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The Lake District
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The Lake District

England's Lakes and Fells, Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter

Plan this trip
3 daysIdeal stay₹12,600From / night₹2,900Food / dayFreeEntry

A national park of lakes and fells in Cumbria and England's highest mountain, Scafell Pike: lake steamers on Windermere and Ullswater, Grasmere and Wordsworth's Dove Cottage, Beatrix Potter's Hill Top, and walks from easy lakeshore paths to Helvellyn. Windermere station is 3 to 3.5 hours from London (change at Oxenholme) and about 2 hours from Manchester; a car or the bus network (the 555 and 599) gets round the lakes. Bowness and Ambleside are busy in July and August.

Highlights

  • Windermere lake cruise
  • Grasmere and Dove Cottage
  • Beatrix Potter's Hill Top
  • Ullswater steamer and Aira Force waterfall
  • Catbells walk above Derwentwater
  • Helvellyn by Striding Edge (experienced walkers)
  • Sticky toffee pudding in Cartmel

Things to do

  • Windermere cruise from Bowness to AmblesideMorning · 2h 30m
  • Grasmere, Rydal and Wordsworth's Dove CottageAfternoon · 3h
  • Catbells walk above DerwentwaterMorning · 4h
  • Ullswater steamer and Aira ForceAfternoon · 3h 30m
  • Helvellyn ridge walkMorning · 7h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in The Lake Districtvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in The Lake Districtvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: May – September

Heads up

Lake District Summer Crowds

In the school holidays Bowness, Ambleside and Keswick are packed, car parks fill by mid-morning and the lake roads crawl. Use the trains and the 555 and 599 buses, start walks early, and book rooms well ahead.

Heads up

Snow on the Fells

In winter the high fells (Helvellyn, Scafell Pike) are often under snow and ice and need winter gear and experience; the lakes and valley walks stay easy. Some boat services run a reduced timetable.