Travel Guide to The Lake District: 5-day Itinerary for the Perfect Summer Holiday
Travel Guide and Things to Do in The Lake District
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The Lake District, located in the northwest of England in the Cumbria region, is one of the most magical destinations in England. With its endless rolling, green landscapes and cozy pockets of charm, it is no wonder why this area is a highly sought after destination. It was certainly top priority on my UK bucket list while I lived in England. From exploring charming villages to hiking the whimsical landscapes, there is so much to do and see in The Lake District.
This guide focuses on spending 5 days (4 nights) exploring the lovely English countryside and discovering what The Lake District has to offer.
The Perfect Summer Holiday in The Lake District
What Months to Visit the Lake District
The Lake District is a beautiful destination all year round, with each season bringing a different kind of charm. A trip during the autumn and winter months rewards you with a cozy atmosphere and enjoyable winter activities. Not to mention this is the perfect time of the year to experience and partake of the aromatic Grasmere Gingerbread (this will be mentioned in more detail later in this post).
This itinerary will be centered around things to do in the Lake District during the Spring and Summer months when visitors can enjoy more of the outdoor activities including swimming in fairy pools, hiking the peaks, and enjoying the many lake beaches.
How to Get to The Lake District
This guide will be focused on travelling around the Lakes by car. However, it is perfectly possible to enjoy this beautiful destination through public transport. There is a train station in Windermere and several other main towns in Cumbria. Additionally, the bus system is well connected throughout the Lake District.
If you are travelling the Lake District by public transport, I highly recommend taking advantage of the locally guided tours in the area. Check out this tour that takes you through beautiful mountain scenery and through some charming Lakeland villages.
Best Area to Stay in The Lake District
The Lake District is full of many wonderful accommodation options suited to fit a variety of needs. Ambleside is a small town nestled directly on Lake Windermere, making it an ideal, central location for exploring this National Park in its entirety.
During my time in the Lake District, I stayed at the Ambleside YHA with a friend. This YHA accommodation is right on Lake Windermere, next to the boat docks. There are several room types to choose from - we opted for a private room with two twins. Other than being one of the more economical choices, YHA’s also has a full shared kitchen that can be used for meals and food storage as well as plenty of common areas to sit and have a chat or do some work.
We spent several nights eating at the attached restaurant, in awe of the sunset as we enjoyed our pub style meal overlooking the lake.
There is also a small cafe on the docks close to the YHA that hosted many breakfasts during my week long trip. We were even treated to a RAF fighter jet show one morning as they ran practice flights over Lake Windermere.
While there is parking available at YHA Ambleside, it is at capacity the majority of the time. We found parking across the street at the LakeSide Car Park was super convenient and there were always spaces available.
What to Pack for the Lake District
The contents of your packing list largely hinge on the season you choose for your visit to the Lakes. However, there are a few items that are strongly recommended to bring year-round:
Waterproof jacket + pants
Hiking boots/outfit
Day backpack
Umbrella
Cardboard box (kept in the car boot to keep muddy boots/hiking gear)
As you can see, many of these recommendations are based on the fact that England’s weather is unpredictable and it is important to be prepared to have glorious sunny and bright days along with days led by the rain and cold. One morning while in the cafe, I witnessed two paddle boarders enter the water enjoying the glorious sunshine and not 5 minutes later they were frantically paddling to shore after being hit by a random rain cloud. Like I said, unpredictable!
To fully enjoy the Lake District experience make sure you are well prepared for all weather conditions.
Itinerary for 5 Days in the Lake District
Day 1: Ambleside
As you arrive on your first day, drop your luggage off at the accommodation, and head out to explore the charming town of Ambleside. A short walk through Ambleside will find you at the trailhead for Stock Ghyll Force, a charming trail that takes you through thick green forest. While strolling through the forest, it becomes easy to allow your imagination to wander, envisioning magical beings calling this woodland their home.
Stock Ghyll Force Trail and Waterfalls in Ambleside
The circular will take you to waterfalls with multiple viewing points. Once you get to the trailhead, the path is very straightforward to follow. This is a great place to have a picnic or a quick mindful moment.
After your hike, you might choose to take time to explore the village of Ambleside. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to enjoy and maybe most importantly a Tescos to pick up snacks and bits and bobs to start your trip off right.
There are plenty of things to do in Ambleside , making it a great place to stay in the Lake District
Day 2: Bowness-on-Windermere
In Bowness-on-Windermere, you'll discover the true essence of an English village, ideal for a delightful morning of wandering the cobbled alleyways lined with restaurants, cafes, and boutiques.
A Day Out in Bowness-On-Windermere
To get to Bowness-on-Windermere from Ambleside, you can drive and park at Braithwaite Fold Car Park, Windermere Town Parking Place, or Glebe Road Car Park. Each of these have easy access and are only a short walk away from the center of town.
Another option would be taking the boat from Ambleside to Bowness. If you choose this option, there are multiple Lake Cruises that help you make a day out of exploring all of Lake Windermere by boat with hop-on-hop-off style of routes.
If boating is not your style, the Orrest Head Hike and Viewpoint is a short drive from the center of Bowness and makes a wonderful afternoon activity.
You can park at The Windermere Hotel for easy access to the trailhead and make your way to the viewpoint.
This hike offers a stunning 360-degree view of Lake Windermere and the picturesque rolling hills that surround it. The hike takes about 15-20 minutes to get to the top and renders both easy and difficult routes.
At the end of the hike, I recommend stepping into one of the nearby pubs in Bowness-On-Windermere which offer a perfectly cozy atmosphere for a post-hike drink.
Side note: Bowness is also the home of The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, where the writer’s charming characters such as Peter Rabbit come to life. Keep in mind, this is a very popular attraction and usually boasts a queue that extends down the street so it is important to plan accordingly.
Day 3: Coniston Fairy Pools + Grasmere Gingerbread
Embarking on an adventure to Coniston will welcome you with a quaint village and a lovely chance to hike to some enchanting fairy pools. Upon your arrival to the village, parking is available at the Coniston Tourist Information Centre. If you have any questions or are curious about the area, I recommend popping into the centre. They are the loveliest people and offer valuable insight into the area, giving the best recommendations for what you want to do.
Coniston, Lake District, England
We headed up to the Coniston Copper Mines, passing the Ruskin Museum and following the trail all the way up to the YHA. As you pass the old copper mine, you continue up a short way toward the waterfall in the distance. On your way up, you will find some of the most enchanting fairy pools overlooking the valley below.
The particular fairy pool we chose is a bit hidden. Keep your eye out to the left as you venture to the top. Access to this small waterfall and wading pool requires scrambling down some rocks, so be prepared. If scrambling isn’t your vibe, no worries as there are plenty of more accessible fairy pools down the trail, closer to the copper mine.
This is my “this water is so freaking cold” face. Let this be your warning: it is absolutely frigid when you first get in but it gets better after a couple of minutes and of course, completely worth it for the view alone.
Ice bath challenge who?
On the way back to your accommodation, a stop in Grasmere, a little hidden pocket of charm, is home to a couple significant points of interest.
Firstly, a trip to Grasmere would not be compete without a stop in at the famous Grasmere Gingerbread Shop. A tiny 1630s church cottage now provides visitors the opportunity to step into the year 1854, when Sarah Nelson first started selling her famous Grasmere Gingerbread. Today, the staff wears the same style of uniform and you are immediately encompassed by the same aromatic scent of the sweet and spicy Grasmere Gingerbread that is not quite a biscuit (cookie) and not quite a cake, but somewhere in the middle.
Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, The Lake District
Another interesting Grasmere site to take note of is one for the literature lovers. William Wordsworth, the great romantic poet, settled in Grasmere, first in Dove Cottage and later just a short drive away at Rydal Mount. He is buried at St. Oslwald’s Church which also maintains a beautiful memorial garden in his honour.
Wordsworth Memorial, Grasmere, Lake District
Day 4: Wasdale + Hardknott Pass
Hardknott Pass is one of England's most picturesque routes and is a must-do when visiting the Lake District by car. It is important to keep in mind that this route is challenging and has twisting, narrow roads that prove to be hard to manage. However, the journey unveils breathtaking views straight from the pages of a novel, offering a truly unforgettable experience that is completely worth every minute.
Hardknott Pass, The Lake District, England
This is one of the many routes that will take you to Skafell Pike and the surrounding area. Wasdale Lake Head Car Park was a good starting point and has the best access to the trailhead where we began our adventure. Although this is a popular place for those looking to climb Skafell Pike, we did not climb Skafell during this trip.
Wasdale , Lake District
Instead of aiming for the Skafell Pike peak, we spent the day exploring the trails in this area. We made sure to stop at England’s smallest parish church, St. Olaf’s Church of England. This church has served as a place of worship for hikers and explorers since as early as 1550. My favorite inscription found in the church reads as follows:
St. Olaf’s Church of England is the smallest parish church in the country
“I will lift up mine eyes the hills from whence cometh my strength. ”
Even for those, like myself, who do not adhere to a particular faith, this small building brings inspiration to every adventurer that finds themselves here.
We hiked along the trail up the side of Great Gable and found ourselves in the valley between Great Gable and Scafell which seemed to be the place many hikers stopped for a picnic lunch.
Whatever route you take in this area, you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. From the trickling streams to the fantastical beings that are highland cows, these paths are touched with magic.
Wasdale, Lake District, England
The Wasdale Inn is a great place to stop for a quick bite to eat after a day of exploring. Located in Wasdale Head near the car park, this pub offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Day 5: Last Day - Sizergh
Sizergh, Lake District, England
A trip to the Lake District would be incomplete without a visit to one of the many stately homes open to the public. Sizergh is the perfect place to finish off your trip. This estate holds history dating back to the mediaeval times. The same family has occupied it for over 800 years and now has opened up the majority of the property to the public including much of the house and grounds. The beautiful, expansive gardens leave room for one’s imagination to run wild.
More things to do in the Lake District
Beatrix Potter’s Home and Garden Tour
If you are a fan of the cute Peter Rabbit characters and want to jump into the life and world of the author, Beatrix Potter, I urge you to check out her home and gardens here in the Lake District. The enchanting garden vividly reflects the inspiration behind her delightful children's books.
Check out this tour that includes visiting Hill Top House (Beatrix Potter’s home) and Hawkhead, the medieval village that inspired her.
Kendal Castle
Within the village of Kendal, a short easy walk will lead you to Kendal Castle. Once a medieval fortress overlooking and protecting the village below, now is a wonderful place to explore the ancient ruins and have a nice picnic.
Kendal Castle, Kendal, Lake District
Rydal Water + Grasmere Circular (6.3 miles)
Another gem in the Lake District - I recommend checking out this hidden Lakeside beach. To get there, you will have to take a walk through a gorgeous path of the woods along the Grasmere Circular.
To find out more and get instructions for this walk, check out the blog post by Wainwright Walking here.
The Lake District is so expansive that it would take an entire lifetime to explore everything there is to do in this beautiful part of the world. These are some of the activities that I would highly recommend and would do over again if given the chance. The Lake District is the stuff of dreams and provides the perfect English countryside holiday destination.
I hope this travel guide inspires you to take a trip and enjoy the beauty The Lake District offers its visitors.
For more epic UK summer adventures, check out this blog post: The Ultimate UK Summer Bucket List
Trip to the Lake District, England
