How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in the Lake District Itinerary
Last Updated on 31st August 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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Located in northwestern England, not far from the Scottish border, the lovely Lake District is famed for its rolling hills, chocolate box towns, and many bodies of water. If you’re planning a visit to this unforgettable region of the UK, then here’s our perfect 3 days in The Lake District itinerary.
Contents
Getting to the Lake District
Unfortunately, it can be a little tricky to get into the heart of the Lake District as there are no train lines which go into the very centre and so you’ll need access to your own vehicle. Check car rental comparison prices here.
We personally took a train from central London to Kendal and rented a car there. The journey takes around four hours, with a train change at Lancaster. Another option is to take a train from London to Windermere and changing at Oxenholme.
Is 3 days enough time in The Lake District?
Yes! I would say that 72 hours in The Lake District is definitely enough time to get to see some of the best highlights of the National Park, go on a few hikes, and even seek out a few hidden gems. If you’re the type of traveller who prefers to travel at a slower pace, then you might want to set aside four or five hours to follow this itinerary.
Suggested day 1 in the Lake District
Ambleside
Picture perfect Ambleside acts as a gateway for many visitors to the region thanks to its ease of access to places like Windermere and Kendal. The town itself is home to a number of boutiques, including gift shops, independent booksellers, and outdoor clothing shops.
Unfortunately, I didn’t really own appropriate hiking gear for exploring the region and so my first port of call during our time in the Lake District was to head to Blacks to buy a rain coat! If there’s one building I would implore you not to miss in Ambleside, it would be the Bridge House.
This fine example of 17th-Century architecture is a rare survival in a region where the climate is bitter and the weather rules all.
The bridge house in Ambleside has seen plenty of uses over the years, including as a counting house for a nearby mill, a tea room, a cobbler’s, a chair maker’s workshop and was even once home to a family of 8!
Pelter Bridge car park
After visiting Ambleside, it’s a short ten minute drive or so to arrive at Rydal Water. There are three different attractions to visit here and so the best place to park is in the Pelter Bridge car park (a paid car park) which will give you easy access to all of the things to do in the area.
You should note that the car park is pretty small and so fills up quite fast. Even though we arrived in the morning mid-week, it was already full. As a result, we waited 10-15 minutes for someone to leave so that we could take their spot!
Stepping stones
The order in which you see the attractions in the vicinity of Rydal Water will depend entirely on your personal preference, as well as on the weather. As the weather was quite miserable during our visit, we began with the Stepping Stones, which are only a ten minute walk or so from the car park.
I tried to find more information about the stepping stones online but, to be honest, there wasn’t a great deal of information to be found! Spanning the River Rothay, they lie on a popular walking path. Just be careful if you’re visiting during the rain because they can become a little bit slippery!
Rydal Mount and Gardens
After visiting the stepping stones, retrace your steps to get back to the main road. From there you can walk up to Rydal Mount and Gardens.
William Wordsworth lived in the house from 1813 up until his death in 1850 at the age of 80, which, in those days was pretty old. Step inside today and you’ll find that the house appears much as it would have done during his lifetime.
You can pay to explore the gardens (this sprawling green space offers lake views and a glimpse into what a traditional Cumbrian garden looks like) and visit the house. Inside, you’ll find portraits and some personal effects of the Wordsworth family.
To be honest, this is a bit of a pricey attraction but is a must-see if you’re a fan of English literature. The house is also much less quieter and off the beaten path than any Beatrix Potter attraction and so we had the place to ourselves during our whole visit.
Rydal Cave
The final attraction that’s close to Rydal Water and is a must-see, even during a short time in The Lake District, is Rydal Cave. This stunning cave is around a fifteen to twenty minute walk from Pelter Bridge car park, and the best bit about the walk is that you’ll get to walk alongside Rydal Water in order to reach the Cave.
The most interesting aspect of Rydal Cave is that, while it looks like a natural phenomenon, it is actually a man-made cave and is the result of former quarrying endeavours which took place in the region.
Today, quarrying is forbidden, but the various caves that were formed by the region’s former industry remains. Just be sure to avoid the mistake of arriving at nearby Cathedral Cave and assuming it’s Rydal Cave!
There are stepping stones to get into the back of the cave, from which you can enjoy beautiful relfections on the water: Rydal Cave was even used as a filming location in The Witcher, in a scene where Jaskier is walking into the cave.
Grasmere
One of the most iconic and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful villages in the Lake District is that of Grasmere. The village is particularly famous as the final resting place of William Wordsworth himself, whose gravestones can be found within the cemetery of the 13th-century church.
Other highlights of Grasmere include going shopping in one of the many galleries and independent shops in town (we loved Herdy for all sorts of sheep-themed gifts) and checking out the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.
Grasmere is also where the iconic Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread was invented. Somewhere between a cake and a cookie, this local Cumbrian speciality is still baked using the original Victorian recipe and there’s always a line up outside!
If you want to avoid the line but still wish to taste the gingerbread, then you can actually buy the sweet treat at other Gingerbread shops elsewhere in The Lake District (for example, there’s a Sarah Nelson’s shop in Hawkshead).
Dinner at The Drunken Duck
We actually stumbled upon The Drunken Duck quite by accident and were quickly enthralled by its cosy ambiance and friendly bar tender. The sleepy pub lies on a little lane in what feels like the middle of nowhere and functions as both a pub and fine dining space.
If you want to enjoy dinner there (you can opt for fixed two or three course meals, vegan and vegetarian options available) then it’s advised that you book in advance. Otherwise, you can simply grab a drink and sit outside on the benches, admiring the rolling green hills and nearby grazing sheep.
Suggested day 2 in the Lake District
Hawkshead
The delightful village of Hawkshead is close to Ambleside and comprises of a few tightly packed streets crammed with little shops, boutiques, and centuries old pubs. Presiding high on a hill overlooking the rest of the town is a church dedicated to St Michael and All Angels.
As Hawkshead is quite small, you’ll only need an hour or so to explore. The church is free to visit but the best part of the village has to be just how quiet it is.
Claife Viewing Station
Next, drive from Hawkshead to Claife Viewing Platform. The best car park in the area is Ash Landing and it’s managed by the National Trust. If you’re a member, then parking is free, otherwise you’ll have to pay a fee.
From there, it’s a five to ten-minute walk uphill to reach Claife Viewing Station. Free to visit, the rather surprising part about this Windermere attraction is that it was always intended to serve as a tourist attraction.
Constructed during the 1890s and then later expanded, the platform was built to accommodate wealthy tourists. One of the more interesting aspects is the stained glass windows, which are meant to show how the area appears during different seasons and varying times of the day.
Ferry over Windermere
Though you can drive all the way around Windermere to get to the other side of the Lake, the easiest way to get to the other side is undoubtedly by taking the ferry. The ferry can carry up to 18 cars at a time and costs £6. The journey takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Holehird Gardens
Holehird Gardens is a 10 acre fell side garden and was once part of the Holehird Estate. The garden was created in the late 1800s but was eventually abandoned by the middle of the 1900s as it proved too expensive to maintain.
In 1869, the Lakeland Horticultural Society was formed and they saved the garden, restoring it to what you see today. Perhaps the most astonishing part about visiting the gardens is that they’re completely free to visit, though donations are always welcome!
Coffee at Toast Windermere
The closest town to Holehird Gardens is Windermere (like the lake) and it is where your next stop is. If you’re feeling peckish, then I highly recommend checking out Toast. We particularly enjoyed the oat lattes and cinnamon buns.
Orrest Head Viewpoint
One of the easier hikes in the Lake District, but nevertheless one of the more rewarding, is Orrest Head Viewpoint. There is no parking directly below the trailhead and so you’ll have to park within Windermere itself.
The trail is around 3/4 of a mile in each direction and so takes around an hour to get to the top and then another half an hour or so to get back down to the town. From the top, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Cumbrian countryside, particularly on a clear day.
Kirkstone Pass
From Windermere, you’ll then want to travel to the wilder, more secluded parts of The Lake District. Be sure to stop at Kirkstone Pass, which is the highest point you can reach by vehicle in the region.
Kirkstone Pass is home to the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the third highest pub in England, which is unfortunately closed until further notice. Nevertheless, there remains a car park at the top where you can stop and admire the view. Just be warned that it can be very cold and windy at the very top!
Ullswater Churches
From Kirkstone Pass, you’ll want to carry on driving until you reach Ullswater. Located within the eastern part of The Lake District, this is one of the lesser-visited waters of the Lake District, which only adds to its charm.
The best spots in this area include two off the beaten path churches which you’ll have to drive through zigzag winding roads to reach. Martindale is a speck of a hamlet with fewer than 50 permanent residents.
And its church is nestled amongst impossibly green hills and is dedicated to St Peter. The church finds its roots in the 1880s and is open to the public during daylight hours. The other church in the parish is dedicated to St Marin and is a simple affair nestled amongst green hills.
Suggested day 3 in the Lake District
Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
For your third and final day in the Lake District, you’ll be exploring the west and central parts of the National Park. Now the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway is one activity that you’ll want to arrive well in time for (and preferably in the morning, leaving you the rest of the day to explore).
This is one of those activities that’s fun for all ages and we saw people with their kids and even their dogs! The steam railway is one of the oldest and narrowest steam gauge railways in England. To be honest, I don’t really know what that means, but I do know that makes this railway particularly unique!
The price per person was quite expensive at £20 each but it’s something that we know is a must-see in the Lake District and so we made the splurge.
You can choose indoor or outdoor seating, and as it was nice wether (and we had our raincoats just in case of a downpour- not to mention to protect the cameras) we opted for the outdoor seats. Oh, and they’re also cheaper than going in the interior seating so it’s an all round win win.
The journey takes around forty minutes to reach Dalegarth for boot station. Depending on the return ticket you choose, you’ll then have around half an hour to two hours before your return ticket. I would opt for the shortest time available so that you have enough time to enjoy other parts of The Lake District.
Wast Water
From the steam railway, you’ll want to hop back into your car and drive to Wast Water. This is often said to be the most beautiful of the bodies of water in the Lake District, and once there, you’ll soon discover why.
Whinlatter Forest
The next spot you can stop at if you have the time. It’s not the most ‘must-see’ location within this itinerary but is worth checking out if you have some time to spare. It’s also en route to the next desintation in this guide.
Whinlatter Forest is the only mountain forest in England and comprises of many winding trails through the forest. There are different length trails which mean that you can spend as little as an hour or so exploring up to six or seven hours!
Surprise View
After checking out the forest, head to Derwentwater. The nearest big town is Keswick and so you can stop there if you want to grab a drink or a bite to eat. Afterwards, head up to Surprise View.
No one quite knows how Surprise View got its name, but one of the most popular theories is that when Queen Victoria is said to have visited, she turned the corner of the road and saw the view. Shocked at its beauty, it’s claimed that she exclaimed ‘oh, what a surprise!’
Ashness bridge
Just down the road from Surprise View, you’ll come across Ashness Bridge. You won’t need more than about ten to fifteen minutes here, but the view is rather lovely and it’s quite entertaining to watch the cars cross over the narrow pack horse bridge!
Friars Crag
One of the most iconic locations in The Lake District is Friars Cragg and this is also located on the shores of Derwentwater. You can go for a lovely stroll along the water’s edge and sit at one of the many benches scattered around the promontory.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Much like Stonehenge, no one quite knows how Castlerigg stone circle came to be, including who, how, or why the stones were erected. However, it’s believed that the stone circle dates back around 5000 years!
The circle is free to visit and there’s roadside parking directly outside the entrance to the field where the stones can be found. One of the most impressive aspects of a visit to the circle is that the stones are surrounded by breathtaking vistas of The Lake District.
Where to stay in The Lake District
If you want to get the most out of your visit to The Lake District, then I suggest staying in either Hawkshead or Ambleside as both settlements provide a great base from which to explore the wider region.
We personally stayed at Yewfield and soon fell in love with this charming vegetarian B&B. We stayed in a cosy self-catered room, where we had our own cooking facilities, but you can also opt for luxurious rooms in the main house. Check prices and availability here.
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