There are literally thousands of magnificent Lakeland views that we could show you, but we’ve had to narrow it down to ten. Here are our top picks to help you plan your Lake District break.
Orrest Head
Twenty minute uphill walk to one of the most impressive views in the Lake District. Clearly marked, the walk starts on the A591, opposite the Windermere bus station. It’s an easy walk through woodlands and out onto an open fell top, with benches and a mountain viewing plaque. Great views over Windermere and the mountains beyond. From here there are paths leading off in various directions, or you can return to the village by the same route.
Grasmere & Rydal Water
Loughrigg Terrace is a path running along the side of Loughrigg Fell. From here you get great views of both Grasmere and Rydal Water. There are plenty of benches to stop and take in the splendour of the area. Autumn offers spectacular festival of warm orange and red bracken tones whilst late May turns the fellside a violet hue in bluebell season.
Gummer’s How
At the southern end of Windermere, a short but steep climb up Gummer’s How rewards you with great views across the lake and on a clear day a panoramic view taking in several of the Lake District’s central fells, Coniston Old Man and Morecambe Bay.
Tarn Hows
Although not officially a lake, being a man-made body of water, Tarn Hows is one of the most popular and accessible walks in the Lake District. There are delightful views from the wooded path around the circular path.
Claife Heights
Claife Viewing Station is on the western shore of Windermere, very close to the Windermere Car Ferry terminal, and easily accessible as a foot passenger. Built in the 1790s, this would have been one of the first tourist attractions as the area became popular with visitors. The purpose of the windows was to help ‘frame’ the view and the coloured glass helps create a range of unusual effects.
Loughrigg Fell
Slightly over 1,000 feet, Loughrigg is small in comparison to many of the Lake District mountains. However, it provides some magnificent panoramic views of Grasmere and the surrounding mountains.
Friar’s Crag
The bench at Friar’s Crag must be one of the most popular seats in the Lake District. An easy 20 minute walk from Keswick, you are rewarded with a spectacular view down Derwentwater, towards Borrowdale.
Ashness Bridge & Surprise View
Two-in-one view, Ashness Bridge is the most photographed bridge in the Lake District. It is a small packhorse bridge, best viewed from above, looking down upon it. Walking across the bridge, it is a short walk to Surprise View where you get stunning views across Derwentwater.
Buttermere
There are many fantastic photo opportunities on the four and a half mile walk around Buttermere. The tiny village of Buttermere has an air of calm with a beautiful little church a focal point. Magnificent views across the water to Fleetwith Pike and Warnscale Bottom from the village, and, on the northern shore, the famous ‘Buttermere tree’ – providing great Lake District photo opportunity.
View from Here
We couldn’t finish without showing you our very own view of Lake Windermere from our Fellside Pool. This could be you, if you book a room at Low Wood Bay. Call 0333 2203 105 or check the Low Wood Bay website.
