Walking in the Lake District: Where to Stay
With plenty of hotels in the Lake District to choose from, it can be overwhelming finding the perfect one for you. The Lake District is world famous for its scenery and the number of different hiking routes on offer so you’ll be pleased to find that there are plenty of areas where you can find accommodation located close to the most popular fells, trails, and routes.
Here’s our roundup of where you should stay if you are planning on going walking in the Lake District.
Derwentwater
Surrounded by fells on all sides like most bodies of water in the Lake District national park, Derwentwater is ideal for both for walkers looking to challenge themselves and those seeking a more leisurely route around its banks. If you think you’ve seen this beautiful location before, you could be right as it featured in the 2015 movie Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Ullswater
The second largest lake in the Lake District and home to the 20-mile walking route the “Ullswater Way’ staying near Ullswater will bring you in close proximity to a number of other hiking and walking trails too. For the more adventurous, there is the Aira Force and Gowbarrow trail, which includes steep steps and vertical drops to challenge you as you take in the picturesque scenery. Meanwhile, park trails in Ullswater make for a far more relaxing jaunt taking you through the ancient deer park near Glenamara.
Buttermere
The area around Buttermere is a true nature lover’s paradise with not much taking away from the landscape aside from country houses, hotels, and the actual village of Buttermere. With spotty coverage and no tourist distractions, Buttermere is definitely the place to stay for keen walkers and nature lovers. It offers easy access to a number of popular fells including Haystacks, High Stile, and Red Pike, along with some more accessible routes around the lake itself.
Borrowdale
Offering the perfect basecamp for anyone looking to tackle Castle Crag or Great Gable, Borrowdale offers a good mix of challenging hikes, waterfall walks, and scenic routes. For those looking to make their route more interesting, Borrowdale is home to the Borger Dalr geology walking trail. This route explores the origins of the flat valley that was once the bottom of a lake during the Ice Age.
Bassenthwaite Lake
The only lake by name in the Lake District, Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the less popular locations to stay in, due mainly to the fact that much of its shoreline is privately owned. However, for walkers, it’s worth looking into as a place to say, whether you choose somewhere with a shoreline view or not. Not only is it home to ospreys, making it a favourite for wildlife enthusiasts, but Bassenthwaite Lake and the surrounding area is also well placed for walkers looking to climb Grisedale Pike or Skiddaw.
Keswick
The market of Keswick is the perfect location for walkers looking to get more out of their visit to the Lake District. Close to popular fells and walking routes like Skiddaw, Longscale Fell, Walla Crag, and Catbells to name a few, Keswick also offers plenty of more relaxing ways to spend the time, should you want a rest day.
Surrounded by fells and hills like most areas in the Lake District, Keswick offers a wide range of walking routes all varying in difficulty. The town also has the benefit of good transport connections, allowing you access a number of walking routes that might not be available should you be staying somewhere else in the Lake District.
Grasmere
Much smaller than Keswick but still offering a mix of walking and sightseeing opportunities is the village of Grasmere, situated at the centre of the Lake District. Famous for once being the home of renowned Lakeland poet William Wordsworth, staying in Grasmere will make Helvellyn accessible to you with a route running directly from the village.