24 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Lake District (Epic Views + Hidden Gems)

Last updated on March 18th, 2026 at 11:06 pm

There are so many beautiful places to visit in England’s Lake District, so if it’s not on your UK travel bucket list, it absolutely should be.

The Lake District (or simply “the Lakes”) is one of the most stunning, rugged and wild regions in the UK. With dramatic mountain landscapes, pretty lakes and postcard-perfect villages, it’s easy to see why it inspired literary greats like William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.

Luckily for me, it’s just an hour’s drive from my house, so I visit often for day trips and weekend breaks. But this is a place you could explore for weeks and still barely scratch the surface. From epic hikes to cosy pubs and scenic drives, there’s no shortage of ways to fill your time here.

So, here are my picks for the most beautiful places to visit in the Lake District – starting with the east, then northern areas and working across to the west and down to the south. It’s not an itinerary as such, but I’ve tried to group places by geographical area. I’ll keep adding to this list as I discover even more incredible spots.

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24 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in the Lake District

The Lake District covers a wide area but is small enough so that you can stay in one place and drive to different areas within an hour or two if you want to. But if you wanted to minimise your driving times, you could split your time between different areas.

To be honest, I can’t really say which part of the Lake District is my favourite – it’s all so lovely and generally, you can’t really go wrong if you stay in any of the areas I mention below.

Many of the hikes in the Lake District are known as Wainwrights – a collection of 214 fells (hills/mountains) that were documented and popularised by fell walker and guidebook author Alfred Wainwright. Climbing all of them has become a bit of a badge of honour for hikers visiting the Lake District. But there are plenty of other walks too!

GOOD TO KNOW: The Lake District doesn’t have any national park entry fees, say like you do in US national parks, but you may need to pay for parking in some areas.

Quick Picks: The Most Beautiful Places in the Lake District

If you’re short on time, start here:

• Best all-rounder: Ullswater
• Most dramatic scenery: Wast Water
• Best for first-time visitors: Bowness-on-Windermere
• Best easy walk: Tarn Hows
• Best hidden gem: Buttermere

Ullswater

In the eastern part of the Lake District, just south-east of Keswick, you’ll find beautiful Ullswater – a long, winding lake surrounded by dramatic fells and one of the best areas for hiking.

On the western side of the lake, you can follow scenic woodland trails to the stunning Aira Force waterfall. This walk can easily be combined with a hike up Gowbarrow Fell, which rewards you with incredible views over Ullswater.

Across the lake, there are fantastic walks taking in peaks like Bonscale Pike, Arthur’s Pike and Hallin Fell – all offering spectacular views. At the southern end of the lake, near Glenridding, you’ll find great hikes up Arnison Crag and Glenridding Dodd (where I am in the picture above). Whichever walk you choose, the views are guaranteed to impress.

If you fancy seeing the lake from a different perspective, hop aboard one of the classic Ullswater Steamers, which run between Glenridding and Pooley Bridge. It’s a relaxing and scenic way to explore the area.

Keswick & Derwentwater

Keswick is a lovely market town on Derwentwater and the main base for the northern part of the Lake District. 

There are lots of things to do in Keswick and nearby. A few of the Lake District’s most popular hiking routes are also around there, including Skiddaw, Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy and Castel Crag.

Catbells is a great walk and it’s only minutes before you’re treated to the view above.

If you have a chance, check out the famous Theatre By the Lake. There’s a nice, short walk that goes between the theatre and Friar’s Crag, an iconic Lake District viewpoint, which will give you wonderful views over Derwentwater and the surrounding area. If you want to walk a bit further, you can keep going to Strandshag Bay.

For lunch or dinner, I’d also highly recommend The Royal Oak pub in the centre of town.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Just outside of  Keswick is the atmospheric Castlerigg Stone Circle, an ancient monument that the Neolithic people (10,000-4,500 BC) used for ceremonies, with its panoramic views of the surrounding area, it’s easy to see why this was picked as a special and revered place. This would be an amazing location to celebrate the summer solstice on the 21st June.

Ashness Bridge & Surprise View

If you go south from Keswick and take the road to the left, you’ll come to Ashness Bridge and Surprise View, two of the prettiest locations in the Lake District, with lovely views over Derwentwater.

Slightly further on, you’ll come to the hamlet of Watendlath and the Caffle House Tea Rooms, which is a great place for a rest and a nice pot of tea and a slice of cake!

Borrowdale Valley, the Fairy Glen & Black Moss Pot

Borrowdale is a beautiful part of the Lake District, again just south of Keswick. On my last trip there, my friends and I had been looking to go swimming in Black Moss Pot which is great if you love cliff jumping into freezing cold water.

However, we didn’t make it that far because we found somewhere else that was pretty magical – Galleny Force, also known as ‘The Fairy Glen’ (pictured above) which is just a short walk from the village of Stonethwaite through the Stonethwaite Campsite. This is one of my absolute favourite places to visit in the Lake District.

This was the ideal wild swimming spot we’d been after (without the scary jumps). And if you’d like to see a video of our time there, my friend Sabina made an awesome vlog! From nearby Seathwaite, you can also walk to Styhead & Sprinkling Tarn. 

Honister Pass

The beautiful Honister Pass connects the Borrowdale and Buttermere Valleys. This is also home to the Honister Slate Mine, where you can take part in several activities including guided walks, canyoning and mine tours.

There is a nice scenic circular drive from Keswick which includes Borrowdale, Honister Pass, Buttermere, Crummock Water, the Newlands Pass and then back to Keswick.

Buttermere

At the end of Honister Pass, you will arrive at beautiful Buttermere (above), one of the prettiest places to visit in the Lake District and potentially the whole of the UK. It’s an easy 4-mile hike around the lake and it’s also a great place for swimming, kayaking or paddle boarding.

When there’s no wind, the mountains, surrounding the southern end of the lake reflect in the water. Beautiful, hey?

And if you have time, take a hike up the surrounding mountains for incredible views! Good places to aim for include Haystacks (Wainwright’s favourite hike – which you can see if the background of the above picture), Fleetwith Pike (where I am below – next to Haystacks), Red Pike and High Stile.

Buttermere village also has several great eateries and pubs including the Bridge Inn, the Croft House Farm Cafe and the Fish Inn. 

Buttermere Infinity Pools

Hidden above the shores of Buttermere, but not too far of a walk, are the Buttermere Infinity Pools, one of the Lake District’s most magical hidden gems. There are several natural pools, formed by a series of cascading waterfalls on Warnscale Beck, which are pretty easy to get to (or you can visit them on the way down from Fleetwith Pike or Haystacks).

On a warm day, it’s an incredible spot for a wild swim (if you’re brave enough – the water is pretty cold), or simply to sit back and take in the views across the surrounding fells. It feels remote, peaceful, and a world away from the busier parts of the Lake District – exactly the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve discovered something special.

Crummock Water

Crummock Water is the lake just north of Buttermere, and equally beautiful. There’s a great walk along the lake which starts from Lanthwaite car park.

Other great hikes in the area include Grassmoor,  Mellbreak and Low Fell (you will also get to see Loweswater and Buttermere from these walks).

Close by lies Scale Force, the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Lakes. If you visit during the spring, perhaps visit Rannerdale Knotts to see the beautiful bluebell fields (usually late-April to May).

Newlands Pass & Newlands Valley

If staying in Keswick, you can make your way back from Crummock Water or Buttermere via the Newlands Pass, which is part of the scenic drive I mentioned above. `It is pretty magical and reminds me of my trip on Iceland’s Ring Road.

There are some lovely walks around this area and there’s also the Newlands Adventure Centre which has all kinds of amazing activities on offer! My friends had their wedding here!

Wast Water

One of the most scenic and atmospheric places to visit is Wast water (or Wastwater) in the Wasdale Valley, located in the western part of the Lake District. The lake is the deepest of all the lakes in the area and surrounded by imposing mountains.

The view from the south-western end of the lake near the YHA Wasdale Hall was voted one of Britain’s best views. But wherever you go, you’ll not be disappointed as there are fantastic views from the north side of the lake towards Great Gable, Yewbarrow and Lingmell.

There’s a nice hike called the Greendale Round, which goes to Middle Fell, Seatallan, Buckbarrow and you can end your walk with a little dip in Wastwater. For views of the sunset, head to the lower slopes of the Wasdale Valley.

Park in the Wasdale car park and then head away from the car, over the footbridge (or stay further south to watch the sun setting on the mountains). There’s also a National Trust campsite and a great pub called the Wasdale Head Inn.

Scafell Pike

Scafell is the highest mountain in England and you can access it from both the south and the north sides. Two popular start points are Wasdale Head (south) and Seathwaite (north).

If you do attempt to climb the mountain, make sure you are properly prepared with clothing, snacks and some good map reading/compass skills. It’s not uncommon for the mist to descend very quickly leaving you with no visibility.

This happened to me on my Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as a teenager and we had to navigate blind off the mountain – so if you don’t have the skills, you could always take a trip with the experts at the Mammut Mountain School. I did a wild camp with them and it was wonderful.

Great Gable

The mountain of Great Gable, near Scafell Pike, is potentially one of the most Instagrammable views in the Lake District! The walk itself is challenging but very rewarding and like Scafell, you can start it from several places including Seathwaite or Wasdale Head. You can see all the hiking routes here.

Eskdale Valley

Below Wastwater you’ll find yourself at the Eskdale Valley which has the villages of Santon Bridge, Boot and Eskdale Green. Near to Boot, there is a popular wild swimming spot called Tongue Pot (pictured above).

To get there, park by the red telephone box by the end of the Hardknott Pass, then follow the River Esk until it forks.

A couple of other great places for wild swimming include the Stanley Ghyll Force Waterfall and the peaceful Burnmore Tarn. The Eskdale Valley is a great place to go ghyll scrambling, so check out the activities with West Lakes Adventure.

Wrynose & Hardknott Pass

Heading west you can take the Hardknott Pass which turns into Wrynose Pass one of  Britain’s most difficult, but beautiful roads with hairpin bends, steep drops and incredible mountain views.

They’re single-track roads, so go slow, keep your eyes peeled for hazards and use the passing places when cars come the other way.

Langdale Valley

The Langdale Valley is one of the most iconic and scenic areas in the Lake District, with dramatic peaks, winding roads and that classic “Lakes” feel. It’s best known for the impressive Langdale Pikes, which dominate the skyline and make this one of the most photogenic valleys in the region.

There are plenty of incredible walks here, including hikes up to Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark, both offering amazing views over the surrounding fells. Nearby, in Little Langdale, you’ll also find the atmospheric Cathedral Cave, a huge man-made cavern that feels like something out of a film set and is well worth the short walk to visit.

Whether you’re here for a challenging hike or just a scenic drive, Langdale is one of those places that really captures the magic of the Lake District.

Thirlmere

Thirlmere Resevoir is a quieter, often overlooked spot in the Lake District, but it’s well worth a visit – especially if you’re looking to escape the crowds.

One of the most popular walks here is up Raven Crag (seen above), a short but fairly steep hike that rewards you with incredible views over the reservoir and surrounding fells. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, there are also some hidden spots nearby, including a small infinity pool tucked away in the hills – perfect for a wild swim on a warm day.

Kirkstone Pass

From Ullswater you can take the Kirkstone Pass down towards Windermere. The road itself is incredibly scenic and the drive into Windermere is very pretty, when the sun shines, making Lake Windermere sparkle. If you have time, stop at the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the third highest pub in England, for a refreshing drink (update – it’s been closed for a while but I believe it’s opening again soon).

Grasmere

Going north from Ambleside, Grasmere is a beautiful place, described by Wordsworth as “the loveliest spot that man hath found” and whilst you are there you can visit Dove Cottage where he wrote many of his works and visit Faeryland Grasmere Tea & Coffee Garden.

One of my favourite places to visit in the Lake District is Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread, known for being the best gingerbread in the world. Best in the world? I don’t know, but it’s the best gingerbread I have ever had.

Near to both Ambleside and Grasmere is Loughrigg Fell, which is a great walk for views over Loughrigg Tarn, Rydal Water and Grasmere (the view above).

Rydal Water

Rydal Water, situated between Ambleside and Grasmere and below Loughrigg Fell is a great place to go for a walk. It’s not too difficult so would be a great place to go with the kids. The last time I went, we had a nice bite to eat at The Badger Bar at the Glen Rothay Hotel and then walked from there, to Grasmere and then back around the lake.

On the north side of Rydal Water is a great, but challenging walk called the Fairfield Horseshoe which allows you to tick off 8 Wainwrights in one walk! The below view was on the top of Nab Scar which overlooks Rydal Water with Loughrigg in the distance.

Ambleside

Ambleside is a pretty town, just north of Lake Windermere, and is a  great place to spend a few hours, wandering around the lovely shops. A short walk from the town centre lies Stock Ghyll Force, a 70-foot waterfall that is beautiful in the spring when the daffodils are in bloom.

The area is very popular with hikers due to the great walks around Ambleside, so don’t forget to pack your hiking boots! You can easily walk from Ambleside to Rydal Water and do the hikes around there from Ambleside.

Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere is definitely on my list of favourite places to visit in the Lake District. I have visited many, many time over the years and is one of the most accessible and popular places to visit in the Lakes. There’s so much to do around Lake Windermere, you could stay here a week and not get bored. 

With it being a town, it’s the perfect place to base yourself for your visit to the Lake District, especially if you like a bit of nightlife. There are lots of lovely little shops and restaurants, the World of Beatrix Potter and plenty of activities in and around Windermere, including water-based sports as well as lots of ‘free’ things to do such as hiking and picnicking at the lake. At the southeast of the lake, you’ll find a nice hike up Gummer’s How which has stunning panoramic views.

Whilst Bowness is my favourite, I also need to give a shout out to Windermere itself and one of my favourite pubs, The Crafty Baa.

Gummers How

If you’re looking for one of the best views in the Lake District without a huge hike, Gummer’s How is a great option. This relatively short walk leads to a summit with incredible panoramic views over Lake Windermere and the surrounding fells, making it a popular spot at sunrise or sunset. The path is fairly straightforward and doesn’t take too long, which makes it perfect if you want a rewarding viewpoint without committing to a full-day hike.

Tarn Howes

Tarn Hows is a beautiful lake and village between Hawkshead and Coniston Water. There’s a relatively short walk you can take around the lake, and what’s great about this particular walk, is that it’s paved and therefore accessible for wheelchair users.

It’s also great if you’ve forgotten your walking boots or you’re travelling with young children. Take a picnic, relax and admire the stunning views.

Hawkshead

Despite having been to the Lake District about a bazillion times, I had never been to the pretty village of Hawkshead until recently but it’s quickly become one of my favourite places to visit in the Lake District.

My friends and I stayed in Hawkshead the night after we did our Lake District wild camping expedition with the Mammut Mountain School and it was such a lovely place to be, with cute shops, pubs and restaurants. It’s also home to Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s 17th-century farmhouse, the Hawkshead Brewery and The Little Ice Cream Shop.

Coniston Water

Coniston Water is another of the beautiful lakes that the region is named after. You can wander around the village or take a hike up the Old Man of Coniston which has stunning views over the lake and village.

If you want to get out on the lake, you can hire boats and paddleboards from the Coniston Boating Centre. They also have bikes for hire too. Stop by the Meadowdore Cafe for a bite to eat and a cuppa. They have the most gorgeously gooey Malteser cake!

How to Get To & Around the Lake District

The easiest way to get to and around the Lake District is to drive. A normal car is fine for most places, but I’d say a 4×4 is preferable on some of the mountain passes, especially in the winter months. My little 1.4 Golf definitely struggled on a few of the passes!

If you decide to get the train, the main stations are Penrith (in the north, near to Keswick) and Oxenholme The Lake District (in the south, near to Kendal and Windermere). You can easily get to either of these from most major train stations in the UK, including direct trains from London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Preston.

From there you can change trains to get to the smaller train stations, including Windermere and Kendal, the two main tourist centres. To find out more and book your train to the Lake District, click here.

Without a car, you will be able to get around to some places using buses and taxis, and it will be fine if you are staying in a main town and sticking to that area, but if you want to explore and make the most of your time, you’re going to need your own transport.

If you don’t have transport, I would maybe consider taking one of the great Lake District tours on offer or hiring a car.

When to Visit the Lake District

The Lake District is a great all-year-round destination, but you’re likely to get the best weather between May and October. That doesn’t mean that you won’t get nice weather in the winter months or rubbish weather in the summer months – I mean, this is the UK and the weather is unpredictable regardless of when you travel.

I’ve been in the winter and it’s been cold but sunny. I’ve been in the summer and it’s rained the whole time. It’s pot luck really. But the days are much longer in the summer, so there’s much more time to be out exploring. Driving around the Lake District in the dark is not my idea of a good time.

The downside to going in the spring/summer months is that it’s a lot busier and accommodation tends to book up in advance. The Lakes can also be very busy at weekends, bank holidays and school holidays throughout the year.

If you’re driving, you’ll often find queues up the M6 motorway on Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday morning starting from around Preston/Lancaster. This can add an hour or so to your drive time.

I hope this list of places to visit in the Lake District helps you plan a wonderful trip! If you’ve been, do you have any more places to add to the list?

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