Our 5 favourite towns in the Lake District

The Lake District is one of the UK's truly exceptional holiday destinations, with a superb combination of charming towns and villages and utterly breathtaking landscapes.

Here are five of our favourite towns in the Lake District - offering a variety of attractions to appeal to all types of visitor.

Keswick

Located at the northern end of the beautiful Derwentwater Lake is the picturesque town of Keswick, an ideal choice for visitors who are keen on outdoor pursuits.

The lake is home to a variety of watersports such as sailing and windsurfing, while the surrounding region will wow walkers. Another article lists some of our favourite local walks.

Nearby Skiddaw is the fourth highest mountain in England and offers a wonderful panoramic view from the top. The forest of Whinlatter also offers a number of excellent walks, superb trails for mountain biking, and a Go Ape!

However, it’s not just about exploring outside in Keswick, a number of cultural attractions will entice visitors too.

It’s hard to beat the fantastic lakeside setting of the theatrical productions put on by Theatre by the Lake. The Pencil Museum will entertain kids and adults alike, and two weekly markets on Saturdays and Thursdays will satisfy holidaymakers who are keen to do a bit of shopping.

Grasmere

The charming village of Grasmere enjoys a beautiful location and a thriving tourist industry thanks to its association with the poet William Wordsworth. Visitors will enjoy the very pretty Dove Cottage where Wordsworth resided for eight years. The cottage is also handily situated next door to the Wordsworth Museum.

The Lake Artists Society holds their annual Summer Exhibition in Grasmere during which a number of paintings and sculptures are on display by local artists. The Grasmere Lakeland Sports is another popular annual event that involves the likes of wrestling, fell running, hound trails and dog shows.

Visitors can also enjoy relaxing roaming in the stunning surrounding hills and some laidback boating on Grasmere Lake.

Ambleside

There’s no shortage of excellent things to see and do in Ambleside, a busy town is located close to England’s largest natural lake, Windermere. Enjoy some time on the water by trying sailing, kayaking, hiring a rowing boat, windsurfing or taking a boat cruise. 

The striking Stock Ghyll Force is a beautiful 70-foot high waterfall that can be easily reached via a short walk from the centre of Ambleside. Another great walk is the Champion Tree Trail which is suitable for all fitness levels and leads walkers through Skelghyll Woods. 

For something with a little more culture, try the Armitt Museum which is both entertaining and informative, and a great choice for fans of the author Beatrix Potter. The area is full of literary walks.

Visitors interested in architecture should take a wander to Bridge House which dates from the 17th century, as well as the ancient remains of Ambleside Roman Fort.

Coniston

The village of Coniston is located to the north west of Coniston Water and is surrounded by spectacular landscapes that make this region a walker’s dream. There are walks to suit all levels of fitness, with one of the easiest being the walk up the Old Man of Coniston which provides fantastic views from the top. Tarn Hows is another popular site full of natural beauty that was once owned by Beatrix Potter and which can be explored via a well-maintained footpath.

If you prefer water to land, there are several different boat trips to choose from that provide a wonderful means of exploring Coniston Water. Art and architecture lovers may want to wander to Brantwood a beautiful country home with lovely gardens that was once the residence of the prominent Victorian thinker John Ruskin. The Ruskin Museum doesn’t just provide insight into Ruskin but also offers several other diverse displays on the likes of Coniston’s geology and a miniature village to name a few.

Cartmel

One of the key attractions in the lovely village of Cartmel is the stunning 12th century Cartmel Priory. 

A fun and unique way to explore the village is by horse-drawn carriage and for those who want to experience things at a faster pace, Cartmel Racecourse holds a number of events throughout the year that range from equestrian events to dog shows.

The village has a great selection of shops to explore that range from fabulous food shops to wonderful antique and gift shops. The magnificent Holker Hall is located nearby and visitors will be awed by both the house itself as well as the gorgeous gardens.

A terrific trip tailored to your time constraints

It’s worthwhile visiting all of these places if time permits, but none will disappoint you - and you can always come back to the Lake District another time!