Definitely one of the most beautiful places in the United Kingdom!
One place in the United Kingdom that I had always wanted to visit ever since I moved here was The Lake District, yet I never get to until this summer. This plan even almost fell through due to busy schedules and important appointments, good thing I and a friend were able to make it. We spent 2 days and 2 nights there and I am surely glad we pushed through with this plan.
The Lake District is a region and national park located in the heart of Cumbria, known for its glacial ribbon lakes, rugged fell mountains and historic literary associations.
The Lake District is very accessible when it comes to transport. Bordering England and Scotland, you can get there via your own car or by taking a train. As for us, we stayed in Windermere as it was the closest to the train station.
For going around, a car is useful when visiting different towns. The Lake District is all about and famous for their walking tours. Maybe inspired from literature, with a tour group or a personalized itinerary, walking and hiking is the most ideal way for you to see the beautiful sites in the Lake District. Once we have settled our stuff in our lovely airbnb, we immediately started our little trek through hills and of course had a little dip in the lakes.
Windermere is a large lake in Cumbria’s Lake District National Park. It’s surrounded by mountain peaks and villages, including Bowness‑on‑Windermere. Seeing the sunset over Lake Windermere from one of the mountain peaks was just breathtaking.
For the next day, we joined a tour group to see more of The Lake District. I would say you can always go and personalise your own excursions if you had your own transport, a swim in all of the lakes would be exciting too.
Our meet up point was the tourist centre at 9am, but we woke up a little early, so we went for a little walk around the town centre where we find really cute houses and shops.
The first stop of our tour was Ambleside, perfectly located in the heart of the national park, at the northern end of Windermere is this popular market town. Described by purists as ‘the true Lake District’, Ambleside is a walkers’ paradise.
Passing through Brothers Water, we then stopped by at the Red Pit. This is a parking space where you can see Brothers Water clearly.
At the foot of the Kirkstone Pass is a small body of water surrounded by rolling fells and larger mountains such as High Street, this is what they called Brothers Water, known as the smallest lake in Cumbria.
Hopping on our mini bus, we then travelled to Ullswater stopping by at the Glenridding Steamer Pier, where scenic cruises through Ullswater start.
Ullswater is an award winning environmentally accredited Lake District attraction on England’s most beautiful lake. Ullswater runs a serpentine course for eight miles through expansive vistas of Lakeland’s highest mountains. It truly is very beautiful.
Well, if you’re up for a different kind of adventure while at The Lake District, you might consider visiting the last working slate mine in England, the Honister Slate Mine. It offers a range of indoor and outdoor adventures. We didn’t really do anything there apart from admiring the majestic mountains it is surrounded with.
Apart from lakes, you will also see a couple else bodies of water in The Lake District, just like different waterfalls. This is just proof how much life this region is surrounded with.
The Moss Force is an impressive waterfall albeit it is of the “thin” variety, at almost 330 foot high. This is possibly the most accessible waterfall in the Lakes, being barely more than 200m (220 yards) from the roadside.
Lunch time is here and we visited the market town of Keswick to have our meals at. It is a really lovely town. Here, I was able to try the Lakes Luxury Ice Cream which offers 50 flavours but I had to get and taste 2 of the best and most recommended ones, Thunder & Lightning and Raspberry Pavlova.
One of Keswick’s main attractions is Hope Park, a serene retreat with manicured gardens & a stream offers trails, picnic tables & mini golf.
Off to the waters! One of the principal bodies of water in the Lake District National Park, and is only about 15 minutes leisurely stroll via Lake Road and the beautiful gardens of Hope Park from the Market Square in Keswick town centre is Derwentwater.
A must‑visit on any trip to Keswick is the Castlerigg Stone Circle, both for its 4500‑year‑history and also for its stunning setting with panoramic fell views including Skiddaw, Catbells and Blencathra. Most walking tours start and end here.
Our last stop for the day was Grasmere. A village and tourist destination in the centre of the Lake District, named after its adjacent lake. It has links with the Lake Poets: William and Dorothy Wordsworth who lived in Grasmere for 14 years and called it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found.” Here you will find the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.
I wasn’t able to resist but visit this very cute shop of Peter Rabbit and Friends. Peter rabbit is one of the most famous characters created by author and conservationist Beatrix Potter who lived in the Lake District.
I also had to try more of their famous delicacies, some handbaked biscuits and these Kendal mint cakes. The biscuits were lovely and the mint cakes were interesting, these are for those who loves mint flavoured things.
It is known to rain almost all the time in the Lake District with many weather fluctuations. So lucky for me and my friend, both days we were there were very lovely and sunny. This is why for me, summer time would be the best time to visit the region. Even still, you will never know what will happen, just go pack and always bring a raincoat with you.
The Lake District is definitely one of United Kingdom’s pride. This whole trip was definitely one for the books! This surely did complete my summer this year!
Be pretty, be happy, be you! H~
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