My Favourite Spots in the Lake District

The husband and I took a trip just over a year ago now to the Lake District and it was the first time in a couple of years that we had been. So it was good to refresh ourselves on what there is to do in the area, as well as just getting back to nature with all of the gorgeous walks and hills. It really is one of the prettiest places.

There are lots of little towns and villages in the national park, so if you’re planning a trip, it can be a little tricky to know where to stay as there is so much choice. So here are a few of the places I have been to and some of the best things to do in those areas.

Ambleside and Elterwater

Ambleside is one of the larger towns, though it is still pretty small, as far as towns go. There are a lot of things in the area, so it makes for a good base location if you’re planning a trip. If you need shops, restaurants and pubs, then there are plenty of them in Ambleside. A lot of accommodation is self-catering, so it is handy to have plenty of shops nearby if there is anything extra that you need.

Nearby Elterwater is much smaller, but there are some mega cute cottages to stay in, especially like the cottages from The Good Life Cottage Company. I like that all of these places are specifically on Google maps, so it makes them really easy to find. A lot of roads in the area can be ‘unnamed’ on many Sat Navs, so this is a helpful feature. Elterwater is still close enough by to Ambleside to do take in some of the main attractions in that area.

Some of the best things that we did were:

• Bridge House – a National Trust property
•  Stock Ghyll Force trail
• Loughrigg Fell trail
• Beatrix Potter’s House
• Merz Barn – historic art site

Windermere

I think that this is one of my favourite places to visit in the Lake District. Though there are lots of lakes to explore, Lake Windermere was one of my favourites. We did visit on an exceptionally sunny November day, so it could have had something to do with it! Windermere is still pretty close to Ambleside and Elswater. So providing you take a car, you’ll be able to fit it all in.

The lake itself is pretty stunning as it is, with a couple of private islands. We hired a boat and took it out, but there are group ferries that you can go on to have a cruise around the lake. Some companies offer jet skiing and other water sports. We visited at the end of October / beginning of November, so  a lot of those places were closed. Just something to bear in mind when making plans.

Orrest Head is a good trail in Windermere if you fancy a fairly short walk, and aren’t too keen on getting on the lake. There are some stunning views! The High Street is pretty cute too with lots of little quaint shops and restaurants.

Troutbeck

Troutbeck is actually classed as a hamlet as it is so small. The roads can be small and windy, but it is a beautiful part of the lake district. We just parked up in some areas and started walking, but there are a couple of little things that you could do.

There is another National Trust property in Troutbeck called Townend. It is quite small, but it is worth a little detour over to it. The guides are brilliant and the history of the house, 12 generations of farmers who lived there, is very interesting. There is also a church in Troutbeck that you can look around, but that is about it. Still worth a look, though.

Have you ever been to the Lake District? Where are some of your favourite places to visit?

*collaborative post