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Best Towns and Villages to Visit in the Lake District
With gorgeous walks, excellent dining options, and picture-perfect pubs, these are some of the best places to base yourself during a stay in the Lake District. The national park is home to many lively market towns and quaint villages nestled between rugged fells and dramatic tarns. While well-known spots offer great accommodation, exploring less crowded areas can be equally rewarding. Along pretty streets boasting artisanal shops and traditional pubs, visitors will find gastronomic wonders in the Lake District's 13 Michelin-starred restaurants and discover where renowned artists and writers lived and worked. With cobbled streets, slate houses, and trickling streams, it is easy to understand the unrivalled artistic inspiration. Each town and village offers a different window into the glorious national park. We have rounded up a few favourites to help you pick the best for your trip.
1. Grasmere
Nestled among magnificent fells and a tranquil lake, Grasmere village is perfect for a relaxing stay with gentle walks and culture. It was a favoured spot for William Wordsworth and home to his Dove Cottage, where the poet wrote most of his major works. You can visit the cottage along with a museum and gardens. Further artistic depictions of the area's beauty can be found at the Heaton Cooper Studio, established by landscape artist Alfred Heaton Cooper in 1938. The gallery now runs three exhibitions showcasing the work of the Heaton Cooper family. If the sun is shining, hire a pastel-coloured rowing boat at Faeryland Grasmere before admiring lake views with a speciality tea and scones at the tea room. Do not miss the spicy-sweet gingerbread from the Grasmere Gingerbread shop.
Where to Stay
Victorian House is a boutique hotel perfectly placed in the charming village. Choose from smart rooms with period quirks or opt for the shepherd's hut to wake up surrounded by nature. Enjoy breakfast with peaceful garden views.
2. Cartmel
Cartmel sits just outside the Lake District National Park but is a great choice for excellent food, drinking spots, and local products. In warmer months, the village square buzzes with outdoor eating and drinking. The small village is home to two Michelin-starred restaurants, Rogan & Co and L'Enclume, both by Simon Rogan. Cartmel is also famous for sticky toffee pudding, available at the village shop. Explore Cartmel's medieval origins, including the 12th-century Cartmel Priory.
Where to Stay
L'Enclume is a three-Michelin-star restaurant with bedrooms and suites scattered around the village. Each room elegantly displays local craftsmanship and references to the village's history. Stays include breakfast at Rogan & Co and guarantee a table at L'Enclume.
3. Troutbeck
Troutbeck is a cluster of hamlets clinging to the hilly road from Windermere to Penrith. A stay here is ideal for enjoying the fells, with gentle strolls around the village and stops at Jesus Church, home to stained-glass windows by Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris. The Queens Head offers a cosy spot for a drink or meal. For the adventurous, tackle Wansfell Pike for brilliant views of Windermere. The Old Post Office Tea Room is a popular stop for walkers.
Where to Stay
The Mortal Man is a family-run inn with traditional 17th-century low-beamed rooms, open fires, and horse brasses. It boasts a large beer garden, perfect for relaxing after a walk.
4. Ambleside
Ambleside is a lively town notable for shopping. Deli Rattle Ghyll offers takeaway sandwiches and local cheese, while The Bath House has gorgeous perfumes and natural skincare. Fred's Bookshop is ideal for holiday reading. Sample local craft ales at Tap Yard or taste creative delights at Michelin-starred Lake Road Kitchen. Enjoy a relaxed stroll at Rothay Park or climb Wansfell Pike for the best views, stopping at Stockghyll Waterfall.
Where to Stay
The Drunken Duck is an elegant country inn with cottage-style bedrooms and a cosy pub with its own microbrewery. The sleek restaurant features an adventurous menu.
5. Keswick
Keswick is a jolly market town with a broad range of activities. Visit Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of the earliest stone circles in the UK, dating to about 3000BC. In May, Keswick hosts a major mountain festival with trail runs, yoga, live music, and talks. On rainy days, discover the history of the pencil at the Derwent Pencil Museum or catch a show at Theatre by the Lake.
Where to Stay
The Inn on The Square is a smart townhouse with Scandinavian design and Cumbrian features. It offers a cocktail bar, family-friendly pub, and steakhouse restaurant.
6. Coniston
Coniston village is ideal for watersports and outdoor family activities. It sits on Coniston Water, quieter than Windermere. Choose rowing boats, kayaks, and canoes at Coniston Boating Centre or take a cruise with Coniston Launch Co. Visit the Ruskin Museum to learn about Donald Campbell, who broke seven world water speed records on Coniston Water. His hydroplane Bluebird K7 is featured in the museum.
Where to Stay
The Coniston Inn offers good-value rooms and a family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy hearty pub food and full Cumbrian breakfasts in the open-plan restaurant. It has its own jetty for lake access.
