Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
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If you only have a day to explore the Lake District, this 1 day plan is the BEST way to get a feel for one of the most beautiful areas in the UK!
If you’re visiting sunny England for the first time, chances are you’ll want to stop off at the Lake District National Park.
Famous for its mountains, lakes, traditional English villages and 2362 square kilometres of countryside, it’s undoubtedly one of the best areas to visit in the UK.
If I’m honest, it’s my favourite place to visit in England.
But can you visit the Lake District in just one day?
As mentioned, the lakes cover a huge area of Northern England. Getting around the entire National Park in a day would be quite the task!
But if you only have one day to explore this part of the country, I still recommend you do it. And that’s why I’ve written this post.
I’ve split this post into two different one-day Lake District itineraries. Both suiting different types of people.
Itinerary 1 suits a slow traveller. Someone who is happy to dip their toes into the magic of the Lake District, and doesn’t need to rush around to see it ‘all’.
And then there’s itinerary 2, a Lake District day trip that’s more suited to a backpacker who won’t settle for any less than ‘all’. A whizz around different villages, activities and lakes, it will give you the best of the Lake District, but you’ll also spend a fair amount of time behind the wheel.
Whether you’re a route 1 or 2 traveller, this post will hopefully give you some idea of driving distances, the best things to do in the Lake District and how you can have a perfect day trip in the Lake District.
Visiting the Lake District for the first time? Check out my other posts!
- 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know (2022)
- Things To Do In Ambleside In The Rain: 10 EPIC Ideas!
- What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide
- 3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do
Lake District Itinerary 1 Day
This 1 day itinerary can either be completed by solo travellers or in a couple/group.
How do I get around the Lake District?
The Lake District does have some public transport, but I wouldn’t rely on it.
I’ve seen other bloggers rave about how good it is, but from personal experience (and being from London), I don’t think the public transport in the Lake District is that great.
If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. It’s easy to drive around (as long as you don’t mind narrow roads!) and it’s definitely the quickest.
Driving is definitely your best option for a Lake District itinerary for 1 day.
If you’re new to driving in the Lake District, I’ve written some handy tips a bit further down this post!
Need a Lake District road trip itinerary? Check out my post: Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes (2022)
Whilst visiting the Lake District, I’d highly recommend wearing hiking boots. It made the walks a lot easier and I was much more stable when scrambling, especially in my favourite Columbia walking boots!
Lake District Itinerary 1 Day: Option 1
This itinerary is for a slower traveller that would be driving into the Lake District from the south.
Overview: Bowness-on-Windemere > Lake Windemere > Ambleside > Latrigg > Keswick
🌅 Morning: Grab breakfast in Bowness-on-Windemere, followed by a lake activity on Lake Windemere (the biggest lake in the national park). Either hire a paddle board or a small boat or just dip your feet in!
Eat at The Boathouse and overlook the lake whilst you refuel!
⛰️ Afternoon: Head to your next Ambleside, around a 12-minute drive north. Explore the town, stop for coffee, and have a slow walk up to Stock Ghyll Force. This is a walk that should only take around 30 minutes, and you get to see a waterfall at the end of it!
🌇 Evening: Upon leaving Ambleside, drive to Latrigg. It should only take around 30 minutes and is one of the best viewpoints in the area. Plus it’s EPIC at sunset. Stop off for a bottle of wine at a local store and take it to the viewpoint to enjoy a Lake District sunset.
For dinner, head into Keswick. This is one of the biggest towns in the national park, so there are plenty of pubs and restaurants to choose from. My favourite pub is The Bank Tavern, or there are some amazing Indian restaurants about!
Lake District Itinerary 1 Day: Option 2
This itinerary is for a traveller who wants to fit in as much as possible on a Lake District day trip.
If you have time, there are a few other locations you can stop by (like Hawkshead and Great Langdale) but this is a pretty jam-packed day!
Overview: Coniston (Coniston Water) > Tarn Hows > Ambleside > Grasmere > Waterhead
🌅 Morning: Start off with a wild swim in Coniston Water. There are some great places to grab breakfast here, so if you’ve started early, you’re in for a treat!
Coniston Water is one of my favourite places to wild swim in the Lake District because of its calm waters and it tends to be quieter than some of the bigger lakes.
⛰️ Afternoon: After your swim, either grab some lunch at the nearest pub or head to Tarn Hows, one of the most scenic yet easiest walks in the Lake District.
You can then freshen up in Ambleside. Have a walk around, grab a coffee and enjoy the Lake District atmosphere!
Don’t spend too long enjoying Ambleside, because you should stop off at the town of Grasmere. Only around an 11 minute drive from the centre of town, it’s totally worth visiting as it’s one of the most scenic villages in the Lake District. I love it so much that I’ve even written a guide on what to do in Grasmere here!
(If you’re a fan of William Wordsworth and want to visit his family home, Dove Cottage, Grasmere isn’t one to be missed!)
🌇 Evening: I’d recommend heading back down to Waterhead for the sunset. Reflect on your day whilst looking across the north of the lake, and grab a bite to eat before you leave the Lake District.
What a day!
Is 1 day enough in the Lake District?
It’s not enough to do everything in the Lake District, but it’s definitely enough to get a feel for the area!
If you start early, you’ll have enough time to have a dip in a lake, complete a short hike, eat at a local pub and enjoy some of the famous Lake District scenery.
However, if you DO have the time to stay longer, I would highly recommend booking some accommodation and staying for longer than one day.
Decided you want more than just one day in the Lake District? Yay! Check out my post: Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide.
Have a bit longer in the lakes? Check out my 3 Days in the Lake District itinerary!
🌎 Looking for a carry-on bag to hold everything you need for your flight? I spent YEARS looking for a good carry-on that’s accepted by all airlines, and I finally found it. I couldn’t fault this Aerolite backpack!
How many days do I need for the Lake District?
This really is down to personal preference, and what kind of trip you want to have.
For example, if you’re a big hiker and want to scale peaks like Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Helm Crag, you’re going to need at least 5 days. This gives you enough time to hike and have some rest breaks in between.
If you also want to do some water activities (like wild swimming) explore the villages and discover some of the English countryside, I’d recommend staying for at least 5-6 days. This gives you enough time to hike, swim, eat and explore.
However, even a day trip to the Lake District is worth it (hence why I wrote this post).
It’s such a special location that I would recommend visiting the Lake District even if you’re short on time.
I recommend purchasing a Dry Robe before visiting the Lakes, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water. And you can easily get dressed and undressed in complete privacy, right in the middle of the beach! Mine is a lifesaver!
Other things to do in the Lake District
If you don’t like the look of the things on these itineraries, here are some of my other recommendations for when you have a Lake District day trip:
- Hike Scafell Pike, Helm Crag or Helvellyn
- Walk around one of the other lakes like Buttermere or Derwentwater
- Enjoy the nightlife in Keswick
- Visit the busy town of Kendal
- Try some water sports on one of the lakes
- Park up somewhere random in the countryside and go on one of the walks
- Explore the Rydal Caves
- Take a lake cruise
- Enjoy fish and chips near the lake
- Take the Orsett Head walk from Windemere
- Eat fudge at Roly’s in Keswick
- Visit the Honister Pass (it is truly stunning)
🗺️ My hiking must-have: If you’re out on a long hike and run out of water, you can use a filter water bottle to drink any water you may find along the way. From puddle to lake water, it purifies in seconds so you can safely drink and stay hydrated! It’s a must-have for visiting the Lake District.
When is the best time to visit the Lake District?
You can visit the Lake District 365 days a year. It truly is an ‘any kind of weather‘ place to visit in the UK.
However, if you want the cheapest prices, visit in the shoulder season (autumn and spring). This is when the Airbnbs and hotels are at their cheapest, and you still get some dry and sunny days!
During the winter months (November – February), the Lake District is known to get quite a bit of snow. If you’re visiting during the colder months, make sure you pack the necessary warm clothes (especially if you want to hike).
The summer months in the UK (June – August) are always the most expensive, and the busiest. I’ve visited the Lake District during this time, and although the weather has been amazing, you can expect to share you trip with a lot of other tourists!
Personally, my favourite time in the Lake District is September. You can find out why, here!
Visiting the Lake District in winter? Check out my guide: 23 Things to do in the Lake District in Winter (2022)
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: A portable power bank. Don’t get caught short and lose your phone battery whilst travelling! If you’re solo travelling, you’re going to rely on it to get you from A to B.
What to pack for a day trip to the Lake District
If you’re only visiting the Lake District for the day, you just need to make sure you have everything for a normal day in the countryside.
I’ve written an extensive packing list for the Lake District, however, these are some of my essential items for the Lake District:
- A lightweight waterproof jacket
- Hiking boots (that won’t slip) – these are my favourites for any kind of weather
- An umbrella
- A waterproof day bag
- A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
- 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 if it’s raining!)
Driving in the Lake District tips
Driving in the Lake District is an experience. Whilst it’s safe and the roads aren’t too busy (except during peak times), the roads are narrow and it’s important to drive safely and at a good pace.
Here are some tips for driving in the Lake District:
- Keep an eye on the weather, it can change quickly. Be prepared for heavy rainfall!
- Parking can be expensive. You may want to download the apps RingGo and JustPark to make parking easier and quicker
- Be prepared for wildlife in the middle of the road
- In general, the roads are in a good condition, but they are narrow and winding.
- You will find hidden gems every time you start driving. Although you’re going to be packing things into this 1 day trip, you’re going to want to have some empty time to stop off on those magical spontaneous finds!
🗺️ My Lake District must-have: Solo travelling but still want to take photos? 📸 I’ve found the most perfect adjustable tripod that’s lightweight and easy to set up (you don’t want any awkward moments alone, I know how it feels!)
Where to stay in the Lake District
Although you’re only visiting the Lake District for one day, you might want to stay somewhere after your busy day, especially if you’ve travelled all the way from London or somewhere further away.
There are plenty of Airbnbs and hotels to choose from in the Lake District, and if you’re unsure about which area to stay in, I’ve written a guide: Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide here to help!
Backpacking for the first time? Or want to know where to find the best travel deals? Check out my travel resources for the inside scoop!
Wild swimming and have valuable tech on you? Don’t forget to buy a waterproof phone case (so you can still take photos!) and a dry bag. You’ll never have to worry about damaging expensive tech again!
Lake District Itinerary 1 Day: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it!
A complete Lake District itinerary 1 day plan. So if you want to take a Lake District day trip, you should have a bit more of an idea of what to do!
There is so much to do in the Lake District, and as I said, if you can spend more time there, I would highly recommend it!
It’s definitely one of the best places to visit in the UK, and will be somewhere I visit time and time again.
Got a question about the Lake District itinerary 1 day plan? Head over to Instagram to chat with me or ask in the comments below!
Happy travelling!
Jennie 😀 x
Have a bit longer in the lakes? Check out my 3 Days in the Lake District itinerary!
Other Lake District posts you may be interested in:
- 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
- Wild Swimming in the Lake District: The Best Spots
- Where to Stay in the Lake District: An Area Guide
- 10 EPIC Things to Do in Grasmere, Lake District (2022)
- Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know (2022)
- Things To Do In Ambleside In The Rain: 10 EPIC Ideas!
- Adventure in the Lake District: 21 Best Activities (2022)
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