Lake District: The 10 Best Things To Do

My guide for the best things to do in The Lake District. The Lake District is a national park in England. Not only is it the largest national park in England, but it also contains the highest peak in England (Scafell Pike) and the biggest lake in England (Lake Windermere). So you can see why it’s the most visited national park in the UK. So here is my top 10 things to do whilst in The Lake District that you might not have thought about!
See our full Lake District playlist here, with many more things to do in this beautiful part of England: • AlexTravels in the Lak...
**This is one of the first videos I made on KZbin, so I have since made an improved/updated version of the “20 Best Things To Do in the Lake District”, that you can watch here, it's got more detail, better footage, and even some extra locations: • 20 Best Things To Do i...
The first thing to do is to visit the scenic Rydal Cave, this cave is such a hidden gem and the amazing walk to it definitely make it a great choice. also make sure you climb up Helvellyn, the 3rd highest mountain in England the walk to the peak via striding edge and swirral edge from the town of Glenridding are surreal. Amazing views over the entire lake district from the summit Helvellyn is definitely a must!
- Here is an article with the many choices of paths to reach the summit of Helvellyn -
www.mudandroutes.com/routes/w...
You can also visit the amazing Victorian house overlooking lake Windermere, Wray Castle. Also visit the amazing towns of Kendal, Keswick & Ambleside for some perfect looking countryside villages (some with castles!). we also head over to the Yorkshire Dales to look at the amazing Malham Cove and Goredale Scar! Check out Castlerigg Stone Circle, Derwent Pencil Museum and Mmuch, much more. Full list from video below!
- Below is my full list from the video as well as some extra ideas -
- Visit Rydal Cave
- Climb Helvellyn (Via Striding Edge and Swirral Edge)
- Take In The Views Of Ullswater
- Explore Wray Castle
- See Lake Windermere
- Visit The House of Beatrix Potter (Hill Top)
- Visit The Town Of Kendal
- Explore Kendal Castle
- See Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Visit Penrith
- Visit The Town Of Keswick
- Visit Derwent Pencil Museum
- See Malham Cove and Goredale Scar (Yorkshire Dales)
- Visit The Town Of Ambleside
I hope you enjoyed and if you did make sure to subscribe! Check out my other videos and stay tuned for more. I have a lot more travels coming up very soon and I'm always looking for more adventures! Thankyou for watching and I'll see you in the next one! New videos every week!
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/ @alextravels1

[@AlexTravels1]

Hi everyone! This is one of the first videos I made on KZbin, so I have since made an improved/updated version of the “20 Best Things To Do in the Lake District”, that you can watch here if you like, it's got more detail, better footage, and even some extra locations: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hGeagGuVnLt5eas

[@katieedge8247]

As someone who grew up just outside the Lake District and spent many school trips and weekends exploring the area, I would definitely recommend visiting Keswick, Whinlatter Forest (which is just outside Keswick) and Borrowdale Valley.

[@leventkoc7125]

Thanks Katie x

[@marktunnicliffe1725]

Borrowdale is such a beautiful place

[@tankourito5419]

@@leventkoc7125 Urgghhhh

[@leventkoc7125]

@@tankourito5419 ?

[@HowDoYouUseSpaceBar]

​@@tankourito5419Urggghhh

[@s4il0rx]

I live in Kendal and it is very spectacular, all of the old buildings are really interesting. it is lovely to read on small signs that are dotted around the town about the earlier life. I definitely recommend it to tourists and anyone who wants to live there as it is a tourist town and an ordinary town. Kendal is happy for anyone to visit/live there.

[@thesouthernwoodsmanuk216]

thank you so much. a few more added to my list to visit next week when I go. thank buddy..

[@joelsoutlet8366]

The scenery is superb and amazing.The rocks formation and lakes are serene.

[@AlexTravels1]

Indeed! Definitely one of my favourite national parks!

[@aroundtheworldinaslongasit4500]

Thank you! Brilliant vlog! Engaging, informative and a nice variety of walks, not just for mountain climbers😁👍👍

[@AlexTravels1]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed, Lake District was awesome, definitely great for anyone that just enjoys being outdoors, so many hikes to choose from! I'll definitely be going back again!

[@calliecane7487]

Such a beautiful place

[@grn_appls7207]

Thanks for getting right into it! 😃 👍🏼

[@ozpom4556]

A great video Alex! Has given us some super exciting ideas for our trip to the Lake District - Keep it up!

[@AlexTravels1]

There's so much to do there, even after 5 days I only managed to do half of what I wanted there! Amazing place!

[@madhupuvula2433]

Great! This really helped me for my Lake District trip tomorrow!

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad I could help! My personal highlight was definitely Helvellyn, it's still one of the greatest things I've done! Have a good trip!

[@shahidalvi7116]

Beautiful video beautifully explained in a simple and lucid style enjoyed it thanks

[@AlexTravels1]

Thanks! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@phimchannel]

Very beautiful place

[@geminitoast7836]

This channel deserves at least 2000 subs or more from this content

[@AlexTravels1]

Thankyou! Glad you enjoyed! And well... onwards and upwards!!

[@hikingwiththeshackletons]

Nice video, we live quite close to the Lake District, we hike up there all the time, we have hiked Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Skiddaw & Fairfield fell. A great place for families is Cathedral caves in the Langdale valley, we featured this on one of our videos.

[@mmintravel7926]

Very helpful vlog, defo on the list to places to go.

[@AlexTravels1]

Thankyou! I'm glad you enjoyed! Definitely, the Lake District is home to some of the best scenery I've seen from all the UK!

[@gracesayers6857]

This is so helpful! I'm off to the lake District in 2 weeks time. Very excited to go exploring, I'm staying near Kirkby Lonsdale.

[@AlexTravels1]

Thanks, glad you found it helpful, enjoy your trip!

[@Travel_Breeze]

Love this video ❤

[@mariyaincheva1763]

great suggestions, thanks!

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad you enjoyed! I was trying to find the slightly more obscure things to do, as there are so many options in the lake district!

[@hantun1486]

About to go lake district in July and very useful info. Thanks

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad you enjoyed! There are so many things in the Lake District, even after a packed week I felt like I'd missed so much, but hopefully these ideas give you a start to plan your trip!

[@iftiuddin6614]

I really enjoyed your video. Thank you

[@AlexTravels1]

Thanks for watching!

[@Blazer_for_Jesus]

Great video, thank you! Very informative. I am visiting Lake District this summer for the first time. Cant wait!! ☺️

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your trip!

[@Brian-om2hh]

Just be sure you have all the gear to cope with the Lake District weather. Wainwright (google him) once said "there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing"..........

[@tash_outdoors]

Amazing videos!!! Love your page! 🙌

[@AlexTravels1]

Thankyou! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ramblingrichard8775]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@AlexTravels1]

Thankyou for watching!

[@leahgodson2319]

Thank you for this list. Was up in the Lake District last week with the family and got to Helvellyn, Windermere, the stone circle, Keswick, and Ambleside. Beautiful place to visit with the family. In addition to walking, I. recommend a bus tour (we went with Mountain Goat Bus Tours) and the Windermere Lake cruise to get to see these beautiful places and take photos/videos.

[@thegreatidea6796]

Those Windermere peake look like a perfect place to cry,Im setting off.

[@matejsvec4451]

Finally a useful guide with exciting tips :) All the people just go for the boring in-city attractions, this is much more fun!

[@AlexTravels1]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed! I couldn't recommend Helvellyn enough!

[@phoenixrising6245]

I've never been to the Lake District, but it's on my bucket list. Very helpful video, thanks.

[@schecter5035]

I’ve just been for 2nd time for a week I will continue going forever it’s great

[@AlexTravels1]

I'd definitely recommend it! I was there for a week and felt like there were so many things I missed!

[@beat2befit]

Thanks, mate

[@Scotistani]

Great....I will be in Lake District next month, got some ideas from you what to capture...didn’t know about the stone circle so that’s a must...I did a Vlog a couple of years ago but that was on Wordsworth and his Lake District homes...Dove cottage and Rydal Mount....

[@AlexTravels1]

It's was the most scenic stone circle I've ever seen... even in the rain and fog. Glad the video helped! There's so many things to do in the Lake District!

[@NotAnotherAdventure]

We went to Rydal Caves and it was incredible! Great list!

[@AlexTravels1]

Great choice!! I feel as if I need to go back because there was so much I missed!

[@BenRobson123]

Great video! Climbed up Helvellyn via Swirral edge the other day, there was frost on the rocks on the ridge, pretty scary!

[@AlexTravels1]

I can't imagine trying to traverse that in icy conditions! it was scary enough (and cold enough already🤣) when I climbed in August. Sounds fun though!

[@BenRobson123]

@@AlexTravels1 Yeah it was only the top of the ridge which was frosty. Snow on the last section too, my girlfriend and I had some trouble it was scary! I just went for it, and some bloke ended up having to help my girlfriend up because she panicked and got stuck!😅

[@lindamyers4439]

Thanks!

[@C-RENITY]

Thanks for the tips! Will definitely have to do hellvelyn

[@AlexTravels1]

It was my highlight from the Lake District! Couldn't recommend it enough!

[@C-RENITY]

@@AlexTravels1 did the striding edge/swirral edge loop yesterday, thanks for the great advice. To add some of my insights I spoke to some locals who recommended starting around 7am to beat the main tourists which was a great move 👌

[@kubasinski6686]

Nice one will check it out !

[@AlexTravels1]

I'd definitely recommend it! Glad you enjoyed!

[@huddersfieldtrains]

As a Person who grew Up In The Lake District,I Would Highly Recommend Windermere,(The Cruising),Keswick And Hawkshead

[@Brian-om2hh]

As someone who lives in the Lake District, I'd avoid Windermere like the plague. It's massively crowded in Summer, with virtually nowhere to park.

[@winiver77]

Mmm excited to be visiting the Lake District staying at Windermere . After bank holiday but the weather looks like it’s a rainy district . We fancy going hiking but you didn’t mention anywhere ! I guess we’ll hv to hang around in a castle somewhere!!

[@elydutzza]

Wow such good content

[@AlexTravels1]

You enjoyed the video so much you ended up in the video! ...magic!

[@edd4875]

Me and my girlfriend are going to the lake District in a couple of weeks. This was very helpful! 🙂

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad I could help! When I went I was trying to find some more obscure things to do that people may not have heard of, out of all these my biggest recommendation would definitely be Helvellyn!

[@rosiemo4438]

I’d recommend going to lacys caves or aira force

[@rodgeangeroancelso6109]

You know, edd4875, I am going there soon to, Im going there tomorrow!

[@saurabhkhandelwal7895]

Nice video

[@Brian-om2hh]

It's not actually called "Lake" Windermere. It's just Windermere. The "mere" part actually means a large open body of water..... Beatrix Potter fell in love with the Lake District so much, that she bought 4000 acres of it and 13 hill farms. Although Beatrix Potter is World famous for writing her Peter Rabbit books, she was actually also a Champion sheep breeder, and was often asked to judge at agricultural shows in the Lakes back in the 1930's and early 40's. As someone who was born and lives in the Lakes, I found it odd that there was not even a mention of this in the Miss Potter film of a few years back......but then sheep breeding - although vital to the economy of the Lakes - isn't that romantic. Beatrix Potter also became a good friend of Canon Hardwicke Rawnsley, who founded the National Trust. And indeed, when she died in 1944, Beatrix Potter left all her 4000 acres plus the 13 hill farms she owned, to the National Trust, along with Hill Top, her beloved home. The National Trust now owns or manages around 140'000 acres of the Lake District, plus around 80 hill farms.

[@johnplumb681]

Oh Alex its a pretty cool video however your way of the mark with top 10 places to visit in the lakes. Maybe I should do a video

[@FitzOutdoors]

Cracking video mate :)

[@AlexTravels1]

Many thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@nectafarious8842]

If you are looking for Malham Cove/Tarn and Gordale Scar on your trip to the Lake District you are going to be looking for a long time!

[@montytodd3852]

Amen

[@martinathompson4003]

He does clearly say they are not in the lakes but over in Yorkshire!

[@helenbakker7798]

I went to Malem cove etc a few yrs ago. Amazing. Must have had a map, but found it easily

[@patriciakilty]

Love this video, Alex! ❤ I just opened a small boutique hotel (The Berry Boutique🍓) and I am definitely adding your video to my info email for all of the incoming guests! 🙏🏻 Thanks!!

[@exploreearth6275]

Lake District is really wonderful

[@AlexTravels1]

One of my 2 favourite parts of England, as well as the peak district!

[@lindacensi2750]

Stone circle is also interesting , suggestivo

[@zsoltbarta9012]

Not bad suggestions but im very suprised you didnt mention ennerdale, wastwater, loweswater, buttermere or crummock which lakes are more hidden but i think that is the thing what makes them even beautier. Also there is Honiater pass including honister slate mine (very lake district thing), newlands pass, kirkstone pass, cathedral cave, Aira force near Ullswater. Also there is another pass with a roman fort i cant remember the name of. Long story short those 10 things you mention in the video where you will meet tons of tourist what makes the place less special i think, however there are so many hidden gems where you can feel much more special. I wish you all have fun in the lakes.

[@DaveBartlett]

Wray Castle - "Modelled.... to look, to replicate and act almost, exactly as a castle" - except for the ground floor windows though - a fortified structure would be hellish difficult to defend if it had ground floor windows. What could you do? Close the curtains?

[@Futile_Soundscapes]

Thx for these tips!!! When visiting Lake District for the first time, and wanted to stay several days in one town,,,which one would you suggest and how many days to see the highlights?

[@AlexTravels1]

Glad it was helpful! I would suggest staying around Ambleside for most of the locations I mentioned in this video, as it's pretty much directly in the middle of the Lake District. I think between 5-7 days would be great, we recently visited again and stayed for 5 days, but it did feel slightly rushed sometimes. If you want to see what we got up to in those 5 days, feel free to check out my full Lake District playlist for even more ideas: kzbin.info/aero/PLoliWvnVweHvIvOpQIji5GwgnKNosR7LF I hope that helps!

[@christrickett3291]

In my younger days I used to visit the town of Ulverston, just outside the national park, for the best pub crawl in the UK.

[@AlexTravels1]

I'll have to make a note for when I'm next up there! It's been too long since we've been able to do pub crawls!

[@wiganfan3373]

Millom was better back in the day but is dead now thanks to Ulverston

[@Psmith-ek5hq]

Strictly speaking, Kendal isn't in The Lake District, though mighty close to it.

[@leolilo9975]

Any recommendations for when to go lake district? It looks so gloomy. Need to see some nice sunsets.

[@FabianNotts]

👌👋

[@richardmell299]

Grasmere one of the most picturesque villages and gingerbread.

[@maryshera]

Thanks for this video. Is there a way to go around if you dont drive? I see Kendal train station. Is it easy going around if no car? Any suggestions??

[@wiganfan3373]

no

[@farlynmorales3875]

😍😍😍

[@kangimampamungkas577]

Fascinating place. My question is how to go from one place to another one if we don't have a car? Is there any public transportation? Is it easy to get in?

[@AlexTravels1]

I believe there is relatively good bus/coach transport between the various towns and villages in the Lake District, we were driving on our visit but I recall seeing regular public transport around

[@lindacensi2750]

A chocolate shop ! If i ll go in .kendal ...i ll be there too!

[@aurelianmanoli7359]

How many of this points can be accessed with a buggy? We're taking our 2year old with us and would be nice to know if the forest walks and other points of interest can be accessed with a buggy. Thank you

[@AlexTravels1]

Most are pretty accessible to be honest, maybe some gravel paths but not too bad, the only ones you'd have an issue with are obviously climbing Helvellyn (unless yore feeling adventurous😂) and Rydal Cave as it has a small steep climb up to it, the rest are fairly well paved! Hope that helps!

[@andyadventures2841]

💚🙏

[@Neklank]

Tarn Hows is another good place to visit as is sticklebarn and the langdales where my son did gorge scrambling this week. Aira waterfalls is nice but get there early for parking, selfish drivers park dangerously over double yellow lines blocking already tight roads during busy periods. I recommend leaving early for all of the population locations unless you don't mind a trek. Don't forget Friars crag where the views are stunning and easily accessible and the closeby Hope Garden. My pet hate was inconsiderate idiots leaving litter behind in the lakes, we took everything away in our rucksacks due to a shortage of bins we would not ever dream of ruining the natural beauty of the park.

[@stevehiggins1578]

A must if your a petrol head in Honnister pass, Hardknot pass and Wynrose pass.

[@spongebobgrumpypants6862]

Excellent video however, Malham, in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, is over an hour's drive to Kendal, which is on the south eastern fringe of the Lake District. Not sure why you needed to include it considering there are many other things to do in the Lake District that you don't mention. That said, you could do an entire video of Malham village, the cove and tarn, Janet's foss etc. a truly stunning area in itself.

[@martinathompson4003]

He did say that it wasn't in the lake district but he had stopped on his way!!!!

[@linz8193]

Hi we are wanting to do some paddle boarding in the lakes where would you recommend , where parking is close Facilities are near ?

[@AlexTravels1]

We sadly ran out of time but we wanted to do some kayaking in the Lake District, I was looking into Coniston Boating Centre at Coniston Water. I believe they hire out paddleboards as well. Here's their website: www.conistonboatingcentre.co.uk/boathire There's information about parking all on there as well! Hope that helps!

[@linz8193]

@@AlexTravels1 are we have our own sup boards just wanting to know best places to go with them at the lakes 😃

[@AlexTravels1]

In that case the best location I saw would probably be Ullswater, we were overlooking it whilst hiking up Helvellyn and looked so scenic! It seemed much more quiet than the more popular Windermere, so definitely something to check out!

[@hugepumpkin8094]

I'm fairly sure more people do Helvellyn rather than scafell as it is a lot more accessable

[@Rikki-lh2mw]

I always wanted to visit lake district...sadly never had a chance really 😪😪😪

[@rodgeangeroancelso6109]

When you grow up, try going there

[@rodgeangeroancelso6109]

Or go there if you are grown up then go there

[@Rikki-lh2mw]

@@rodgeangeroancelso6109 Thank you sir, sure I would do that 😊

[@martinkullberg6718]

Did you also visit slumbering weald? 😁

[@rr-jp7kg]

The problem is that it is a difficult place to get to by car and even worse by train like most tourist places in the UK. The roads and railway infrastructure is poor. On national holidays the roads are usually jammed packed with traffic and even worse if there are roadworks or accidents along the way.

[@s4il0rx]

Train: Kendal is the hardest to get to as there will have to be a lot of stops and also there is only 1 platform. | Car: Kendal is pretty easy personally to get to by car. | plane: Kendal is quite hard to get to by plane as we do not have a airport, the best, closest airport to go to is in Manchester.

[@the318pop]

​@@s4il0rxtrain is by far the easiest for me from the Midlands. Less than 2 hours to Oxenholme then either wait for the service to Windermere or hop in a taxi (if staying in Kendal).

[@s4il0rx]

@@the318pop true!

[@johnduffy4297]

High Street hiker lots of comments about towns but not the amazing Fells.

[@mahbubp9]

Is it possible to cover all these spots in one day?

[@AlexTravels1]

I managed to get through everything in 4 days, you could possibly squeeze it into fewer days if you wanted to, but the issue is the long time it takes to drive between the places as the roads in Lake District aren't the best, and these places are dotted all over the Lake District

[@mahbubp9]

@@AlexTravels1 Thanks.

[@garywalling4341]

Cool, just be prepared for traffic ques, parking diffiiculties, other tourists, too busy in summer, too wet and cold in winter.

[@Coni2009]

Can’t say I agree with your list, but then we’d all rank things differently, but for Malham Cove to be in the top 10 just because you visited it on the way there seems a little … tenuous.

[@regfreeman4753]

It is not lake Windermere. Mere means a lake.You wouldn't say lake loch lomond .

[@thebagfather4633]

Grasmere is a good village as well home to William wordsworhts

[@AlexTravels1]

I'm hoping to finally head back to Lake District very soon, I'll definitely give Grasmere a visit!

[@zzyya]

Kendal isn't in the Lake District.

[@indiramoitra2295]

Grasmere?????

[@andycruickshank1671]

There's only one Lake in Lakeland and Windermere isn't it,Bassenthwaite Lake is.All the rest are Waters,Meres,Tarns or Waters. A great area to visit but please treat it with respect, leave behind nothing but footprints and keep dogs on a lead,hundreds of sheep and lambs are killed by "pet" dogs every year. Remember what you see as open country is in fact a working landscape not a pleasure park.You'll be welcomed if you treat the area and the residents with respect.

[@AntGeezer]

Malham Cove….I’ve never been so excited…🙄

[@malharjajoo7393]

So you didnt mention Lake windermere ?

[@Brian-om2hh]

There is no such place. It's just Windermere. The "mere" part of Windermere means a large or open body of water. By describing it as Lake Windermere, you are in essence saying Lake Winderlake..... There is actually only one Lake in the Lake District. Bassenthwaite Lake. The rest are "meres" or "waters".......

[@Darrenj13]

Just so you know it's not Lake Windermere it's just Windermere the only lake is Bassenthwaite Lake the rest are all Mere's, Water's or Tarns. Calling it Lake Windermere is like calling it Lake Winderlake.

[@thegreatidea6796]

Take me to the lakes where All the poets went to die.

[@LabRat6619]

Its a beautiful place, but people that live IN it think they own it.

[@cletusverycorrupt8265]

Helvellyn is the 2nd highest just bare that in mind mr false information

[@alistairmcgovern9030]

Well all I can say is what an over rated location, certainly wont go back...Your money is wanted but friendliness non exsistant....Litter , pollution charged for toilets car parking and breathing if allowed.....not a patch on scotland or wales....

[@Brian-om2hh]

Overrated or not, it still attracts 20 million visitors a year....... I guess they'll just have to make do with 19 million, 999, 999 in future.....

[@steveturner4460]

100% correct

[@lindacensi2750]

And of course a museum about Pencils ha! I DRAW, SO... check if you want #teodolindadrawing! 😊