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.
One of the most popular walks in the northern Lake District starts from the National Trust car park in Great Langdale and passes several waterfalls as it climbs to Stickle Tarn, set in a bowl of hills formed by a huge ancient volcano.
Chapel Stile, Cumbria, England, LA22 9JX
Attraction Type: Countryside - Walk
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Medieval fulling mill remains
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
One of the most visited of the Lake District waterfalls, Stock Ghyll can be easily reached on foot from Ambleside village. Allow 10-15 minutes for the walk up a waymarked path, through lovely woodland to a viewpoint. For an even better view, you can descend to the base of the falls and cross over the beck to the far side. The water drops 70 feet in two distinct steps, and on the way, it creates a lovely 'V' shape.
Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Tarn Hows is a man-made lake set in a bowl of hills between Coniston and Hawkshead, in the heart of the northern Lake District. The lake was created in the Victorian period by combining three small tarns. There are popular circular walks around the lake and across the nearby hills. The walk around the tarn itself s mostly level and easy going for much of the way.
Hawkshead, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA22 0PR
Attraction Type: Countryside - Walk
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
The Lake District village of Seathwaite, near Rosthwaite in Borrowdale, has the highest annual rainfall in England. Don't let that stop you! Seathwaite is one of the most popular destinations for walkers in the park, giving access to numerous trails. There is a youth hostel in the village and a trail leads to Taylor Gill Force, one of the highest waterfalls in the Lake District.
Borrowdale, Seathwaite, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
A limestone gorge and waterfall on the northern edge of the Lake District. Accessed by way of an easy riverside walk from the centre of Caldbeck (about 1/2 mile). Immediately downstream of The Howk are the remains of an old bobbin mill. A footbridge crosses over the top of the gorge at the top of the gorge above the falls.
Caldbeck, Caldbeck, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
Thirlmere is a man-made reservoir formed from a small natural lake, designed to supply water to the city of Manchester. The lake was formed by damming the outflow of the natural lake and flooding the valley. This submerged two small villages, of which only Wythburn church remains.
Keswick, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Lake
Heritage Rating: ?
Heritage Highlight: Wythburn Church
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
At the summit of Wrynose Pass, in the heart of the Lake District National Park, stands an inscribed stone marking the meeting place of the three traditional counties of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire.
Wrynose Pass, Little Langdale, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Landmark
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
A lovely pair of small waterfalls make a walk up Tom Gill a wonderful Lake District excursion. An easy trail leads up the Gill to the famous beauty spot of Tarn Hows, where circular walks lead visitors around the man-made lake.
Coniston, Lake District, Cumbria, England, LA21 8DN
Attraction Type: Countryside - Waterfall
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
The largest lake in the north east of the Lake District National Park. Ullswater provides an excellent base for walks, including the popular ascent of Helvellyn from Glenridding. The Ullswater steamer plies the lake from Pooley Bridge to Glenridding. on the western shore is Aira Force, the most popular waterfall in the Lake District.
Glenridding, Lake District, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Lake
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages
The deepest lake in the Lake District, Wast Water is also one of the prettiest. The lake is located in a steep-sided valley and offers some of the most dramatic landscape in the National Park. Wasdale Head, at the eastern end of the lake, is a popular walking centre. There is excellent access from Wasdale Head to some of the most popular walks in the Lake District, including the ascent of Scafell Pike, the highest peak in England.
Wasdale Head, Cumbria, England
Attraction Type: Countryside - Lake
Heritage Rating: ?
Nearest Self Catering Cottages