The South Lakes offer a chance to step into nature’s lush green playground. It’s a place where William Wordsworth’s poems shiver in trees and daffodils bloom at their most regal.
Walks ranging from leisurely lakeside strolls to challenging mountain hikes can be enjoyed throughout the area. You could also visit the enchanting World of Beatrix Potter attraction or explore historic villages.
1. Bowness-on-Windermere
The Lake District’s tranquil lakes, luscious greenery, and quaint villages are a sight to behold. Whether you’re hiking along windblown ridges or gazing into the eyes of a grazing sheep, there’s something to delight and inspire every sense here.
Situated on the shores of England’s largest natural lake, Hotel in Newby Bridge is a charming town with something for everyone. Take a relaxing lake cruise on the water, or stroll around the village to sample its restaurants and bars. If you’re a literature fan, the nearby World of Beatrix Potter attraction brings her beloved tales to life. There are also a number of family-friendly activities in the area, from wildlife parks to farm experiences.
This enchanting region of England’s northwestern corner is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts and a muse for many a poet, including William Wordsworth. The lakes and rolling hills provide a scenic backdrop for hiking and cycling, and there’s a wealth of local history to explore.
The area is a great destination for car-free breaks, with boat and bus services linking the main towns. It’s also a top spot for walking, with trails winding through lush forests and past ancient stone circles. With plenty of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels, there’s something for every traveller in the Lake District. The area’s picturesque lakes and stunning landscapes are a delight, but it’s the quaint towns and villages that add to its charm. Each offers its own unique twist on this picturesque landscape.
2. Ambleside
The South Lakes is home to a wide array of activities and attractions. The tranquil lakes, quaint villages and deep historical significance make the area a perfect destination for day-trippers and long-term visitors alike. From the beauty of Lake Windermere to the exhilarating adventures in Grizedale Forest, this picturesque area has something for everyone.
Start your journey from Bowness-on-Windermere, one of the main tourist centres within the Lake District National Park, and head north along the shores of England’s largest natural lake to the bustling market town of Ambleside. From here, it’s easy to explore the region on foot, and enjoy the views of the soaring mountains that surround the area.
Ambleside is a hub of small cafes and outdoor equipment shops, and it’s also the starting point for many walks in the surrounding area. During your trip, you can also visit Wray Castle, which has amazing views over Windermere and was once the home of a surgeon and an heiress from Liverpool. Alternatively, you could climb up to Loughrigg Tarn for spectacular vistas of the area.
Another of the highlights of Ambleside is Stockghyll Force, a stunning waterfall that’s well worth the short walk from the village. The 21-metre cascade is particularly impressive during winter when giant icicles form around the falls. Afterwards, you can stop by the cosy Chesters by the River for a vegetarian lunch, or head to the nearby village of Elterwater for a hearty pub meal.
The South Lakes is brimming with passionate local food producers and delicious eateries. The county’s gastronomic scene offers everything from no-nonsense fodder for hikers to fine-dining at the three-Michelin-star L’Enclume in Cartmel. You can sample the best of Cumbria’s cuisine at one of the many farmers markets held across the area, or try out a new dish at a restaurant that specialises in local ingredients.
3. Windermere
A trip to the South Lakes is a must-do experience for all nature lovers and travelers. The region is surrounded by beautiful lakes, rolling hills, and quaint villages that are full of exciting things to do. From scenic boat cruises on England’s largest lake to exploring the literary haunts of Beatrix Potter, there is something for everyone here.
A cruise on Windermere’s namesake lake is a classic Lakeland experience and the best way to soak in the scenery of the surrounding mountains. You can also hire a row boat or kayak for a more personal sailing adventure on the lake, or take part in one of the many water sports available. If you want to learn how to sail, there are classes that teach the basics of the sport.
Across the lake, at Ash Landing, you can visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s old home where she wrote her best-known books. The 17th-century cottage is now owned by the National Trust and has a museum on site to explore. Further west is the quaint village of Hawkshead, where you can explore its historic streets and The World of Beatrix Potter attraction.
The shores of Windermere are also a popular spot for wild swimming, and the lake itself offers plenty of sheltered spots to set off into the cool waters. The activity is gaining popularity in the UK, with a number of guides and events available for all abilities.
To the north of the lake, you can explore Rydal Water, a smaller lake at the foot of Loughrigg Fell. It was once a favorite of poet William Wordsworth, who owned Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount on the lake’s shores.
4. Coniston Water
Over the centuries, the natural beauty of the South Lakes has acted as a source of inspiration for many artists and writers. In addition to the Lake Poets, including William Wordsworth, the region has been home to the Victorian philosopher John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome, author of the children’s classic ‘Swallows and Amazons’. Today, the area continues to attract a wealth of talent, with family-friendly wildlife parks and farm experiences proving hugely popular.
The area around Coniston Water is particularly picturesque, with the imposing Old Man of Coniston dominating the skyline and a string of tarns scattering the landscape below. The shoreline is also dotted with a variety of restaurants and cafes, each offering beautiful lake vistas, as well as local produce from the surrounding farms.
It’s easy to explore Coniston Water on foot or by bike, with a network of paths linking the village and a jetty at the Coniston Boating Centre offering rowing boats, motorboats and kayaks for hire. Bank Ground Farm, on the northern shore of the lake, also offers boat, paddleboard and bike hire.
Coniston Water is the third largest in Cumbria, stretching five miles by half a mile at its widest point and deep enough to sustain local ecosystems. It is fed by streams from the Furness Fells and Grizedale Forest, and water exits through a trough at its southern end.
The area is rich in natural heritage, with a diverse range of wildlife including otters (Lutra lutra) seen in and around the lake. It is also known for its literary connections, with John Ruskin’s former home, Brantwood, now a museum open to the public. The property is also home to a small brewery, serving the award winning ‘Bluebird Bitter’.
5. Ullswater
Ullswater is a much smaller lake compared to its larger neighbours but it has some of the same stunning mountain scenery with perfect picnic spots, pebble beaches and a range of activities from hiking and hill-walking to kayaking and taking a short cruise on the Ullswater steamer. Like many of the other lakes in the area it is surrounded by pretty villages and resorts including Glenridding, Patterdale and Pooley Bridge.
There are innumerable hikes around the shores of Ullswater ranging from easy to challenging with spectacular views and plenty to see and do. Seasoned explorer Athena Mellor from Ramble Guides put together a great hike for us which can be done right from your cottage door.
Start by catching the Ullswater Steamer one stop to Howtown then follow the Ullswater Way past the walkers-only Lowther Barn Tearoom. From here head into the mountains and enjoy a ramble up to the summit of Place Fell with amazing moorland and valley views before returning back to Glenridding via the green eden of Patterdale.
Along the way you’ll discover champion trees, cheeky red squirrels and a wealth of other wildlife. The shores of the lake are awash with swans, geese and ducks while on the fells you can look out for herds of wild red deer. The flowers are beautiful throughout the year with bright yellow daffodils adorning the wooded hills in spring and vibrant pink purslane, wood sorrel and butterwort bursting into bloom on the cliffs.
There are also some fantastic places to eat and drink around the lake shores. Choose from fine dining at the Leeming House Hotel or pub classics at The Brackenrigg Inn. There is even a microbrewery at Ullswater Country House Hotel and Spa which serves excellent food and drink in an idyllic setting overlooking the lake.
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