How to spend a week in the Lake District National Park [2024]

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 13th January 2019 | Updated: 19th November 2023

Spending a week in the Lake District National Park is experiencing a little piece of tranquillity in the Cumbrian wilderness.

With the sheer beauty of the dramatic fells, towering mountains and inspiring waters, it is no wonder why so many artists, poets and writers fell deeply in love with the landscapes of the lakes. From Beatrix Potters animal tales to William Wordsworth’s poetic musings, there is something for everyone in the Lake District.

The largest of the UK National Parks, Lake District National Park contains over 150 peaks to climb, including the famous Scafell Pike and Catbells, as well as 16 lakes, (alongside numerous smaller tarns/mountain lakes). Bassenthwaite Lake, in the north of the Lake District, is actually the only official lake, as all the rest are technically classed as meres, waters or tarns.

It was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in July 2017, as a place of special cultural significance, so what better reason to take a trip there! There are Highland cattle and Herdwick (rock) sheep too is that sways you anymore…

You could easily spend a few weeks walking and wandering the Lake District so in this post we will (hopefully!) get as much information across as possible. So here is how to spend a week in the Lake District:

Planning Your Trip? Use our favourite travel resources below:

Accommodation: We recommend Booking.com

Rental Car: We recommend Rentalcars.com

Travel Insurance: We recommend World Nomads

Flights: We recommend Kiwi.com

Tours: We recommend Get Your Guide

How many days do you need in the Lake District?

We spent a week in the Lake District, which was perfect for us, but you can easily spend more time there. There is so much to see and so much to do, even just visiting each of the lakes could take you a few weeks. It’s not called the Lake District for no reason! And that doesn’t include getting into the mountains and exploring from above.

You could, however, split up your visit to the Lake District over a series of weekends, starting in the north lakes before exploring the east, south, west and central lakes.

What is the best time of year to visit?

We visited the Lake District National Park in December and honestly. It was perfect. There were very few tourists around, the crisp mornings were beautiful and having a roaring fire to go back to every evening was such a luxury. (Most of the pubs and eateries we stopped in during the days also had log fires burning so you really didn’t mind getting a little cold out walking).

If you want a little more warmth with your exploring then it would be better to visit in the Spring or Autumn, but you could still have a light dusting of snow on the mountain tops. During the summer it can get quite busy with the UK school holidays and the much warmer weather bringing locals and tourists to the area.

How to get to the Lake District

The Lake District is fairly simple to get to by road, but it can be long if you live in the south of England and Wales. Travelling from London it can take between 4.5 and 5.5 hours via the M40, M6 or M1. Travelling from Bristol, as we were, it took 4 hours via the M5 & M6. From Edinburgh, it can take 2.5 to 3 hours and from Cardiff 4 to 5 hours.

Nearest train station – You can also travel to the Lake District via train, (Northern Trains or the TransPennine Express), and get a day ranger ticket that you can also use on the buses around the Lakes.

Nearest airport – There is a new airport that opened in 2019 called the Carlisle Lake District Airport flying between Belfast, Dublin and London. You can also fly to Manchester or Newcastle-upon-Tyne Airport which makes the lakes reachable within a couple of hours.

How to spend a week in the Lake District – A 7-day itinerary

The North Lakes

Derwentwater is 3 miles long, 1 mile wide, and contains four main islands Lord’s Island, Derwent Island, St Herbert’s Island, and Rampsholme Island alongside numerous smaller islands. The majority of the lakeside shore and islands are owned by the National Trust, which means there are some wonderful circle route walks that run around the lake.

A visit to the North Lakes is not complete until you have climbed Catbells. With incredible panoramic views over the surrounding area and a rather entertaining route to the top, (think scrambling up rock faces!) the 1480ft high Catbells should be on your list of walks to do in the Lake District. Just watch your step on the way back down as it is rather slippery, as I found out after a spectacular fall!

To the north of Derwentwater lies the town of Keswick. Make sure you check out the pencil museum too, it may sound boring but believe me it is fascinating! Just outside of the main town lies Castlerigg Stone Circle an English Heritage monument built around 3000BC. The 38 stones are not only a wonderful bit of Neolithic history but the views from the monument are astounding too.

One thing you must-do if you visit the north lakes is to drive via Kirkstone Pass. This winding road connecting Windermere with the northern lakes is the highest pass in the lake district at 1489ft, and boy does it have some incredible views! You can also drive via The Struggle, which connects to Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside. It is extremely steep, with gradients up to 20%! My little car could only go down not up!

• Lakes to see – Derwentwater
• Walks to do – Catbells

The East Lakes

Ullswater is the second largest lake in the lake district at 7.5 miles long and ¾ mile wide. It is dog-leg in shape, which means you get some stunning views from all around the lake. The Ullswater Way Heritage Trail also runs around the edge of the lake making it an easy walk to follow.

One of the most famous waterfalls in the Lakes District is Aira Force. With the water falling 70ft from under one stone bridge to another. This National Trust owned land allows you to walk up and around the top and base of the waterfall through a tree trail.

After a long days walking be sure to stop by the White Lion Inn in Patterdale. This village pub not only has some wonderful views of Place Fell but some rather good ploughman’s sharing platters!

• Lakes to see – Ullswater
• Walks to do – Aira Force waterfall
• Where / what to eat – White Lion Inn

The Central Lakes

Grasmere lake is 1 mile long, ½ mile wide. But Grasmere isn’t known for its lake, it’s the famous gingerbread that draws people in. The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop tucked away in the village of Grasmere produces what they call the ‘best gingerbread in the world’, and believe me, it is good! Make sure to wander around the quaint little village before heading a short distance down the road to Rydal.

One of the smallest lakes in the National Park is Rydal Water. The lake, located alongside the small village of, you guessed it, Rydal, is ¾ mile long and ¼ mile wide, and can be easily walked around via a path called the Grasmere Coffin Trail. This walk takes in Rydal as well as Grasmere and takes you past some rather famous, and beautiful spots, such as Wordsworth’s Seat, where it is claimed he wrote ‘The most loveliest spot that man hath found’.

In Rydal, with its ornate gardens, sculpture trail and hidden waterfall follies, Rydal Hall is a wonderful place to wander around. It is situated alongside the Grasmere Coffin Trail so it is easy to find too. A short distance, in fact across the road, from Rydal Hall, lies Rydal Mount the home of the famous poet William Wordsworth. It was rented to Wordsworth from Rydal Hall in 1813 until his death in 1850 and is now a museum dedicated to his writings.

A little way further down the road there is also a patch of field, which although seemingly random at first is, in fact, Dora’s Field, a place where Wordsworth and his family created a daffodil field in memory of his daughter. Unfortunately, we didn’t visit when the daffodils where in bloom, but I’ve been told they are a sight to behold when they are.

• Lakes to see – Rydal Water
• Walks to do – Coffin Trail from Rydal to Grasmere
• Where / what to eat – Grasmere Gingerbread

The South Lakes

The largest natural lake in England and the main spine of the lake district, Lake Windermere is a must stop if you are planning a visit to the south lakes. At 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide, there is plenty to discover, on the land and the water. Ferry services run up and down the lake with stops at a number of places you will want to hop on board and explore every inch of Windermere!

To the northern end of Windermere sits Ambleside, a town full of character, multiple outdoors shops and lovely cafes. Make sure you stop by Apple Pie Eating House & Bakery, for some of the best apple pie I have ever eaten, Sheilas Cottage, a lovely little restaurant full of character, and Waterhead Coffee Shop for a delicious cup of something warming alongside homemade cakes.

On the western edge of Windermere lies Wray Castle. The National Trust owned 1800’s castle and the surrounding landscape are full of wonderful walks in the nearby woodland and along the lake. You can also walk along the lake edge from Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station, before getting the boat back to Bowness-on-Windermere.

West of Windermere lies Coniston Water and Tarn Hows. Tarn Hows is made up of three tarns joined together, creating one large tarn. The land in and around the Tarn Hows was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 who later sold the Tarn Hows section to the National Trust. There is a 1.5-mile circular walking route around the tarn, as well as a walk down a steep stone path to Tom Gill waterfalls. You can also walk from the northern end of Coniston Water to the Tarn Hows through a landscape filled with Belted Galloway cows!

Kendal Mint cake is a staple when your out and about walking the Lake District. The delicious minty sugar treat is so full of energy it have you running up Scafell Pike in no time! Make sure you grab yourself one or two when you’re in Kendal, (or in any of the many outdoors shops you will find in the Lakes!).

• Lakes to see – Windermere, Coniston Water and Tarn Hows.
• Walks to do – Tarn Hows to Tom Gill waterfalls and Wray Castle to Claife Viewing Station.
• Where / what to eat – Kendal Mint cake and apple pie at Apple Pie Eating House & Bakery

The West Lakes

Whilst we didn’t venture over to the West Lakes on this trip, we will be sure to on our next week in the Lake District! In the meantime here are our recommendations following our trip planning;

Ennerdale Water, the most westerly of the lakes, is 2.5 miles long and ¾ mile wide. It is used as a reservoir lake for the West Cumbria coast and it is also car-free, so you can enjoy the lake and its surroundings in pure Cumbrian quiet! Check out the National Trust website for more information – National Trust – Ennerdale

Wastwater is the deepest of the lakes within the National Park at 3 miles long and ½ mile wide. It is lies at the base of Scafell Pike, (to the north), which many a hiker longs to climb! Check out the National Trust website for more information – National Trust – Wasdale and Wastwater

There you have it, our guide to the week in the Lake District National Park in the UK. If that doesn’t entice you to take a trip to the Lakes, I don’t know what will! 

Planning your own week in the Lake District? Make sure you check out our Travelling Tedaldi Amazon Store Travel Guides for all your guidebooks and maps. (We’ve done the hard work for you and linked all the things we used to plan our trip!)

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Gemma (i.e The Travelling Tedaldi)

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Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.