Your Essential Travel Guide To The Lake District
Discover Things To Do In The Lake District
Known affectionately as ‘The Lakes’ or ‘Lakeland’, Cumbria’s Lake District is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK. With lakes, forests and plenty of mountains for adventurous tourists to explore, the Lakes provides some of the most rugged and breath-taking countryside Britain has to offer.
Getting to the Lake District
Take our Ijmuiden to Newcastle ferry crossing and it’s just a two-hour drive to the Lake District once you arrive. Or, you can experience the charms of southern England as you make your way north to the Lakes when you take our Dieppe to Newhaven, or Dunkirk or Calais to Dover ferries.
Where to stay in the Lake District
If you’re looking to experience the rugged isolation the Lake District can offer its visitors, then look no further than a stay at the iconic Wasdale Head Inn. Overlooked by the highest peaks in the Lake District, including Scafell Pike, Scafell and Great Gable, the inn is miles from the nearest village and apart from the tiny St Olaf’s church, is alone in its very own valley.
The inn itself has many charms, with open fires, a slate-floored fell-walkers bar and walls filled with mountaineering gear and old photos of climbers long past. The perfect place to rest your feet after a busy day of hiking.
Image credit: Cumbria Tourism
Popular Lakes
Lake Windermere is the largest lake in England, and arguably its most famous and popular. Visitors to this impressive body of water can find a whole host of activities, places to visit and things to do, both on and around the lake.
Coniston Water is the third largest lake in the Lake District and sits around half a mile from the village of Coniston. At around five miles long and half a mile wide, the lake provides the perfect destination for those looking for a chilly dip, or for a spot of sailing, as boats can be hired from the Coniston Boating Centre on the shore.
Nearby Villages
Popular nearby villages include Ambleside, a bustling town of outdoor equipment shops, bookshops, gift shops, cafes and restaurants; Bowness-on-Windermere, where you can shop, dine, eat an ice cream and watch the steamers arriving and departing from Bowness Bay; and Lakeside, which is at the southern foot of Windermere and hosts the Lakes Aquarium and one end of the Haverthwaite Steam Railway.
Our Routes to the UK
Amsterdam-Newcastle Ferry Crossings
Discover Scotland and Northern England with DFDS! Secure your 15% early bird discount now on your 2026 holiday journey with your own car.
15%
off 2026 sailings
Dunkirk-Dover Ferry Crossings
Sail across the English Channel with ease on a short crossing between Dunkirk and Dover.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Calais-Dover Ferry Crossings
Our Calais to Dover route is the shortest crossing we provide and is the perfect way to cross the Channel to the UK.
From
€103
per car + up to 4 people, one way*
Dieppe-Newhaven Ferry Crossings
Crossing the Channel from Dieppe to Newhaven provides you with the ideal gateway to the UK.
From
€118
per car + 2 people, one way*
Travel Guides
Motorcycle tour to England
Plan your individual motorcycle tour from the north of England over the Lake District and Wales to the south of England or vice versa. You decide yourself the pace: Where, when and how long you stay in one place.
York
York is one of the UK’s most historic cities, and has been at the heart of many major events during its 2,000 year history.
North York Moors National Park
Stunning scenery and amazing history come together in the North York Moors National Park, the perfect destination for an unforgettable break.
Northumberland Coast
Designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the 100-mile long Northumberland Coast provides an unforgettable experience.
Lindisfarne
This tiny island lies off the northeast coast of England and is home to just 160 people, but attracts many thousands of visitors every year.
Newcastle
The northern city of Newcastle is a hub of culture, with exciting events, stunning riverside bars and an array of museums and galleries.
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