Best views in the Lake District
Visiting the Lakes and want to know where to head for the best view?
Let’s be honest, if you’re in the Lake District you’re never far away from a great view. Around every corner, over the brow of every hill and beyond every bend will be one of the greatest views you’ve ever seen in your life. But some views are even more incredible than others, and some are easier to reach than other. So we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite views in the Lakes, how to get there, why the view is so great and how accessible it is.
Some of these views you need to walk to, some involve a hike, some you can drive straight to while others can be accessed via a lake cruise. So there are some fantastic Lake District views for that can be enjoyed by all, regardless of mobilty or fitness levels.
Read on for some of the best views you can find in the Lake District and how to get there.
Blea Tarn, Langdale.
Where is it? Just off the Wrynose Pass which connects the Langdale and Duddon Valleys.
How do I get there?
There’s a car park close by with a level, accessible path to the tarn a mere two minute walk away
Why is it such a great view?
A glistening, mountain tarn with surrounding fells, partly perfectly to create a view through to the Langdale Pikes, once seen, never forgotten.
View rating 10/10
Accessible – yes
Wastwater
Where is it? In the Wasdale valley on the western edge of the Lake District
How do I get there?
You can drive right alongside Wastwater, making this view accessible to all those travelling by car. A shuttle bus service also operates in the summer.
Why is such a great view?
The spectacular Great Gable, an impressive pyramid shaped mountain from certain angles, framed perfectly by Yewbarrow and Sca Fell on either side across the deep dark waters of Waterwater make for an iconic view, often voted one of the best, if not THE best view in England. An absolutely incredible view that has to be experienced to be believed.
View rating 10/10
Accessible – yes
Gummers How
Where is it? Gummers How is a small peak at the southern end of Windermere in the South Lakes
How do I get there?
The parking area for Gummers How is a 5 minute drive from Newby Bridge. Take Fell Foot Brow off the A592. The Forestry Commision Car park is 0.7 miles on the right. Cross the road to reach the footpath to the summit of Gummers How.
Why is such a great view?
For your efforts in making the short but steep climb, you’re rewarded with a far-reaching view along the length of Windermere with many of the mountains of the central and south Lakes visible on a clear day. For the best views, leave the summit itself and head west, the view of the lake will appear before you.
View rating 9/10
Accessible – no
Brock Barrow
Where is it? A small summit towards the southern end of Coniston Water.
How do I get there? You can hike to the summit from the village of Nibthwaite.
Why is it such a great view?
A lesser-known, a lesser- visited spot, which like, Gummers How offers a view along the length of a lake except this time the lake is Coniston Water. And unlike Gummer’s How, you’re unlikely to see another soul. There are 2 viewpoint on the summit, the best of which is the northern top. Head north from the trig point to the obvious rocky outcrop and from here the view opens up with Coniston Man, Dow Crag and Wetherlam visible towards the norther end of the lake. This small summit delivers big on views – as well as all of Coniston Wayer, you can also see beyond the lake towards Fairfield and Helvellyn, weather permitting. Breath-taking.
View rating 9.5/10
Accessible – no
Raven Crag
Where is it? Raven Crag is situated at Thirlmere in the centre of the Lake District National Park.
How do I get there? A bus stop on the A591 close to the Thirlmere Dam is the nearest stop. Go past the camping and caravan site to walk along the dam road (closed to traffic). There are also pay & display car parks on the north west side of Thirlmere at Armboth and on the western side of the dam road.
A short, steep footpath begins just north of the dam road. You can also take a longer, more meandering route through the forest on easy-walking mountain roads which is recommended for either your ascent or descent to make the most of the views.
Why is it such a great view?
The near vertical eastern face and the position of the crag at the northwest corner of Thirlmere gives dramatic views of the lake and across to Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in the Lakes. The surrounding forests give framed glimpses of the magnificent view during the ascent and descent.
View rating 9/10
Accessible – no (but there are excellent, more accessible views from the dam road at the northern end of Thirlmere).
Coniston Old Man
Where is it?
Coniston Old Man is a mountain in the South Lakes. It can be summited direct from Coniston village.
How do I get there? The main footpath starts in Coniston Village, heads upwards Coppermines Valley before ascending to Low Water, then Coniston Old Man summit. If you’re staying in Coniston yu can start the walk straight from your accommodation otherwise there is ample parking in the village including at The Bluebird Car Park. Another great route starts in the Duddon Valley via the Walna Scar Road then Dow Crag, which also gives fabulous views throughout.
Why is it such a great view?
It’s not just the summit that awards you with a great view, there are stunning views throughout the hike to the top including impressive views of Coppermines Valley plus lake views down to Coniston Water, of the mountain tarns Low Water and Lever’s Water, across to Dow Crag and north to the neighbouring fells.
A walk along the ridge to Swirl How rewards with further incredible views north towards the Scafells.
View rating: 9.5/10
Accessible – no but great views can also be found in Coppermines Valley which is accessible for off-road pushchairs or trampers.
Stay at the foot of Coniston Old Man in Coppermines Valley
Tarn Hows
Where is it? Tarn Hows is a beautiful tarn around 2 miles from Coniston.
How do I get there? The tarn is around 10 minute drive or 1 hour walk from either Coniston Village or Hawkshead. A bus connecting the 2 villages stops at High Cross, from where Tarn Hows is a 30 minute walk away.
Why is it such a great view? Once three smaller tarns, Tarn Hows as it is today was created by the building of a dam in the mid 1800’s, merging the 3 tarns into one larger one. It is now a popular beauty spot with an accessible path circling the tarn and providing walkers with beautiful views all the way around, one of the best of which being the view of Coniston Old Man across the water.
View rating 9/10
Accessible – yes
Stay nearby in Coniston village
Friar’s Crag, Derwent Water
Where is it? Friar’s Crag is a promontory on Derwent Water. Walkable from Keswick town centre along a flat, hard-surfaced footpath running alongside the lake, Friar’s Crag is a popular beauty spot for good reason; the fairytale-like views across Derwent Water to Catbells and the surrounding fells are nothing short of incredible.
How do I get there? Keswick has regular bus services and even has a new virtual train station. It also has several pay and display car parks. From Keswick, walk down to the boating centre, situated just past the Theatre by the Lake. Continue on the lakeside footpath for around1/2 mile.
Why is it such a great view? The position of the crag, jutting out into the lake, the presence of tall trees framing the view, the wide vista across the lake to legendary mountains; everything required to make a view iconic is present and correct.
For those wanting a longer walk, there is a 10 mile circular route around Derwent water which offers stunning views all the way around. You can also choose to walk sections of the route hop on and hop off the Derwent Water using the Keswick Launch which runs regular services year round.
View rating: 10/10
Accessible – yes
Fleetwith Pike, Buttermere
Where is it? The view is from the circular footpath around Buttermere, specifically the northwest section.
How do I get there?
There is bus service from Keswick plus limited parking in the village. From the village head south on the footpath which starts at The Buttermere Court Hotel.
Why is it such a great view?
Buttermere is one of the most beautiful parts of the Lakes and this view across the lake to the pyramid shaped Fleetwith Pike is hard to beat. You may even recognise it from its appearance in Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning. In the right weather conditions, the reflections on the water are simply breath-taking.
View rating: 10/10
Accessible – yes (footpath is level but with a loose gravel surface)
Scafell Pike summit
Where is it? The view is from the top of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, in the centre of the Lake District National Park.
Why is such a great view? Because you’re literally higher than anywhere else in the country. Your efforts on reaching the summit are rewarded by an unrivalled 360 panorama featuring rugged mountains and shining lakes. On a clear day you can see for miles and miles, not just across the rest of the Lake District, but across to Yorkshire, Lancashire and across the sea too towards Morecambe Bay and Blackpool.
How do I get there?
There’s only way to see this outstanding view, and that’s to hike to the summit. The most direct route is from Wasdale Head, where you’ll also get stunning views of Wast Water during the ascent, but the mountain can also be summited from Eskdale, Langdale or Borrowdale. Choose a day when the tops are likely to be clear of cloud to make the effort of the climb worthwhile.
View rating: 10/10
Accessible – no
Hallin Fell
Where is it?
Hallin Fell is a modest-sized summit midway up Ullswater.
How do I get there?
Parking is limited at Howtown, nearby. The best way to get to Hallin Fell however is to take the Ullswater Steamer from Glenridding or Pooley Bridge to Howtown Jetty.
Why is it such a great view?
Hallin Fell is situated at the point at which Ullswater bends north. It’s also an isolated summit resulting in great views in al directions, including up and down the lake and of Martindale Valley.
View rating: 9/10
Accessible – no it’s a short hike to Hallin Fell summit, but you can enjoy incredible views by simply enjoying a lake cruise on Ullswater Steamer.
