The Ultimate One Day Drive In the Lake District
Do you have 1 full day in the Lake District? Here’s the perfect driving itinerary to help you see the most in only 1 day.
The Lake District is the ultimate weekend getaway in the United Kingdom. It’s made up of the Lake District National Park, quaint towns like Keswick and Windermere, and its namesake, lots of lakes! If you seek solace, you should spend at least a day in the Lake District.
I stayed in Windermere for 2 nights and the below itinerary is how I made the most of the one full day I had to explore the Lakes District. This one day schedule will work if you stay in several towns, you can just adjust timing accordingly and enjoy the same sites.
One Day Drive In The Lake District
If you have one day and a car, there’s a lot of ground to cover in the Lakes District. You could easily spend a week enjoying the many scenic lakes. If you are on a tight timeline I have mapped out a circular drive that hits many of the highlights so you can see as much as possible in one full day.
This one day itinerary starts and ends in Windermere so I recommend booking your accommodation there. But if you are staying elsewhere, I still recommend doing all of these things to enjoy the highlights of the Lake District.
1. Fuel up with coffee & breakfast
First thing in the morning, grab a quick breakfast in downtown Windermere. There’s plenty of restaurant options. We liked Brew Room Cafe and Brown Sugar.
2. Boat ride on Windermere Lake
A boat ride is a must-do in the Lake District. Windermere is a long lake with several boat routes offered regularly throughout the day. If you are on a single day itinerary, start your day with a morning 45 minute boat ride around the islands. I recommend getting on the earliest time available (usually 10:15am).
Take the blue route on Windermere Lake Cruises. They have a few ticket booth windows on the lakeside and are very helpful with suggestions of which route to take based on what you are looking to cover.
3. Stop by Dove Cottage
After your boat ride, drive up A591 to Dove Cottage. This is the former home of the poet William Wordsworth. There’s a museum and guided tour offered, but we just stopped by for a quick photo.
I was an English and creative writing major so I personally love all the literary history of the Lakes District.
4. Try Grasmere Gingerbread
There will likely be a line to get the famous gingerbread, but it’s worth the wait. I stood in line for about 45 minutes in the rain and didn’t regret it.
The exact recipe of Sarah Nelson’s gingerbread from the 1800s is kept secret. Her gingerbread is a delicious cross between biscuit and cake.
5. See Castlerigg Stone Circle
Continue on your drive north to Castlerigg Stone Circle, which is thought to be 5000 years old. It’s a nice place to take in the view of the rolling green fields, while snacking on your freshly baked gingerbread.
6. Lunch in Keswick
Next you can drive through Keswick and stop for lunch before you continue on your way to the National Park. There are plenty of great restaurants, but I recommend checking out:
- The Square Orange Café: vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired café that serves delicious tapas and wood-fired pizzas for a casual lunch
- Lake Road Brunch: serves a delightful mix brunch classics and contemporary dishes in a cozy and friendly atmosphere
- The Round: trendy spot with menu featuring gourmet burgers and innovative sides
- Fellpack: offers modern British cuisine with a creative twist in a cozy, rustic setting, perfect for a relaxed and hearty lunch
✨Alternative option: If you have time or don’t want to drive Honister Pass through the National Park after lunch, you can opt to rent a canoe on Lake Derwentwater and spend your afternoon on the water instead of more driving.
Note: there aren’t places to stop for food and gas once you get into the National Park so make your stops now.
7. Drive through Lakes District National Park
For a scenic drive through the sprawling landscape of the Lakes District National Park, take A66 from Keswick towards Braithwaite where you’ll get on B5292. Next turn onto B5289 which will take you to the scenic Honister Pass and loop back to Keswick.
If you have time along the loop you can take smaller roads west to check out the less explored parts of the park including Duddon Valley and cross some mountain passes.
8. Finish the night with dinner
Once you loop back to Keswick after your drive through the National Park, you’ll return down to Windermere on the same road you drove up earlier, A591.
Grab dinner on your way back or eat in town when you return in Windermere. We stopped in Ambleside for a delicious dinner at Misto to cap off the day.
Ambleside restaurant recommendations:
- Dodds Restaurant: a favorite for its warm atmosphere and delicious Italian cuisine from wood-fired pizzas or classic pasta dishes.
- Misto: This is where we ate and everything was delicious.
- Doi Intanon Thai Restaurant: brings authentic Thai flavors to the Lake District.
- Sheila’s Cottage: a quaint and cozy eatery, with hearty, homemade British fare in a charming, cottage-style setting.
- The Flying Fleece: located in an old woolen mill, serves traditional British pub food with a contemporary twist.
- The Log House: combines Alpine-inspired decor with a menu of hearty British dishes. The cozy wood-paneled interior and roaring fire make it especially inviting on cooler evenings.
If you have more time to stay and relax for a couple more days there’s more than enough to do in and around Windermere, including some nice hikes.
Map Of One Day Drive In The Lake District
Here are all the main points of the drive.
Where To Stay In Windermere
📍Airbnb, Oak Leaf Apartment: We stayed in this cozy little Airbnb in the middle of town that I can easily recommend for quick trips and no more than 2 people.
📍Jerichos Boutique Accommodation: Centrally located in town with beautifully designed rooms, exceptional service, and a delicious breakfast.
📍The Dozy Deer: Just a short walk to Windermere center. Comfortable and modern accommodations with a touch of rustic charm.
How To Get To The Lake District
✈️ Flying: If you are an international traveler, Manchester Airport is the best option for flying. From there, it’s a quick 1.5 hour drive north to Windermere (at the bottom of the Lake District).
🚗Driving: Having a car in the Lake District is quite handy. It makes exploring the different towns much more accessible. Plus there’s plenty of scenic drives to experience.
- 1 hour and 30 minutes (~85 miles) from Manchester
- 2 hours and 45 minutes (~160 miles) from Birmingham
- 5 hours (~273 miles) from London
🚆Train: You can get to the Lake District via two main railway stations at Windermere and Penrith.
What Town To Stay In At The Lake District
There’s a handful of cute towns to stay in and they each have their own charm so you really can’t go wrong when picking where to stay in the Lake District. Here are 4 towns worth exploring.
Windermere
A popular choice for a reason; the town is cute with plenty of restaurants and little shops. It can easily serve as a base to explore other areas of the Lake District.
At 10.5 miles long, Windermere is England’s largest lake. There are variety of route options with Windermere Lake Cruises to enjoy a boat ride on the famous lake and/or to travel to towns across the water, such as Lakeside, for an afternoon.
Grasmere
On the smaller side of towns in the Lake District, Grasmere’s winding streets and stone structures make for a charming village experience.
Before leaving Dove Cottage in Grasmere in the summer of 1802, Wordsworth wrote a poem titled “A Farewell” and described it as “The loveliest spot that man hath ever found.”
Keswick
Centrally located in the heart of the northern Lake District with picturesque Lake Derwentwater, Keswick is a larger town in the Lake District. It serves as a gateway to nature, with its dramatic mountain peaks and plenty of outdoor activities on offer.
If you are more adventurous, you might want to stay here so you can go canoeing, paddle boarding, or wild swimming in Lake Derwentwater.
Ambleside
Another popular town, located at the north end of Windermere Lake. A great base for exploring the Lake District or worth a stop for a meal if you are just passing through. You’ll find a variety of accommodation options here along with modern restaurants and traditional pubs.
When To Visit The Lake District
The good news is that the Lake District is a worthy getaway year round! Depending on what you are seeking, you can find something to enjoy in all seasons.
Summer brings long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures to enjoy outdoor activities. In the summer months the average daily high reaches above 60°F, with July as the warmest hitting above 64°F.
In the Fall, the landscape transforms to . As the temperature starts to fall, so may hotel prices. If you are looking to avoid the Lake District during its priciest times, try visiting in September through November.
With the Winter the temperature drops, the high averaging around in the 40s for Fahrenheit (6-8° Celsius). There’s about 10-16 days of precipitation, which can be rain or snow this time of year. Tourism generally slows from December through February.
Spring has cool temps and rain can be more common with 7 to 10 days per month seeing significant precipitation. Tourism kicks back from March through May and stays busy well into the summer months.
TLDR: One Day In the Lake District
The Lake District is where nature reigns supreme, offering visitors a unique blend of rugged landscapes, pristine lakes, and charming towns. This stunning region of England is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. For literary buffs, you can visit the homes of famous poets and writers, such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
From sampling Grasmere Gingerbread to enjoying a pint of ale at a cozy pub, the Lake District offers a wide range of experiences. After only one day in the Lake District, you’re guaranteed to leave feeling refreshed and inspired!
Looking for more scenic mountainous destinations in Europe? Read about 5 must-see sights in the Dolomites or what to do in one day in Lake Bled.