🚗🏞️ Lake District Road Trip 🚗🏞️
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Explore the breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and historic sites of the Lake District on this unforgettable road trip.
From the shores of Windermere to waterfalls, this route takes you through some of the most scenic and iconic spots in England’s most famous national park.
🚌 Don’t want to plan the trip or drive?
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I highly recommend the Lake District Rabbie’s tour.
It’s a British tour company that I’ve used several times and I absolutely loved the tour of the Lake District with them.
The guides are fantastic and they even made a playlist with local music.
Lake District Road Trip Itinerary Summary
📍 Bowness-on-Windermere – Start your journey in this bustling lakeside town, with boat trips, waterfront cafés, and the World of Beatrix Potter attraction.
📍 Orrest Head – Finish your trip with this short but rewarding walk, offering incredible panoramic views over Windermere.
📍 Ambleside – A charming town at the northern tip of Windermere, perfect for lakeside walks, independent shops, and a visit to the famous Bridge House.
📍 Buttermere – One of the most beautiful lakes in the region, surrounded by rolling hills and perfect for a peaceful walk.
📍 Keswick – A lively market town on the shores of Derwentwater, home to the famous Pencil Museum and plenty of great pubs and cafés.
📍 Castlerigg Stone Circle – One of the most atmospheric and ancient stone circles in Britain, with stunning mountain views.
📍 Aira Force – A spectacular waterfall surrounded by woodland, one of the most famous in the Lake District.
📍 Lowther Castle – A striking castle ruin with beautiful gardens and scenic trails to explore.
📸 Photos & Info are located further down. Keep scrolling to see all these places. ⬇️
Get the FREE Lake District Road Trip Map!
🚗 Need a car for this road trip?
If you don’t have your own car, I’d really recommend renting one — it gives you the flexibility to stop at each waterfall and explore at your own pace.
I usually use DiscoverCars to compare prices and find the best deals across different rental companies.
👉 It’s really easy to use:
- Compare multiple providers in one place
- Cheaper than booking direct
- Free cancellation on most options
- Their 3rd party insurance is a lot cheaper
- They have a great customer service for claims (though I hope you won’t have to use it!
Additional Information & Highlights
📍Bowness-on-Windermere
Located on the shores of Lake Windermere, it’s the largest town in the Lake District.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Cruise on Lake Windermere (tickets can be booked here)
– Visit St Martin’s Church (free)
– Visit The World of Beatrix Potter
– Shopping in the local shops
🅿️ Parking: Parking is tricky in Bowness-on-Windermere. Glebe Road Car Park (pay and display) is ideal but it’s quite small so you will need to get there early.
📍 The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction
📍Orrest Head
Orrest Head is one of the best easy hikes in the Lake District. It boasts spectacular views over Lake Windermere as well as pleasant parts through the woods.
🥾 Hike Details:
– Circular hike
– 4.5 km long
– 1 hour 20 minutes
– Starting point: Windermere Train Station
Details of the hike available here.
📍Ambleside
Situated at the northern end of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a beautiful market town with historic landmarks and a waterfall.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Visit the Bridge House (National Trust)
– Walk to Stock Ghyll Force (1.6 km – 30 to 45 minutes)
– Visit the Stagshaw Garden (National Trust)
– Go on a cruise from Ambleside Pier
– Visit the Ambleside Roman Fort
📍 Buttermere
📍Keswick
A beautiful market town on the shores of Derwentwater.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Walk through Hope Park and on the shores of Derwentwater (make sure to go to Friars Crag)
– Go to the Theatre by the lake
– Visit the Derwent Pencil Museum
– Go kayaking on Derwentwater
– Visit Keswick Museum
– Go canyoning
🅿️ Parking: Lakeside Car Park and Bell Close Car Park are good options.
📍Castlerigg Stone Circle
A very atmospheric stone circle located near the town of Keswick.
🅿️ Parking: You can park your car on the side of the road (there is a small parking area), cross the road, walk through the gate of the field and you will see the standing stones. There are only a few spots though which can make it tricky. Alternatively, you can walk from Keswick which takes about 30 minutes.
📜 It was raised in about 3000 BC, making it one of the earliest stone circles in Britain. There are some signs that explain the history of the site.
📍 Aira Force, Lake District
📍 Lowther Castle & Gardens
