Lake District countryside attractions
Out and about in the Lake District
The Lake District National Park
Visitor information and major attractions
Lakes of the Lake District
The major lakes of the National Park region and what to see and do
Waterfalls
The Lake District is blessed with a number of spectacular waterfalls, and many of them are fairly easy to access.
St Bees Head Heritage Coast
St. Bees is the only heritage coast between Anglesey and the Scottish border, indeed, it is the only sea cliff in all that area. The cliffs are dramatic, composed of striking red sandstone some 300 feet high, and affording excellent views north to Scotland and across to the Isle of Man.
The Old Man of Coniston is the 12th-highest peak in England at 2,634 feet high and makes for one of the most popular walks in the Lake District National Park. The route goes through old slate mines. The Old Man was immortalised as Kanchenjunga in Arthur Ransome's popular Swallows and Amazons books.
Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Mountain Walk
Heritage Rating: 
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Heritage Highlight: Industrial heritage landscape
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One of the most scenic (and easily accessible) of all Cumbrian waterfalls, Rutter Force is a horseshoe-shaped waterfall on Hoff Beck, near Appleby-in-Westmorland, in the beautiful Eden Valley.
Great Ormside, Cumbria, England, CA16 6ES
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: 
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Nearest Self Catering Cottages
A lovely waterfall that has been a popular Lake District destination for centuries. Rydal Falls is within a short stroll of William Wordsworth's home at Rydal Mount, and the poet was a frequent visitor to the falls. Rydal Falls is located in beautiful woodlands, with permissive paths leading to Ambleside. Wear good waterproof footwear, for the approach to the falls can be wet and is often slippery.
Rydal, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes that give the Lake District its name. The lake stands at the foot of Loughrigg Fell, and footpaths create a wonderful circular walk around the lake shore. Near the shore is Rydal Mount, home of poet William Wordsworth for 37 years until his death.
A591, Rydal, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Lake
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Links to William Wordsworth
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
This popular walk tackles Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England, leaving from the parking area at Wasdale Head, at the east end of Wastwater. The route is approximately six miles long and takes in some of the Lake District's most beautiful scenery.
Wasdale Head, Cumbria, England, CA20 1EX
Attraction Type: Countryside - Walk
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
The tallest waterfall in the Lake District, located beside Crummock Water on land owned by the National Trust. Access is via an easy walk from Buttermere village. This was one of the required sites to see in Victorian times, and launches ran regularly across Crummock Water to take Victorian sightseers to within a short walk of the falls. Today's visitors get to ride shanks mare from Buttermere, but the falls are well worth the exertion!
Buttermere, Buttermere, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
On the edge of Ambleside stands Skelghyll Wood, where Victorian plant hunters created an arboretum with conifers from around the world. Follow the Champion Tree Trail that links some of the tallest and most impressive trees in northern England, including the tallest tree in Cumbria.
A591, Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA22 0HE
Attraction Type: Countryside - Arboretum
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Champion trees planted by Victorian plant hunters
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
A lovely waterfall close to the Ambleside - Coniston road, yet visited by few. The walk to Skelwith Force is an easy stroll through beautiful Lake District scenery. A walk to the falls can easily be combined with a longer stroll to Elter Water or beyond into the heart of the stunning Great Langdale valley.
Skelwith Bridge, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA22 9NJ
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
One of the lesser-known waterfalls in the Lake District National Park, Spout Force is found in a forest area at the western end of the Whinlatter Pass. A path leads through the forest and nearby fields to a platform giving good views of the falls. The best time to see the waterfall is probably in spring when the sheer volume of water going over the falls is very impressive - and noisy!
Whinlatter Pass, High Lorton, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Stanley Ghyll Force is a lovely waterfall of about 60 foot in height, located in a steep-sided ravine in the centre of beautiful Eskdale. The walk to the falls is as impressive as the falls itself, with the path following the course of Stanley Ghyll up the hillside, across several wooden footbridges over the tumbling water below. One of our favourite Lake District walks.
Eskdale, Eskdale, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
