Reasons to Visit the Lake District this Summer
With the option of overseas travel now once again open and with near endless fabulous locations to visit both worldwide and here in the UK, you may wonder why you should choose the Lake District as your holiday destination this summer. Well, we think you should! And here are some wonderful reasons why…
Get out and about in the Great British Summer
The Lake District provides the perfect opportunities for getting out and about in the Great British Summer. With shimmering lakes, lush green valleys, soaring mountains and even vast beaches, The Lake District is the perfect place to spend quality time outdoors – whatever the weather! Hot day – cool down with some wild swimming or find a refreshing breeze in the cool mountain air. Sunny day – find some welcome shade in the forest floor or explore some ice-cool caves. Rainy day – there’s lots of indoor adventures to be had, from fascinating museums, to historic castles to challenging climbing walls – or you can always simply get busy doing nothing, relaxing in your own Coppermines cottage.
Adventure is out there!
Climb those mountains, ride that trail, paddle that lake.
If you’re into living life to the fullest then the Lakes is the place for you. Here you can try paddleboarding on our beautiful lakes. You can discover the thrills of ghyll scrambling up our spectacular rivers. You can zipline through the trees at Go Ape or test your nerve at the incredible Via Ferrata At Honister Slate Mine. You can take a boat to Wildcat Island on your own Swallows and Amazons adventure. You can walk, hike, stroll or roll to your hearts’ content on mile upon mile of spectacular footpaths, bridleways and green lanes. There’s so much adventure to be had here in the Lake District National Park
All you need is love… and food
The Lake District is increasingly becoming a foodie’s paradise. And with the abundance of quality local produce on offer it’s not hard to see why. Not only is it home to the only 3 Michelin Star restaurant outside of London in the form of Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume in Cartmel and other highly regarded Michelin Star eateries such as The Old Stamp House in Ambleside and Forest Side in Grasmere – there’s also heaps of choice when it comes to more budget-friendly options. Steam Bistro here in Coniston offers excellent food in a cosy bistro setting plus Coniston’s Green Housekeeper Café provides friendly and informal café food to a fabulous standard. Fancy a night in, in your Coppermines Cottage? No problem – you’ll be spoilt for choice for local takeaways plus A Days Walk offers something a little different. Quality, locally produced Cumbrian food delivered direct to your Coppermines Cottage door. Find out more.
Live your beach life
Yes we may have mentioned it one or twice before – but Cumbria really does have some truly incredible beaches. And what they lack in terms of beach bars and sun loungers they more than make up for in their sheer vast emptiness and astonishing scenery. You may find yourself wondering “why is nobody else here?!” as you relax on the long expanses of golden sands backed by hills and mountains. We don’t know either – but if you’ve ever battled for space on a busy beach elsewhere, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice here in the Lakes when it comes to finding a quiet piece of sand to spend a delightful day. Particular highlights include Roan Head and Silecroft beaches. Check out our Best Beaches blog more beach-based inspiration.
Find your hoppy place, in a great Lake District pub
You can’t go far within the Lake District National Park, without stumbling across a traditional pub. Friendly welcomes, local brews and good food are the foundations of the Great Lake District Pub. And is there ever a more pleasing sight after a long, arduous hike than a picturesque public house offering warm welcomes and cold beers? Coniston Village has several great pubs including the ever-popular Black Bull serving its own famous Bluebird Bitter – so if you’re staying in Coniston why not try them all!?
And because of our magnificent landscape here in the Lakes you can enjoy a refreshing drink or a hearty meal in a pretty beer garden while also soaking up the mountain views! Check out our Best Beer Gardens blog more beery inspiration.
There’s always something going on – music, festivals and shows
Think the Lake District is all about mountains and sheep? Think again!
Kendal Calling, Esk Fest, Lake District Summer Festival, Ulverston Fine Fest, Coast Roads Festival, Holker Fest, The Lakes International Comic Arts Festival… These are just a few of some of the growing number of music and comedy-based festivals taking place in and around the Lake District this summer.
And if they’re not your thing then how about the Cumbria Steam Gathering on 30-31 July at Flookburgh near Grange-over-Sands, the Coniston Country Fair on 24th July, Ulverston and North Lonsdale Show 31 July or Ambleside Sports on 28 July.
Food-based festivals are also increasing on popularity and numeracy including The Great British Food Festival at Lowther Castle on 2 and 3 July, The Taste Cumbria Food Festival at Maryport on 13-14 August and Holker Chilli Fest on 3-4 September.
Years of history and artistic inspiration
Rich in history, The Lake District National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our own Coppermines Valley is included in The Schedule of Ancient Monuments and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a fascinating history of mining all the way back to the 16th Century.
The unique and special landscape of the Lakes has been the source of artistic inspiration since the 1700’s. And today you can visit houses and museums dedicated to some of the artists, poets and writers it has inspired. Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top and Ruskin’s Brantwood and open to visitors this summer.
So what are you waiting for? The Lake District awaits you this summer! Browse our self-catering availability.
