10 things to see and do this summer in the Lake District & Cumbria
The first day of summer is close approaching this month and you’re probably beginning to plan ways you can make the most of the season. We might be bias, but there’s not much that beats a summer’s day in the Lake District… from lazy days on stunning Cumbrian beaches, to crystal clear summit views on some of England’s highest fells. Here’s our guide on things to see and do in the Lake District this summer…
Enjoy a day at the beach
Cumbria is home to a range of stunning beaches, from sandy shores perfect for sunbathing to rugged, pebbled coastlines teeming with unique wildlife. On the south-western tip of the Lake District, Silecroft Beach is renowned for it’s stunning sunsets and wide open views to the Isle of Man. If you want a day of lounging on the sand, St Bee’s is a mile long of sandy shores ideal for relaxing. St Bees Head is also home to an impressive nature reserve where you can spot razorbills, guillemots and kittiwakes.
Dine Al Fresco
Dining Al Fresco doesn’t have to be exclusive to the Italian Riviera. You can soak up the sun whilst enjoying a beautiful meal and cocktails right here in the Lake District… and it's just as beautiful! Enjoy a hearty veggie meal on the banks of the River Brathay at the award-winning Chesters By The River, or tuck into a luxurious brunch in the shadow of Lakeland fells in the grounds of The Lingholm Kitchen in Portinscale. For the ultimate Italian Al Fresco experience, pull up a chair on the terrace of the Caffe Riva in Bowness-on-Windermere whilst enjoying some authentic Mediterranean cuisine!
Cool off with some wild swimming
A summer trip to the Lake District is never complete without a wild swim in some of the UK’s clearest waters. One of the most popular places to wild swim in Lakeland is Derwentwater. One of the most popular lakes in the National Park, Derwentwater offers opportunities for experienced, open water swimmers as well as beginners who can take a dip along the shoreline. Ashness Jetty is a great place for a sunset swim and is easily accessible from the nearby market town of Keswick. For a truly wild, private wild swim away from the crowds, cool off in some of Lakeland's high up, remote mountain tarns, such as Styhead Tarn, Burnmoor Tarn or Sprinkling Tarn.
* Always research an area before you wild swim and avoid swimming in reservoirs. Even in the summer months, the water is still very cold and wearing a wetsuit is advisable before you adapt to the cold water temperatures. The Lake District is home to a number of wild swimming guides and communities that can help introduce you to wild swimming.
See Lakeland from a mountain summit
The Lake District is reputable for it's walking and mountain climbs, offering some of the best summit views in the UK (or arguably the world!) Summer is a great time to explore the fells and offers a better chance of catching the summits cloud free and clear. Head up to the summit of Fleetwith Pike to look over the remote Buttermere Valley, which was voted Britain's Best View. Continue a little further along to stand beside Wainwright’s favourite view at the summit tarn of Haystacks, or stand as the highest person in England atop of Scafell Pike, offering one of the best panoramic views of Lakeland.
Discover wildlife & animals
The wild, unspoilt nature of the Lake District makes it home to an abundance of precious wildlife. Keep an eye out for what you can spot in the wild; remote areas such as Wasdale, Haweswater and Ennerdale are perfect for catching a glimpse of deers, butterflies, buzzards, red squirrels, otters and much more. Nothing compares to seeing wildlife thrive in the wild, but there are some species we can now only get close to at farms or attractions. Cumbria is filled with activities for animal lovers including horse riding on the beaches with Cumbrian Heavy Horses or hikes with alpacas at The Lingholm Estate. To get involved with life on a Cumbrian farm, head over to Walby Farm Park for the day and interact with the calves, sheep, goats, horses and donkeys. For something a little more exotic, South Lakes Safari Zoo offers opportunities to see wildlife from around the world, including kangaroos, lions, giraffes and more!
Marvel at summer blooms
Summer is a beautiful time in the Lake District; summer blooms carpet the wild valley floors and gardens blossom with colourful flowers and plants. A hike around the Sizergh estate offers plenty opportunities to spot rare flowers in summer, including orchids. To see an impressive display of summer blooms, the Lake District is home to a range of stately home gardens boasting luxurious displays designed and created by famous, historical landscape architects. If you love topiary gardens, Levens Hall is the place to be, showcasing one of the oldest and largest topiary gardens in the world. To see one of Thomas Mawson’s impressive designs, visit Holehird Garden and explore the colourful walled garden, lake, rock and heather garden all surrounded by views across Windermere.
Explore the Lakes on bikes
The Lake District National Park is passionate about the environment and encourages visitors to explore Lakeland by walking or cycling whenever they can in order to reduce carbon emissions. Both road cyclists and mountain bikers are spoilt for choice here, with the Lake District and Cumbria offering a range of cycle lanes, bridleways and of course woodland and mountain tracks! The National Park have opened a range of cycle hire spots offering mountain bikes, road cycles and electric bikes. You can hire a bike at Waterhead in Ambleside, Coniston Boating Centre, Hawkshead, Grizedale and Whinlatter Forests amongst other options. If you have your own, the remote valley of Ennerdale is a perfect, quiet spot away from traffic to explore on two wheels. To explore the Cumbrian coast, check out the cycle routes on the Bay Cycle Way or the Hadrian’s Wall Cycle Way.
Take a boat trip
Exploring the Lake District by boat offers an opportunity to see Lakeland from a different angle, viewing sections of the fells and lakeshores you may not be able to see or access on foot. Head onto England’s largest lake aboard a Windermere Lake Cruise. Hop on the cruise with others at
jetties along the lake or hire your own self-drive motor boat at Bowness or Waterhead. To explore Ullswater, jump aboard the iconic Ullswater Steamer which has been sailing the water for over 150 years, ferrying passengers between Pooley Bridge and Glenridding. For a quieter boat trip, take a trip to Coniston and explore the water via the Coniston Launch. Similarly, the Keswick Launch runs frequently on Derwentwater.
Test your watersport skills
As the name suggests, the Lake District is covered in water providing over sixteen lakes and numerous tarns to enjoy boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, canoeing, rowing, sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, white water rafting, ghyll scrambling and of course, swimming. There are a number of centres and organisations across Cumbria offering watersports experiences including
Adventure North West, Lake District White Water Rafting, Low Wood Bay Watersports Centre, Graythwaite Adventure, and many more.
Ditch the hotels and go camping
Hotels in the Lake District and Cumbria are often at their most pricey during summer time and the school holidays. Avoid the peak time expense by going back to basics on a camping trip! Not much beats a summer night under the stars, with friends or family enjoying a barbecue and roasting marshmallows! The National Park is filled with campsites ranging from basic field camping to ‘glamping’ pods and tents. Some family friendly campsites surrounded by beautiful scenery to try out this summer include Eskdale Campsite, Great Langdale National Trust Campsite, Castlerigg Farm Campsite and Waterside House Campsite. Of course, you can always try wild camping in the fells too, as-long as you follow the Wild Camping Code.
* Wild camping is technically illegal in England and Wales, but is generally tolerated if you seek permission or follow the wild camping code and leave no trace.