Adventures in the Lake District: Your Guide for Summer 2024
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Ready to take on the Lakes? Whether you’re planning adventures as a couple or with your family, there’s plenty to see and do in this beautiful part of the country.
Home to England’s highest peak, the Lake District National Park is a World Heritage Site spanning more than two thousand square kilometres. Visitors should expect spectacular views, crystalline lakes, rugged hillsides and quaint villages, all set within peacefully rural landscapes.
If you’re going by car, it’s worth knowing the best routes and roads. In this guide, we’ve given a few pointers to help you make the most of your time in the Lakes.
Introducing the Lake District
At least 18 million people visit the Lake District every year, and for good reason.
Millions of years ago, enormous volcanic eruptions raised and crumpled the landscape. The peaks we see today are not the remains of the original volcanoes, but the rocks that lay beneath them.
Through glaciers and meltwater, the characteristic valleys and sharp ridges were formed. This incredibly distinctive landscape is now defined by steep mountains and fourteen lakes and tarns.
From Scafell Pike to beginner-friendly routes around Great Langdale, the Lakes are teeming with opportunities. There are so many independent bars and cafés, family-run restaurants, and outdoor equipment shops to keep you ready for the next adventure.
Below, we’ve listed three of our favourite road trips in the area.
Exploring the Lakes by car: Our top routes
- Keswick via Buttermere and Borrowdale
This 23-mile route is perfect for those exploring the North Lakes for the first time.
Keswick makes a brilliant base for couples and families, boasting an array of amenities to keep everyone entertained. There are plenty of restaurants too, many of which serve locally sourced ingredients like Dexter beef and fresh, organic milk.
Lake Buttermere is an idyllic spot for a picnic or peaceful walk with your travel companions. If you’ve got a paddleboard, the relatively sheltered conditions on Buttermere promise a beautiful afternoon out with an exceptional backdrop, too. The dramatic valley surrounding the lake is quiet, so don’t forget to pack some picnic food.
- Coniston via the Duddon Valley and Eskdale
Looking for something a little bit quieter? If you’ve spent some time exploring local market towns and you’re ready to get out there into the wild, this route could be perfectly suited.
At 42 miles long, it’s not a drive for the faint-hearted. Along with filling up your tank on the morning you set off, you should ensure to book a full car service before your trip starts. That way, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your vehicle will be in top working condition for your trip.
This route crosses the western lakes in a clockwise loop. With plenty of hidden gems along the way, some of the most notable stops include Duddon Iron Furnace, an ancient furnace with no visiting restrictions, and Hardknott Pass, one of the most fearsome mountain roads in the UK.
- Windermere to Ullswater via Kirkstone Pass
Finally, if you’re heading home or simply leaving the South Lakes to explore northerly parts of the area, there are plenty of routes available to take. A short diversion could take you through Grasmere, home to the famous Lakeland gingerbread – an essential sweet treat for drivers looking to refuel.
However, there are very few as staggering as driving through Ambleside and then heading up Kirkstone Pass, also known as The Struggle. It’s worth going early to miss the crowds – Ambleside can be busy at peak times.
You’ll cruise past Windermere, the longest lake at 14.8 square kilometres, and then head up this National Park’s highest mountain pass. The route winds to a finale along the shores of Ullswater, offering plenty of picnic spots and opportunities to take in the views along the way.
