Lake District

There’s plenty to see and do in The Lake District, from hiking to sailing, to train rides and Beatrix Potter. Read our guide whilst on tour

Things to Do In the Lake District

The Lake District offers a great place to explore for people of all ages.  The Lake District is a very popular tourist area and it is famous for mountains, forests and lakes. This area is associated with some famous people including the poet William Wordsworth and also John Ruskin and Beatrix Potter. For people who enjoy water sports there is a lot on offer in the Lake District national park and this includes fishing, kayaking and canoeing.  There are many thriving communities, which includes Bowness-on-Windermere and Keswick.

Hiking

This area is classed as a World Heritage Site and some of the best places for hiking in the UK.  People who enjoy going for a hike may be interested in exploring Skiddaw and to the north of here there is rolling hills and high moors. These fells are lonely and bleak which means that the do not attract the high numbers of people like the southern neighbours. These fells offer wide open spaces and it offer a great bridleway which are well graded and stony. The tracks go over the open moorland and the lower fells. The return from these trails is along the roads.

Some of the most popular hikes in The Lake District are:

  1. Helvellyn
  2. Cat Bells
  3. Scafell Pike
  4. Buttermere
  5. Old Man of Coniston
  6. Derwentwater
  7. Langdale Pikes
  8. Wastwater

Things to do in the Lake District When It’s Raining

The Lake District is a great place to explore regardless of the weather. There is a lot of things that you can do even when the water is not too good.

Coast Aquarium

Coast Aquarium is a great attraction and there is a vast amount of sea creatures that can be explored. There is over seventy five displays that are constantly looking to expand and they aim to add new features to the attraction.

The Brewery Art Centre

The Brewery Art centre is a hub for entertainment and culture. This centre is located at the heart of Kendal. There is a vast program of events that run at this centre.

The Lakeside Railway

The Lakeside Railway is the ideal place to take a ride on a steam train to Windermere from Haverthwaite. You could take the train ride and then visit Lake Aquarium before taking the return journey. The line is not very long but the train is relatively slow so there is plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way.

Days Out For Couples in The Lake District

There is a vast array of things for couples to do in The Lake District.

Ullswater Steamers

Ullswater Steamers are a great attraction for people of all ages. This attraction is an environmentally accredited and award winning and it has over one hundred and fifty years’ experience of operating cruises in this beautiful area. This attraction operates one of the biggest heritage vessel fleets anywhere in the world and it offers visitors a great experience.

Shopping

There are many areas for shopping in the Lake District and this includes Penrith, Kendal and Keswick.

Historical Villages

There are also a lot of historical villages which offer a great place for a leisurely stroll and some of the best place include Windermere, Cockermouth and Ambleside.

Places to Visit in the Lake District for Free

The natural beautiful surroundings are great for exploring especially if you like romantic poets.

Keswick

The town of Keswick is at the central of the Lake District and it makes the perfect place for visiting.

The Pencil Museum

Keswick is home to the Pencil Museum and this is home to the first pencil and the visitors to the museum will enter through the graphite mine, which is a replica. This museum explains the history of the pencil from the humble beginnings to the present day production. The exhibits includes the secrets of World War 2 pencils with hidden maps, one of the biggest coloured pencils in the world measures about eight meters, the queen’s pencil from the golden jubilee and miniature pencil sculptures.

Derwent Retail Shop at The Pencil Museum

At The Pencil Museum venue there is also Derwent retail shop for fine art, art workshops and a coffee shop.

Days Out For Families in the Lake District

Families will not be disappointed with a visit to the Lake District as there is a vast amount of things for them to explore.

Lakeland Motor Museum

Lakeland motor museum will take you on a trip down memory lane and you can feast your eyes on the unique collection which consists of thirty thousand exhibits. These exhibits include one hundred and forty motorbikes and classic cars, which were all assembled over fifty years ago. This museum is located in Leven valley, which is a scenic area. The whole collection is presented in a social context with many rarities which will grasp the attention of the younger motor memories.

Treetop Trek

For adrenaline junkies Treetop Trek is worth taking a look as this will have you climbing, swimming, balancing and flying through the oak trees that are two hundred and fifty years old.

Beatrix Potter’s Home

Best known for her writing and illustrations, Helen Beatrix Potter was one of the most important local people involved in the conservation of the Lakeland area.  She lived in Near Sawrey, which is between Far Sawrey and Hawkshead in South Lakeland for many years.  Many of her books and characters were based on local characters and the scenery was based often on the views from her window, her garden and her village.  For example, The Tale of The Pie and The Patty Pan, by Beatrix featured two pomeranian dogs based upon a pomeranian called Duchess belonging to her neighbour in the village of Near Sawrey.   Beatrix’s home has been preserved and is open to tourists regularly throughout the year.

The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction

Head over to Bowness-on-Windermere for more Beatrix Potter.  The World of Beatrix Potter is an interactive attraction which tells the story of Beatrix Potter, her life, her writings and her importance to the Lake District as a conservationist.  There are plenty of Peter Rabbit’s, Tabitha Twitchit and Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotton Tails to keep all of the family entertained.

Your Next Destination?

Give us some feedback. We would love to hear where you would like us to visit next, or if there is anything else you would like us to tell you about the counties we visit on our trip around the British Isles. The expert teams at Travelworld Motorhomes would love to hear from you. In addition to hearing where you would like us to go, we can offer advice or support on any aspect of holidaying in your motorhome, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We will be more than happy to assist you.