Things to do in  Lake District

Children’s author Beatrix Potter lived in the 17th-century Hill Top farmhouse for most of her life, and bequeathed it to the National Trust on the condition that it was left “as if I had just gone out and they had just missed me.” The farm was a huge source of inspiration for Potter, who based many of her much-loved books here.

Bowness-on-Windermere, or simply Bowness, is one of the main tourist hubs of the Lake District. Located on the banks of Lake Windermere, the town’s picturesque Victorian architecture and good transport connections make it the ideal starting point to explore the surrounding region.

Castlerigg Stone Circle is one of Britain’s most impressive examples of Neolithic stone circles, dating back some 5,000 years and predating Stonehenge. Add to that the majestic backdrop of Skiddaw, Blencathra, and other mountains, and you can see why this site has drawn admirers for millennia.

With an area of 3.5 square miles (9 square kilometers), Ullswater is England’s second largest lake and one of its most beautiful, thanks to its zigzag shape and stunning setting. The area surrounding the lake is also famous for inspiring Wordsworth’s poem “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” sometimes also called “Daffodils.”

Framed by conifer woods, livestock-dotted fells, and peaks, this much-loved beauty spot in the Lake District National Park consists of a large tarn (mountain lake, which was created by combining three smaller tarns in the 19th century. The land, once owned by Beatrix Potter and now managed by the National Trust, is open to the public.

The Lake District’s third-largest lake, Coniston Water is known for its depth and its scenic surrounds, which offer prime conditions for water-based activities. The area’s human history reaches back to the Bronze Age, and more recent notable locals include Victorian thinker John Ruskin and the writers Arthur Ransome and Beatrix Potter.

Set at the foot of Loughrigg Fell, Rydal Water is one of the Lake District’s more modest-sized bodies of water, though its strong literary connections, multitude of walking opportunities, and scenic beauty means it rides high on travelers’ wishlists. William Wordsworth’s former residence, Rydal Mount, sits at the eastern end of the lake.

Flanked by grassy peaks, this scenic glacier-sculpted valley includes three lakes: Loweswater, Buttermere, and Crummock Water. With easily scalable fells such as Haystacks, pretty lakeside footpaths, and natural wonders including Scale Force Waterfall—the highest waterfall in the Lake District—Buttermere is prime turf for walkers.

With its slate-roofed heritage buildings, cozy old pubs, and cobbled lanes, Hawkshead Village is the picture of English country idyll. Home to William Wordsworth’s old school and Beatrix Potter’s home, the village has got some impressive literary links. Green forests and fells on its doorstep, plus a car-free center, add to its appeal.

At 4 miles (6.4 kilometers long and 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers wide, Bassenthwaite Lake is among the biggest in the Lake District. Surrounded by gentle fells and without a single settlement on its shoreline, this tranquil lake offers hiking, wild swimming, and bird-watching opportunities, with fish-eating ospreys coming here to hunt.

With its battlements, turrets, and arrow-slit windows, the neo-gothic Wray Castle is straight from a storybook. Originally built in 1840 for a Liverpudlian doctor and his heiress wife, the estate once served as a vacation home for the family of children’s author Beatrix Potter and is currently owned by the National Trust.

Famously described by Wordsworth as ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found,” Grasmere is one of the highlights of the Lake District National Park. The lake—which shares its name with the neighboring village—is circled by lush woodland and can be circumvented on foot or explored by kayak or rowing boat.

Affectionately nicknamed “Queen of the Lakes,” Derwentwater is a quintessential Lakeland spot. With the Cat Bells fell to the west, Friars Crag promontory to the east, and Borrowdale valley to the south, the lake offers a variety of stunning vistas, while its marinas, islands, and hiking trails provide plenty of activities for visitors.

The Beatrix Potter Gallery is a popular destination for families and all fans of the famous author’s children's books. This 17th-century building in the town of Hawkshead, in the Lake District, was once the office of Potter's husband, the solicitor William Heelis, and now houses much of her original artwork.

Borrowdale Valley is a highlight of any trip to Cumbria’s Lake District. With grass-covered peaks, oak-filled woodlands, and rolling pastures along the River Derwent, the natural beauty of the valley is undeniable, and its location at the heart of the Lake District makes it a prime destination for hikers.