With plane tickets becoming increasingly expensive and holidays abroad feeling increasingly like too significant an investment, it is worth turning our attention towards our fantastic locations in Britain. One of the most stunning UK holiday hotspots is The Lake District, England’s largest national park. As a huge dedicated area of natural space, it provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and understand the beauty and history behind British landscapes.
What to do in The Lake District
As with planning any holiday, there must be a way to narrow down the best things to do in the Lake District. Indeed, the Lake District National Park is vast, with many walking and sightseeing options. But this is not all the expanse has to offer. Spending a day hiking can take it out of the best of us, and this beautiful location is equipped with some enticing, relaxing Lake District spa breaks. This article explores the best ways to connect with nature in the Lake District for a fulfilling day out.
Hikes – and the views they provide
Walking in the Lake District is one of the most rewarding ways to immerse yourself in Nature, as it has it all. Before any of these are attempted, it is important to be sure you’re familiarised with a Lake District map. Below is a range of walks outlined for different types of hikers, from low difficulty to high difficulty.
Easy, family-friendly, and accessible hikes
These are a few suggestions for routes perfect for beginners, families, or people desiring a more leisurely day out.
- Tarn Hows is an accessible circular walk. It presents gorgeous mountain scenery and a lake view. Its 1.5-mile path is well-maintained, making it accessible for people with pushchairs or wheelchairs.
- Buttermere is a slightly longer 4.5-mile walk that circles Buttermere Lake. The path is relatively flat but may be harder for those with pushchairs or wheelchair users.
- Orrest Head is a walk close to Windermere. It is a 20-minute walk to a summit with panoramic views over Lake Windermere. It’s an excellent option for a quick walk with an incredible payoff – though the uphill can be slightly challenging!
Moderate hikes
These walks are slightly more challenging, involving more inclined walking or longer distances.
- Helvellyn via Striding Edge has been voted Britain’s most popular mountain. The route involves exposed ridge walking and scrambling. It’s challenging but gratifying for more capable hikers.
- The Old Man of Coniston is a popular loop that climbs to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, offering scenic views of the Duddon Valley and the surrounding landscape.
Challenging hikes
For experienced and well-prepared hikers, the Lake District offers some of the UK’s most demanding and spectacular mountain challenges. However, for challenging hikes, it is vital to check the weather in the Lake District, as some days may be too dangerous.
- Scafell Pike is England’s highest mountain, and climbing it is a significant accomplishment for any hiker. Several routes are available, so you can slightly alter the difficulty.
- The Fairfield Horseshoe is an 11-mile circuit that offers continuous high-level walking with fantastic views.
- The Kentmere Horseshoe is a remote and challenging 13-mile walk traversing a long ridge, with great views of the surrounding falls and reservoirs.
Spa Breaks
After the intensity of hiking around and taking in the beautiful scenery of the Lake District, you will deserve a well-earned relaxation, and what’s better to do than look for spa breaks in the lakes? Spa experiences in the Lake District often go hand in hand with nature, as they are set against or embedded in natural surroundings. There is strong comfort in feeling connected to the rhythm of rest and renewal seen everywhere in the natural world.
Unwinding at the end of the day can help remind you to slow down and feel a part of something beautiful, natural and ever-growing.
