Lake District Grand Loop: Cumbria's Lakes in 7 Days

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The route · 6 stops

1
Windermere
2 nights
The gateway base combines Windermere town, the rail terminus at the south-eastern end of England's largest lake, with Ambleside three miles north. Take a Windermere lake cruise on day one for an immediate sense of scale, then use day two for the short Rydal Water walk and the Armitt Museum in Ambleside.
Windermere station is on the branch line from Oxenholme (West Coast Main Line). Book lake cruise tickets a day ahead in peak season.
2
Coniston
1 night35m · 15 km from previous
A compact village at the foot of the Old Man of Coniston (736 m), with a lake of the same name. The all-day summit walk gives views to the Isle of Man on clear days. The Steam Yacht Gondola (National Trust) cruises Coniston Water past Brantwood, Ruskin's lakeside home. Tarn Hows nearby is one of the most photographed spots in the park.
Book the Steam Yacht Gondola via the National Trust website; it runs April to October. Wear sturdy footwear for the Old Man path, which can be muddy below the summit.
3
Wasdale Head
1 night1h 10m · 40 km from previous
One of England's most remote overnights: Wastwater (England's deepest lake) below Scafell Pike (978 m, the country's highest peak). The hamlet has a single pub, a National Trust campsite and St Olaf's Church, one of England's smallest. Most visitors walk to the lake shore at dusk and attempt Scafell Pike the following morning.
Fill up in Gosforth (10 miles south) before arriving. There are no shops or phone signal at Wasdale Head; bring all supplies. The Wasdale Head Inn books out months ahead.
4
Keswick
2 nights1h 15m · 58 km from previous
The park's largest town between Skiddaw and Derwentwater, and the route's best hub for amenity, restaurants and evening entertainment. Two nights allow a full day for the Borrowdale to Buttermere drive via Honister Pass and time to walk Castlerigg Stone Circle, one of Britain's most atmospheric Neolithic sites.
The B5289 Honister Pass road is open to standard cars but not suitable for motorhomes. Check the slate mine visitor centre opening times before driving up.
5
Grasmere
1 night25m · 17 km from previous
A village enclosed by fells with the best literary and food heritage on the route. Dove Cottage is Wordsworth's most intimate home, preserved with original furniture. Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop has used the same recipe since 1854. The Helm Crag walk (3 hours round trip) is the best short fell day on the loop.
Dove Cottage tours fill up fast; book online at wordsworth.org.uk. Village car parks fill by mid-morning in summer; arrive early or walk in from the A591.
6
Windermere
15m · 9 km from previous
Close the loop at Windermere town after a 15-minute drive south on the A591 from Grasmere. The train station connects to Oxenholme (West Coast Main Line) for London and Manchester, making this a clean end point for fly-drive visitors. A final walk along the Bowness-on-Windermere foreshore is a fitting close to the week.
Windermere station is a 10-minute walk from the Bowness lake shore. Check return train times before leaving Grasmere to pace the final morning.

Lake District Grand Loop: Cumbria's Lakes in 7 Days

The route · 6 stops

Windermere

Coniston

Wasdale Head

Keswick

Grasmere

Windermere

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