How to Spend an Autumnal Weekend in England’s Lake District
The Lake district has held a piece of my heart ever since our first visit in the Autumn of 2021. This gorgeous national park is located in the north of England and gives travellers visiting the UK a different perspective to the typical tourist hotspots like London or The Cotswolds. It’s somewhere you can go to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and slow down to the pace of nature and rural village living. I love visiting in Autumn to experience the warmth and coziness of rural pubs, small village shops and the autumnal reds, oranges and yellows that paint the landscape.
The Lake District is a 5-and-a-half-hour drive from London, so you may want to rent a car and make a road trip out of your journey there. Alternatively, you can take a flight from London to Manchester and then drive 2 hours to get to the Lakes. Either way, renting a car is a must-do to explore the Lake District properly.
This area of England is well known for the many different walks or hikes available for those looking to spend some time outdoors. With so many mountains, lakes and waterfalls in the region, you’ll be spoilt for choice when you’re deciding which trail to follow. Trails even cross into local farmlands, where walkers are welcomed to walk through small wooden gates or up and over wooden steps called stiles.
The people in the Lake District are welcoming and friendly and, whether you book your accommodation at a BnB or hotel, your hosts will definitely be open to giving you some tips and hidden gems to help you explore the area like a local.
The stone walls and traditional buildings in the Lake District were all built from locally sourced dark grey slate between the 18th and 20th centuries, which gives the area a distinctive moody and cozy feel, especially when the mountain fog rolls in. Traditionally known as an area of market towns that traded wool, the Lake District National Park was officially established in 1951 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular getaway for Brits seeking some time in nature.
This itinerary will introduce you to the warmth and charm of the Lake District and give you a chance to experience just how special this corner of England really is.
Friday Evening – Arrive in Ambleside
Friday is a dedicated travel day to give you time to make your way up to Ambleside, your first stop in the Lake District. This small town is a great place to start your trip and spend your first night. Many people would say Windermere is the gateway to the Lake District and that’s where you should start your visit, but I find Ambleside has much more charm and more to offer than Windermere. There are great accommodation options available in and around Ambleside. If you’re looking for more budget friendly accommodation options, you might want to book your stay in Kendal, which is located just outside the national park.
Spend your evening on Friday walking around the small village of Ambleside and get cozy as you enjoy a meal at one of the local pubs. (You should probably book your pub meal ahead of time, to make sure you can get a table.) Chat to the locals and ask for recommendations of must dos during your trip in the Lakes, so you don’t miss out!
Saturday – Wander Around Ambleside, Waterfall Walk and Whinlatter Forest
After breakfast, take a walk through Ambleside town centre and experience the charm of the town in the morning light. Some good spots in Ambleside to check out are the famous 17th century Bridgehouse and the old water mill, which has a lovely tea house where you can enjoy a good cup of tea and even some traditional British scones.
If you’re up for it, head to Stockghyll lane, located across from the Ambleside Inn, to the start of the Stock Ghyll Force waterfall walk. The road leading up to the waterfall is quite steep, but this would be a lovely way to get some movement in to start the day. The waterfall itself is small, but beautiful and is surrounded by English woodland and scenic views.
When you’ve completed the walk, grab a coffee in town for the road and pack up your bags to head to the next stop in this Lake District itinerary, Whinlatter Forest, England’s only true mountain forest.
The forest is known for its stunning views of Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and Keswick, as well as fantastic walking trails. Spend the afternoon exploring this beautiful forest. Take your time and allow yourself to truly unwind and connect with nature. A forest hike can also be a great opportunity to have a prayer walk with God, or even the perfect time for you and your spouse to connect. I often have my most meaningful conversations with God and my husband while I’m walking in nature.
For Saturday evening, drive 5 miles from the forest to the market town of Keswick, where you’ll stay the night. Keswick, although still charming and quaint, is a bigger town than Ambleside with many different accommodation options to choose from. For travellers on more of a budget, I would recommend the Premier Inn (British Hotel Chain) in Keswick, located a 5-minute walk from the town centre.
Check into your accommodation and head out into the town to explore what Keswick has to offer. There are a few pubs in town, but they do fill up quickly, so I would suggest you make a reservation beforehand.
Sunday – Explore Keswick, Walk Around Buttermere Lake and Drive Through Kirkstone Pass
On Sunday morning, head to town and enjoy breakfast at a local coffee shop. Explore Keswick, take in the local architecture and browse the local shops to start off your last day in the Lakes. The rest of Sunday’s itinerary involves a lot of driving, and some very narrow rural countryside lanes, so if you’re not comfortable with this, use today to either have a slow and restful time in one of the day spas in the area, or make a stop at the visitors’ centre and ask for recommended hikes or places to visit nearby, before making the journey back to Manchester or London.
If you’re up for the day of adventurous driving, pack your bags, check out of your accommodation and drive 30 minutes from Keswick to Buttermere. This drive will take you along narrow country lanes, tree – lined roads, through scenic mountain passes and finally to the very small village of Buttermere. There is paid parking available behind the village hotels, but it is quite expensive. If you want to park for free (as of October 2025), park up the road near St James’ Church and take a walk down to the Fish Inn, where you’ll find the start of the Buttermere Circular Walk round Buttermere Lake.
Start your walk by heading towards Burtness Wood and make your way anti-clockwise around the lake. The circular walk is an easy to moderate 7.4km loop and takes around 2 and a half hours to complete. This is one of the most beautiful hikes around the Lake District and is well known for stunning views of the lake backed by the surrounding woodlands and mountains. If you’re short on time or want to take it easy, shorten your walk and once you’ve taken some time to enjoy the lake and views, turn back on the path and make your way back to the Fish Inn.
After your walk, grab some lunch at the Bridge Hotel in Buttermere and then head to the car for the drive back to Manchester or London. When you leave Buttermere and head back down South, enter Kirkstone Pass into the GPS, because this is one last stop you have to make before leaving the Lake District – trust me, it’s worth the detour!
Kirkstone Pass is the highest mountain pass in the Lake District, which means you’ll experience some absolutely stunning views as you wind your way through the mountains. There is also a parking area to stop at to admire the panoramic views across the valley below, so you won’t miss out on the chance to capture some epic photos and videos as you make your way out of the national park.
From Kirkstone Pass, drive to Windermere and further down past Kendal onto the M6 motorway, which will take you back to Manchester, or on your way further down to London, where you can continue the rest of your UK adventure.
England’s Lake District is a special place that will remind you about the importance of slowing down, spending time in nature and reconnecting with yourself, your loved ones and our Heavenly Father. With all the busyness of modern life, spending some time in the charming rural towns and wild landscapes of the Lakes should definitely be on your UK to-do list.
I hope this post has shown you that there is so much more to the UK than just London or the Cotswolds, and if you’re willing to go a little off the typical tourist path and add the Lake District National Park to your UK travel itinerary, you definitely will not be disappointed. If you do ever find yourself exploring this beautiful area, I hope you’ll find, just as I did, that the Lakes hold a special place in your heart after your visit and you’ll always dream of returning.
