Best Towns and Villages in the Lake District

The Lake District National Park is world famous for its stunning natural beauty and welcomes visitors all year round who come to walk, swim, relax and enjoy the incredible landscapes here. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, the Lakes attracts millions of visitors annually from all over the globe. Trying to decide where to base yourself, which are the best places to stay in the Lake District and how to make the most of your visit is not easy.

Covering an area of 2,362 square kilometres, or 912 square miles, there are four main towns in the Lake District, over 20 smaller villages and a whole heap of hamlets tucked away in the hills. But which are the best towns to visit in the Lake District?

Let’s take a look at what we think are the best villages in the Lake District. Our list includes those popular choices that thousands of visitors flock to, as well as some of the lesser known gems, away from the crowds that are equally, if not more picturesque.

The Famous Hotspots

The main hubs for visitors to the Lakes are Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick. All these larger towns are within the national park boundary and are marketed as the best towns to stay in the Lake District, with tons of accommodation options, shops, bars, restaurants, adventure activities and scenic walks all within easy reach. They’re popular for a reason!

However, these are also the busiest places in the Lake District to visit and as such, stays can come at a premium, especially during peak season. Each hotspot has its own character but it’s really the scenery that differentiates them from each other. These Lake District towns to visit may be worth exploring but we’d suggest the main town in the Lake District is not necessarily the best place to stay.

Windermere and Bowness

The towns of Windermere and Bowness-on-Windermere are often confused as one place, but they are two distinct areas just a mile apart from each other.  Named after the lake nearby, the town of Windermere is home to the only train station within the national park and has been attracting visitors since the Victorian times. Set back from the lake, the town has plenty of shops and places to eat and is bustling with activity all year round, albeit more residential that neighbouring Bowness.

Bowness-on-Windermere, together with Windermere, form the biggest town in the Lake District, with Bowness located right on the shores of Lake Windermere, the largest lake in England. Busier than its neighbour, Bowness has a pretty promenade along the waters edge and is always teeming with people. As the larger of the two towns, there are more places to stay here, more shops, amenities, visitor attractions, and it is a hub for exploring the lake with direct access to the water, a jetty and a boat cruise terminal.

Keswick

The second largest town in the Lakes is Keswick, which sprawls to the east of Derwentwater located in the north of the national park. Arguably, Keswick is one of the prettiest towns in the Lake District surrounded as it is by high peaks which make it feel more remote than it actually is. Keswick has a pedestrianised town centre, a wide choice of shops and is close to the water. Favoured by walkers, many Lake District walking routes can be accessed close to the town as well as a range of water sports. Due to its popularity, Keswick is busy all year round and has limited parking, meaning it can get quite congested at times.

Ambleside

Sitting to the north of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is less than a mile from the water and is the third largest town in the Lake District. Overlooked by the mountains nearby, the town is pretty and boasts a wide range of shops, eateries, places to stay and things to do. Favoured by walkers, there are plenty of hiking trails you can pick up from the town which include both low level and more challenging routes. You’ll find some great pubs here, nestled between outdoor equipment shops, as well as a cinema and a handful of outdoor activity centres.

There is a one-way system through Ambleside that is often congested and the sheer number of visitors that flock here can lead to longer waits for tables at eateries, queues in the small shops and crowded thoroughfares.

The Hidden Gems

You may have noticed a theme with the larger towns mentioned above. Whilst they are generally picturesque and well provided for, they are some of the busiest places in the Lakes which can be off-putting, especially during the warmer months.

We’d argue that the best part of the Lake District is the stunning natural landscape, not the bustling local towns. Let us introduce you to some of the lesser know villages in the Lake District which are great alternatives to the more popular places to stay yet still offer easy access to the beautiful mountains and lakes we all admire.

Langdale

First up in our list of the best places to stay in the Lake District that offer something a little more low key, is Langdale. Whilst not a village per se, the Langdales are both a valley and a massif of mountain peaks, and the name Langdale refers to this general area. The valley is horseshoe shaped with the larger of the two known as Great Langdale and the smaller, Little Langdale. Overlooking the valleys are the Langdale Pikes – a series of mountains that are ideal for walking, running and climbing. This area is renowned for its soaring fells and dramatic valleys which never look the same for two days running. Cottage holidays are particularly popular here as there is no main town or village, just a series of small hamlets, rivers and Elterwater, which sits at the apex of the valleys.

There are a couple of pubs in Langdale which offer hearty, Cumbrian fare and a village shop in Chapel Stile. Ambleside is the nearest larger town, which is approximately 5 miles away, offering all the amenities needed for Lake District stays with the bonus of being able to return to a more unspoilt base a short drive away.

Hawkshead

South of Langdale and sandwiched between the northern tip of Coniston Water and Lake Windermere, Hawkshead is one of the best villages to stay in the Lake District. Famed for its literary heritage, Hawkshead was close to where Beatrix Potter grew up and many of her characters were inspired by the local wildlife and scenery. With plenty of rural charm and far less crowds than the towns closer to Windermere, Hawkshead is a wonderful place to explore. You’ll find picturesque cobbled streets, a pedestrianised village centre and cosy pubs serving scrumptious food here – a delightful place to base yourself on a Lake District stay.

Not far from the village is Tarn Hows, a tranquil lake ringed by an easy circular walk, and Grizedale Forest which has excellent walking routes and mountain bike trails. With plenty of things to do for visitors of all ages, Hawkshead is one of the prettiest villages in the Lake District and a great place to stay.

Newby Bridge and Lakeside

One of the more unusual places to stay in the Lake District, Lakeside and Newby Bridge are two very small villages at the southern tip of Lake Windermere. Less than a mile apart, they offer a more tranquil retreat than the northern towns on Windermere, yet are easily accessible and have plenty of wonderful walks close by. Served by Windermere Lake Cruises, you can hop on a boat across the lake to explore the visitor attractions further north or spend time at the Lakes Aquarium and enjoy the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway which are located here. 

There are a few fantastic places to eat here but no real villages so those looking for plenty of choice will be disappointed. If you are however looking to explore the Lakes away from the hustle and bustle, then this is an excellent option. Surrounded by the lower hills of the southern Lakes there are some lovely walks close by as well as plenty of nature reserves teeming with indigenous plants and birdlife.

The Duddon Valley

Tucked away in the southwest corner of the national park, we’ve included the Duddon Valley in our list of the best Lake District villages as it is an exceptionally lovely part of Cumbria. The River Duddon winds north from the Furness peninsulas towards the southwestern fells, through ancient farmland and dense woodland offering plenty of riverside walks and wild swimming spots. This area is miles away from the much busier Lake District towns to visit and enjoys far fewer visitors. As such, the Duddon Valley, or Dunnerdale, remains traditionally Cumbrian and relatively unspoiled.

You’ll find high peaks and lush valleys to explore, charming country pubs and lots of character here, making it an excellent choice for Lake District stays. Brave drivers will find two of the most scenic passes here too – Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass – where the switchbacks rising from the valley floor offer a thrilling drive through dramatic mountainous terrain. The western coast of Cumbria is also close by and well worth a visit, particularly to Haverigg and Roanhead Beach, which sit across the estuary from one another. 

Coniston

Last but by no means least, we come to comely Coniston. Sitting pretty on the western shores of Coniston Water, this characterful Cumbrian village nestles between the lake and the Old Man of Coniston, a popular trekking mountain. Historically a mining village, the old Coppermines in Coniston have been transformed into a stunning place to stay and there is lots to see and do here. Coniston sees her fair share of visitors but as it’s harder to get here than larger towns in the region, many visitors are just here for the day, missing out on the incredible views of dawn and dusk over the fells and water, which are particularly attractive here.

The centre of Coniston is host to a collection of places to eat, a wonderful array of independent shops and is just a short walk from the lake. You can explore Coniston Water by boat from Coniston jetty or hire a paddleboard, canoe or  motor boat from Coniston Boating centre and immerse yourself in the breathtaking natural beauty of this quieter corner of the Lakes.

Best Places to Stay in the Lake District

Our guide to the best villages in the Lake District will hopefully have inspired you to book your next stay somewhere more off-the-beaten-track than you’ve been before. We couldn’t possibly pick just one spot to label as the nicest town in the Lake District, so our list contains a range of places we are particularly fond of.

The Coppermines specialise in beautiful cottages in the Lakes that can accommodate families, couples, groups and your furry friends too. We invite you to some of the more unique places to stay in the Lake District where you can relax, unwind and explore unhindered by the masses. Check out our locations in the best towns in the Lake District to make your next stay here a truly memorable one.