The Lake District was granted Unesco World Heritage Site status last week. It’s our first national park to receive the accolade — and we’re not going to argue. Its towering fells, slate-roofed hamlets and, of course, shimmering lakes have inspired writers, ramblers, artists and adventurers, and still capture the hearts of nearly 20m visitors a year. Here, with apologies to the Derwent Pencil Museum, are The Sunday Times Travel’s all-time Lakeland favourites.
Best view
Wastwater from Great Gable
Opinion is divided as to which end of Wasdale is the more show-stopping. Many say it’s the foot of the valley, looking across Wastwater to the phalanx of peaks around pyramidal Great Gable (2,949ft), but we think the view from the top of Great Gable shades it, with the patchwork of fields threaded by streams in the foreground and glistening Wastwater beyond. The most accessible route up is from the hamlet of Seathwaite, via the spectacular Taylor Gill Force waterfall. It’s a scramble, but you won’t regret it.
Best walk
Helvellyn round trip
This nine-mile loop has got the lot: a gentle climb through serene woodland, a surging beck to follow, deep glacial coves cradling mountain tarns, and the visual rewards (and cachet) of standing atop England’s third highest mountain (3,117ft). Begin at Swirls car park, on the shore of Thirlmere, and head south to Raise Beck, then across to Grisedale Tarn. Your route to Helvellyn’s summit is via the steep, stepped climb to Dollywaggon Pike. Finish your flask at the cross-shaped shelter, then it’s a northwest bearing back down to the car. It’ll take about five hours; factor in at least an extra hour of gawping if it’s clear.
Best adventure
Honister Slate Mine Via Ferrata
Tracing a precarious route once followed by miners, this is a thrilling sequence of ladders, chasm crossings and cargo nets that culminates in a 300ft wire bridge walk at twice the height of the Shard. Beginners have no excuse: “If you can climb a hill, you’re in,” the company says. Gulp.
From £38pp; honister.com/via-ferrata
Best drive
Borrowdale
The 22-mile clockwise loop from Keswick on the B5289 traces the eastern shore of Derwentwater, twists up and over the Honister Pass to the region’s prettiest lake, Buttermere, then weaves back over the ridge to Keswick. Stop-offs abound, from Grange in Borrowdale, with its twin Postman Pat-style bridges, to the glacial erratic of Bowder Stone — so big, there’s a ladder. Google Maps says it should take just over an hour. Allow a day.
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Best village
Grasmere
In peak coach-tour season, it can feel as if the village is hosting a United Nations conference. But we love it anyway, for its glut of teashops, its arty vibe and its unarguable beauty — encircled by fells and with a dinky lake. Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage is here; there’s Cumberland wrestling at Grasmere Sports and Show; and gingerbread is still made to an original recipe in the poet’s former school.
Best pub
Kirkstile Inn
This 16th-century coaching inn — between Loweswater and Crummock Water — has a muddy-boots feel, a microbrewery serving award-winning drops such as Loweswater Gold and Grasmoor Dark Ale, a garden with views of domed Mellbreak, and a mix of locals and ramblers. (It’s on the Coast-to-Coast route.) Don’t miss the tatie pot, Lakeland lamb stew with black pudding, red cabbage and veg.
Mains from £11; kirkstile.com
Best tearoom
Chesters by the river
At this lively cafe in Skelwith Bridge, you’ll need to make the agonising decision between doorstops of tiffin and flapjack or scones the diameter of a camembert, and twice as thick (£2). Grab a seat on the pastel-blue terrace and devour while listening to the Brathay burbling by.
chestersbytheriver.co.uk
Best restaurant
Forest Side
The top foodie entry in The Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels 2016, this Grasmere restaurant is overseen by local lad and L’Enclume alumnus Kevin Tickle. The kitchen garden is its heartbeat, and the 10-course Grand ’Un — including slow-cooked Herdwick hogget with hay custard — is unforgettable.
Menus from £35; Grand ’Un tasting menu £95; theforestside.com
Best hotel
Armathwaite Hall
On the edge of moody Bassenthwaite, Armathwaite Hall Country House & Spa blends creaky and modern with aplomb: wood panelling and fine dining in the crenellated main building; a slick spa with a pool and an outdoor hot tub in the extension. There are 400 acres of gardens, ospreys nest in the surrounding woodland and Skiddaw towers above.
Doubles from £210, B&B; armathwaite-hall.com
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Best campsite
Great Langdale
Overlooked by the toothy Langdale Pikes, this is a slick operation: a shop for provisions, a children’s play area, a drying room, its own pub up the road. It has a beck running through the site for paddling, an admirable commitment to protecting your peace (large groups are banned and there’s an 11pm noise curfew), and wooden pods for glamping it up.
Pitch for two adults from £20 in summer; pods from £52.50; nationaltrust.org.uk
Best hostel
YHA Black Sail
This former shepherd’s bothy at the head of the sweeping Ennerdale valley opened its doors 85 years ago. It remains spectacular. You have to hike to reach it — the nearest road is 2½ miles away — but you’ll be rewarded with a woodburning stove, cosy camaraderie and a freshly cooked set menu every night.
Beds from £35; yha.org.uk/hostel/black-sail
Best country house
Blackwell
The best rainy-day option in the Lakes, with further apologies to the Derwent Pencil Museum, is this light-filled Arts and Crafts masterpiece. Built on the shores of Windermere in 1901 by MH Baillie Scott, it has a panelled dining room that looks as if it could host a medieval banquet. The blue tiles and marble floor around the White Drawing Room’s fireplace will have you scouring Homebase for similar.
£8, kids free; blackwell.org.uk
Tell us your Lake District favourites — and win free flights
Disagree with our choices? Share your tips from the Lakes: email travel@sunday-times.co.uk. The best letter will win its sender a pair of return flights with Monarch; see thesundaytimes.co.uk/travelletters for more details
