Lake District itinerary: How to spend a weekend in the Lake District
You’ve got a weekend trip coming up to explore the Lake District, which is super exciting! The only challenge is trying to plan your schedule to maximise your trip. With only a couple of days on the agenda, how do you decide what to do?
With the right plan, you can strike a balance between adventure and relaxation. Use this Lake District 2-day itinerary to experience the best of the area.
Day 1: Gentle exploring and classic Lake District charm
Morning: Start with a classic low-level walk
Get your bearings of the incredible Lake District scenery and ease into your weekend with a short, low-level walk.
Here are a few tried-and-tested options:
- Tarn Hows (near Coniston). A relatively flat circular route with big views of the Coniston fells and the lovely Tarn Hows. It’s best to go early to avoid the crowds as this can be a pretty popular area!
- Grasmere Lake circular. This gentle circular walk takes in lakeside views and wooded paths along the banks of Grasmere. It’s mostly flat, though some sections can be uneven or muddy after rain.
- Elterwater to Skelwith Bridge. This out-and-back route follows the river Brathay, with scenic views of the Langdale Pikes framing the sky. Plan for a pit-stop at Chester’s by the River before turning back to really make the most of the walk!
Afternoon: Pick a town and explore properly
After your walk, head into one of the Lake District’s towns. Each has a different feel, so it’s worth choosing based on the kind of afternoon you want:
- Coniston is ideal for a walk along the shores of Coniston Water, grabbing a drink in a village pub, or visiting the Ruskin Museum to see exhibits on Donald Campbell’s speed record attempts. You can also browse small local shops or hire a boat from the lakeshore if the weather’s good.
- Ambleside is great for exploring independent outdoor shops, cafés, and bakeries in the town centre. You can also visit Bridge House, one of the most photographed buildings in the Lakes, or stop into one of the small galleries dotted around town.
- Keswick is a great spot to wander through the town’s market and independent shops, visit the Pencil Museum, and walk out to the Derwentwater shoreline. In town itself, you’ll also find plenty of cafés, pubs, and outdoor shops.
- Bowness-on-Windermere is perfect for a walk along Windermere promenade, a trip to the World of Beatrix Potter, or a stop at one of the lakeside cafés and bars. You can also browse souvenir shops and watch the boats coming and going from the marina area.
Evening: Experience a proper Lake District pub dinner
A Lake District evening is best spent in a pub with good food and local beer. Take a look at some of our top picks:
- The Drunken Duck (near Ambleside). One of the most well-known food pubs in the Lakes. Expect high-quality, seasonal dishes and delicious craft beer.
- The Black Bull (Coniston). Right in the village centre, the Black Bull is a solid option for hearty pub food after a day around Coniston. The pub serves simple, hearty dishes and has a relaxed, no-frills atmosphere.
- The Mortal Man (Troutbeck). Famous for its valley views, the Mortal Man is especially good on a clear evening when you can sit outside and watch the light drop over the fells.
Day 2: Spend the day out in the fells or on the lake
Option 1: A proper Lake District hike
If the weather’s good and you’ve got the energy, why not spend the day hiking in the Lake District mountains?
Take a look at some of our recommended routes to spend a day hiking in the Lake District fells:
- Dow Crag, Brim Fell, and Coniston Old Man Circular. A challenging hike from Walna Scar car park that climbs via old mining tracks past Low Water to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston. You get wide views over Coniston Water and the surrounding fells pretty much the entire way, which is incredible to see!
- Helvellyn via Striding Edge*. One of the Lake District’s most iconic ridge walks, starting from Glenridding and building gradually via Birkhouse Moor before you reach the famous Striding Edge scramble.
- Scafell Pike from Seathwaite Circular. A tough but hugely rewarding route from Borrowdale, climbing past Styhead Tarn, along the Corridor Route, and up to the summit of England’s highest peak!
*Note: You should only attempt this route if you’re prepared and confident scrambling on your hands and feet.
Option 2: Go for a ride on your bike
Not feeling a big hike? No problem – you can always get out on your bike instead!
Here are some cycling ideas worth considering:
- Road cycling. Quiet valley roads linking places like Ambleside, Coniston, and Buttermere make for perfect road cycling routes. For serious riders, the legendary Fred Whitton Challenge takes in some of the hardest and most iconic roads in the Lakes.
- Gravel riding. Forest tracks around Grizedale, quieter bridleways near Langdale, and long valley trails give you a mix of fast rolling sections and more technical, loose climbs.
- Mountain biking. Head to Whinlatter Forest to find everything from flowing blue routes (the easiest level) to steep, technical descents through woodland.
Option 3: Get out on the lake
If you’d rather swap boots or bikes for the water, spending time on one of the lakes should definitely be on your itinerary for the Lake District.
Lakes like Windermere, Coniston, and Ullswater all offer plenty of ways to get out on the water. From paddleboarding and kayaking to canoeing and scenic boat trips, there’s a myriad of options to choose from.
Side note: Exactly where to hire water sports equipment varies depending on the lake. LakeSUP offers rentals on Windermere, while Explore the Lakes does the same for the Western Lakes. A quick Google search will tell you where to find rentals for the lake you want to visit.
If you want something a little quieter and more remote, walk to one of the smaller tarns dotted around the Lake District and go for a swim. Beacon Tarn, Devoke Water, and Blea Tarn are a few good options.
Book a Coppermines Cottage as a base for your Lake District stay
After a full day out in the Lakes, it makes a real difference having somewhere comfortable to come back to.
A self-catered cottage gives you space to properly unwind, allowing you to cook when you want, relax in peace, and reset before heading out again the next day.
If you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, take a look at the cottages we have available. From Coniston Village to Langdale Valley, our cottages are dotted around different areas so you can choose the location that best suits your Lake District itinerary.
