3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do

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Even if you only have three days to explore the Lake District, it’s still a chance to see some of the most beautiful scenery England has to offer. The 2362 square kilometres of English countryside is famous for its mountains, lakes, hiking trails, and traditional English villages, and it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful national parks in the UK.

Three days is a good amount of time in the Lake District to do some hiking and watersports, regardless of the weather. It also gives you a chance to wander around the quaint Lake District towns like Ambleside and Grasmere and stop to enjoy some hearty English pub food.

This post details how to experience and enjoy the Lake District in three days, and how to fill your time with both adventure and sightseeing.

Visiting the Lake District? I’ve got a whole ton of epic Lake District content on my blog! Check it out:

• 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
• What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
• Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots

3 Days in the Lake District: A Summary

As I previously said, three days in the Lake District is a perfect amount of time to see what the National Park has to offer. To ensure you have a good base to explore all of the main attractions, I recommend either staying in Ambleside or Keswick. These are both popular locations for first-time tourists in the area. Bear in mind accommodation in the Lake District books up fast, so book as early as you can!

➡ Check out cottages and accommodations in Ambleside here, or view cottages in Keswick here!

Once you have your accommodation booked, I recommend pre-booking car hire. Whilst you can explore the Lake District via public transport, if you only have three days, you’re on a tight time schedule! We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world.

Then comes the fun part – planning your Lake District trip! With your car and accommodation sorted, now all that’s left is to plan the best few days exploring one of England’s most beautiful national parks. And that’s where I come in!

In this three-day itinerary, you will visit the main towns of the Lake District, stopping off for a pint of beer and a traditional roast dinner. You’ll try different watersports, hikes and adrenaline-pumping activities (which can be swapped out for a much calmer activity if you like to go at a slower pace).

The Lake District is not only one of my favourite places in England, but it’s one of my favourite places in the world. From the scenery, the lakes, the people, the pubs, the cobbled streets and of course, the food – the Lake District has something for everyone.

Where to stay in the Lake District

If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windemere.

If you’re only visiting the Lake District for a short time, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants.

• If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside, I recommend staying in the YHA Hostel. It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!
• Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside? Our favourite is Grayling Cottage. It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!
• For a luxurious one-night stay in Ambleside, check out The Ambleside Inn. It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!

How do I get around the Lake District?

If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

However, if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District in a day can still be done! The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

Tips for driving in the Lake District

Driving in the Lake District is an experience due to its narrow and winding roads. Most of the time the roads won’t be too busy, unless you are travelling during the English summer months (June – August). When driving around the Lake District, just be sure to:

• Keep an eye on the weather, as it can change quickly. The Lake District experiences a lot of rain.
• Parking can be expensive. Download the apps RingGo and JustPark to make parking easier and quicker.
• Be prepared for wildlife crossing the road at any time of day.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

Day 1 in the Lake District

📍Starting point: Bowness-on-Windemere

🏡 End point: Ambleside

☀️ Morning: Start your morning with a coffee at one of the many cafes in Bowness-on-Windemere. This is a great starting point due to how close it is to Lake Windemere. There’s also lots of car parking for you to leave your car if you want to head down to the lake.

Lake Windemere isn’t great for wild swimming due to the amount of large motorized boats, but it’s a good lake for watersports. There are a number of kayak and paddleboard rentals near Bowness-on-Windermere’s town centre. If you’d rather not get wet, you can book a ticket to cruise around the lake on one of the larger ferries. You can disembark at any village you choose, or just loop around and end in Bowness-on-Windemere.

🥾 Afternoon: Strap your hiking boots on and head to Orrest Head. Starting from Bowness-on-Windemere (click here for exact location), it’s just a twenty minute circular hike with amazing Lake District views.

🍷 Evening: Finish your day in the town of Ambleside. Known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, it’s full of pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and coffee shops. Dine in a pub or Italian restaurant and enjoy a pint of beer or a large glass of red wine! Not sure which pub to choose in Ambleside? Check out my detailed Ambleside pub guide here.

Alternatively, head to the Waterhead Pub to watch the sunset over Lake Windemere. They serve both food and drink, and have a large beer garden on the edge of the lake. It’s a great option if it’s a sunny day!

Day 2 in the Lake District

📍Starting point: Grasmere

🏡 End point: Coniston

☀️ Morning: Grab a coffee in the small town of Grasmere. Known for being the home of famous poet William Wordsworth, you can spend some time here wandering the streets and eating gingerbread from the world-famous Gingerbread House. You can also visit William Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage.

Alternatively, grab coffee in Grasmere and hike one of the best walks in the Lake District; Helm Crag. This is a 2 hour circular hike with incredible views, and you can get back to Grasmere in time for lunch!

🥾 Afternoon: After Grasmere, drive around 30 minutes south to Lake Coniston. This is one of the best and most scenic lakes in the Lake District for wild swimming. There are public spaces to the north of Coniston Water for you to set up your towel and chairs ready to swim. Alternatively, head to the Coniston Boating Centre for hire of paddleboards, rowing boats, motor boats, kayaks and canoes.

🍺 Evening: For dinner, head to a traditional pub in Coniston. It’s only a small town, so all of the pubs are within walking distance of each other. Depending on what you want to eat, the Black Bull pub is excellent for pub food with a cosy roaring fire, or Sara’s Indian is one of the best Indian restaurants in the national park! On a budget? Get traditional fish and chips from ‘Our Plaice’!

Day 3 in the Lake District

📍Starting point: Tarn Hows walk

🏡 End point: Keswick

❗️If you want to hike England’s highest peak, Scafell Pike, you will need a full day. Day three’s itinerary can be swapped out for a day of hiking Scafell Pike if you wish. Bear in mind, it’s not an easy hike, and you will need moderate-good fitness. You can find out more about the Scafell Pike hike here.

☀️ Morning: Grab coffee and breakfast near your accommodation, and then head to Tarn Hows for an easy morning walk. Tarn Hows is one of the prettiest walks in the Lake District, and if you’re there for long enough, you can take a picnic and picnic blanket.

🥾 Afternoon: For lunch, drive 20 minutes north to the 500-year-old pub in Rydal; The Glen Rothay Hotel and Badger Bar. Known for it’s hearty food and pub atmosphere, it’s a great place to sit after your walk. After lunch, drive north to Keswick. One of the Lake District’s largest market towns, it’s a good area to wander around, shop and buy souvenirs. It also has some great pubs if you’d like an afternoon pint!

Optional: If you’re into history, you can head to the Castlerigg Stone Circle around five minutes east of Keswick. It’s only a short trip, and you don’t need longer than 30 minutes there.

🗻 Evening: For your final evening, I recommend heading to the Latrigg viewpoint. It’s one of the easiest and best viewpoints in the Lake District, and takes just 15 minutes to walk to from the car park. You can either take fish and chips from the Old Keswickian in Keswick to enjoy the view, or head back to the town to enjoy dinner afterwards. Woodstone Pizza and Flamegrill is a great restaurant if you’re in the mood for Italian food!

Top tips for visiting the Lake District for the first time

🚗 Hire a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

⚠️ Don’t try to do too much. There’s a lot to see and do in the Lake District, and if you try and do it all in three days, you’ll end up burning out. Pick just a few activities and towns to explore.

🥾 Pack hiking boots. Even if you’re not planning on hiking Scafell Hike or one of the larger peaks, it rains often in the Lake District. Hiking boots give you extra grip. Plus, you’ll notice most people in pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes wear their hiking boots everywhere. It’s the done thing there!

☔️ Expect rain, even in the summer months. But don’t worry, there are still lots of things to do in the Lake District in the rain.

🗺️ Carry a physical map. Unfortunately, there are a lot of areas where wifi and mobile data will not reach. If you’re hiking some of the famous summits, you will need a map for directions. It’s easy to get lost, and they’re serious mountains!

📲 If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. This also helps with GPS. ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

🏊🏼‍♀️ Wild swimming isn’t allowed in every lake in the Lake District. Be sure to check before you start swimming.

🗣️ The Lake District has a lot of its own words. For example, you may see the words ‘pike’ and ‘crag’, and have no idea what they mean! For reference, here are some of the most popular Lake District terms:

Pike: a rocky, pointed summit (like Scafell Pike)

Rigg: a ridge or edge

Fell: a hill

Dale: a valley

Tarn: a small (and usually cold) lake. They can be found all over the Lake District.

When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.

Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.

➡ Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out this detailed guide on what to do during the colder months.

3 days in the Lake District: FAQs

1) Is 3 days in the Lake District enough?

Three days in the Lake District is a great amount of time to visit as a first timer. It gives you enough time to do some of the famous Lake District hikes, wild swim in the lakes and to explore some of the traditional villages. However, the longer you can spend in the Lake District, the better! We return year after year and still aren’t close to scratching the surface. There’s a lot to do there!

2) How can I spend 3 days in the Lake District?

If you only have three days in the Lake District, you can do things such as renting a paddleboard, wild swimming, having a pint or Sunday roast in an English pub, hiking Scafell Pike and Hevellyn, walking around some of the towns and taking in the views at some of the most beautiful viewpoints.

3) When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year; as it’s an ‘any kind of weather’ destination in the UK. However, if you want the cheapest accommodation prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). During the winter months (November – February), you can expect layers of snow to be covering the trails and paths.

Summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive months to visit the Lake District, as well as being the busiest. But of course, it’s when you’ll get the best weather, with dry, hot and sunny days.

➡ Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out this detailed guide on what to do during the colder months.

4) What can I do if it rains on my 3 day Lake District trip?

Rain is common in the Lake District, and it can rain at any time of the year. If it does, don’t worry, there are plenty of things you can do. Many of the easy walks in the Lake District can still be done in the rain (as long as you have a waterproof jacket and hiking boots to not slip).

Other things to do in the Lake District when it rains include a visit to Dove Cottage, eating dinner in a traditional English pub, visiting the Beatrix Potter Museum, taking a trip to the cinema and shopping in Ambleside.

5) What do I need to pack for the Lake District?

If you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time, I recommend packing:

• A lightweight waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots 
• An umbrella
• A waterproof day bag
• A waterproof phone case 
• A portable charger
• Lots of layers
• A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
• A waterproof backpack cover
• A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
• A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even when it’s raining)
• As well as using bug spray, we have midge-repellent wristbands.

6) How do I get to the Lake District?

Wondering how to get to the Lake District? If you’re already in England, the easiest way is via car.

🚗 Some driving times include:

• London to the Lake District: 4 hours 45 minutes
• Manchester to the Lake District: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Birmingham to the Lake District: 2 hours 30 mins

🚝 Or, if you’re travelling by train;

• Manchester to Windemere: 2.5 hours
• London to Oxenholme: 2.5-3.5 hours
• Glasgow to Oxenholme: 2 hours

✈️ If you’re coming from overseas, the closest international airport is Manchester Airport. You can then hire a car from the airport and drive around 90 minutes to reach the Lake District National Park.

7) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.

If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!

8) What tours should I do in the Lake District? 

Looking to book a tour in the Lake District? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!

When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else! 

➡ You can check out available tours in the Lake District with prices here!

9) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

3 Days in the Lake District: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know for planning 3 days in the Lake District. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Lake District posts:

• Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (Essential Guide)
• BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District
• Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
• Getting Around the Lake District Without a Car (+ Solo Travel Tips!)

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