Best Towns to Visit in the Lake District

8 August 2024 Local area

The Lake District is home to many picturesque towns and villages. Here's some of our favourites to visit during a trip to The Lakes

Bowness-on-Windermere

Bowness-on-Windermere is a bustling town on Windermere’s Eastern shore. It is home to the the famous World of Beatrix Potter as well as many beautiful 19th-century buildings converted into hotels, restaurants and cafes with lakeside views.

The town is considered one of the premier outdoor adventure activity destinations in the UK and is the starting place for many scenic hiking trails. There are numerous watersports providers offering adrenaline fuelled activities. We highly recommend visiting the Windermere Outdoor Activity Centre, where they can enjoy paddleboarding, sailing, and kayaking.

If you’re looking for a more sedate way to explore the largest lake in the UK, you can hop on a Windermere Lake Cruise from Bowness-on-Windermere. There are also luxury motorboats for hire giving you the opportunity to explore Windermere’s secluded bays and small islands under your own steam.

Park Cliffe is only 3 miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. Take in breathtaking views of Windermere from our caravan and camping park.

Ambleside

The market town of Ambleside is located close to the northern shore of Lake Windermere. It is popular among outdoor enthusiasts and holidaymakers looking to relax in picturesque surroundings. There are plenty of attractions within easy reach of the town. Our favourites are Bridge House and Stock Ghyll Force – a 70ft waterfall with wonderful walking trails.

The town dates back to the Roman times. Vikings later settled it and then became a popular rest stop for travellers crossing the Lake District with horses and stagecoaches. Nowadays, most of the buildings are built with grey slate and can be dated back to the Victorian Era.

This vibrant town is the perfect place to indulge in a spot of retail therapy during your holiday in The Lakes. There are a variety of specialist outdoor shops alongside high street chains, and many traditional pubs and renowned restaurants. These include:

Lake Road Kitchen – an intimate Michelin-star restaurant with friendly and knowledgeable staff.
The Old Stamp House Restaurant – a quirky Michelin Star Restaurant located in the cellars of the house where poet William Wordsworth used work. Here, guests can try food inspired by the surroundings mixed with American, Caribbean and Indian influences.
Kysty Ambleside – the Old Stamp House’s casual sister restaurant with an intimate atmosphere and locally sourced food.

Keswick

Keswick, is one of the best towns in the Lake District with plenty of attractions to discover. This charming market town has grown in popularity in recent years and is now one of the main tourist hubs in the northern region of the Lakes. Rich in history, Keswick has many landmarks to explore during a visit, including:

St John’s Church – known its spire that can be seen from miles away.
Keswick Pencil Museum – home of the first pencil and the longest one in the world.
Keswick Museum & Art Gallery – featuring rich local history and housing many original manuscripts from the poets of the Lake District.
Theatre by the Lake – famous for its stunning location, modern venues and its Cafe and Restaurant.

Keswick is located near the northeastern shore of Dernwentwater. You can explore Derwentwater, the wildest body of water in the region, by hiring canoes from Keswick Canoe & Bushcraft. With the help of knowledgeable and friendly instructors, you can visit St Herbert’s Island, Lord Island, and other hidden corners of the lake.

Keswick is just 50 minutes away from Park Cliffe, making it the perfect day out.

Grasmere Village

Grasmere Village is famous for being the home of renowned poet, William Wordsworth. The area offers breathtaking views of the fells and mountains that have inspired poets, writers and artists like William Green, Thomas de Quincey and more recently, Alfred Heaton Cooper.

During your visit, we highly recommend a couple of hours at Wordworth’s residence, Dove Cottage. Explore the cottage and its garden while learning more about the poet’s life before sitting down to enjoy some refreshments in the on-site tearoom.

Another attraction is the local Distillery, renowned for making experimental alcohol with adventurous techniques. If you’re a fan of beer, gin, whisky or vodka and are on the lookout to taste something different, you should definitely pop by for a tasting session or full day experience.

Lake District holiday breaks at Park Cliffe

If you’re looking for a convenient base from which to explore the best towns in the Lake District, we recommend our holiday park, Park Cliffe. Our site offers beautiful views of Lake Windermere and is only a short drive from Bowness-on-Windermere and Ambleside, as well as Kendal, just outside the bounds of the National Park.

When staying with us, you can either bring your tent or motorhome or choose a static caravan, camping pod or Shepherd’s Hut.

Find out more about our park, facilities and latest offers.