Campsite & Travel Advice

The Lake District – a guide to the lakes

We often find ourselves daydreaming about the winding roads, mirror-like water, and dramatic fells of The Lake District, so it felt only right to put together a proper guide for fellow caravan and motorhome travellers. There is something special about heading north into Cumbria, watching the landscape grow bigger and wilder with every mile, and knowing a weekend away can quickly turn into a list of places we want to come back to. Whether you fancy lakeside strolls, classic viewpoints, literary history, or a boat trip that saves the legs for later, The Lake District really does deliver.

Even after several visits, we still think The Lake District has that rare mix of being hugely popular while somehow still feeling peaceful when you hit the right corner at the right time. Meanwhile, one valley feels lively and bustling, while the next feels completely removed from the world. That contrast is a big part of the appeal, and because of that we keep returning with our home on wheels whenever we need a mix of scenery, fresh air, and easy days out. Additionally, if you want to see more photos from our travels, have a look at our Gallery page.

Windermere and Bowness

For many people, Windermere and Bowness are where a trip to The Lake District properly begins, and we completely get why. Windermere is England’s largest natural lake, so the area gives that classic first taste of the region with busy little towns, wooded shores, smart viewpoints, and plenty of spots to stop for coffee or an ice cream. We always enjoy wandering through Bowness-on-Windermere early in the day because, before the crowds build, the town feels lively yet relaxed.

There is plenty to do here without forcing the day. You can browse independent shops, walk stretches of the lakefront, or simply sit and watch the boats come and go. Because this part of the area is so accessible, it suits first-time visitors brilliantly; however, it also gives repeat visitors plenty of reasons to stay longer and explore nearby places like Ambleside, Brockhole, and the quieter lanes that slip away from the shoreline.

Boat Tours in The Lake District

One of the easiest ways to slow down is to get out on the water and let somebody else take the wheel. We always think a boat trip changes your perspective completely because the fells look different from the lake and the shoreline suddenly feels much grander. On Windermere, Windermere Lake Cruises links Bowness, Ambleside, and Lakeside, so it works just as well for sightseeing as it does for a practical hop between towns. As a result, it breaks up the day nicely when the roads and car parks feel a bit frantic.

Further north-east, Ullswater Steamers offers one of the most atmospheric boat trips in the region. The route between Glenridding, Howtown, and Pooley Bridge feels calmer and a little more traditional, while the scenery around Ullswater has a slightly more rugged feel than Windermere. We love pairing the steamer with a walk because you can hop off at one stop, follow a lakeside path, and then pick up the boat again later. Consequently, the day feels adventurous without turning into a full-on expedition.

Over at Derwentwater, the Keswick Launch is another brilliant option and one we always think deserves a mention in any guide to The Lake District. It stops at several jetties around the lake, so it is perfect if you want to mix a cruise with short walks, lakeside viewpoints, or a relaxed afternoon hopping on and off. Additionally, we like that it gives you a completely different view of Keswick and the surrounding fells, and it turns a simple day by the water into something that feels more memorable.

Keswick and Derwentwater

Heading north, Keswick is one of those places that always seems to win people over. It has a proper outdoor-town atmosphere, with gear shops, cafés, a busy market, and easy access to some of the best scenery in the national park. We have always liked how walkable it feels because you can leave the town centre on foot and quickly find yourself by the water at Derwentwater or looking out towards the surrounding peaks.

Derwentwater gives this area a really distinctive feel. Moreover, the lake sits among some of the most recognisable fells in The Lake District, and the views shift constantly as the weather rolls through. On a bright day it looks calm and inviting, while under heavier skies it feels moody and dramatic in the best possible way. Therefore, if you have time, a longer circuit of the lake makes a brilliant day out, though even a shorter wander to Friar’s Crag gives one of those classic views that reminds us exactly why this part of the country is so loved.

The Derwent Pencil Museum

Keswick is not only about lakes and hiking boots either. The Derwent Pencil Museum, right in Keswick, sounds quirky at first and then turns out to be genuinely interesting once you are inside. It tells the story of pencil making in the area, which ties into local history more than many people realise, and it adds a different side to a visit when you want a break from the weather or simply fancy something unusual. It is also home to the world’s largest pencil, which is exactly the sort of odd Lake District detail we cannot help but enjoy.

We found it works especially well when the rain rolls in for the afternoon. Furthermore, there is enough history, nostalgia, and odd detail to keep it entertaining, and if you are travelling with children it is an easy win. Even for adults, it is the kind of place where you come away knowing more than you expected, which usually says a lot about a good stop.

Ullswater Scenic Views

If we want a quieter-feeling corner of the national park, Ullswater is usually high on the list. Many people call it the most beautiful lake in the area and, although that will always start a debate, the setting makes a strong case for itself. The lake curves through the landscape in a way that feels long, elegant, and dramatic, with steep sides in places and softer shorelines elsewhere. Because it has a calmer atmosphere than some of the busier southern hotspots, it makes a great choice when we want scenery without quite so much bustle.

We usually find Ullswater suits those slower days when the view does most of the work. Glenridding gives you an easy starting point, while Pooley Bridge has a lovely laid-back feel for a wander by the shore. Even so, the real appeal is how the landscape keeps opening up as you move around the lake, and every bend seems to offer a slightly different angle of water, fell, and woodland.

Exploring Aira Force

Nearby, Aira Force is one of the easiest natural highlights to add to a trip. The National Trust paths through the woodland are enjoyable in almost any season, and the waterfall itself has that proper Lake District feel: tumbling water, mossy stone, and enough viewpoints to make you linger longer than planned. It can get busy, so an earlier start helps; nevertheless, it still deserves its popularity.

We like treating Aira Force as more than a quick stop because the surrounding woodland makes the whole visit feel immersive rather than rushed. Moreover, the mix of bridges, rushing water, and shaded paths gives it a slightly storybook feel. If the weather is on your side, it is easy to pair with a steamer trip or a lakeside walk and turn it into a fuller day around Ullswater.

Iconic Walks in The Lake District

No guide to The Lake District feels complete without mentioning a few walks because even visitors who are not serious hikers usually want at least one memorable route. For a classic fell walk with a huge reward for relatively modest effort, Catbells is hard to beat. Rising above Derwentwater, it gives one of those summit views that feels far bigger than the climb suggests. We have always thought it is one of the best introductions to fell walking, as long as you are happy with a bit of hands-on scrambling near the top.

Orrest Head, above Windermere, is another favourite and ideal if you want a shorter outing with a big payoff. The path is straightforward, the summit view across the lake is superb, and it carries a bit of Wainwright history too, since this was the view that famously sparked his love affair with the region. Additionally, Aira Force also earns its place for us when we want a walk that feels scenic without becoming too demanding.

Low-Level Scenic Routes

Tarn Hows suits slower-paced exploring beautifully. The accessible loop around Tarn Hows is one of the easiest scenic walks in the area, with wide paths, lovely water views, and a route that still feels special without demanding much in return. Meanwhile, on the quieter side of things, the Buttermere Circuit is one of the loveliest lower-level walks in the region. It loops around the lake with a mix of shoreline, woodland, and mountain views, so it gives that big scenery feeling without needing a full day of steep climbing.

We often think these lower-level routes are just as memorable as the bigger-name summits. They let you take in the landscape without watching every step or committing the whole day to a climb. Consequently, they work brilliantly for mixed-pace trips, especially when we want to balance viewpoints, towns, and relaxed campsite evenings.

Hill Top and Beatrix Potter

One of the most charming places to visit is Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s house in Near Sawrey. Tucked away on the quieter western side of Windermere, Near Sawrey feels like stepping into a softer, more old-fashioned corner of Cumbria, and Hill Top fits that setting perfectly. The National Trust cares for the house, and that gives it a real sense of preservation without making it feel cold or overly formal. Instead, it feels personal, characterful, and closely tied to the landscape around it.

Walking through the rooms, you get a real sense of how much the house and surrounding countryside fed directly into her stories and illustrations. Moreover, the furniture, decorations, and little details make it feel as though she has only just stepped out for the afternoon. We think Hill Top works best when you treat it as part of a wider wander rather than a rushed stop because Near Sawrey itself is lovely and the surrounding lanes, walls, and views show off that gentler side of the area beautifully. Therefore, if you grew up with Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle-Duck, or Tom Kitten, there is a good chance the visit will feel pleasantly familiar. Even if you did not, the setting and the atmosphere still make it more than worthwhile.

Wasdale and the Wilder Side

For a more dramatic edge, Wasdale always stands out. This is where the landscape starts to feel tougher, steeper, and a bit more remote. Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, looks incredible beneath the screes, and the surrounding valley has a stripped-back beauty that feels very different from the gentler scenes around Windermere or Near Sawrey. The road in needs a bit of care, especially if you are towing, but the scenery more than repays the effort.

What we like most about Wasdale is that it feels uncompromising in the best possible sense. It is not polished, it is not trying to entertain you, and it does not need to. Instead, it offers one of the most unforgettable landscapes in the region, whether you are there to tackle Scafell Pike, take photographs, or simply stand by the water and take in the scale of it all for a while.

Finding Your Ideal Base in The Lake District

For many of us, the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club are the first ports of call, and both have some fantastic sites across the region that offer the reliability and standards we have come to expect.

Choosing where to stay can be half the battle because there is such a wide mix of locations and styles. Some sites put you close to the busiest lakes and towns, while others feel tucked away enough to make the whole trip slower and quieter. We have always found it helps to think first about what sort of break you want. If you want shops, cafés, lake cruises, and easy tourist stops, staying near Windermere or Keswick makes sense. However, if you want a more peaceful feel, Ullswater, Caldbeck, or some of the lesser-known corners can work brilliantly.

Campsites in The Lake District

If a quieter base sounds more like your kind of stay, Green Acres Caravan Park and Ashes Caravan Park are both great options to keep high on the list, and they fit naturally into the sort of UK campsite reviews we always enjoy sharing. Green Acres Caravan Park works especially well for exploring the northern side of the national park while still coming back to a calmer setting at the end of the day. Meanwhile, Ashes Caravan Park makes a lovely quieter base if you want easy access from the south and a more relaxed feel away from the busiest tourist spots.

A few other good options worth looking at include Skelwith Fold Caravan Park near Ambleside for a peaceful woodland base, Park Cliffe for views and a strong all-round location near Windermere, National Trust Great Langdale Campsite for a superb mountain setting, Castlerigg Farm for those big Keswick views, The Quiet Site for an eco-friendly stay above Ullswater, Gillside Farm for easy access to Glenridding, Hill of Oaks for lakeside appeal near Windermere, Church Stile Farm for a simple base in Wasdale, and Wallace Lane Farm if you fancy the quieter northern side of the region. Additionally, you can browse official club options through the Caravan and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Navigating with a Caravan

Taking our caravan into The Lake District is very doable, but a bit of planning makes the whole trip far more relaxing. The main routes are generally straightforward, though some of the smaller passes and valley roads can become narrow, steep, or awkward if you meet something coming the other way. We always think it is worth checking the route in advance and resisting the temptation to trust sat nav blindly in rural Cumbria.

It also helps to book ahead, especially for bank holidays, school holidays, and sunny weekends when the area fills quickly. Consequently, parking can be a challenge in the busiest hotspots, so using public transport, lake cruises, and local walks straight from site often makes the day easier. Besides that, it pays to pack for every season in one weekend because few places in Britain can switch from sunshine to waterproof weather quite as quickly.

Beautiful Viewpoints to Visit

We always find that some of the best moments in the region come from the places where we simply pull on our boots and head for a viewpoint rather than a full walk. Friar’s Crag is one we keep returning to because it gives a classic Derwentwater view without needing a huge effort. Meanwhile, Orrest Head remains one of our favourite easy wins, especially when we want a short outing after setting up on site.

Latrigg is another brilliant option near Keswick, and it works well when we want a big view without committing to a long day in the hills. On clearer days, Claife Heights also rewards a bit of effort with lovely views across Windermere. As a result, mixing in a few viewpoints alongside towns, boat trips, and campsite evenings makes the whole trip feel more balanced.

Planning Your Perfect Trip

We have found that the best trips here usually come from keeping plans fairly loose while still booking the important bits ahead of time. Campsites in popular areas can fill quickly and, likewise, car parks and attractions get far busier once the weather turns good. Because of that, we tend to choose one main base, pick a few must-do stops nearby, and then leave space for the kind of unplanned detours that often become the best part of the break.

If we are staying for a longer trip, we usually split our time between a busier area like Windermere or Keswick and a quieter base such as Ullswater or Wasdale. That way, we get a bit of both: easy access to the classic highlights and, meanwhile, a slower pace when we head back to our caravan in the evening. Additionally, it helps to keep an eye on the forecast and stay flexible, because a misty morning can easily turn into a bright afternoon in this part of the country.

Visiting The Lake District

Every visit seems to leave us with the same feeling: we have seen plenty, yet there is still far more waiting for the next trip. That is part of what makes The Lake District so easy to return to. One break might be all about boat trips and busy lakeside towns, while the next leans more towards quiet valleys, little viewpoints, and slower mornings by the caravan.

It is that mix of famous highlights and quieter corners that keeps the area feeling fresh. Whether we are heading up for a long weekend or stretching things into a longer touring break, we always come away with a longer list than the one we arrived with. And that, more than anything, is why this part of Cumbria keeps drawing us back.

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