Out & About Guide

Food & Drink

Walks & Nature

Culture & Heritage

Cycling

Away from the busy roads in the heart of the Lakes, the best places to explore by bike are the Eden Valley, the lanes north of Keswick, west into the Furness Fells or east to the distinctive limestone country around Whitbarrow, or lanes down the Cartmel peninsula. Or, take a boat to Bowness and cycle back through Grizedale Forest or the peaceful Lyth Valley.

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Wild Swimming

From great lakes like Derwentwater, through to small hidden gems such as Hole Fell Lake above Coniston, there is a wild swim with a view in the Lakes to suit everyone. Take a dip in accessible Rydal Water, Buttermere and Burnmoor Tarn, or seek out the plunge pool at Galleny Force (Borrowdale), and the invigorating deep pools at Tonque Pot (Eskdale) and Rydal Bower (Ambleside) waterfalls.

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Sedbergh

Wainwright described the Howgills “like velvet curtains in sunlight and like silken drapes at sunset” and their haunting beauty is a stunning backdrop to Sedbergh, whose market has congregated since the 13th century. Cobbled streets lead to historic houses, many of which make reference to the booming woollen industry that reigned here for generations. Quirky bookshops and cafes and superb walking complete the picture.

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Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass

Set below the Hardknott Pass, Muncaster is located in one of Europe's most remote and dramatic landscapes. Home to the Pennington family for 800 years, and built to repel the marauding Scots, the castle is a genuine treasure trove of art and antiques. The Hawk and Owl Centre has a lawned Owl Garden with aviaries and mews and the flying arena is in the Old Rose Garden. Cafes, ghost tours and play areas.

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Carlisle - Castle & Cathedral

Founded by the Romans as part of the Hadrian's Wall defences, Carlisle has plenty to offer the visitor. The medieval castle keep has a long history of warfare and feuding and houses the Border Regiment Museum. The cathedral, founded in 1122 as a Norman Priory, has a magnificent decorated chancel roof and an exquisite east window. The Tullie House Museum tells the story of the border wars and Hadrian's Wall.

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Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston

Built in 1859 and superbly restored by the National Trust in 1980, this historic vessel sails the length and breadth of Coniston Water during the summer months, calling at Ruskin's home Brantwood on the way.

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Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere

Take an adventure to the Lake District’s newest all-weather museum, a vibrant, family-friendly place dedicated to the boats, people and the rich history of Windermere, England’s largest natural lake. The museum reflects industry and engineering in the Lake District National Park, one of England’s most famously beautiful locations.

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Lowther Castle & Garden, Penrith

The ruined castle is now a garden and the gardens are being rediscovered and renewed. In the stable gallery, an exhibition tells The Story of Lowther – showing exactly how this fascinating place has held up a mirror to its times. For families, an adventure playground offers fun and excitement galore. Explore the network of scenic walking and off-road cycling trails (& bike hire) across the estate, returning to the excellent café for refreshment.

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Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum, Keswick

Situated in a microgranite quarry, the museum is the perfect way to explore the geology of the Lake District and the quarrying of local limestone, sandstone, granite and slate.

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Parkfoot Pony Trekking, Howtown, Ullswater

Trek on horseback for an hour or a day along pretty country lanes, and by the lakeside - the views over Ullswater are breathtaking – all the routes are off-road, and the Highland ponies are sure-footed and well mannered.

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Rookin House Lakeland Activities, Ullswater

There’s something for everyone here – quad biking, go-karting, 4x4 off-roading, fishing, horse riding, archery and clay pigeon shooting. All activities are based on one site, with Blencathra providing a dramatic Lakeland backdrop.

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Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass

England’s steepest, most enjoyable mountain road passes the lonely Roman Fort at Hard Knott before plummeting into remote Eskdale and the hamlet of Boot. From here, jump on this narrow-gauge steam railway and slip down the beautiful valley to the ancient tidal port of Ravenglass, with further Roman remains and the nearby Muncaster Castle.

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Grizedale Forest Cycling, Hawkshead

Slinking across the Furness Fells above Coniston, Grizedale Forest’s mix of old woodland and pines is laced by forest roads and tracks rising to sublime viewpoints. Ideal cycling territory, enhanced by the famous Sculpture Trail, around 80 works created over the years by a range of artists. Bike hire & routes from Grizedale Mountain Bikes.

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Fishing in the Eden Valley

The idyllic River Eden is ideally suited for salmon, trout, sea trout and grayling fishing, as is the beautiful River Lowther, which is famous for its dry fly upstream brown trout. Cumbria Fly Fishing provide fly fishing with guiding and tuition on various beats on the River Eden.

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Settle to Carlisle Railway

More like a cleverly designed visitor attraction than a vital lifeline serving countless communities in the wilds of Cumbria and North Yorkshire, the Settle-Carlisle Railway offers a constant backdrop of stunning fells and moorland. Make a day of it and jump off at any number of stops en route.

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Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding Pier

The Ullswater Steamers have been sailing on ‘England’s most beautiful lake’ since 1859 – take a one-or-two-hour cruise along the lakeside, with the dramatic backdrop of Helvellyn and the stunning fells. The steamers travel between Glenridding, Howtown and Pooley Bridge Piers and between Glenridding and National Trust Aira Force Pier.

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Ballooning over the South Lakes

Climb above the dawn mists to float across the dreamscape of a placid Windermere, or ascend to equal the height of Scafell Pike, England’s greatest mountain and drift over the Furness Fells, indulging in views of the Lakes and the Pennines. Lift-off locations in the South Lakes will depend on wind and weather conditions.

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Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Ulverston

This convivial little line recalls the heady times of Victoria’s reign, meandering beside the River Leven as it performs the Herculean task of draining Windermere to the sea. Steam trains reach the southern tip of Windermere; cruises start here or walks thread to the intriguing Stott Park Bobbin Mill, without which England’s textile industry would not have prospered.

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Kirkby Lonsdale

On the banks of the River Lune and a short drive from both the Lakes and the Dales, Kirby Lonsdale is a historic market town with picturesque alleys and cobbled courtyards, traditional food shops and quirky independent shops. The street names add to the charm – Jingling Lane and Salt Pie Lane among them. It has the 14th-century Devil's Bridge, as well as Ruskin's View, which inspired a painting by artist JMW Turner in 1822.

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Yachting on Windermere

Charter a private luxury yacht on England’s largest lake and explore at your own pace, with the skipper at the helm and experienced crew on hand. Or really push the boat out and take some big-boat tuition on board, learning the ropes and handling the craft on a full day’s experience under sail.

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Off-Road Driving, Windermere

Tackle former mine roads and pack trails into the higher reaches of the fells with a day’s expert tuition in a 4WD vehicle. The rugged terrain, together with other challenging routes encountering water and mud, makes for an adrenaline-packed expedition a world away from the sedate crawl to work on pampered tarmac roads.

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Ambleside

Located at the head of Windermere, with mountains on three sides, the delightful Victorian town of Ambleside is rich with history and blessed with beautiful scenery. Visitors are catered for splendidly and it makes a great stepping-stone to the surrounding fells or as a destination in itself with strolls along the lake shore.

Watersports & Activity Centre, Windermere

Low Wood Watersports and Activity Centre, with its large lake frontage and extensive range of equipment, is a great location for waterskiing, wakesurfing, paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking, canoeing and boat hire. The team are highly professional and committed to providing an enjoyable experience in this stunning location against an inspiring backdrop of Lakeland Fells.

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Cartmel Races

With nine race days to enjoy throughout the year, Cartmel Races is a great day out for anyone visiting the Lakes! Keep your eyes peeled to their website for the summer dates and fixtures at this truly unique racecourse. The long tradition of racing at Cartmel was started by the monks from Cartmel Priory in the 12th Century.

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Outdoor Adventures, Kendal

Looking for an adrenaline fuelled visit? Look no further than Adventure Makers in Kendal. Enjoy activities such as abseiling, canyoning, caving, rock climbing and, our personal favourite, ghyll scrambling. There's an adventure for everyone!

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Honister Slate Mine & Adventures, Borrowdale

Located at the head of Honister Pass in the centre of the Lake District, Honister Slate Mine offers a range of exhilarating indoor and outdoor adventures for a range of ages and abilities - climb the mine; climbing challenging miners tracks; crossing an infinity bridge etc (see website). Honister is also the last working slate mine in England.

Hawkshead & Beatrix Potter Gallery

Attractive village in the Vale of Esthwaite and noted for its whitewashed cottages, stone steps and squares. Look out for the Old Grammar School, founded in 1585, where William Wordsworth was educated, and visit the Beatrix Potter Gallery - anyone who has ever been enchanted by Beatrix’s endearing characters, the gallery is the place to go to marvel at these miniature masterpieces.

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Ullswater

Often described as the most beautiful of the great English lakes, Ullswater in the second largest in the region and famous for its steamer service. At the northern end is Pooley Bridge - the church has a striking Norman central tower and is worth a visit, and the village is a useful base for those who want to go fishing, cycling or trekking.

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Windermere

One of Lakeland's most popular attractions, Lake Windermere and its small town became a fashionable inland resort as a direct result of the railway system, and what had been a small village grew rapidly in popularity. Go sailing, take a steamer ride around the lake, visit the fascinating Jetty Museum, or by taking the footpath from town to Orrest Head for stunning lakeland views. Best view of Windermere is from Gummers How, a 20-minute climb from A592.

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Last updated: 19/03/21

From 2023 the Epicurean Club becomes Loupe

Cycling

Wild Swimming

Sedbergh

Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass

Carlisle - Castle & Cathedral

Steam Yacht Gondola, Coniston

Windermere Jetty Museum, Windermere

Lowther Castle & Garden, Penrith

Threlkeld Quarry & Mining Museum, Keswick

Parkfoot Pony Trekking, Howtown, Ullswater

Rookin House Lakeland Activities, Ullswater

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Ravenglass

Grizedale Forest Cycling, Hawkshead

Fishing in the Eden Valley

Settle to Carlisle Railway

Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding Pier

Ballooning over the South Lakes

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, Ulverston

Kirkby Lonsdale

Yachting on Windermere

Off-Road Driving, Windermere

Ambleside

Watersports & Activity Centre, Windermere

Cartmel Races

Outdoor Adventures, Kendal

Honister Slate Mine & Adventures, Borrowdale

Hawkshead & Beatrix Potter Gallery

Ullswater

Windermere