If you’re visiting the Lake District this year, you should be prepared – the Cumbrian destination has soared in popularity with British tourists and things have changed a bit!
I did a three day road trip around the Lake District in a campervan loaned from All Seasons Leisure recently and I wanted to share my tips for visiting the Lake District. We made a few silly mistakes and noticed some changes to the area since our last visit, so I’ve outlined what you should and shouldn’t do when planning a trip to the Lakes here.
Hope you find it helpful!
Tips for planning your Lake District getaway
1. Plan your route
I’m putting this Lake District tip at the top of my list because it’s something I got wrong. As Tom took great delight in reminding me, when it comes to the Lakes: just because destinations look close together on a map, doesn’t mean they’ll only be a short drive apart!
The hint is in the name: Lakes. There are huge bodies of water to navigate around in the Lake District as well as winding roads that creep up- and downhill.
What looks like a quick hop and a jump on the map can actually be an hour away by road. I thought we’d be able to walk from one place to another quickly but that wasn’t the case.
Luckily, exploring the Lake District in a campervan meant we always had transport but if you’re not taking a vehicle, you’ll need to plan your route even more carefully.
Use my three day Lake District itinerary to plan your route
2. Driving in the Lake District isn’t for the fainthearted
I’m glad it was Tom driving the campervan and not me! The Lake District’s roads are testing, with lots of one-lane, two-way country roads that twist and turn around the hills.
Perhaps most disconcerting, though, is the fact that many of these country roads are unlit at night. Driving after dark in the Lake District is scary. Full-beam headlights should be used with caution though – you don’t want to blind anyone coming your way.
Be sure to watch out for local wildlife too. We had to stop for more than one wandering cow!
3. Don’t leave your dog behind
Take your pooch! The Lake District is the most dog-friendly place I’ve ever been in England. In every pub we visited, we had to pick our way carefully over furry limbs sprawled across the floor. Everywhere you go, you’ll find doggie water bowls and even dog treats.
Many of the Lake District’s walks are suitable for active dogs. Be sure to keep your pet on a leash though, because cows wander freely and might not take kindly to an overexcited puppy.
I wish we had brought Archie with us, but we didn’t want to risk him marking the rental campervan. Next time, for sure.
4. Budget for parking fees
When you set a budget for your Lake District break, set some money aside to pay for parking. Thanks to the sudden surge in tourists who can’t fly abroad, every place we visited in the Lake District had hefty charges for parking.
You can’t blame them: more tourists mean a bigger strain on the environment and more bother for the locals. The area may as well cash in on the influx of holidaymakers this year, right?
For example in Hawkshead, it’s £4.20 for all-day parking. There was no option to just pay for an hour or two. We thought this was a shame because we were only planning to have a quick walk around!
If you’re travelling around the Lake District by car, it might be worth investing in a National Trust Membership. You can then simply swipe your membership card to get a ticket in any of the car parks owned by the organisation. I know this because one kind member gave us his ticket as he was leaving.
5. Camping in the Lake District? Book ahead!
We had a last-minute panic (read: argument) when planning our Lake District road trip because we hadn’t anticipated that we would have to book our campsites in advance. Don’t make the same mistake as us!
Current restrictions mean that you’re no longer allowed to just rock up at a campsite and get a pitch.
It took us a few phone calls the day before we set off to find a campsite that had availability the following evening, and even then we could only get a pitch for one night. We had to move spots the next day (within the same campsite). We wild camped on the third night. Shh, don’t tell!
6. Buy tickets for Lake District attractions in advance
Another daft mistake we made was not booking tickets for any of the tourist attractions online before we arrived in the Lake District.
Due to current restrictions, you cannot just walk into an attraction and pay for a ticket when you’re visiting the Lake District. You’ll be turned away.
Tom and I prefer to take things as they come when we’re travelling to a certain extent so we didn’t mind missing out on some of the popular sights too much, but this would be frustrating if you were looking forward to seeing something in particular!
7. Pack for every season
Ah, Britain. If there’s one thing you can predict, it’s the unpredictable weather. We experienced dazzling sunlight, cold winds and heavy rain – all during one walk around Bowness-on-Windermere.
When you pack for a visit to the Lake District (or any trip to England), think layers. A decent waterproof coat, knitted jumper and hiking boots can be shed for a vest top and sunglasses when the clouds part and the sun comes out.
My guide to what to pack for the Lake District will help you prepare.
8. Book your accommodation ahead of time too!
With lockdown restrictions ruining many Brits’ holidays abroad, more of us are opting to book mini-breaks closer to home instead. The Lake District’s hospitality industry is experiencing an unprecedented jump (unprecedented is very much the buzzword for 2020, isn’t it!?).
To ensure you get the accommodation you want, book a few months in advance of your visit to the Lake District. This goes for restaurants too – I highly recommend having afternoon tea at Linthwaite House if you’re celebrating something special while you’re in the area.
You can search for the best Lake District accommodation below.
Booking.comUse my Travel Resources page to find great deals on your Lake District holiday.
9. Leave no trace
It should go without saying, but it’s still worth noting! Take your rubbish with you and leave each destination as you found it. The beauty of the Lake District is unspoilt by litter and we’d all like to keep it that way.
It’s also important to close any gates you use while you’re out walking in the Lake District. Animals belong to different farmers and you shouldn’t make it easy for them to end up in the wrong place.
Looking for an easy scenic walk in the Lake District? We loved the Tarn Hows circular route!
I hope these tips for planning your visit to the English Lake District come in handy! Is there anything missing? Let me know in a comment!
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