10 reasons to visit the Lake District in 2023 /

As 2022 draws to a close, it’s time to think about your travel plans for 2023. Why not include a trip to the Lake District? If you get the chance you really should come to this beautiful corner of England. Spanning over 2,000 square miles, the Lake District National Park is nothing short of spectacular, making it one of the UK’s favorite holiday destinations. Plus, it offers pretty much everything. From breathtaking scenery to outstanding visitor attractions, fantastic food to outdoor adventure, the Lake District has something for everyone.

But if you still need convincing, here are ten reasons to visit the beautiful Lake District.

The hills and mountains of the Lake District

The hills and mountains provide a beautiful backdrop to the Lake District National Park. They also offer endless opportunities to explore, whether you’re looking for a challenge or just fancy a leisurely family walk.

If you’re really up for a challenge, why not start with ‘Wainwright Bagging’? A Wainwright is one of 214 fells identified by Alfred Wainwright, a walker and the author of a seven volume illustrated guide to the Lakeland Fells published between 1955 and 1966.

Some aim to complete this challenge in a year, others in ten years. Some just get into it and enjoy joining in when they visit. And yes, some walks are harder on the knees than others; most will leave you in awe of the scenery; and all will give you a sense of accomplishment and memories that will last a lifetime.

The lakes (and tarns) of the Lake District

It should come as no surprise that one of the Lake District’s biggest draws is its 16 glacial lakes and countless tarns – another chance to try something new – open water swimming, for example.

Open water swimming has exploded in popularity in recent years, and while not everyone is into fun, the Lake District is one of the best places in the world to give it a try. It is also widely reported to be a mood booster and stress reducer.

If this doesn’t sound like something you’d like to try, how about stand up paddle boarding, fly fishing or kayaking? Or if you’re looking for something a little quieter, stroll along the peaceful shores of the lakes or take a trip on one of Lake Windermere’s cruisers or a Ullswater steamer. Better yet, hire a boat yourself and explore the hidden beaches and coves on lakes such as Windermere or Derwent Water.

Lakeland food

If you asked anyone about food in the Lake District not too long ago, they would have said Cumberland Sausage, Kendal Mintcake and Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding. A meal outside was a warming stew or a savory roast in front of a roaring fire after a day on the hills. All still worth enjoying.

Fast forward to today and Cumbria has the highest number of Michelin star restaurants outside London, including L’Enclume in Cartmel, the first British restaurant outside London and Berkshire to be awarded three Michelin stars. In fact, the province now boasts a total of ten Michelin stars across eight restaurants, making it a true foodie destination.

And if Michelin-starred dining isn’t for you, there are simpler pleasures to enjoy. From farm shops to farmers’ markets, tea rooms to rustic cafes, there’s plenty to explore. And most use local ingredients whenever possible, keeping those dreaded food miles as low as possible.

Cozy village cafes

When visiting the Lake District with family and friends, there aren’t many better ways to relax than with great food and drink in the comfortable surroundings of a friendly Lake District pub.

Whether you enjoy the outdoors and just need a place to quench your thirst, or you’re looking for a place to enjoy good food, there’s plenty of choice. Wherever you stay in the region, there’s likely to be a pub with a busy kitchen behind it, ready to serve local delicacies in a warm, friendly atmosphere.

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outdoor adventure

With over 2,000 square miles to explore, the Lake District is the perfect playground for the outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, scrambling, swimming, mountain biking, road cycling, canoeing, kayaking… the list goes on. This is arguably the adventure capital of the United Kingdom.

For the thrill seekers, head to Honister, where visitors can choose from abseiling, cliff camping, and canyoning, among others. Climb the mine, conquer the infinity bridge or test yourself on the Via Ferrata. This is a day out you will not soon forget.

Lake District culture

It’s not all an outdoor adventure followed by good food. The Lake District also has a rich cultural heritage. Beatrix Potter, William Wordsworth, John Ruskin and Arthur Ransome not only called this little corner of England home, but were also inspired by it and produced works that have survived to this day.

Today you can take a trip to Hill Top, the traditional farmhouse where Beatrix Potter spent so much time or wander lonely as a cloud and like Wordsworth you too may see a crowd, a horde of golden daffodils (in March/April anyway). Or visit Dove Cottage or Rydal Mount, former homes of the poet, and try your hand at writing a few lines of poetry yourself. Will this iconic environment appeal to you?

Why not recreate the battles in Arthur Ransome’s? Swallows and Amazons with a day on Coniston Water? Or visit Brantwood, the former home of artist, writer and social reformer John Ruskin, which sits on the shores of the lake.

For lovers of theatre, independent cinema, galleries, museums, festivals and exhibitions, visitors to the Lake District are spoiled for choice. Take the time to visit some of the region’s historic homes such as Levens Hall and Sizergh Castle; if live performance is your thing, there’s nowhere like Theater by the Lake on the banks of Derwentwater in Keswick or the Old Laundry Theater in Bowness; and if you want to immerse yourself in the Arts & Crafts movement, soak up the atmosphere at Blackwell, just outside Bowness, one of the UK’s finest examples of Arts & Crafts architecture.

Museums in the Lake District

If you’ve visited the Lake District before, you’ll know it’s a good idea to have a rainy day alternative to hand. And plenty of rainy-day options are available, a chance to step back in time and delve into the rich history of the region.

For example, did you know that there is a museum to honor the humble pencil? That’s exactly what the Derwent Pencil Museum in Keswick does – and we can assure you it’s a great day out for all the family.

Head to the village of Backbarrow and visit the Lakeland Motor Museum, home to over 30,000 exhibits ranging from vintage fire engines to collectible toys. This is an absolute must for any motorcycle enthusiast. You will also get to see the exhibition dedicated to the work of Sir Malcolm Campbell and his son Donald, who together set twenty-one land and water speed records.

One of the most recent museums to open is the Windermere Jetty Museum, right on the shores of Lake Windermere. Windermere Jetty boasts a stunning collection of boats and sailing vessels, including steam launches, record-breaking speedboats and powerboats.

There are so many wonderful museums in the Lake District and Cumbria so rest assured wherever you are in the area from Whitehaven to Windermere, Carlisle to Keswick you will find something that will pique your interest.

Wild life

The Lake District is home to a wealth of interesting and rare species, thanks to its diverse habitats such as mountains, wetlands, lakes, forests and beaches. Which means no matter where you stay there is wildlife everywhere.

One of the most beloved species, the endangered red squirrel, can be seen in parts of the national park, making it one of the last remaining places in the UK where they can be found in the wild. Other rare species inhabiting the region include peregrine falcons, arctic salmonfish, red deer and osprey.

Owls, otters, kingfishers and seals are regularly spotted and if you’re up on the hills you might spot small groups of fierce ponies, a hardy breed well suited to the sometimes harsh conditions of the Lake District’s hills.

Great for all seasons and all ages

Okay, so we’re combining a few here. But the thing is, no matter when you come to visit, and no matter how old you are, there’s always something to do. From family walks to relaxed meals, museums to children’s attractions, everything and everyone is catered for.

Easy to reach

It may seem like the Lake District is far away, but it’s actually easy to get to. The train journey from London takes less than three hours, from Manchester just over an hour. And for those arriving by car, the M6 ​​has junctions giving access to South Lakes and North Lakes.

There are so many reasons to visit the Lake District, some of which we’ve highlighted above. So what will your 2023 travel plans include? We hope a trip to this beautiful part of the country is on the list.

Rachael Thomas is a managing director of Matson Ground Estate Company Limited, which has a number of holiday cottages in the Lake District, including Birkdale House. Birkdale House is a luxury Victorian residence in the heart of a private estate in England’s Lake District.

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