The Lake District. It's England's largest National Park, located entirely within Cumbria, and renowned for its beauty & multiple locations to visit. In 2017, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Watersports on Lake Windermere, climbing up Scaffell Pike, or investigating what the different towns and villages in the area have to offer - there is so much on offer.

Image Credit: Sam Barber | Unsplash

Getting to the Lake District by train is pretty simple. There are direct trains from London, and additional trains from Liverpool and Manchester. The most convenient stations are Carnforth, Carlisle, Penrith (North Lakes), and the appropriately-named Oxenholme Lake District. Arriving from further afield may be a bit more challenging, but there are a number of airports which may prove to be useful - the most plausible options would be Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester. Manchester Airport has the benefit of direct trains to the Lake District, which can be ideal if you're landing there and don't want to make too many changes.

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Getting around the Lake District

Walk - What better way could there be of seeing the beauty of the Lake District than by walking around it? Not to mention the fact it's free, and is a great way of keeping fit. If you do go walking in the Lake District, please make sure you're prepared for any eventuality. For some general guidance, you can visit the Lake District's website HERE, and there are a number of walks you can take on the National Trust's website HERE.

Bus - Touring a scenic area by bus can be a great way of taking things in, and the Lake District is no exception. Stagecoach offer a number of bus routes across the area, allowing visits to many of the settlements. For further information on the routes and fares, visit Stagecoach's website HERE.

Cycling - As is the case with walking, cycling can be a really good way of keeping fit and seeing more of the Lake District. There are a number of cycle hire points available, some of which also offer electric bikes. Additional information on cycle hire in the Lake District can be found HERE.

Trains - The West Coast Main Line runs along the eastern side of the Lake District, with stations at Carnforth, Oxenholme Lake District, Penrith North Lakes, and Carlisle. It can be a quick way to get from one end of the Lake District to the other. If you want to take a longer route around the western edge, then the Furness Line and the Cumbrian Coast Line from Carnforth to Carlisle via Barrow-In-Furness, Whitehaven, and Workington is a very good option as well. In addition to this, there's the branch line from Oxenholme Lake District to Windermere, which can be very convenient.

Taxis - As with any area, taxis can be a convenient way of getting around if you have restricted mobility or have a sizeable amount of luggage. However, taxi costs can add up if you take a few of them, and this may be particularly noticeable in a rural area.

Image Credit: Matthew Waring | Unsplash

So what is there to do in the Lake District? Well, read on and find out!

Sport

If you want to take in some physical activity other than walking or cycling, then the Lake District has you covered with a wide amount of variety. There's canoeing on Lake Windermere and Coniston Water - why not make use of the Lakes themselves and have a bit of fun?

Image Credit: James Armes | Unsplash

At the north of Lake Windermere in Ambleside, there's a base for road cycling, and also a sizeable number of other outdoor activities. If you like golf, then there's the Carus Green Golf Club and Driving Range just outside Kendal, and there's also the Silloth on Solway Golf Club in Silloth (nearest station is Aspatria). Near Keswick, on the other side of Derwentwater, lies the Newlands Adventure Centre, where the activities include archery, a high ropes course, indoor rock climbing, and many more. There's so much to do that it'd be impossible to list everything, but if you want some additional inspiration, then Visit Lake District's webpage here should hopefully be of some help. Also of note is Carlisle United Football Club, who play their home games at Brunton Park.

Are you a Sports Fan? Trainsplit has partnered with Pledgeball, a grassroots charity that rallies fellow fans to take action to protect where we play, making changes that improve our air and our green spaces. It can be as simple as swapping to reusable water bottles or taking the train to a match instead of driving. Fans, players, clubs, grassroots teams – the impact we can have together is game-changing.

Culture

It's perhaps unsurprising that the Lake District has had a sizeable contribution in literature and the arts for a great number of years. For example, William Wordsworth's poem 'I wandered lonely as a cloud' was inspired by the sight of daffodils near Ullswater, and Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice also mentioned the Lake District as a holiday destination that Elizabeth Bennet was due to visit with her aunt and uncle. Wordsworth is buried in the churchyard at Grasmere.

Image Credit: Jonny Gios | Unsplash

Beatrix Potter is well-known for spending a considerable amount of time in the Lake District during her lifetime, and the visitor attraction The World Of Beatrix Potter is found in Bowness-on-Windermere. Her home at Hill Top near Sawrey is managed by the National Trust, and is also well worth a visit. In terms of the visual arts, the Lakes have also been an inspiration here, with two of the most well-known artists to depict the area being Alfred Heaton Cooper and his son William Heaton Cooper. It's also been used as a filming location, with Ken Russell - who lived in the area for 32 years - using it for scenes in Tommy. Carnforth station was famously featured in the 1945 film Brief Encounter, which included famous entertainer Noël Coward among its writing team. If you want to go back in time, why not visit Carnforth Station Heritage Centre?

Image Credit: Chandler Media | Unsplash

Of more recent note is Taylor Swift, whose time in the Lake District was influential in the writing of the song 'The Lakes', featured as a bonus track on physical copies of the deluxe edition of her album Folklore. In terms of theatres, the Sands Centre in Carlisle hosts a number of events during the year. Its main function is as a leisure centre, with a wide variety of activities on offer. Some additional information on arts and cultural events in the Lake District can be found HERE.  

Food

The Lake District has a number of foodstuffs known to the area which have become popular in the UK and further afield. One of these is 'Kendal Mint Cake', which is generally a mixture of sugar, glucose, and peppermint. It's known for being popular with climbers due to its high glucose levels. Three of the most popular manufacturers are Quiggin's, Romney's, and Wilson's. The former two are based in Kendal itself, and the latter is based in nearby Windermere. One of the most famous users of Kendal Mint Cake was Sir Edmund Hillary, who took and consumed some of Romney's Mint Cake when he climbed Mt Everest in 1953. Also of note is the Cumberland sausage, originating from the historic county of Cumberland. It's known for its length, the meat being chopped instead of ground or minced, and being traditionally served in a long coil. The traditional seasonings are commonly dominated by pepper. Back in 2011, the Cumberland sausage was given Protected Geographical Status (PGI) by the European Union, and sausages with this mark have had to confirm to a strict set of criteria. Also of note is Sarah Nelson's Grasmere gingerbread, made in Grasmere a few miles north-west of Windermere. Additionally, sticky toffee pudding was allegedly popularised in the Lake District during the 1970s at the now-closed Sharrow Bay Country House Hotel on the edge of Ullswater near Pooley Bridge.

Image Credit: Jane's Patisserie

Dining recommendations

After a day exploring all the Lake District has to offer, you'll be wanting to find somewhere to eat. There's a lot available in the Lake District and the surrounding areas, and we have just a few options here to give you an idea as to what options there are available.

Cheap eats

Relish No 30
Address: 37 Market Place, Kendal LA9 4TP
There are a good number of cafés across the Lake District, and Relish No 30 in Kendal is just one example. They pride themselves on homemade and locally-sourced produce, with an additional focus on ensuring that as much of the menu as possible is ethically-sourced. In addition to this, they also hold art exhibitions from time to time, exhibiting work from local artists. The breakfast options include a traditional breakfast (bacon, sausage, fried egg, hash browns, fried mushrooms, cowboy beans, sourdough toast - a vegetarian option is available), a selection of breakfast sandwiches, and avocado toast (smashed avocado on sourdough toast with a chilli-lime dressing and additional toppings). There are a variety of sandwiches and paninis available, with vegetarian and vegan options available. There are also a few specials to choose from, including chili con carne (served with rice, nachos, sour cream, Cheddar cheese - vegetarian alternative available), soup of the day sevred with homemade sourdough, and a BBQ pulled pork sandwich (hand-pulled pork, homemade BBQ sauce, Cheddar cheese, coleslaw, in a ciabatta roll). In terms of drinks, it's worth noting that Relish have some local beers available, and also some local gin & vodka if that takes your fancy.

Angel Lane Chippie
Address: 17 Angel Lane, Penrith CA11 7BP
What food could arguably be more British than fish and chips? If you're in or around Penrith and fancy some, then Angel Lane Chippie is an excellent option here. There has been a fish & chip shop on the premises since June 1928, making it the longest-established of its kind in Penrith. Angel Lane Chippie is committed to ensuring that the fish they use is sustainable and responsibly-sourced. The menu features all the classics you'd expect to find in a fish & chip shop, including a variety of fish, burgers, sausages (including Cumberland), haggis, and pies. The pies are made fresh on the premises using local ingredients. They do also offer a number of special dishes, including chicken & vegetable curry, lasagne, and battered halloumi. Also of note is the fact they have a chippie van which tours the local villages.

Carlisle Cathedral Café
Address: The Abbey, Carlisle CA3 8TZ 
Roughly half a mile from Carlisle station sits Carlisle Cathedral, which has held the status of cathedral since 1133, and became a Grade I listed building in 1949. There are a number of events that take place regularly in the cathedral, including organ recitals on a number of Wednesday afternoons, a quiz night on the last Friday of the month, and others as well - the events calendar here gives additional information on what's happening. Breakfast options include a toasted sourdough bap (fillings are bacon, sausage, or vegan sausage), beans on toast, and a selection of other traditional options (croissant, crumpets, Danish pastries). Lunch options are based around sandwiches, with a number of fillings available (these include: Brie, bacon, and cranberry; mozzarella, tomato, & pesto; and hummus & roasted peppers). If you have something to celebrate in style, then why not go for the afternoon tea option? This includes the classic elements of sandwiches, savoury treats, and cakes. The variety of drinks on offer is good, too, with locally-produced beer and gin available.

Image Credit: Carlisle Cathedral | Facebook

Tacos del Sol
Address: 2a Cheapside, Ambleside LA22 0AB
Found in Ambleside, a few miles north-west of the town of Windermere at the northern end of Lake Windermere, is Tacos del Sol. As the name would suggest, its remit is based around Mexican food, with a particular focus on Mexican street food. The menu is simple, but it does contain plenty of the classics that you'd expect from Mexican street food. These include quesadillas (flour tortilla with cheese, and option extra fillings of chicken, beef, or vegetables), burritos (flour tortilla wrap, cheese, Mexican rice, black beans, guacamole, salsa, pico de gallo, lettuce, and extra fillings of chicken, beef, or roasted peppers & mushrooms), tacos (three soft corn tortillas, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo, with extra fillings of chicken, beef, or Mexican rice & black beans), and nachos (fried tortilla chips, cheese, black beans, jalapeños, guacamole, pico de gallo, and additional fillings of chicken, beef, or roasted peppers & mushrooms). As is the case with a number of establishments across the Lake District, Tacos del Sol serves a number of drinks from local & independent breweries.

Mid-range

Comida
Address: 90 Highgate, Kendal LA9 4HE
Tapas can be a great way of sharing a meal with friends, and Kendal has an example of this in the shape of Comida. Found on Highgate on the western side of Kendal, Comida has a lot to offer, and not just in the form of tapas. Brunch options include sobrasada, Manchego & poached eggs (spreadable chorizo, melted cheese, and poached eggs on sourdough), the Full Spanglish (chorizo, tortilla, morcilla, bacon, fried egg, paprika mushrooms, chipotle beans), and mixed berry pancakes (mixed berry compôte, yogurt, maple). In terms of vegetarian tapas, the choices here include fried artichoke hears (with mojo picon), Manchego cheese & membrillo (Manchego cheese served with quince jelly), and padrón peppers (pan-fried with sea salt). The meat and fish tapas options include albondigas (beef & pork meatballs in tomato sauce), rump steak (with caper & sage butter and roasted hazelnuts), and gambas pil pil (king prawns in garlic and chilli). For dessert, why not go for the churros or the burnt Basque cheesecake?

Foundry 34
Address: 34 Burrowgate, Penrith CA11 7TA
At the northeastern end of Penrith town centre lies Foundry 34. The restaurant is part of a hotel, too, which can make it an ideal place if you want to combine good food with a good place to stay - there are a number of rooms on offer to suit differing group sizes and desires. If you fancy brunch at Foundry 34, then there are a number of choices, including firecracker rarebit (garlic sourdough topped with melted chili cheese and a fried egg), crispy waffle (with smoked bacon, fried egg, and syrup), and a full English breakfast (Cumberland sausage, bacon, hash brown, black pudding, mushroom, tomato, white/brown toast, and choice of egg - fried, poached, or scrambled). There are a number of small plates to start your meal off, and these include breaded halloumi sticks (with jalapeño jam), crispy cod goujons (with tartare sauce), and crispy teriyaki beef (cooked with onions and peppers in a teriyaki sauce). For main courses, consider the Foundry fish & chips (with mushy peas & tartare sauce - vegan alternative is available), the chicken tikka hanging kebab (served with flatbread, choice of side, mint mayo, slaw, and salad), and the Mac 34 burger (steak burger topped with BBQ pulled beef and macaroni cheese, served with choice of side, salad, slaw). If you want to end your meal on a sweet note, then there are a good number of options here, including a double chocolate bonfire brownie (with thunder & lightning ice-cream and toffee sauce - gluten-free option available), sticky toffee pudding (in a rich toffee sauce served with vanilla ice-cream), and a berry cheesecake (a light lemon-flavoured filling topped with berry compôte and served with vanilla ice-cream).

Image Credit: Joseph Whyle | Unsplash

Amato's
Address: 48 Abbey Street, Carlisle CA3 8TX
A short walk to the west of Carlisle Cathedral lies Amato's, a popular Italian restaurant. There's also some influence here in the menu from Sicily, which may be of interest to some people if they want something slightly different. The starters include Sicilian meatballs (served in a homemade tomato sauce with fresh bread), nreaded prawns (served with sweet chilli and a mayo dip), and bruschetta (fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, extra-virgin olive oil, and basil). If you fancy pizza, then the available pizzas include the Isola Bella (tomato, mozzarella, fresh spinach, pesto), the Etna (tomato, mozzarella, spicy Sicilian sausage, fresh chilli, basil), and the Agrigento (tomato, mozzarella, chicken, mushrooms, sun-blushed tomatoes, topped with garlic butter). For pasta lovers, there are plenty of options, including the Linguine Naxos (king prawns, garlic, chilli, parsley, cherry tomatoes, white wine, extra-virgin olive oil), the Rigatoni Menfi (chicken, mushroom, fresh chilli, in a creamy tomato sauce), and the Penne Arrabiata (Amato's tomato sauce, fresh chillies, garlic, a touch of cream). Other available main courses include a goats cheese risotto (with sun-bluished tomatoes, red pepper, and fresh spinach), chicken breast (served in a Sicilian tomato sauce, olives, chilli, garlic, white wine, basil), and pan-fried cod (served with crispy pancetta, finished with chilli & garlic oil). The available desserts include tiramisu, lemon torte (lemon custard pastry with fresh raspberries, served with vanilla ice-cream or pouring cream), and affogato (vanilla ice-cream with a shot of espresso and a choice of liqueur).

Bengal Rose
Address: 5 Fountain St, Ulverston LA12 7EQ
If you enjoy South Asian cuisine, then why not consider the Bengal Rose in Ulverston? It's outside the Lake District itself, but is within easy reach of the Lake District, and is on the Furness Line between Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness (as previously mentioned, the line becomes the Cumbrian Coast Line at Barrow, where it continues to Carlisle via Whitehaven and Workington). The available starters include keema samosas (pastry cases with spicy minced meat filling), garlic tikka (diced chicken marinated with herbs and spices in garlic sauce), and vegetable & spinach pakoras (fresh onions, potatoes, carrots, and spinach dipped in a mildly-spiced batter and deep-fried). There are also some fish-based starters, including jinga tandoori (tiger king prawns marinated in fresh spices and cooked in a tandoor) and fish fry purée (spicy chunks of fish cooked with herbs & spices and served with spring onion). There are so many main courses that it'd be impossible to list them all, but they include a number of traditional curries with additional extra fillings  (meat and vegetarian options are available here). Other choices include tandoori chicken (tender on-the-bone chicken marinated in yogurt containing herbs & spices), chingri nawab masala (large king prawns marinated in spices, cooked in a clay oven, blended with coriander, bay leaves, green peppers, and new potatoes in a medium-hot sauce), duck zalfry (fillet of duck in a medium-hot sauce serves with pilau rice), and lamb tikka karahi (marinated tandoori-grilled lamb cooked with capsicums & onion in thick sauce). You'll also find typical Indian side dishes, such as bombay aloo (spicy steamed potatoes), tarka dahl (lentils garnished with thin slices of garlic & fried in clarified butter), and bindi bhaji (fresh okra fried in spices).

Fine dining

1863
Address: High Street, Pooley Bridge, Penrith CA10 2NH
Sited in Pooley Bridge a few miles south-west of Penrith near the northeastern corner of Ullswater is 1863, a restaurant inspired by British cuisine that is also featured in the Michelin Guide. There are also rooms available should you wish to extend your visit here. The three-course dinner menu is small and changes frequently, as is often the case with fine dining establishments, but each dish does come with its own wine pairing if you wish to heighten the experience. The starters on the sample menu include beetroot (with Driftwood goats cheese and granola), venison tartare (with hazelnut, Granny Smith, and 100% cocoa), and smoked haddock (with warm tartare sauce & parsley). The sample main courses are Cumbrian lamb (sticky lamb breast, Jerusalem artichoke, chives), cod loin (Hen of the Woods, cauliflower, chicken butter sauce), and brassicas (broccoli, hazelnut, Cashel Blue). For dessert, there may be things such as Yorkshire rhubarb (with egg custard, gingerbread, and brioche), Valrhona chocolate (milk chocolate mousse, milk sorbet, Douglas Fir), and parfait (with lemon, cranberry, and pistachio). There may also be a cheeseboard with a variety of cheeses, crackers, and additional accompaniments. In addition to this, there is also a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings. It is also very much worth considering the separate wine list, which has a large number of different wines from across the world.

Pentonbridge Inn
Address: Pentonbridge Inn, Pentonbridge CA6 5QB
A few miles north of Carlisle and close to the border with Scotland lies the Pentonbridge Inn. Holding a Michelin Star and three AA Rosettes, the 18th century inn offers a dining experience focused on local produce, with nine rooms also available on the premises if you wish to have an extended stay in a rural location. The eight-course tasting menu can change, but the sample menu available on the website includes the following: a selection of canapés; Cornish Brown Crab (with vichysoisse and Exmoor caviar); Vadouvan-spiced North Sea halibut (with asparagus and brown shrimp); Cumbrian Texel lamb (with stuffed morel, carrot, tarragon); British Isles cheese plate (supplement payable for this dish); a dessert including rhubarb, coconut, and gingerbread; a baked Amalfi lemon custard with pistachio; and petit fours. As is often the case with fine dining restaurants, the menu has as an additional wine pairing selection for the tasting menu to heighten the experience. There is also a sizeable wine list, too, with bottles sourced from around the globe.

The Cottage in the Wood
Address: Magic Hill, Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5TW
A few miles west of Keswick, outside the village of Braithwaite, is 'The Cottage in the Wood'. The head chef, Jack Bond, has spent time under the tutelage of renowned chef Marcus Wareing, and the restaurant is the proud holder of a Michelin Star. A major part of Jack's philosophy is to use local produce, while also trying to ensure that as little goes to waste as possible. The tasting menu changes depending on what ingredients are available, but the sample menu on the website includes the following dishes: duck broth, lemongrass, and duck leg; stout & fennel seed bread with whipped butter; gin-cured trout, horseradish, and beetroot; pumpkin agnolotti, brown butter, and sage; scallop, smoked eel, and matelote; Creedy Calver duck, kalettes, and rhubarb; a local cheese playe (supplement payable for this dish); lemon, burnt honey, and bee pollen; and chocolate, Pedro Ximenez, and pecan. There is a wine pairing option to go along with the tasting menu, and the wine list contains many wines from all corners of the world. If you wish, there's also the rather unique option of unlimited still or sparkling water from the restaurant's own local spring.

There are many other things to do in the Lake District. One of these is stargazing, and with the size of the Lake District, there are plenty of places in which this can be done. Additional information about this can be found HERE. A few miles south of Penrith lies Lowther Castle & Gardens, a former country house which has had portions of the castle & gardens open to the public since 2011. It's perhaps most well-known as the location of the music & arts festival Kendal Calling.

Image Credit: Jake Colling | Unsplash

If you want to do any shopping while in the Lake District, then there's a lot of choice. Larger places like Carlisle will have many familiar high-street stores, and the different towns & villages across the Lake District can be home to a huge variety of independent retailers. From art galleries to locally-produced food and drink, there is a lot on offer. Further information on what you can find in the Lake District can be discovered here, here, and here.

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Overnighting in the Lake District

There is a plethora of accommodation of all sorts of standards in the Lake District. From bead and breakfasts to luxury hotels, we're sure you'll be able to find something that suits your requirements and allows you to rest for another day of exploring one of England's most popular National Parks.

Looking to extend your stay? Click here to explore the variety of accommodations for an overnight break. 

We very much hope that we have managed to convince you to book a break to the Lake District. If we have, then fantastic! Our website is on hand to help you book the best-value train tickets for your journey. If you have any questions about your booking, then please get in touch with our customer service team, who will be more than happy to assist you.

Image Credit: James Armes | Unsplash

Getting the best-value rail tickets possible is something that we at Trainsplit are sure many people want to do. This can include booking in advance, using a Railcard if you have one, travelling outside peak times, and – of course – splitting tickets via our website. If you’d like further information on any of these, please get in touch, and we’ll do what we can to assist you. We do have a comprehensive booking guide here at Trainsplit on the booking process, which we hope will be very useful, and we’ve covered some of the main points below. 

Our top tips and ways to cut down train travel costs on your train tickets to the Lake District

Book Your Train Tickets Early

If you know when you are planning to travel, booking early can save you money on your train tickets. With Advance fares becoming available up to 12 weeks ahead, this is a great way to save on your rail travel.

Use a Railcard

Teamed up with a railcard, you can get up to a third off the cost, saving you more money on your train tickets. If you make a lot of train journeys, a railcard will pay for itself in no time.

Split Your Tickets

With Trainsplit’s unique journey planner, we search for the best-priced train tickets for your journey. You can easily discover the best split ticketing combinations that maximise your savings on train tickets, and best of all, Trainsplit will do all the work for you and doesn’t charge a booking fee.

Avoid Peak Times

If you don't need to travel early in the morning, consider traveling off-peak to save money on more expensive train tickets. Trains are also likely to be quieter during off-peak hours, which usually start from around 09:30 onwards.

Travelling with More than 2 People

Take a look at Group Save train tickets. These are a great way to get discounted train fares for groups of people traveling together.

Consider an Alternative Route

If you're travelling from London, then the most direct route is taking the West Coast Main Line from London Euston. Some potential alternatives may include going to Newcastle and taking the Tyne Valley Line to Carlisle, or maybe going to Leeds and changing there to the famous Settle-Carlisle line. Using Trainsplit’s journey planner, you can search for cheaper routes to Portsmouth, potentially saving you money on your train tickets.

Claim Delay Repay

If your journey is delayed, you may be entitled to delay compensation on your train tickets.

By following these tips, along with using Trainsplit’s unique journey planner to find the best train ticket deals, now is the perfect time to explore new destinations.

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