Top 10 attractions in the Lake District
I stumbled upon an article in The Independent today and was left a little bamboozled. It was entitled “10 Best: Lake District attractions” and published in May of this year. What immediately struck me was some of the selections… I was left thinking “well, yes… that’s OK… but surely it’s not one of the best places the Lake District”. It was only on further investigation that I noticed some aren’t really attractions at all and, moreover, at least two aren’t even in the Lake District National Park! It left me wondering whether the author – whose name isn’t given – had even set foot in the region.
So, without further ado… I’m sure we could do much better. Please share your favourite Lake District attractions by clicking on the comments link and hopefully we can compile a more worthy list.
Useful links:
Hotels in the Lake District
B&Bs in the Lake District
Campsites in the Lake District
Holiday cottages in the Lake District
Tourist attractions in the Lake District
ROFL – I missed that . I hadn’t realised that we must be an “attraction” too! Maybe they just listed the people who advertise in the paper (but The Independent wouldn’t do THAT would they????)
For an “attraction” I’d go for something like the Aquarium of The Lakes
Keswick Museum- a great Victorian time capsule that is filled with all sorts of wierd and wonderful treasures- and some key pieces that form the history of the North Lakes
Try The Pheasant at Bassenthwaite. Hotel and fine dining restaurant which used to be John Peel’s local.
In no particular order though:
Hardknott & Wrynose passes
Steam Yacht Gondola on Coniston
Bridge House, Ambleside
Dove Cottage & Wordsworth Museum, Grasmere
World of Beatrix Potter, Bowness
Muncaster Castle & Gardens
Blackwell, Windermere
Grizedale Forest trail
Rydal Mount & Gardens
Hayes Garden World, Ambleside
Oh heck, can I only choose 10….?
Gosh, how about that!! Mind you unless you are a local, you probably wouldnt know any different…perhaps they banked on that…guessing not many would. I am so keeping ‘Galava’s’ list for when I go visit. Awesome
Cindy
@3days_in_london
Not really ‘attractions’
The view from the top of Coniston Old Man
The view from the top of Black Combe
Hardknott and Wrynose
The Langdale Pikes
Beacon Tarn
Borrowdale Valley
Cathedral Quarry
Fisherground for camping
Stonethwaite for camping
Ambleside for gear shops
My Top ten Lake District Attractions (in no particular order)
Holker Hall & Garden Festival
My favourite event of the year, I always have a car packed full of plants and flowers at the end of the day. Plus we’ve been so lucky, the last couple of years it’s been sunny and hot!
Grange-over-Sands ornamental gardens
I don’t know why I love these gardens so much. They are only small but have some lovely trees and shrubs, and I could watch the colourful selection of ducks and geese for hours!
Rydal Caves
I’ve always been fascinated by caves, and I love this one with a little lake at the entrance reflecting the colourful rocky sides of the cave.
Grizedale Forest
It’s just those weird and wonderful sculptures lurking in the forest, I adore that kind of thing.
Hawkshead
Once you get over the shock of paying for the car park, this is a lovely little self contained village with lots of nice shops and visitor attractions.
Wastwater
The Western Lake District is the ultimate Lake District for me, wild and rugged and spectacular.
Stanley Ghyll Force
A 60 foot waterfall in a deep gorge lined with wild rhododendrons, said to be the most beautiful waterfall in the Lake District.
Muncaster Castle
Can’t decide what I like best here, the wild bluebells in the spring or those gorgeous gorgeous owls!
Brantwood – home of John Ruskin
I love sitting on the terrace at the Jumping Jenny cafe – it’s that view across Coniston Water – lovely.
Rydal Hall
Another amazing garden with my fave spot being down in the summer house looking out at the waterfall.
Coniston Old Man
The ultimate mountain! Grumpy, stormy and unpredictable.
Easedale Tarn
Angle Tarn
Duddon Valley
Harter Fell summit
Newlands Valley
Sprinkling Tarn
Aira Force
Bowfell
Striding Edge
The Forces, swindale beck
Skiddaw View – holiday cottage. Had a fabulous family holiday here. It is not in the national park as is located on the outskirts of Wigton but is just 25minutes away from Keswick. Found it on Gumtree and have since liked it on Facebook. Gorgeous converted barn perfectly placed for exploring the north, western part of the lakes.
Favourite places….
- View of Keswick from Latrigg
- Chocolate shop in Keswick
- Platty Pier…..great day out on a boat
Sorry, you asked for top ten so here are the rest….
Bitter End, great pub off the main street in Cockermouth
Browsing the shops in Cockermouth – some lovely unusual ones
Jennings Brewery
Cat Bells….gorgeous views and relatively easy walk
Honister slate mine…..the min tour is fab. Will be going back for the ‘sky walk’.
So there you are!