH AND THE FINEST GINGERBREAD IN ENGLAND
Grasmere is the most literary village in England, home to William Wordsworth for 14 years. Dove Cottage where Wordsworth lived from 1799 to 1808 contains the finest small literary museum in Britain. The extraordinary Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop in the village, operating since 1854, sells gingerbread made from a secret recipe to extraordinary queues every day. The Grasmere valley walk around the lake is remarkable. Entry to Dove Cottage approx 10 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
LANGDALE AND THE FINEST VALLEY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
Great Langdale is the most extraordinary valley in the Lake District, its extraordinary Langdale Pikes rising 2,415 feet above the valley floor in a wall of ancient volcanic rock. The valley is the finest example of glacial landscape in England, its corries, moraines and hanging valleys all visible from the valley road. The Stickle Ghyll waterfall above the New Dungeon Ghyll inn is the finest accessible waterfall in the Lakes. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Rydal Cave, a vast quarrying cave above Rydal Water between Ambleside and Grasmere, is one of the most extraordinary and least known hidden places in the Lake District. The extraordinary chamber, large enough to accommodate hundreds of people, looks out through its opening over the extraordinary lake and the surrounding fells. Accessible via a 30-minute walk from Rydal village on the public footpath. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Zeffirellis, Ambleside The finest breakfast in the Lake District. Outstanding eggs and local produce in the best cafe in Ambleside. | Lunch: Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge Outstanding riverside cafe. Local sandwiches and the finest cake in the Lakes. | Dinner: The Drunken Duck, Ambleside The finest pub in the Lake District. Outstanding local game, fell-bred lamb and their own brewery ales.
DAY 2
WESTERN LAKES
MORNING
BUTTERMERE AND THE MOST PERFECT LAKE IN ENGLAND
Buttermere is the finest and most perfectly proportioned lake in England, its extraordinary shore walk of 4 miles giving continuous views to High Stile, Red Pike and Haystacks. The surrounding fells were the favourite of Alfred Wainwright, who chose Haystacks for the scattering of his ashes. The circuit walk is the finest low-level lake walk in the Lake District with no road walking for the entire circuit. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
HONISTER SLATE MINE AND THE VIA FERRATA
The Honister Slate Mine at the head of Honister Pass is the last working slate mine in England, its extraordinary via ferrata mountain climbing route on the cliff above the mine the finest in Britain outside the Alps. The underground mine tour gives an extraordinary insight into the Victorian industry that shaped the landscape of the Lake District. Entry to mine tour approx 15 pounds, via ferrata approx 35 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BORROWDALE AND THE FINEST VALLEY WALK IN CUMBRIA
Borrowdale is the most extraordinarily wooded and dramatic valley in the Lake District, its extraordinary Bowder Stone, a 2,000-tonne glacial erratic balanced on a single point, its famous Jaws of Borrowdale gorge and the extraordinary ancient oakwoods of Johnny Wood and Grange Fell giving it a character unlike any other valley in England. The walk from Grange-in-Borrowdale to Rosthwaite is exceptional. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Innominate Tarn on the summit ridge of Haystacks, 5 miles from Buttermere via the Red Pike route, is one of the most extraordinary and moving places in the Lake District. Alfred Wainwright chose this tiny moorland pool as the place for his ashes to be scattered and it has become an unofficial pilgrimage destination. The view from the tarn over Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater is the finest in the western Lakes. Allow 4 hours return from Buttermere.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bridge Hotel, Buttermere Outstanding full Cumbrian breakfast before the lake circuit. The black pudding is from the village butcher. | Lunch: Flock In, Stonethwaite The finest tearoom in Borrowdale. Outstanding local sandwiches and extraordinary fell-view terrace. | Dinner: The Swinside Inn, Newlands Outstanding country inn dinner in the most extraordinary hidden valley in the Lakes.
DAY 3
ULLSWATER
MORNING
ULLSWATER STEAMERS AND THE FINEST LAKE CRUISE IN ENGLAND
Ullswater is the most beautiful lake in England, its extraordinary sinuous shape and the surrounding Helvellyn range making it the finest view from any steamer in Britain. The Ullswater Steamers, some of the oldest working passenger vessels in the world, connect Pooley Bridge, Howtown and Glenridding in a journey of extraordinary beauty. The Howtown to Patterdale walk along the eastern shore is 9 miles of the finest lake path in England. Steamer from approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min walk
MIDDAY
HELVELLYN VIA STRIDING EDGE, THE MOST DRAMATIC RIDGE WALK IN ENGLAND
Striding Edge on Helvellyn at 3,117 feet is the most famous and dramatic ridge walk in England, a narrow arrete of ancient rock requiring hands and feet in several places with extraordinary drops on both sides. The summit of Helvellyn is the finest viewpoint in the Lake District, looking over 14 lakes simultaneously on clear days. The return via Swirral Edge is a complete horseshoe of extraordinary quality. Allow 5 to 6 hours. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
PENRITH AND BROUGHAM CASTLE, THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE LAKE DISTRICT
Brougham Castle near Penrith is the finest ruined castle on the northern edge of the Lake District, its extraordinary red sandstone keep above the River Eamont in a completely undiscovered location. The adjacent Mayburgh Henge, a Neolithic circular earthwork nearly 100 metres across with a single standing stone, is one of the most extraordinary prehistoric monuments in northern England and almost entirely free of visitors. Entry to castle approx 6 pounds, henge free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Aira Force waterfall in the National Trust's Gowbarrow Park above Ullswater is the finest accessible waterfall in the Lake District, a 65-foot cascade through an extraordinary gorge of ancient oaks that inspired Wordsworth to write Daffodils. The upper falls above Aira Force are almost entirely unknown to visitors and are reached by a further 20 minutes of upstream walking through extraordinary oak woodland. Entirely free from the National Trust car park.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Inn on the Lake, Glenridding Outstanding lakeside breakfast with extraordinary Ullswater views. | Lunch: Sharrow Bay, Ullswater The finest country house lunch in the Lake District. Book ahead. The lake view is extraordinary. | Dinner: George and Dragon, Clifton Outstanding local food and Cumbrian ales at the finest inn on the northern edge of the Lakes.
DAY 4
KESWICK AND THE NORTHERN FELLS
MORNING
KESWICK AND DERWENTWATER, THE QUEEN OF THE LAKES
Keswick is the finest market town in the Lake District, its extraordinary Saturday and Thursday markets, the Pencil Museum and the magnificent Derwentwater making it the finest base in the northern Lakes. The Derwentwater launch connects Cat Bells, Lodore Falls, High Brandelhow and Hawes End in the finest short lake circuit in England. Cat Bells fell above the lake is the finest short climb in the Lakes at 1,481 feet. Launch approx 10 pounds, Cat Bells climb free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CASTLERIGG STONE CIRCLE, THE MOST DRAMATICALLY SITED IN ENGLAND
Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick is one of the most extraordinarily sited prehistoric monuments in Britain, its 38 standing stones arranged in a slightly oval ring on an elevated plateau with 360-degree views of the surrounding Helvellyn range, Skiddaw and the Derwent fells. Dating to around 3000 BC, it predates Stonehenge. The extraordinary landscape setting, visible from the stones in every direction, is unlike any other stone circle in England. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
SKIDDAW AND THE NORTHERN FELLS, THE QUIETEST CORNER OF THE LAKES
Skiddaw at 3,054 feet is the fourth highest mountain in England, its extraordinary broad ridge giving unobstructed views over the Solway Firth to Scotland, the Isle of Man and across the entire Lake District on clear days. The ascent from Keswick takes 4 hours and is one of the finest long mountain days in England. The northern fells beyond Skiddaw, collectively known as Back o'Skiddaw, are the quietest and least visited landscape in the Lake District. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Watendlath, a hidden hamlet of extraordinary stone farmhouses and barns in a high valley above Borrowdale accessible only by a narrow lane from Rosthwaite, is one of the most extraordinary hidden places in the Lake District. The tarns and the characteristic Lakeland fell farming landscape here inspired Hugh Walpole's Herries Chronicles. The walk from Watendlath to Grasmere over the fell tops via Greenup Edge is one of the finest cross-fell walks in the Lakes. Watendlath car park approx 3 pounds.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Bryson's, Keswick The finest bakery in Keswick. Outstanding teabreads, Cumbrian pasties and proper scones. | Lunch: The Pheasant, Bassenthwaite Outstanding country inn lunch near Bassenthwaite Lake. Local game and Cumbrian produce. | Dinner: The Square Orange, Keswick Outstanding evening food in Keswick's finest independent restaurant. Local fell lamb and Herdwick.
DAY 5
CONISTON AND THE SOUTHERN LAKES
MORNING
CONISTON WATER AND THE ARTHUR RANSOME COUNTRY
Coniston Water is the most literary lake in England after Grasmere, its extraordinary shoreline the setting for Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons and the location of Donald Campbell's fatal water speed record attempt in 1967. The Gondola steam yacht, restored by the National Trust, is the finest Victorian steam vessel in service in England. The Coniston to Tarn Hows walk is the finest short walk in the southern Lakes. Gondola cruise approx 12 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
TARN HOWS AND THE MOST FAMOUS VIEW IN THE LAKE DISTRICT
Tarn Hows above Coniston is the most photographed view in the Lake District, its extraordinary artificial lake created by a Victorian landowner by damming three tarns, now surrounded by ancient woodland of extraordinary variety. The 1.5 mile circuit walk through National Trust woodland gives continuous views of the Langdale Pikes, the Coniston fells and the extraordinary tarn itself. The accessible path is suitable for all abilities. Entry free, parking approx 5 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BRANTWOOD, JOHN RUSKIN'S HOUSE ON CONISTON WATER
Brantwood on the eastern shore of Coniston Water was the home of John Ruskin from 1872 until his death in 1900 and is the finest Victorian artist's house open to the public in England. The extraordinary lakeside gardens, the collection of drawings and watercolours and the views from Ruskin's study window over Coniston Water are all remarkable. The boat from Coniston pier to Brantwood takes 20 minutes and is the finest way to arrive. Entry approx 10 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Langdale Valley on a weekday morning in October, when the bracken turns the fells deep amber and the Langdale Pikes catch the low autumn sun, is one of the most extraordinary natural spectacles in England. The walk from the Old Dungeon Ghyll to Stickle Tarn below Pavey Ark through the extraordinary golden bracken with the valley below takes 2 hours and gives the finest view of the central fells. Arrive before 9am. The valley is a different place before the car parks fill.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Jumping Jenny, Brantwood Outstanding breakfast at the finest cafe in the southern Lakes, in Ruskin's own boathouse. | Lunch: The Black Bull, Coniston Outstanding Cumbrian pub lunch. The Bluebird bitter is brewed in the pub named after Campbell's boat. | Dinner: The Farmer's Arms, Lowick Outstanding fell-farm-to-table dinner at the finest country pub in the southern Lakes.
Where To Stay
Ambleside, Nights 1 to 3 Rothay Manor or The Salutation. Approx 100 to 250 GBP per night. Keswick, Nights 4 to 5 The Lodore Falls Hotel or Lyzzick Hall. Approx 100 to 220 GBP per night. Budget Option YHA Ambleside, YHA Borrowdale or YHA Keswick. Approx 25 to 50 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Castlerigg Stone Circle at dawn: the finest light is at 7am. You will almost certainly have it to yourself.
2. Tarn Hows in October: the autumn colour in the surrounding woodland is extraordinary. Arrive before 10am.
3. Skiddaw: start before 9am from Keswick. The summit in clear conditions gives a view from Scotland to Wales.
4. Gondola steam yacht on Coniston: book ahead in summer. The Victorian restoration is extraordinary.
5. Watendlath: the lane is single track and very narrow. Drive slowly and use the National Trust car park at the top.
6. Cat Bells above Derwentwater: the finest short fell walk in the Lakes. Allow 2 hours. Extraordinary in all weathers.
Total Budget
95 to 260 GBP/day