The Lake District is one of the top places to visit in the UK, offering stunning views, great hikes, and an interesting history. If you’re planning a visit to the Lakes this summer or just fancy learning about some of the great places it has to offer, here are 5 of the best places to visit in the Lake District!
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Perhaps one of the best hidden gems in the Lake District, Castlerigg Stone Circle is located just a stone’s throw from Keswick – one of the biggest towns in the Lakes.
Dating back to 3,000BC the stone circle is one of the oldest in the country and offers stunning, panoramic views of the Lake District’s highest peaks (Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Hellvellyn). It was also one of the first monuments in the UK to be preserved by the State, with the site taken into guardianship in 1883!
Although parking is pretty limited at the site, Castlerigg Stone Circle is just 1.5miles from Keswick so is a great place to hike to and explore!
Grasmere
The town of Grasmere is a quaint little village filled with beautiful stone cottages, cosy tea shops and stunning backdrops. The village is pretty famous for being the former home of William Wordsworth, with visitors able to take a trip to Dove Cottage where he once resided as well as the Wordsworth museum and art gallery. Grasmere Lake is the perfect spot to sit and take a minute to take in the beauty of the area, looking at the gorgeous Central Fells which encircle the village.
Tarn Hows
Tarn Hows is a man-made lake located close to Coniston Water. Beatrix Potter left the tarn to the National Trust and has since become one of the most popular spots for visitors due to its unparalleled views of the surrounding landscapes. There’s a relatively flat 1.5 mile walk which encircles the Tarn which is a great route for families and is wheel-chair friendly.
Scafell Pike
Famous for being the highest peak in England, Scafell Pike is arguably one of the most well-known features of the Lake District. Standing at 978m above sea level, Scafell Pike is located over 3 microclimates meaning the weather can be pretty unpredictable (pretty much like the rest of England…). There are multiple routes up to it’s peak, ranging from the easier Corridor Route near Borrowdale, to the challenging route from Ill Crag. Regardless of how you make it to the top, there’s stunning views awaiting you.
Kendal Castle
Standing proudly at the top of a steep hill, the ruins of Kendal Castle offer picturesque views of Kendal and its surrounding rolling hills. The Castle was built in the 12th Century (although it has been in ruins since Tudor times) and it’s grassy surrounding have been available for public use since 1897, meaning you can sit and enjoy a picnic (responsibly of course) and take in the views. If you want to find out more about the Castle’s history, see what it was like in it’s full glory and learn more about the historical town, make sure you pay a visit to Kendal Museum!
Happy exploring!
Charley x
