The Lake District is an incredibly popular tourist destination, attracting almost 16 million visitors every year. There is something for everyone in the Lakes. Whether you’re a nature lover looking for a hiking trail up a mountain or you just want a quaint café to enjoy your surroundings, or you’d rather take a look around a building of historical interest, there is a town or village in the Lake District that has everything you’re looking for.
Last year visiting the Lakes was not possible for many of us. Hopefully in 2021 we will see more travel restrictions lifted, and the Lakes is likely to be more popular than ever as more people become accustomed to the joys of holidaying in the UK. If you’re planning a trip to the Lakes this year, here’s a look at our 2021 bucket list for activities and experiences you should do on your next visit.
Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England, stretching ten miles between Ambleside and Lakeside. One of the most popular Lake District activities is taking a Lake Windermere Cruise on a traditional steamer around the lake.
Whether you start your journey in Bowness, Ambleside or Lakeside, this spectacular voyage will give you magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, secluded bays and the stunning wooded islands dotted in the water.
For hikers and walking enthusiasts, you cannot go to the Lake District without tackling England’s highest mountain. At 978 metres, this mountain and war memorial is in Cumbria and makes up part of the Southern Fells.
As the biggest mountain, it is a must climb for anyone who enjoys hiking and getting outdoors. It is a complex mountain with rocky summits and towering crags, extending out to Langdale, Borrowdale, Wasdale and Eskdale. At the top, you will be treated to spectacular views, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Wastwater, the deepest lake in England, lies at the mountain's foot and is an incredible 258 feet deep. The quickest route up Scafell Pike is in the Wasdale Head route, taking around two to three hours.
Beatrix Potter was famously inspired by the beauty of the Lake District and wrote her stories here. You can visit the 17th-century farmhouse, Hill Top, that now serves as a time-capsule of her life.
Hill Top is in Ambleside and is full of Potter’s favourite things, looking as if you’re stepping straight into her home while she has popped out for a walk. Every room contains a reference to one of her tales. You’ll recognise the rhubarb patch where Jemima Puddle-Duck laid her eggs and the garden where Tom Kitten played.
For literary lovers or lovers of history, Beatrix Potter’s House is well worth a visit.
The historic market town of Kendal is right on the fringes of the Lake District and is well worth a stopover if you love quaint little towns with castle ruins. The area is full of history, but one of the most delightful sights to see and visit is the famous 1657 Chocolate House.
Built in the 1630s, this shop is a haven for chocoholics everywhere. Here you can indulge in one of the many different exquisite flavours of hot chocolate in the café, or you can venture to the shop downstairs to buy chocolates, choosing from 125 different kinds. For those with a sweet tooth, 1657 cannot be missed.
Aira Force is the most famous Lake District waterfall. Set in a landscaped Victorian park, the waterfall falls 70 feet below the stone footbridge and can be found in Cumbria.
The waterfall itself is just a short walk from the carpark, but there are also plenty of gentle walking paths that loop around the waterfall’s base. It’s a great day out for nature lovers who want a non-strenuous walk.
The Lake District is full of castles, including Muncaster Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle. Paranormal researchers visit to seek out explanations of the strange happenings. Many tales revolve around this castle, such as visitors complaining of restless nights, hearing footsteps outside in the corridor and the doors opening but nobody being there.
You can explore the 70-acre woodland gardens, which date back to the 18th century, and enjoy the burst of colour in the flora every spring and autumn. Or you can take part in overnight ghost sits if you’re brave enough.
There are four railway attractions in the Lake District, where you can ride on a steam train. One of the most popular is the Ravenglass and Eskdale railway, which runs from Ravenglass across the estuary and through the hills to Eskdale Valley. There are seven stops along the way where you can go walking or have a picnic in these beautiful Lake District spots.
Wherever you go in the Lakes this year, you are sure to find a vast range of activities suitable for the whole family. If you’re looking for luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District or a dog friendly cottages in the lake district, contact Mill House Cottage today, or feel free to browse what we have available on our website.
It can boost your mood and energy levels, help you get fit, improve your health, provide endless family fun and potentially comes free of charge. We are talking about the glorious British countryside and coast.
Of course, you could just take a regular stroll around your local park. However, the rule of thumb is the longer you spend walking, hiking, cycling, and even sitting outdoors, the bigger the advantages.
To be honest, your local canal towpath may be scenic, but you would probably swap it for a relaxing getaway in a luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District, wouldn’t you?
Outdoor breaks are good for your health as they’re the perfect ‘get away’ from the hurly-burly of modern life. If you spend a lot of time indoors (which was pretty much everyone in recent times) wide open spaces with plenty of room to breathe are particularly uplifting.
You can boost your mental health by escaping to the UK’s lakes, mountains, countryside and coast, avoiding stress and noise. Even the hugely popular Lake District is blessed with plenty of off the beaten track walks, lakeside spots and less travelled places to soak up peace and quiet.
Outdoor breaks are the best way to meditate, become mindful or simply avoid conversation with others for hours on end!
While enjoying your escape from normal life, you will also be improving your physical health.
It’s easier to exercise outdoors, as you have space, opportunity and lots of choices for fitness activities. From wild swimming and mountaineering, to simply walking for hours in beautiful, traffic-free environments.
Also, even gentle strolls help to release endorphins – also known as ‘happiness hormones’ – which create positivity and energy. Breathing in fresh air improves your lung health, but it also sends a strong amount of oxygen into your bloodstream, which is of value to all your organs.
We all know how important Vitamin D is to health. Without it, our bodies struggle to absorb other vital nutrients, such as calcium and phosphorus. With a good quality sunscreen applied on summer days, walking outdoors year-round can give you a healthy dose of Vitamin D.
The very fact you’re using lots of muscles to move around outdoors and burning up calories adds to the opportunity to get fitter. Though you will need to do it often or a lot to lose weight. Plus, that benefit can be lost if your outdoor break also features cooked breakfasts, cream teas or pints of real ale!
“I forgot how beautiful Britain is!” You would be amazed at how many times people say that. A break outdoors can be relaxing, but it also provides ample stimulation and interest.
There are incredible vistas, and awe-inspiring spots to visit in the heart of the country or along its diverse shoreline. Often peppered by buildings, farms and other structures that tell the tale of this nation’s fascinating history. Then, there is Britain’s abundant wildlife to look for too.
These are all ways to create relaxation and distraction and save wonderful memories for when you return home.
Another way that outdoor breaks build memories and improve your health is by strengthening relationships. Though going away alone might be your ideal holiday!
Kids are also sure to love everything that the Lake District has to offer; it’s true that the area has something for everyone. Some of the best childhood days are spent climbing trees and hills, splodging in streams and waves, and watching farm animals or wild creatures in their natural habitat. Parents will be teaching kids the value of being outside, setting them up for better mental and physical health throughout their life.
Let’s not forget the advantages of couples breaks outdoors too. Having an adventure – such as hiking, cycling, boating, abseiling, or clay pigeon shooting in the Lake District – can reconnect you like nothing else. Those sunrises and sunsets in Britain’s beautiful outdoors are rather romantic too!
There are many more health advantages to breaks outdoors too, including being able to sleep better due to all that fresh air, exercise and fun or just to enjoy a dog friendly cottages lake district.
You may well find that stress and depression lessen. Also, your ability to focus improves- mentally and visually! There is even evidence that regular outdoor time and activities boost your immune system, and help with pain management.
The health advantages of an outdoor break in the UK could be just the excuse you’re looking for to make a booking, so what are you waiting for? Contact us today to find out more about our idyllic cottages in the Lake District.
