Hill Top

One of the most popular tourist attractions within the Lakes has to be Beatrix Potter’s Hill Top. Now owned and protected by the National Trust, Hill Top was the Beatrix Potter’s 17^th century farmhouse retreat, and the place that inspired her famous and warming stories.

At Hill Top, you can look around the classic English cottage style house, along with its beautiful gardens filled with colourful flowers, vegetable patches and places for you to recognise from Potter’s stories.

Grab a bite from Joey’s Café or pick up a souvenir from the small onsite shop which all proceeds go towards maintaining the site for everyone to enjoy. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/lake-district/hill-top
01539436269
Hawkshead, LA22 0LF

The Chocolate Factory

This one is for all the chocolate lovers out there. Perfect for all the family, take a workshop and learn all about the process of making chocolate (and then eating it of course). And if this isn’t enough for you, take a look around the shop which is packed full of tasty treats and gifts.

(Please note: This activity is mainly for children and families, with the exception of booking specific adult group sessions)

chocolatefactoryhawkshead.co.uk
01539436075
Hawkshead, Ambleside, LA22 0NT

Grasmere Gingerbread in Hawkshead

The well-known Lakeland delicacy, hinted by its name, originated in Grasmere. However, due to high demand, Grasmere Gingerbread have recently opened a new shop within Hawkshead. Of course, the Hawkshead shops sells the classic gingerbread, but unlike their Grasmere shop, they also offer customers freshly made coffee, along with stocking local high-quality artisan produce too, all made by local businesses within Cumbria. 

grasmeregingerbread.co.uk
01539435428
Hawkshead, Ambleside, LA22 0NS

The Little Ice Cream Shop

One of the most well-known ice cream shops in the Lake District, The Little Ice Cream Shop never disappoints. With over 40 flavours of homemade gelato to choose from, you’re bound to find something to tickle your tastebuds. From the classics like chocolate, to something a bit different like carrot cake and cookie monster, there is a flavour for everyone. Oh, and let’s not forget their delicious sorbets and dairy free options too!

thelittleicecreamshop.com
Hawkshead, LA22 0NZ

Tarn Hows

Located only a short distance from the village of Hawkshead, Tarn Hows is a great circular, flat walk suitable for all abilities. Around 1 ¾ miles, the walk takes you through the stunning Lake District countryside with views of the surrounding fells and the tarn itself. And if you’d prefer, the route is a fan favourite for cyclists too.

This route is also suitable for wheelchairs.

nationaltrust.org.uk

Lingholm Estate & Walled Garden

Located on the shores of Derwent Water near Portinscale, The Lingholm Estate is comprised of a range of self-catering properties, walled garden and café. Surrounded by the stunning Lake District scenery, it’s a great day out for all ages where you can grab a bite to eat and have a potter down to the shores of the Lake via the accessible paths through the gardens along to the Estate’s private stretch of lake frontage.

Or if you’re looking for something a bit more challenging, the Estate is conveniently located at the foot of Catbells and close by to the Newlands Valley mountain range making the Estate a perfect pre-walk fuel up, well needed pitstop or a final finisher before the head home after a day out on the fells.

thelingholmestate.co.uk/the-estate/
017687 74238
Portinscale, CA12 5TZ

Fell Walking - Catbells, Walla Crag, Skiddaw

As mentioned above, Keswick is close by to an array of famous Lakeland walks due to the town being in the heart of the Northern Lake District. Ony a short distance from the town centre, you can access some of the most well-known fells including Skiddaw, Grizedale Pike, Causey Pike and Blencathra, along with all of the fells in the Newlands & Borrowdale Valley.

However, if fell walking isn’t your thing, there are still a variety of low level walks and view points that are accessible including the walk from the car park at the top of Latrigg and Surprise View, both of which give breathtaking views of Keswick, Derwent Water and surrounding areas.

Derwent Water Walk

A great option for those who would prefer a lower level walk is the circular route around the lake. This route follows the shores of Derwent Water and can be started and finished at any of the main points around the lake, including Keswick town centre, Lingholm, Mary Mount and Newlands Adventure Centre, all of which have piers in which the launch stops at so if the walk becomes too much or you would rather sit in a beer garden (we don’t blame you), the launch is a great way to shorten the walk.

The walk in total around the shoreline is around 10 miles of flat, relatively easy terrain. Scenic throughout, don’t let the 10 mile distance put you off as the walk is very leisurely with beautiful views and takes around 3-4 hours depending on how many pit stops you would like to take on the way round.