chloedickensonLast Updated on 13th June 2024
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Are you planning a trip to the spectacular Lake District National Park and looking for the best Lake District scenic drives, viewpoints and hotspots? My ultimate Lake District route planner and itinerary below has got you covered with everything you need to know!
Famed for its alluring mountaintops, dazzling lakes, wild swimming opportunities and quintessentially British pubs, the Lake District is a firm favourite when it comes to road trip itineraries.
Best enjoyed from the comforts of a campervan, motorhome or even just your own vehicle, a 3 day Lake District road trip encompasses some of the most exquisite scenery and landscapes in the whole of the UK.
Whether you’re lucky enough to own your very own campervan, or you’d prefer to just rent a car or camper for the duration of your trip, there is an abundance of things to add to your Lake District itinerary to ensure you see and do as much as possible while you’re there.
From the awe-inspiring views over Derwentwater from Surprise View to a decadent pub meal in Hawkshead or Keswick, the Lake District is the epitome of English views, lakes, mountains, trees and more.
If you’re planning an epic Lake District itinerary for 3 days, I’ve got you covered with my ultimate 3 day Lake District road trip itinerary and travel guide itinerary below!
Lake District road trip map
The Lake District road map above shows you all the places you should visit on this 3 day itinerary! You can get the full map of this Lake District road trip itinerary here!
Lake District road trip 3 day itinerary summary
This epic Lake District road trip can be done in just 3 days. You’ll see places such as Ambleside, Surprise View, Hawkshead, Kendal, Grasmere and many more!
- Day 1 – Kendal, Hill Top, Hawkshead, Tarn Hows
- Day 2 – Grasmere, Ambleside, Keswick, Ashness Bridge/Surprise View
- Day 3 – Ullswater, Kirkstone Pass, Honsiter Pass, Crummock Water
Top things to see and do on a 3 day Lake District road trip
As I mentioned above, you could easily spend days and weeks at a time in the Lakes, it’s such a truly beautiful part of the country and there are so many incredible things to see and do that would easily fill a 2-week road trip itinerary.
Below, I’ve put together an extensive guide on the best things to do in the Lake District in 3 days, including awesome places to eat, the top attractions and local activities, plus so much more. I hope you have fun planning your epic 3 day Lake District road trip!
Day 1 of our Lake District road trip – Kendal
We headed straight up to Kendal from York on our first evening in the Lake District, but we didn’t really do an awful lot there apart from driving through the little market town and then straight to the free camping spot we had in mind.
We did, however, venture up to the top of Scout Scar Mushroom (pictured above) which offers unreal views from the top of the hill. We also headed back up again a few hours later for sunset and it was absolutely magical.
Apart from Kendal Castle which is pretty much right in the centre of Kendal, there’s not really an awful lot to do in the town itself. I still think it’s worth having a little wander around (or even just a drive-through), but I wouldn’t worry too much if you don’t get to spend a tonne of time there.
Find it: Scout Scar Mushroom viewpoint.
Hill Top – Beatrix Potter’s House
Hill Top was once the home of Beatrix Potter and is now a National Trust site. Here you’ll be surrounded by beautiful gardens and a quaint cottage that the world-famous writer once lived in. Inside the house, you’ll find small treasures and trinkets that belonged to Beatrix Potter and from outside, you’ll also get to see the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
We didn’t actually go inside the cottage as neither of us was that bothered and tickets are really quite expensive, especially if you’re not an overwhelming fan of Beatrix Potter, but if you’re visiting with children in tow, I think it’s a lovely place to visit while in the Lake District.
One thing to note about visiting Hill Top is that there’s only one relatively small car park that’s right next to the attraction. We were incredibly lucky to find a spot when we parked up, but it was absolutely heaving and people were parking pretty much anywhere they could, so if you plan on visiting during the peak season, just be aware that it might be a struggle to find a parking spot.
Tickets aren’t exactly cheap to visit Hill Top, costing £13 each for adults and £6.50 for children, but of course, you’ll get free entry if you’re a National Trust member. It’s usually best to buy tickets online beforehand via the National Trust website.
Hawkshead – Lake District Road Trip
Alongside Bowness-on-Windermere, I think Hawkshead might just be one of my favourite places in the whole of the Lake District.
It’s only a relatively small town, but it’s positively teeming with charming pubs and adorable eateries, not to mention incredible chocolate and ice cream shops!
You can park at the Hawkshead Car Park which is adjacent to the chocolate shop. You can pay in cash or by card, or via the RingGo app (which we always use as it makes it easier to extend your parking via the app if you need to). There are also toilets just next to the car park which cost 30p.
Chocolate & Fudge Company Hawkshead
While I would usually always choose something savoury over something sweet, I am a huge sucker for a chocolate shop (my favourite one in the world is Helen’s Chocolates in Bowness), and Hawkshead’s Chocolate & Fudge Company certainly didn’t disappoint.
The shop is home to a vast array of different chocolate products, ranging from huge bars to decadent fudge offerings as well as my absolute favourites; chocolate truffles! It was pretty much impossible to visit the chocolate shop without buying something so I bought a bag of 4 chocolate truffles (£3.40) consisting of two white chocolate truffles, one milk chocolate and one chocolate orange-flavoured delicacy.
Matt went for a bag of cookies and cream fudge which he absolutely adores (I’m not usually the biggest fan of fudge but this was delicious!).
Chocolate Factory Hawkshead
Located within the same building as the chocolate shop, you’ll find Hawkshead Chocolate Factory where you can watch chocolate being made on-site and you can also take part in chocolate making workshops as well!
Peter Rabbit and Friends
Many little towns throughout the Lake District pay homage to Beatrix Potter’s wondrous creations and in Hawkshead, you’ll find the sweetest shop dedicated to all things Peter Rabbit & Friends. It’s the perfect place to pick up a souvenir while you’re there, or as a gift for someone back at home.
Best places to eat and drink in Hawkshead
One thing that truly blew me away while we were in Hawkshead was just how many incredible pubs, cafes and local eateries there were to choose from! The beer garden at The King’s Arms was positively teeming with diners, both from near and far and the deli counter at The Honeypot was equally as busy.
If you’re looking for somewhere special to eat in Hawkshead, you really will be spoiled for choice! Check out my list below of the best places to eat on a 3 day Lake District road trip in Hawkshead!
The Little Ice Cream Shop Hawkshead
As well as all the amazing pubs and cafes in Hawkshead, be sure to stop off at The Little Ice Cream Shop for a sweet treat. The queue was right out the door when we were there, and with a vast variety of delicious flavours to choose from, including New York Lemon Cheesecake, Rocky Road, Hawkshead Gingerbread and many more, it’s not hard to see why!
Tarn Hows Circular Walk – Lake District views by car
It’s no secret that there is no shortage of epic hikes and long walks to enjoy in the Lakes, but if you’re looking for something a bit more easy-going, but something that still offers spectacular views and a decent bit of exercise, the Tarn Hows Circular Walk is the one for you!
The walk begins next to the Tarn Hows National Trust car park (parking costs £5 for two hours, which is more than enough time to complete the walk, or it’s free if you’re a National Trust member), where you’ll walk past grazing cows and be greeted by the beautiful tarn from the top of the hill.
The Circular Walk route is relatively easy and will take you around an hour to complete, depending on how quickly you walk and how many times you stop to take in the epic views! It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, or even just a little sit down with a refreshingly cold drink, especially on a boiling hot day like we were treated to!
It’s definitely one of the best things to enjoy during a 3 day Lake District road trip route and it’s one of my favourite walks in the Lakes!
Day 2 of our Lake District road trip – Grasmere
Grasmere is another enchanting little village in the Lake District, which is utterly perfect for a lazy mooch around if you’re looking for a quieter afternoon of activities.
Dove Cottage – William Wordsworth’s House
The village is also famous for being the home of William Wordsworth and while this isn’t exactly what attracted me to Grasmere (I’m not really much of a poem fan), it is a lovely spot in the Lakes if you’re looking for something quaint and charming.
Here you’ll also find William Wordsworth’s house; Dove Cottage, where he lived with his sister, Dorothy Wordsworth from 1799 to 1808. There’s also the Wordsworth Museum just behind the cottage with a cute little cafe that makes for the perfect place for a light refreshment while in Grasmere.
Grasmere Gingerbread
As well as being the home to one of England’s most famous poets for a short while, the little village is also renowned for being home to Grasmere Gingerbread, a local delicacy that’s adopted the title of the “world’s best gingerbread”.
Queues were lining up all around the building of the Grasmere Gingerbread shop, so if you’re after something to sate your sweet tooth, be prepared to queue for it! Failing that, you can order online for next-day delivery across the UK!
Wordsworth Daffodil Garden
Another tribute to the late and great William Wordsworth in Grasmere is the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden which is home to beautiful flowers during the spring. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to see them in full bloom during our trip, but the garden itself is still lovely and the entire path throughout the garden is made up of individual plaques that were instilled as a means of raising money for the church.
Ambleside – best things to do on a Lake District road trip
If you haven’t gathered by now, a 3 day Lake District road trip is sure to be a jam-packed itinerary that will consist of many stops in many endearing villages and towns and Ambleside is yet another one that you need to add to your itinerary.
Situated just a 10-minute drive north of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is a small but mighty tourist town in the Lake District.
White Platts Recreation Ground
Home to the White Platts Recreation Ground, this beautiful expanse of outdoor greenery offers tourists and locals alike the chance to relax and unwind in the sunshine, or take part in family-friendly activities such as mini golf and bowls.
This area is also perfect for a stroll or picnic and it offers lovely views of the nearby church and surrounding houses, and it’s just a short walk from the town’s beloved Bridge House (which I completely forgot to take a picture of!).
Keswick – ultimate Lake District road trip
I wasn’t really expecting an awful lot from Keswick as I just assumed it would be somewhat similar to Kendal, but it actually surprised me with its charming beauty and welcoming demeanour.
The small market town isn’t too far from Derwentwater so if you’re looking for a nice stroll down to the beautiful water, park at the Lakeside Car Park and take the short 5-minute walk down to the ferry terminal.
We didn’t actually park there though, and instead, we opted to park at the huge Pay and Display Car Park as it’s a bit closer to the centre of town, but it’s still only a 10-15 minute walk from here to the lakeside.
Derwent Pencil Museum
Arguably the thing that Keswick is most famous for is the Derwent Pencil Museum. We didn’t actually go inside on our most recent trip to the Lake District as it was such a beautiful day and we didn’t want to spend too much inside, but Matt remembers going when he was a kid and said that it’s a great attraction for children.
Tickets for the Derwent Pencil Museum are also rather cheap at just £4.95 for adults and £3.95 for children, so it makes for a great and affordable thing to do in Keswick on a rainy day.
Keswick Market
Located in the middle of town and operating on Thursdays and Saturdays, Keswick Market is a great place for a little stroll while you’re there as it’s a great place to pick up local produce and artisan products.
It’s also right in the middle of some of the town’s best pubs and cafes, so you’re already in a great location if you’re looking for a place to eat after meandering around the cute stalls.
Kong Adventure Centre Keswick
We didn’t actually go to the Kong Adventure Centre while we were in Keswick but if you’re embarking on a 3 day Lake District road trip with kids in tow, I’ve heard that this is a great place to take them!
There are both indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy including climbing walls, escape rooms, ghyll scrambling, canyoning and much more! If we head back to Keswick in the future, I’m certainly going to book a few activities.
Best places to eat and drink in Keswick – Lake District road trip
Similarly to Hawkshead, Keswick has an awesome choice of amazing pubs, restaurants and cafes to dine at. Whether you’re looking for quintessential pub grub, or you fancy something a bit more sophisticated and delicate, Keswick has a plethora of dining options to choose from.
Bank Tavern
We ate at Bank Tavern while we were in Keswick which is a fab little pub right in the middle of town. While unfortunately, the service wasn’t the best I’ve ever received, the food more than made up for it and I’d still recommend Bank Tavern as a top place to eat in the Lake District.
The menu here is so extensive that it was almost impossible to choose as I could have quite happily eaten pretty much every single thing on the menu but in the end, I went for the lamb and mint pie with shortcrust pastry, served with thick homemade chips, carrots, broccoli, cabbage and lashings of thick gravy.
The meat inside the pie was succulent and incredibly flavoursome and the thick chips were a perfect pairing for this dish. Even the veg was fresh and tasty and overall, I wouldn’t hesitate to order this again!
Matt opted for the bangers and mash, consisting of the famous local Cumberland sausage, hearty mashed potato and veg. The sausage was absolutely huge and incredibly tasty and the portion sizes of both meals were pretty bloody substantial!
Dog & Gun – best places to eat on a Lake District road trip
The Dog & Gun was also a strong contender of ours when we were looking for somewhere to eat, and with food choices such as steak and ale pie, hand-battered fish and chips and Hungarian Goulash, I’d definitely be tempted to head here if we’re ever back in Keswick!
The Crafty Baa
I believe that there’s also a Crafty Baa pub in Windermere and at first glance, it’s really hard to tell them apart! They’re famous for their hand-crafted charcuterie boards and awesome selection of beer and cider, and if we’d been in Keswick a few hours later, we’d have definitely stopped in for a pint or two!
Luchini’s Ice Cream & Gelato Shop
It appears that there is no shortage of sumptuous ice cream shops in and around the Lake District and Keswick’s very own Luchini’s Ice Cream & Gelato Shop is no exception.
With a vast choice of flavours to enjoy, including strawberry, vanilla, honeycomb (this is the one I went for and let me tell you, it was heavenly!), as well as banana, mint choc chip and many more, a stop at Luchini’s Keswick will certainly appease your sweet tooth!
Ashness Bridge
Ashness Bridge is an adorable stone-built bridge that sits over a sweet little stream on the way up to the viewpoint at Surprise View.
There isn’t really anywhere proper to park near the bridge, but you can park further down the road and walk up, or park at the Surprise View carpark and walk down.
Or you can do what we did; jump out of the car and quickly run and take a picture before another car came! There were a few families playing in the stream and while the bridge itself isn’t exactly anything monumental, it is very cute and makes for a lovely picture.
Surprise View – best views on a Lake District road trip
After spending countless hours in New Zealand ogling at the delicious views of the likes of Milford Sound, Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo, I really didn’t think I’d ever have anything as astounding on my list of places to visit in the UK.
That is until we visited Surprise View in the Lake District which offers genuinely the most incomparable views of Derwentwater and generally outstanding views of the lakes and mountains in Cumbria.
I actually teared up at one point because my eyes just couldn’t compute the beauty of the view from the top over the lake below and as we were lucky enough to see it on a truly remarkable blue-sky day, it’s hard to describe how beautiful this view really is.
The drive to get to Surprise View is quite treacherous as the roads are insanely windy and ridiculously narrow. However, we did manage to get up there in our campervan and there was even an ambulance at the top that had clearly made the journey to the top.
There is a National Trust car park for parking when you get there, or you can park further down the road closer to Ashness Bridge. Parking at the top is just £1 for 30-minutes, but you’ll probably want to admire the view for even longer, especially if you bring a picnic along as well!
Find it: Borrowdale, Keswick CA12 5UU. The postcode here isn’t actually quite right, but that’s what’s listed on Google. Just click on the link to take you to the exact location of the Surprise View car park.
Day 3 of our Lake District road trip – Ullswater
Ullswater is another one of my favourite places in the Lakes and it’s also one of the most famous and popular places in the whole of the Lake District.
If you’re big into water sports and activities, a stop in Ullswater is an absolute must. Here you can kayak/canoe on the water, hire a paddleboard or bring your own, or take a ride on the Ullswater Steamer for incredible 360° views of the surrounding water and mountains.
Kirkstone Pass – Lake District by car
Kirkstone Pass is one of those epic drives that you can’t help but pinch yourself as you’re cruising along the road. While the road is ridiculously windy and very steep in places, the views and experience it offers cannot be compared and we actually stayed just below the road of Kirkstone Pass on The Struggle (scroll back up for those epic camping views!).
Find it: Kirkstone Pass, Ambleside LA22 9LQ.
Castlerigg Stone Circle
Supposedly resembling something along the lines of Stonehenge, it’s safe to say that Castlerigg Stone Circle isn’t quite as impressive as Stonehenge, but I still think it’s worth a little visit while on your Lake District road trip.
You can park right next to the side of the road, so no need to worry about car parking costs, and then it’s just a short walk over the road and into the field to see the eerie creation. It also offers extraordinary views of Helvellyn and High Seat as its spectacular mountainous backdrop.
Castlerigg Stone Circle is thought to have been constructed around 3000 BC, which is actually pretty hard to comprehend if you ask me! Originally comprising 42 stones, the structure now has 38 remaining stones, all of which vary in height, weight and width.
It’s a truly mysterious site and one whose history and original intent is still not 100% clear, but if you enjoy weird and wonderful attractions as part of your adventures, then be sure to add Castlerigg Stone Circle to your Lake District road trip itinerary.
Find it: Castle Ln, Keswick CA12 4RN.
Honister Pass – 3 day Lake District road trip itinerary
Honister Pass is yet another place in the Lake District that reminded me so much of New Zealand’s epic mountain ranges and unparalleled beauty.
There are many viewing places at the side of the road where you can pull up and take pictures of your amazing surroundings (like we did in the picture above), or you can park in the National Trust car park near the Honister Slate Mine.
The pass has an elevation of 356m and is home to the area’s slate production; you can even stop off and get your very own slate sign made!
Even if you aren’t planning on doing anything in or around Honister Pass, I still think it’s worth the drive through for those phenomenal views alone!
Find it: Honister Pass, Seatoller, Keswick CA12 5XN.
Crummock Water
Naturally, the Lake District isn’t exactly short of beautiful lakes, rivers and vast expanses of water, and the stunning Crummock Water is a place that certainly needs to be added to your road trip itinerary.
Crummock Water is often overlooked by the adjacent Buttermere, but Crummock Water is just as spectacular and just as well-equipped for accommodating swimmers, hikers, paddleboarders, kayakers and more.
We visited Crummock Water later in the evening when it was a bit cooler, but the sun was still shining down brilliantly on the water and there were numerous families, groups of friends and couples all frolicking in the water or sunbathing on the shore.
There are various places to park near Crummock Water and while there isn’t a dedicated car park, you can park on the side of the road as long as it’s in a specific area and you’re not blocking anything. Just be aware that it’s likely to get very busy in the summer, so be patient when it comes to finding somewhere to park!
Find it: Crummock Water, Cockermouth CA13 9UZ.
How to get to the Lake District – London to Lake District road trip
Any route you take to get to the Lake District will inevitably have you stopping at least once to snap a pic as you drive through the stunning national park.
If you’re driving through the Lake District National Park from York (where we live), it can take anywhere between 2 and 3 hours depending on where you’re going in the Lakes. From Edinburgh, it’ll take you around 3 hours and from London, it can take anywhere between 4 and 5 and a half hours, depending on where you’re going.
If you’re planning a Lake District itinerary for 3 days without a car, then you can get the train to Penrith (where my parents live!), Carlisle, Windermere or Kendal, depending on where you want to be.
I would personally recommend having your own car to get around the Lake District on a 3 day itinerary as it will give you much more flexibility and the ability to explore as many places as possible.
Alternatively, you can take a tour from Manchester to the Lake District which means you don’t have to worry about doing any of the driving!
Where to stay in the Lake District – best camping spots
Of course, the Lake District is home to some truly beautiful hotels, B&Bs, guest houses, log cabins, Airbnbs and much more, but as I’ve only ever camped in the Lakes, that’s what I’ll be recommending to you guys today.
We spent three nights freedom camping in the Lake District and while that did mean we didn’t shower for three days, we did stay in some truly beautiful spots.
Freedom camping in the UK is a bit of a grey area; while you certainly can spend the night in some public places in England, it’s imperative that you check the rules before you do so to ensure that you’re not infringing on any laws.
To find free places to stay in our campervan in the Lake District, we primarily used the park4night app which is a free app available on iPhone and Android that shows all the places you can stay in most countries in Europe, as well as some places in New Zealand and Australia.
While in the Lake District, we used it to find our three camping spots for the three nights we were there and it’s such a great tool, especially as the recommendations come from fellow travellers and campers.
On our first night in the Lake District, we drove through Kendal and then went pretty much straight to our camping spot for the night. It was a little public car park on Underbarrow Road (you can find the exact coordinates and location here) that’s used by dog walkers and hikers/runners but it also allows you to park there overnight for free (with a donation box at the entrance if you feel obliged).
The spot itself certainly isn’t anything fancy but it is adjacent to many nearby walks and if you walk over the road and up the public footpath for 15 minutes or so, you’re greeted by spectacular views next to Scout Scar Mushroom.
Our second freedom camping spot in the Lake District rivalled those that we enjoyed in New Zealand (and man, did we stay in some epic spots there). It was a little layby on a road very aptly named The Struggle and while it was right next to the road and the ground was really quite uneven, it’s got to be one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever enjoyed. You can find the exact location and coordinates of this epic camping spot here.
On our third and final night of camping in the Lake District, we found this cool free camping spot just outside of Keswick which was actually just a pub car park. On the park4night app, other campers said that you could stay in the car park overnight for free, as long as you bought a drink or some food from the pub, which is exactly what we did.
A round of two drinks was £9.95 so a bit bloody expensive, but it was still much cheaper than staying in a paid campsite and the food at the pub smelled absolutely delicious, so I’d definitely recommend staying here if you’re looking for somewhere “free” to camp near Keswick! You can find the pub’s car park location and coordinates here.
Find somewhere to stay in the Lake District
Booking.comBonus places to visit on a 3 day Lake District road trip
While I think we managed to see and do so many things on our Lake District road trip, there are still a few things that we didn’t manage to do during our trip, but I wanted to include them anyway in case you wanted to add them to your own itinerary.
There were also a few places that we missed out on our most recent trip as we’d been there before (such as the below Bowness-on-Windermere and Aira Force Waterfall), but I still wanted to include them in this guide as they’re great additions to any Lake District road trip.
Bowness-on-Windermere
Bowness-on-Windermere is probably my favourite place in the whole of the Lake District as it holds so many amazing childhood memories for me. When my family and I would go on holiday to Center Parcs, we’d always visit Bowness-on-Windermere as it’s such a beautiful place. Lake Windermere is also the largest lake in England and it’s well worth a visit on any road trip in the Lake District!
We last visited in July 2020 and it was actually our first little trip when the first lockdown restrictions of Covid-19 started to ease.
Read more: The Best Things To Do In Bowness-on-Windermere, Lake District
Aira Force – best waterfalls on a Lake District road trip
Aira Force is probably one of the most famous and popular waterfalls in the Lake District and for good reason; it’s bloody awesome!
It’s part of the National Trust, so you have to pay for the car park unless you’re a member, and there are many routes and paths you can take around the waterfalls. It’s an awesome place in the Lakes for kids as there are so many adventures to be had and it’s also a lovely place to cool off on a hot summer’s day!
While of course, I’m sure there are dozens of more things to do in the Lake District, this guide is already pretty bloody long so I’m going to stop it here. If you are looking to add even more places to your Lake District itinerary, however, check out some more of my recommendations below.
- Pooley Bridge
- Buttermere
- Rydal Cave
- Stock Ghyll waterfall
- Lowther Castle
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- Bowness-on-Windermere Travel Guide: What To Do, See & Eat
- The Best Things To Do In Penrith, Cumbria
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- Our Ultimate Campervan Conversion Process – From Start To Finish
- The Ultimate Road Trip Essentials I Couldn’t Live Without
- The Ultimate South Coast England Road Trip – 2-Week Itinerary
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Pin for later – 3 day Lake District road trip itinerary
Have you ever been to the Lake District? Is there anything else you’d add to this epic 3 day Lake District road trip itinerary? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram at @imjustagirl_16.
