Lake District National Park UK

Lake District National Park 

Lake District National Park is a paradise of lakes and charming villages. In a bucolic environment of natural beauty of lakes and misty mountains. It is a delightful experience. The Lake District has 16 lakes with trails and bike lanes and is the UK’s largest national park. It is also the most visited.

Lake District National Park – Cumbria County

It has more than 2,000 square kilometers of surface and has Scafell Pike, the highest mountain. And also the deepest and longest lakes in England: Wast Water and Windermere, respectively. It has amazing landscapes in which lakes, mountains and valleys merge with each other and where it is easy to think that time has frozen.

The Roman Empire passed through here two millennia ago and left its mark in this land of lakes and mountains. After them, human settlements and farms have contributed over the centuries to shaping these postcard landscapes.

In July 2017, the Lake District National Park was a World Heritage Site, the first national park in the entire UK to achieve that status.

Throughout history, the Lake District of England has cultivated artists, writers and visitors with its combination of picturesque corners and country landscapes. These artists were
the romantic poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, Thomas de Quincey or John Ruskin. Also the author of children’s books Beatrix Potter and her cute rabbit Petter Rabbit.

The Best Places to See in the Lake District National Park

Windermere. Town and Lake

Windermere is one of the fascinating place to visit in the Lake District. This town is for lovers of hiking. It has many trails to explore and admire the landscape of the Lake District. One of the most recommended is to go up to Orrest Head, a nearby hill whose top is a magnificent viewpoint.

Lake Windermere is the longest lake in England and one of the most beautiful. It is magical to navigate its waters and see how they reflect the shades of green of the surrounding mountains. Seeing is believing.

Bowness-on-Windermere Village is a favorite destination for many who venture to visit the Lake District. It is on the shore of Lake Windermere and can be done, a boat excursion, rent a boat to row or see the landscape. The stunning views make it one of the best places to see in the Lake District.

Ambleside, Keswick and Buttermere 

Ambleside is a beautiful town in the Lake District on the shore of Lake Windermere. Besides being charming, it has many routes for hikers. It has a particular historical heritage. It is the smallest house in the UK which is from the 17th century. You can also visit the Roman Fort. We recommend the Loughrigg Fell hiking trail. The views are truly amazing.

Located in the northern Lakes area, Keswick is another of the most popular places to visit in the Lake District. This town attracts many hikers because it has a multitude of hiking trails. You can also visit the Castlerigg stone circle and the fascinating Derwent Pencil Museum.

On the shores of Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water. There’s the town of Buttermere. The Town is small but very charming. And the landscape is even more so. We recommend visiting Sykes Farm Tea Room

Grasmere, Kendal and Derwent Water

Grasmere is on the shore of the lake bearing that name. One of the most charming places in the Lake District, you can visit the Dove Cottage where the poet William Wordsworth lived. Also stroll in the Wordsworth family cemetery in that of St. Oswald’s Church. One of the best hiking trails to do in Grasmere is the Fairfield Horseshoe. The views of Grasmere Lake and Rydal Water are attractive. Sarah Nelson’s Gingerbread Shop gingerbread, not to be missed

Kendal has a river, a very interesting castle on a hill, a very beautiful historical center and more than interesting corners. you have to go to Abbot Hall, which is one of the most interesting art galleries in the UK. You can visit the Brewery Arts Center to see a movie or a concert. For hikers you can go up to Scout Scar, which has one of the most spectacular views of the southern part of the Lake District.

Derwent Water Lake is south of Keswick and is another must see in the Lake District National Park. The place is very beautiful and surrounded by hills. Many of the slopes that overlook the lake are covered with forests that in autumn present their best colors. You can navigate its waters and the photos and landscapes of the lake are unbeatable

Castles of  Wray, Muncaster, Penrith and Sizergh

Wray Castle, which has a medieval appearance, is located on the shores of Lake Windermere. But it turns out that it was built in 1840 in a neo-Gothic style for a retired Liverpool surgeon. Today it is owned by the National Trust and can be visited. As a curiosity, the children’s story writer Beatrix Potter spent a summer here in 1882 and there began her long relationship with the Lake District.

Muncaster Castle is another must-see castle in the Lake District. This fortress overlooking the Esk River valley, more than two miles from Ravenglass, is a wonder. Its origins date back to the 12th century and to this day it is still inhabited and can be visited. Its gardens and panoramic views are well worth it.

The ruins of Penrith Castle, seen from the train en route to the Lake District, are a very interesting place to see in Cumbria. There’s not much more than walls that were once a fortress, but the park is nice

Sizergh Castle is very picturesque. Perhaps the most picturesque of all in the Lake District. It is six miles from Kendal and the Strickland family continues to live within it. The interior of the fortress is interesting and so are the gardens and the artificial lake

Ravenglass and Grange-over-sands

Two beautiful and historic fishing villages like Ravenglass and Grange-over-sands. Ravenglass is located in the estuary of the Esk, Mite and Irt rivers. It was an outstanding naval base for the Romans. Archaeological ruins of some public baths are preserved. In addition to enjoying the fishing boats and strolling among their cottages, you can also hop on the Eskdale Valley Line Tourist Train.

Grange-over-sands is another one of the pretty coastal towns in the Lake District. It is in Morecambe Bay and has some beautiful visits. The walk by the sea is very interesting and people who like nature and bird watching will really enjoy their nature reserves.

Scafell Pike in Lake District National Park

Climbing the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike, is one of the best things to do in the Lake District. This 3,209 ft (978 meters) mountain is an unforgettable experience. There are several trails to reach the summit and can be found on the official website of the National Trust. Also the difficulty levels of the trek to the top, and the minimum requirements to do it

Hardknott Roman Fort and  Furness Abbey 

There are Ruins from the time of the Roman Empire. The Hardknott Roman Fort is located on top of a hill and overlooking the Eskdale Valley. This Roman fort is possibly the most beautiful in the whole of the United Kingdom. It was the settlement of the legions that patrolled the road that led to the sea.

Furness Abbey, Built in 1123, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Lake District of England. It has a spectacular setting and the majesty of its ruins make it a unique place to visit. It was once the second richest and most powerful Cistercian monastery in all of England, behind only Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

Ulverston and Levens Hall

Ulverston’s most famous site is the Hoad Monument, an 1850 lighthouse-shaped structure built in honor of Sir John Barrow. The views from above of Morecambe Bay and parts of the Lake District are beautiful. You can also walk the streets of its historic center see the sculpture of the actors Stan Laurel (who was born here) and Oliver Hardy. These actors were famous in the early days of cinema.

Levens Hall: This 15th century mansion has simply magnificent gardens and is on the outskirts of Kendal. Today the Levens Hall house is the home of the Bagot family and they say that the ghost of a Gray lady walks through its corridors. Whether it is true or not, I recommend that you come and visit the place.

Getting to the Lake District National Park

This mountainous region within Cumbria County is a halfway wonder located between Manchester and Glasgow. It is worth making kilometers of highway or approaching it by train. These are the options to get to the Lake District:

• By car: the M6 ​​motorway is ideal for visiting any part of the Lake District
• Train: Kendal and Windermere, on the same rail line, are suitable as a starting point for a route or weekend in the Lake District. And there is also a railway route that follows the Cumbrian coast .
• Plane: The closest airport to the Park is Manchester, which has a train to Windermere. There are other relatively close airports such as Glasgow International and Glasgow Prestwick, Liverpool, Newcastle or Edinburgh.
• By bus: The main towns of the Lake District (Kendal, Ulverston, Ambleside, Barrow or Windermere) have bus connections with London. It is not the fastest or most comfortable option, but it is cheaper.

What is the best time for a visit?

All year. Autumn, when the colors of the field are in its essence. : Spring when everything turns green, or summer for outdoor sports like hiking or cycling.
For those who wish to stay. In the village of Bowness-on-Windermere, this Laura Ashley The Belsfield Hotel [lauraashleyhotels.com/thebelsfield], a luxurious Victorian property featuring spectacular rooms overlooking Lake Windermere and excellent service. And also at Lindeth Howe [lindeth-howe.co.uk], a traditional 34-room hotel.

Any place to eat?

The Lake District has four Michelin-starred restaurants:

• The Gilpin [thegilpin.co.uk]
• Holbeck Gyhll [holbeckghyll.com], both in Windermere;
• L’Enclume [lenclume.co.uk], in Cartmel; and
• Sharrow Bay [sharrowbay.co.uk], in Ullswater.
• For a simpler lunch with wonderful views is Chester by the River , in Ambleside, with a varied menu of homemade food and delicious desserts.

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