Six of the prettiest towns and villages in the Lake District

Grasmere

Grasmere is postcard perfect. A tiny village set between green fells and a glittering lake, it’s the sort of place where you’ll find poetry on the café walls and daffodils blooming in the churchyard. William Wordsworth called it “the loveliest spot that man hath ever found”, and you won’t argue. 

Visit Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth wrote some of his most famous lines, then pop next door to the museum for a bit of literary context. Don’t leave without buying a slab of the village’s famously spicy, sticky Grasmere Gingerbread. 

Stay at: Lancrigg, a family-friendly lakes retreat steeped in local history. This hotel is set against acres of wild country to get lost in. 

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Keswick

Keswick is the lively hub of the northern Lakes and is popular with walkers, foodies and culture lovers alike. Set beside Derwentwater and surrounded by Skiddaw and Catbells, it offers access to some of the area’s most iconic walks, but also a proper town centre with cafés, shops, galleries and a thriving outdoor market. 

Take a boat trip on the lake, visit the excellent Keswick Museum, or catch a play at the Theatre by the Lake, which sits right on the water. For food, try Fellpack, a modern kitchen serving creative comfort food, or grab picnic bits from The Keswick Cheese Deli. 

Stay at: Endymion House, a bright and beautiful house for 12, or Borrowdale Gates, a beautiful small hotel lost in a magical lake land setting.  

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Cartmel

Although it’s just outside the Lake District National Park, Cartmel is too good to leave off this list. This pretty medieval village has made a name for itself as a serious food destination and is home to Simon Rogan’s Michelin-starred L’Enclume, plus a growing cast of producers, bakers, cheesemongers and wine shops. 

Stroll around the 12th-century priory, visit the village racecourse, and don’t leave without trying the famous Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding from the original village shop. It’s foodie heaven in the countryside.  

Stay at: Crumble Cottage, a cosy bolt hole surrounded by woods, meadows and wildlife – great for walkers in this quiet part of the South Lakes. 

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Windermere

As the gateway to the Lake District, Windermere offers both accessibility and natural beauty. Windermere is actually the name of the lake itself, which spans 10.5 miles and is England’s largest lake. The town of Windermere sits at the northern end of the lake, and it’s a bustling hub for tourists with lots to do yet still surrounded by stunning landscapes. 

The town’s central area is packed with quaint shops, tea rooms, and restaurants. It’s a lively town, making it an excellent base for those who enjoy a mix of nature and modern conveniences. Climb Orrest Head hill and discover one of the first viewpoints that attracted Victorian tourists to the area. 

Stay at: Gilpin Hotel for a real treat, where woodland and fells encircle you, spa suites hang above water, and food in the Michelin-starred restaurant is sublime. 

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Ambleside

Set at the northern tip of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a bustling little town with a big outdoor heart. It’s one of the best places to base yourself if you’re planning lots of walking or watersports, but it also does a good line in independent shopping and veggie-friendly food, and even has an entirely vegetarian restaurant, Fellini’s.  

Visit the tiny Bridge House, balanced on a stone arch over the river, or hike up to Stock Ghyll Force waterfall. Grab a coffee at Rattle Ghyll Deli or a refined dinner at The Old Stamp House, tucked into Wordsworth’s former office. 

Stay at: Rothay Manor Hotel, a Grade II-listed country hotel with lovely gardens and an excellent restaurant, a short walk from Ambleside and the top of Lake Windermere. 

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Ulpha

Ulpha is an enchanting, traditional farming village nestled in the western part of the Lake District, in the Duddon Valley. This area is far quieter and less commercialised than other parts of the Lake District, which makes it ideal for those seeking a peaceful, rural retreat. It has a small population with a strong sense of community and it’s a place where you can truly experience the unspoiled nature of the Lakes. 

The valley itself is a hidden gem, often overlooked in favour of the more popular Lake District valleys. The Duddon River flows through it, and there are numerous opportunities for walking, picnicking, and wild swimming in its crystal-clear waters.  

Stay at: Jean’s Cottage. Once a travellers’ inn, it was the village post office from 1890 to 2020. You can feel its history in the pop of red from the still-in-use telephone and Victorian post boxes. 

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