Lake District Solo Travel: Ultimate Guide (2022)

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Looking to do some Lake District solo travel and not sure if it’s possible? It totally is. Use this guide to help you plan your epic Lake District solo trip!

If you’re solo travelling the UK, the Lake District will more than likely be on your route.

And if it isn’t, add it!

Whilst some may say the Lake District isn’t the best place to solo travel, why not? I’ve solo travelled to similar places in the past!

If you are happy to travel solo, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t solo travel the Lake District.

However, solo travelling in the Lake District isn’t going to be like backpacking New Zealand, Melbourne or London.

It just doesn’t have the interest, and most people visiting the lakes are a couple or family.

But does this mean you can’t do it? Absolutely not!

There ARE options and adventures to be had for solo travellers in the Lake District, and that’s what this post is all about.

So, let’s get started and work out if solo travelling the Lake District is the best thing for you!

🥾 Visiting the Lake District? Yay! I have a lot of information about this part of England on my blog. Here are some of my favourites!

• 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!
• Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
• Helm Crag walk from Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
• Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)

Lake District Solo Travel

Can I go to the Lake District alone?

Absolutely. There are hostels and activities that are suited to solo travellers, just as much as they are suited to couples, friends or families.

However, solo travelling the Lake District might be a bit quieter than the more well-known backpacking areas in the UK. You might have to accept that you’ll be more ‘alone’ than on other solo trips.

What do I mean by this? Well, if you’ve solo travelled in the past, you’ll know that solo travelling doesn’t really mean being alone. From start to finish of most of my solo trips, I’ve been surrounded by new people, whether they’re from the hostel, tour, Facebook groups or an activity.

But the Lake District isn’t a ‘typical’ solo destination, so there may not be as many people to meet.

However, if you’re happy to do some of the activities or walks on your own, it’s an incredible place to have some time to yourself and solo travel.

So before you decide on whether or not to solo travel the Lake District, think to yourself:

• I might meet like-minded people, but if I don’t, am I ok with that?
• Am I ok with doing activities or walks in the Lake District alone?
• Do I enjoy my own company enough to solo travel the Lake District?
• Am I ok with seeing most people travelling in couples and families?

If your answer to any of these is no, I don’t recommend travelling the Lake District solo.

But if you ARE content with being alone and enjoy your own company, solo travelling the Lake District could be one of the best things you ever do.

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!

Getting to the Lake District

Here are some quick driving time references if you’re coming from different parts of the country to the Lake District.

• 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

Want cheaper travel? The cheapest way to travel the UK is by bus, but it can take a long time. If you only have a few days in the Lake District, I’d recommend hiring a car.

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!

Best places to stay if you’re a solo traveller in the Lake District

YHA Ambleside

If you’re a solo backpacker and want the best chance of meeting other travellers, hostels are the best places to stay.

First choice: YHA Ambleside.

Not only is Ambleside the best base in the national park, but this YHA is the biggest hostel in the area. If you’re going to find like-minded backpackers, it’s going to be here!

Ambleside is the ‘adventure capital’ of the Lake District, and this hostel is situated right on the biggest lake in the district – Lake Windemere.

Eat your hostel-cooked tomato pasta or takeaway pizza overlooking the lake and mountains for free. Not many places in the lakes offer views like this at such a cheap price!

The reviews for YHA Ambleside are always ‘superb’ (rated by Hostelworld), and even a few reviews in, you will see some other backpackers commenting on how they met like-minded travellers.

It’s a great hostel to base yourself if you’re solo travelling the Lake District.

YHA Windemere

Another great option if YHA Ambleside is sold out, is YHA Windemere.

Rated 9.1 (superb) by Hostelworld users, it’s another hostel that’s perfect for solo travellers or backpackers who want a base in the heart of the action.

With panoramic views of the mountains and a front-row seat to the sunset over Lake Windemere, a fully catered restaurant and bar AND woodland grounds surrounding the hostel, you’re paying for a true Lake District experience.

Windemere also isn’t far from adventure capital, Ambleside, so you’re in a good location to explore the best parts of the Lake District.

Want to stay in Keswick solo? I recommend this hostel for first-time backpackers in the Lake District.

Other places to stay in the Lake District solo

If these hostels are sold out, or you want a more private experience, these are some of my other favourite places to stay in the Lake District solo:

• 1 Bed Central Apartment in Keswick (Airbnb) – Keswick is another great base for solo travellers. There are plenty of surrounding walks, adventure tours and fun evening activities.

• 1 Bed Cottage in Grasmere (Airbnb): Fancy a more ‘traditional’ experience? You can rent a one-bed cottage in Grasmere for under £100 a night – and that is pretty unheard of! Sit around a cosy log fire or soak in the outside views with a picnic in the garden. Grasmere is also one of my favourite villages in the Lake District (you can read all about Grasmere here!)

• 1 Bed Central Apartment in Bowness-On-Windemere (Airbnb): The more luxurious of the three is this 1 bed apartment in Bowness-on-Windemere. Another great base for solo travellers, as you could pretty much stay in Bowness the whole time and have everything you need. You’ll be right on the Lake Windemere front, and have easy access to the high street shops, bars and restaurants. There are also some great walks from here!

🗺️ Booking hostels? I always use Hostelworld as their deals are usually the cheapest. They also have reviews from other backpackers, and explain the vibe of the hostel (party, chill, social…) so you know exactly what you’re booking.

Where to eat if you’re a solo traveller in the Lake District

This really depends on what kind of venues you feel comfortable sitting in when you travel solo.

Some people won’t want to sit in a fancy restaurant on their own, whilst others find it easy. This is all totally down to you, and is a personal preference!

Below, I have listed the best places to eat in the Lake District solo depending on what kind of vibe you’re looking for.

Sit-down meals with epic views:

• Boardwalk Bar and Grill
• The Boathouse Bar & Restaurant, Bowness-on-Windemere
• The Lakeview, Bowness-on-Windemere

Casual, cafe vibes:

• Herdwicks Cafe, Coniston
• The Magic Roundabout, Bowness-on-Windemere
• The Giggling Goose, Ambleside
• Green’s Cafe and Bistro, Grasmere

Beer gardens:

• The Flying Fleece, Ambleside
• The Drunken Duck, Ambleside
• The Royal Oak, Ambleside
• The Bank Tavern, Keswick

Traditional pubs:

• Masons Arms, near Windemere
• Cuckoo Brow Inn, Ambleside
• The Oddfellows Arms, Keswick

Quick, fast-food or takeaway:

• Whichever town or village you are based in, there will be small fast food restaurants. From pizza, to kebab, to fish and chips.

Have a stroll down your local high street and see what you can find.

Supermarkets:

• Most regular UK supermarkets can be found in the Lake District. Tesco’s is the most common.

If you have your own Airbnb, you can always pick up some food in the local supermarket and cook from the comfort of your own home.

The possibilities are endless as a solo traveller, and not knowing where to eat alone isn’t a reason to stop you from going.

Just do whatever suits you, and whatever makes you feel the most comfortable!

Best Lake District solo activities

There are so many adventurous and fun things to do in the Lake District, and pretty much all of them can be done solo!

Like I said previously, it all depends on what you feel comfortable with, and what you want out of your trip.

Want to drink wine, watch the sunset on a picnic blanket with views of the lake? Go for it!

But if you want to wait to do something like this with someone else to share it with, that’s also ok!

Here are some activity ideas for solo travelling the Lake District:

• Go for an easy walk (one where you’re not going to get lost or injured alone)
• Rent a paddle board or kayak on one of the lakes
• Go for a wild swim (but make sure you’re somewhere safe and with other people around. Never swim entirely alone!)
• Have a walk around some of the villages like Grasmere and Coniston
• Treat yourself to a cosy coffee or pub lunch in Ambleside
• Drive to a viewpoint like Latrigg
• Join a pub quiz in Keswick or Ambleside
• Stargaze near your accommodation
• Visit Dove Cottage or Beatrix Potter World
• See a movie at the Ambleside cinema
• Go outdoor wear shopping in Ambleside or Keswick

There are so many opportunities and activities to do in the Lake District, so don’t let being solo put you off!

Want a definitive packing list for the Lake District? Check out my guide!

Check out my post: 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide) before hiking in the Lake District!

🗺️ 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!)

What to do in the evenings solo

Whenever I’ve solo travelled, I’ve found evenings to be the easiest times to meet other people.

Everyone’s had a great day, they’re a bit more relaxed, maybe drinking a few pints and stopping for the evening. Now is the best time to try and make some new friends!

So, what should you do in the evenings if you’re visiting the Lake District solo?

• See who is around in the hostel. Is there anyone who wants to go for dinner? A sunset walk?

• Head to a pub. Even if you’re sitting alone with a book, it’s nice to be out and around other people! Check out my best pubs in Ambleside guide or Keswick pub guide for some great solo options.

• Get some food in a restaurant or pub. Like I said earlier, it doesn’t have to be a sit-down meal, and just go with whichever vibe suits you. Check out my Keswick or Ambleside pub guides to check out which vibe is best for you.

• Have a cosy night in. Cook a meal, watch a Netflix film and snuggle up. If your Airbnb has a log fire, light it. Run a bath. Get a bottle of wine and spend some precious, quiet moments alone.

• Go for a walk. Check the time of sunset on your phone (so you’re not caught out in the dark) and go for a late evening walk and listen to a podcast.

• Go on a date! Ok, ok, hear me out on this one. Solo travelling is one of the BEST times to get swiping! As long as you are safe and meeting in a public place, put yourself out there and go on a date with a local. Why not?!

• Watch a movie at the cinema. Ambleside cinema is great for this!

This isn’t an extensive list, and there really are so many things to do in the Lake District in the evenings, even if you’re solo travelling.

Check out my post: 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide) before hiking solo in the Lake District!

How to get around the Lake District solo

Without a doubt, driving is the best way to get around the Lake District, even if you’re travelling solo.

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 and do a Lake District road trip. It’s easy to drive around (as long as you don’t mind narrow roads!) and it’s definitely the quickest.

If you’re new to driving in the Lake District, I’ve written some handy tips in my post; Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes (2022).

Don’t want to hire a car in the lakes? Check out the Lake District public transport links here.

Are you going on a Lake District road trip? Don’t forget to take a phone holder for your car. If you need to follow GPS to get around the lakes, you’ll need to prop your phone up somehow! We bought ours a few years ago and have used it on every road trip. Trust me – they never supply one!

How to meet other solo travellers in the Lake District

If you’re looking to meet other solo travellers in the Lake District, there are a few things you can try out.

Depending on how much of an introvert/extrovert you are, some of these may seem impossible or really quite easy.

Let’s discuss some of your best options.

🗺️ 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.

Join Lake District Facebook Groups

I am part of a couple of these groups and I ALWAYS join Facebook groups before I visit a country to travel or work as a digital nomad.

These groups host meet-ups and give you a chance to post to 20k + members about your trip, and whether anyone else is visiting at the same time. I’ve had friends do entire road trips with people they’ve met on Facebook!

Some of the most active Lake District groups on Facebook are:

• The Lake District Group
• Lake District Life
• Lake District Wild Camping

Want to take photos or videos in the water? You need a GoPro! I use mine every time I wild swim in lakes or the ocean. It’s an incredible way to keep your memories forever!

stay in hostels

Another great way to meet solo travellers is to stay in hostels. I’m a huge advocate for hostels, and even when I’m travelling with Tom, we like to stay in private rooms in hostels to meet people.

Most hostels have shared working spaces, a fun vibe and organised activities, so it’s easy to make friends.

Not sure whether you want to stay in a hostel? Check out my guides here first!

• Making Friends in Hostels: A Complete Guide
• Tips for Staying in Hostels: A First Timer’s Guide
• Shared Hostel Rooms: 8 Ugly Truths & Harsh Realities

You can book a hostel in the Lake District here.

A bit of an over-packer? I have the answer! I use these handy packing cubes for every trip, meaning I can pack nearly 2 times as much as I could without! They are so worth investing in!

book a group tour

Another option to meet people in the Lake District as a solo traveller is to book a group tour.

Whilst a number of travel bloggers run their own tours and retreats in the Lake District (which you can find on Instagram), there are also some great companies that run tours and activities in the national park.

These are a great way to meet other travellers, as you’re quite literally forced together for the day!

Some of the best group tours in the Lake District include:

• From Windemere, Western Lake Day Tour – book on GetYourGuide
• Ultimate 10 Lake Tour – book on GetYourGuide
• From Manchester – 3 Day Group Tour –book on GetYourGuide
• Waterfall trek and scramble day tours – book with Trip Advisor

With group tours like this (and plenty of others), there is no need to be alone in the Lake District if you don’t want to be!

🗺️ My Lake District must-have:  I use my Insta Mini 11 to take photos on all of my trips. As they print instantly, they’re perfect for making a scrapbook and writing in all your favourite and funniest memories. I’ve even got my boyfriend joining in on it now too!

go to the pub

Now, if you’re a bit of an introvert (unless you’ve had a bottle of wine) like me, this one might seem a bit daunting to do solo.

But, if you can muster up the courage, it could be one of the best ways to meet other travellers in the Lake District solo.

Head to a pub. Chat to people. Join in on a pub quiz. Do karaoke. Dance. Have a pint. Order food and sit next to like-minded people (if they look friendly) and strike a conversation.

Nine times out of ten, people will be happy to chat. They’ll invite you to spend time with them, wild camp or even explore some more of the area with them.

And if they don’t? Well, you haven’t lost anything by trying!

Just always be aware of who and what you’re talking about, and remember not everyone can be trusted (as sad as it is). But, if you can keep your wits about you, go for it!

Check out my best Ambleside pubs post or Keswick pub guide to find out the best pubs for solo travellers!

reach out on social media

This may seem crazy, but REAL PEOPLE are behind Instagram accounts.

And this is legitimately a way to meet people whilst travelling solo.

Reach out to someone on social media!

If they’re in the same area as you, why not? The worst that can happen is they don’t reply.

Or post on your story that you’ll be in the Lake District, and see if anyone else will be there at the same time.

You don”t even have to make it obvious that you’re looking for friends to travel with. Just start a discussion!

It might not work, but it’s worth a try!

🗺️ My Lake District must-have: A wheelie backpack! Check out my favourite, the Osprey 65L wheeled backpack. It’s dreamy for long-term trips and when you need more than a carry-on!

How many days do you need in the Lake District as a solo traveller?

This really is down to personal preference, and what kind of solo 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 4-5 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 Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip! and might be enough especially for a solo traveller.

It’s such a special location that I would recommend visiting the Lake District even if you’re short on time!

Check out my Lake District itineraries if you need a bit of help planning!

• 3 Days in the Lake District: Everything You NEED To Do
• Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
• Lake District Road Trip: 3 EPIC Routes (2022)
• Lake District in September: Why It’s the BEST Time to Visit (2022)
• 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide)

When is the best time to visit the Lake District solo?

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’re travelling solo and want a higher chance of meeting other backpackers, head to the Lake District during England’s peak summer months.

I can’t guarantee you’ll meet hundreds of backpackers, but it is a busier time so you’ll have a better chance at meeting other travellers.

Although, 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 your trip with a lot of other tourists!

Personally, I love the Lake District in September. You have the cooler yet sunny weather, without the big crowds. I love it so much that I’ve even written a guide, all about the best things to do in the Lake District in September.

Airtags: To track your luggage! This is the single best purchase I have ever made. An Apple airtag that tracks your checked baggage gives you total peace of mind when travelling internationally. Just make sure you get a keyring to go with it and keep it safe!

Lake District Solo Travel: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it!

I truly hope this post has convinced you that a trip to the Lake District solo is something that is totally possible.

Whilst it may not be a typical backpacker destination, it’s still an epic place to visit, and you can create some amazing travel memories!

My ultimate tip for solo travel in the Lake District is to just not wander too far off on your own. Some of the park is remote, and you don’t want to end up lost alone. Stick to the main roads and trails, and your solo trip will be one to remember.

If you’re looking to do a road trip across the Lake District, don’t forget to check out my guide.

As always, if you have a question about travelling the Lake District solo (or anything else travel or blogging-related) you can contact me over on Instagram or on my contact me page.

Happy travelling!

Jennie 😀 x

• 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District (2022 Guide)
• Things To Do In Ambleside In The Rain: 10 EPIC Ideas!
• Lake District Itinerary 1 Day Plan: The BEST Day Trip!
• Adventure in the Lake District: 21 Best Activities (2022)
• Best Pubs in Ambleside: The Lake District (2022 Essential Guide)

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