Located in Cumbria, a predominantly rural county in the far northwest of England, the Lake District is one of the most beautiful regions of the UK. In the Lake District, which was carved out long ago by glaciers, you can find lakes and mountainous fells that are world-renowned for their beauty. The Eden Valley, the North Pennines, the Furness Peninsula, and a small part of the Yorkshire Dales are all part of Cumbria, as well as the whole Lake District, also called The Lakes or Lakeland.
In this article, we will look at the things to do and see in the Lake District, passing over the most beautiful tourist attractions in the Lake District and the most charming villages of this region.
Are you visiting Cumbria? Here you have the best hotels in the Lake District region
A bit of history about the Lake District
The Lake District has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years and has been shaped by a range of different cultures, including the Celts, the Romans, and the Vikings.
The earliest known inhabitants of the Lake District were the Celts, who lived in the area around 4000 years ago. The Celts were a group of tribal societies that lived in Iron Age Britain and were known for their skilled craftsmen, such as blacksmiths, potters, and weavers. The Celts left a number of important archaeological sites in the Lake District, including hillforts, burial mounds, and stone circles.
The Romans arrived in the Lake District around 2000 years ago and brought a range of new technologies, such as roads, aqueducts, and fortifications. The Romans built many forts and settlements in the Lake District, including the fort of Galava, which was located near modern-day Ambleside. The Romans also introduced a range of new plants and animals to the area, including sheep and pigs, which are still important to the local economy today.
After the Romans left Britain, the Lake District was settled by the Angles and the Saxons, who arrived from Germany and Denmark. The Angles and the Saxons built several settlements in the Lake District, including the town of Kendal, named after the Anglian tribe of the Kenta. The Angles and the Saxons also introduced Christianity to the area and built some churches, including the Church of St. Kentigern in Kendal.
The Lake District was also settled by the Vikings, who arrived in the area around 1000 years ago. The Vikings were seafaring people who came to the Lake District to trade, raid, and settle. They left many important archaeological sites in the Lake District, including the Viking village of Slack, located near Kendal, and the Viking boat burial at Gilcrux, located in the western Lake District.
What to do and see in The Lake District
If you are planning a short holiday in the Lake District, there are many great things to see and do. Here are a few suggestions for things to visit during your trip:
Take a tour in the Lake District, to discover its beauty:
Visit one of the lakes in the Lake District
The Lake District is home to many beautiful lakes, including Windermere, Coniston Water, and Ullswater. These lakes are popular destinations for boating, fishing, and water sports and are also great places to relax and enjoy stunning views.
The most famous lake in the Lake District is Windermere. Windermere is the largest and most visited of the lakes in the Lake District and is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
One of the main reasons that people visit Windermere is for its stunning scenery. The lake is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests and is a cool destination for walking and hiking. The lake is also a great place to relax and enjoy the views, with several charming villages, pubs, and cafes that line the shores.
Another reason to visit Windermere is for the range of available activities. The lake is a popular destination for boating, with boats and kayaks that can be hired from the lakeside. The lake is also a great place for fishing, with various fish species, including perch, pike, and trout.
In addition to its natural beauty and outdoor activities, Windermere is also home to a number of exciting attractions. The Lake District Visitor Centre, located in Brockhole, offers information and displays on the history, culture, and wildlife of the Lake District. The World of Beatrix Potter attraction, located in Bowness-on-Windermere, is a popular destination for families, with a range of interactive exhibits and displays based on the stories of Beatrix Potter.
Explore the mountains in The Lake District
In the Lake District you will find some beautiful mountains, including Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, which offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The mountains are popular destinations for hiking, climbing, and other outdoor activities, and are a great way to experience the beauty of the Lake District.
The most popular mountain for hikers in the Lake District is, of course, Scafell Pike. Scafell Pike is the highest peak in England, at the height of 978 meters (3,209 feet), and is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and mountaineers.
Scafell Pike is located in the central part of the Lake District, in the national park of the same name. The mountain is part of the Southern Fells range and is surrounded by other peaks, including Scafell, Great Gable, and Bowfell.
One of the main reasons that Scafell Pike is popular with hikers is its challenging terrain and stunning views. The mountain is known for its steep and rocky slopes, which offer a challenging and rewarding hiking experience. From the summit of Scafell Pike, hikers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including the lakes of Windermere, Coniston Water, and Wastwater.
The mountain offers a range of challenging routes, including the Corridor Route, which is the classic ascent of the mountain, and the Lord’s Rake, which is a steep and exposed gully that is popular with experienced climbers.
Visit a village in The Lake District
One of the main things to do in The Lake District is to visit some of the region’s charming villages, each with its own unique character and attractions. Some popular villages to visit include Windermere, which is the largest town in the Lake District, and Grasmere, which is known for its connections to the poet William Wordsworth. Here are the most beautiful villages to visit in The Lake District:
Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere
Windermere is definitely worth visiting if you are in the Lake District, together with its older “brother”, Bowness-on-Windermere. The late is located on the shores of Lake Windermere, the largest natural lake in England, but both villages are known for their picturesque setting and beautiful views. They are popular tourist destinations with many interesting shops, cafes, and restaurants to explore.
There are also some nice attractions here, such as the Windermere Jetty Museum and the World of Beatrix Potter. These attractions provide insight into the history and culture of the area and are popular with both locals and visitors alike.
In addition to its attractions, Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere are also great bases for exploring the surrounding countryside. The villages are surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery, and several walking and hiking trails in the area offer stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscape.
Grasmere
Thanks to the great English poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850), who described it as “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found,” Grasmere is one of Cumbria’s most popular villages. Today, Grasmere is completely devoted to tourists, with plenty of gift shops, accommodations, and restaurants. There are many buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries around Grasmere, but the farms are much older. The Church of Grasmere was built in the 13th Century. And, of course, the best place to visit in Grasmere is Dove Cottage (the house where Wordsworth lived over 8 years along with his sister), continued with the Wordsworth Museum, in Town End.
Ambleside
Located in the Lake District, Ambleside is a great base for exploring Windermere Lake and the surrounding countryside. Getting lost in the maze of narrow streets lined with old farm buildings and cottages is part of the fun, or you can take in the view of the Gothic spire rising from St. Mary’s church.
There are numerous shops, tearooms, and pubs to explore in the town’s distinctive Victorian stone buildings. If you hike further, you can see the beautiful views from atop Loughrigg Fell, which is 20 metres high.
Kendal
Within ten miles of Windermere lies the charming market town of Kendal. A trip to the picturesque setting of gray stone buildings is a must when visiting the Lake District.
The morning can be spent exploring Kendal’s castle and local museum, as well as Sizergh, one of the National Trust’s wonders from the fourteenth century. There is also a climbing center in Kendal if you feel adventurous and you are in need of an adrenaline portion.
Hawkshead
With cobbled streets, whitewashed cottages, courtyards, and squares, Hawkshead is a storybook town dating back to Norse times. Many historical buildings in the town date back centuries, and they feature architectural features like cutaway rounded corners where horse-drawn wagons could pass.
Visit William Wordsworth’s former grammar school, where he carved his poetry into the desks while studying there. You can explore the whimsical works of Beatrix Potter at the Beatrix Potter Gallery, and picture Peter Rabbit and his naughty bunny family running around the beautifully manicured gardens at Hill Top, Potter’s former residence.
Where to stay in the Lake District
There are many great hotels in the Lake District, each offering a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and preferences. Here are three suggestions for excellent hotels in this beautiful region:
The Daffodil Hotel and Spa
The Daffodil Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel located in the heart of Grasmere, and is known for its stunning location, luxurious rooms, and range of facilities and services. The hotel is a short walk from Grasmere village, which is home to a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The Lakes Lodge Hotel
The Lakes Lodge Hotel is a boutique hotel that is located in the heart of Windermere, and is known for its beautiful location, cozy rooms, and range of facilities and services. The hotel is a short walk from Windermere town centre, which is home to a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
The Langdale Hotel and Spa
The Langdale Hotel and Spa is a luxury hotel that is located in the heart of the Lake District, known for its stunning location, luxurious rooms, and range of facilities and services. The hotel is a short drive from the villages of Grasmere and Ambleside, which are home to a range of shops, restaurants, and cafes.
What to eat in the Lake District
The Lake District is known for its stunning lakes, mountains, and forests, but also for a large range of local specialties and dishes, including:
Grasmere Gingerbread: Grasmere gingerbread is a popular sweet treat that originated in the village of Grasmere in the Lake District. The gingerbread is made with a mixture of flour, sugar, butter, and spices, and is traditionally shaped into small, heart-shaped biscuits. The gingerbread is often served with a cup of tea or coffee.
Herdwick Lamb: Herdwick lamb is a high-quality lamb that is raised on the fells of the Lake District. The lamb is known for its rich, flavourful meat, which is often used in traditional dishes, such as lamb roast and lamb pie.
Lake District Cheese: The Lake District is home to a number of excellent cheese producers, who make a range of high-quality cheeses from local milk. Some popular varieties of Lake District cheese include Cumbrian Blue, which is made from cow’s milk, and Lyth Valley Damson Cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk and flavoured with damson fruit.
Kendal Mint Cake: Kendal mint cake is a popular sweet treat that originated in the town of Kendal in the Lake District. The cake is made from sugar, glucose, water, and peppermint oil, and is often eaten by hikers and climbers as a source of energy. The cake is also available in a range of flavours, including chocolate and raspberry.
Conclusion on what to do and see in the Lake District
Wrapping it up, the Lake District is a beautiful and unique region located in the northwest of England. If you are planning a trip to the Lake District, there are many things to do and see. You can go hiking or rock climbing in the mountains, take a boat trip to one of the lakes, or visit one of the many charming towns and villages in the area.
There are also many cultural attractions to visit, including Wordsworth House, the birthplace of poet William Wordsworth, and Dove Cottage, where he lived and wrote many of his famous works. You can also visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, which features exhibits on the life and work of the beloved children’s author.
In conclusion, the Lake District has something to offer for everyone, whether you are an outdoor enthusiast or a culture vulture. With its stunning natural beauty and rich history, it is an ideal destination for a memorable holiday.
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