A Guide to the Best Things to do in the Lake District (2023)

Last Updated on 6th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

With a recent UNESCO world heritage site designation and over 15 million visitors annually, there’s no better time to visit the Lake District than right know. Characterised by its glittering waters, green landscape, and mountains peaks, here are some of the best things to do in the Lake District this year.

If you’re planning a trip to the area, then be sure to check out our suggestions for how to spend 3 days in the Lake District.

Why visit the Lake District?

From discovering quaint villages to hiking trails and of course, seeing the sheer beauty of the area for yourself, there’s something on offer for everyone when it comes to visiting the Lake District. After all, please note that there aren’t only hiking activities available in the National Park!

Just because you’re heading to the Lake District in Cumbria, doesn’t mean you have to lace up your boots and wear your waterproofs. No. In fact, there are plenty of non hiking Lake District activities for those who are looking for something a little more unusual (and who wish to avoid the deluge of rain that makes the region such a lush shade of green).

Best things to do in the Lake District

Photograph Breathtaking Landscapes

If you give yourself just one great reason to visit the Lake District, then make it this: the scenery. Incredibly high mountains are matched by impossibly deep bodies of water known as tarns, meres, and waters.

Despite being called ‘The Lake District’, very few bodies of water in the region are actually called ‘lakes’! Head to the Lake District if you love photography, or simply want to see some beautiful English countryside for yourself!

Hiking & Walking

Ok. Let’s just get this Lake District activity out of the way considering that it’s one of the most popular things to do in the Lake District! The Lake District is so vast that it’s actually the largest National Park in England. As such, the region it’s full of hills, peaks, deep valleys, and mountains.

This provides the perfect setting for countless hiking trails and stunning walks. So whether you want to go for a gentle walk around a water or are feeling a little more adventurous, the Lake District offers trails to suit everyone.

Visit Cute Little Towns and Villages

Slated roofs, cobbled lanes and all the cute architecture you’d associate with a quintessentially British village. The landscape of The Lake District is dotted with small towns and villages, each with their own unique merits and vibe.

The Lake District is much more than rolling hills and plenty of rain. In fact, there are plenty of cute little towns and villages dotted about the region, just waiting to be explored.

Some of my favourites include Keswick and Consiton. Many of these settlements are also home to cafés, pubs and quirky shops. Some villages, such as Coniston, even have museums and historic houses to visit.

Furthermore, head to Coniston Water if you want to experience museums and water sports, or go to Windermere if you want a slightly busier settlement, as well as the chance to explore the world of Beatrix Potter. For more inspiration, be sure to check out our guide to the best towns and villages in the Lake District.

Partake in Water Sports

As its name suggests, the Lake District is full of bodies of water (though whether they should be called ‘lakes’ is open to debate). In fact, almost all of the ‘lakes’ are actually called ‘waters’, ‘meres’ or ‘tarns’ in the case of smaller areas of water.

Only one body of water is actually called lake, that of Bassenthwaite Lake. On many of the larger waters and meres in the region, you’ll find sailing clubs and the opportunity to kayak or canoe.

Whether you fancy sailing, swimming, or simply heading out onto a mere or tarn for some kayaking, you’re sure to find a sport you love. And if you don’t want to get into the water, then there are also plenty of hiking and cycling trails surrounding the lakes and meres. One of the best places to partake in the many water sports on offer in the Lake District is in the quaint settlement of Coniston Water.

Go cycling

In many of the towns and villages dotted around the Lake District, you’ll have the opportunity to rent bicycles. Although much of the region is best explored on foot (many of the hills are way too steep for cycling), some of the waters and meres are a great location to cycle around.

Learn about its history as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Recently, the Lake District was designated a UNESCO world heritage site. As the first National Park to be given this status in the UK, the region’s countless peaks and valleys were shaped by mountainous glaciers during the last Ice Age.

Today, the region is well-known for its abundance of wildlife, incredible local food, and as great inspiration for the post-18th-century Picturesque and later Romantic movements.

Since its designation as a world heritage site, the popularity of the Lake District has only continued to grow. And so, there is no better time to visit the National Park than right now, before the rest of the crowds arrive…

Admire Interesting architecture

From quaint houses to quirky architecture, of all the reasons to visit the Lake District, the unique architecture may not be the first thing that springs to mind. However, the locally quarried slate and charming buildings are well worth a closer inspection if you’re interested in design and exploring how human settlements interact with the stunning landscapes which so often surround them.

One of the most unusual pieces of architecture to see in the Lake District is the teeny tiny bridge house at Ambleside. Once constructed as a counting house for a nearby mill, the crooked little house has since been used as a tea room, a cobbler’s, a chair maker’s workshop and was even as a home to a family of eight!

Today entrance is free and it takes just a few minutes to explore the house’s two rooms in the centre of Ambleside! If you have even more time, then there are plenty of other things to do in Ambleside.

Follow in the foosteps of Literary Figures & Artistic Inspiration

Follow in the footsteps of Beatrix Potter (author of classic children’s books such as Peter Rabbit) or Arthur Ransome (author of Swallows and Amazons) and trace the paths these literary figures would have taken across the Lake District.

It’s even possible to explore their histories and lives in the many museums dedicated to them in the region. Alternatively, simply enjoy the beauty of the landscape which so inspired the iconic novels they created. To learn even more about Beatrix Potter, you might consider booking a half day tour like this one or even a full day tour together with a guide like this one.

Visit Unique Museums

If you’re heading to the Lake District then you can expect rain. And you can expect it to rain a lot! After all, there’s a reason those hills are so green… However, if it does happen to be pouring when you visit, then there are plenty of great indoor activities to be enjoyed when it comes to Cumbria.

Of all the best reasons to visit the Lake District, the many varied museums on offer may well be my favourite. In fact, the Lake District is home to several unique and offbeat museums, including ones dedicated to John Ruskin and even a motor museum.

Enjoy Quintessentially British pubs & the Ale Trail

If you give yourself one bucket list item to tick off while you’re travelling the UK, make it a visit to a British pub! One of the very best pubs in the region is that of the Kirkstone Pass Inn, a precariously perched pub at 1481 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest inns in England.

To the front of the Kirkstone Pass Inn, there’s a beer garden offering breathtaking views of the Lake District landscape. The inside of the pub is just as interesting and is home to a seemingly never extinguished fire and reputedly, several ghosts of previous residents and passersby.

Sample local food

The ever-popular ‘sticky toffee pudding’ (a concoction of dates, butter, and sugar among other things- heaven!) was invented in the Lake District. Other regional specialties include Kendal Mint Cake, Rum butter (yes, butter made with actual rum) and Grasmere gingerbread.

Shop for local produce

And while we’re on the subject of food, the Lake District is home to plenty of local produce. From the countless farmer’s markets held throughout the week in various villages in the region, to the locally sourced food in the area’s eateries, there’s local produce to be found everywhere!

Watch the Lake District video

Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in the Lake District? Pin this article now, read it again later: