Lake District Villages Road Trip 🏞️🚗
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This route takes you through some of the Lake District’s most charming villages, combining waterfalls, local treats, cosy cafés, and heritage attractions—ideal for a relaxed and scenic getaway.
🚌 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.
🛏️ Where to Stay in the Lake District ⛰️
For this village road trip, Ambleside is the perfect base as it’s right in the middle
Here are two great options depending on your budget:
💷 Budget-friendly: Rothay Garth
A traditional Lakeland guest house with beautiful mountain views.
✨ Luxury: Ambleside Salutation Hotel & Spa
A stylish hotel with a spa, ideal if you want to add a bit of relaxation to your trip.
Lake District Villages Road Trip Itinerary Summary
📍 Cartmel – Sample the famous sticky toffee pudding, explore the village square, and visit Cartmel Priory. 🍮🏰
📍 Hawkshead – Get chocolate from the Chocolate Factory, visit St Michael and All Angels Church, and stop by The Honey Pot for local goodies. 🍫🐝⛪
📍 Ambleside – Visit Stock Ghyll Waterfall, explore the iconic Bridge House, and wander through local shops and cafés. 💦🏡
📍 Grasmere – Discover Dove Cottage, try the famous Grasmere Gingerbread, and stroll through the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden. 🌼📜🍬
📍 Boot – Ride the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, visit Eskdale Mill, or go kayaking in the surrounding area. 🚂🌊🛶
📍 Ravenglass – Stroll through this seaside village, and don’t miss Muncaster Castle and its gardens and hawk displays. 🏖️🦅
Total Distance: 🚗 Approx. 55 miles
Recommended Time: ⌛ 2–3 days
📸 Photos & Info are located further down. Keep scrolling to see all these places. ⬇️
This Lake District Villages Road Trip is perfect for food lovers, families, and those looking to explore historic spots and hidden gems in a leisurely way. 🧁🌿✨
Get the FREE Lake District Villages 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
📍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
📍Stock Ghyll Force
A beautiful waterfall in Ambleside
🥾 This is a short 1-mile walk which takes about 45 minutes From Ambleside town centre, head to Stock Ghyll Lane and follow the signs to the waterfall.
It’s a beautiful woodland walk.
📍Grasmere
An absolutely stunning village, once home to William Wordsworth, and where you can find the world famous The Grasmere Gingerbread.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Get gingerbread from the The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
– Go to Wordsworth Daffodil Garden
– Visit Dove Cottage and The Wordsworth Museum
– Go to St. Oswald’s Church
– Visit Allan Bank
🅿️ Parking: Stock Lane Car Park (pay and display) is very convenient but it can be very busy in summer or on a sunny day.
📍Hawkshead
Located just north of Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead is a pretty village known for its connections with Beatrix Potter.
🗺️ Things To Do:
– Explore the village and get lost in the narrow streets
– Visit the Hawkshead Grammar School Museum
– Walk up to St Michael and All Angels Church and admire the views
– Get local products from the Honey Pot or the Chocolate Factory
– Visit Wray Castle (National Trust)
– Visit Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former farmhouse (National Trust)
🅿️ Parking: The main car park in Hawkshead (pay and display) is the best place to park but it can be quite busy if you’re visiting during peak season.
📍 Cartmel
What would the price be? Will this be self driving? What is the cost by bus/coach? Thx Miemie Huisamen