The appetite for UK holidays is still at an all-time high and unsurprisingly, the English Lake District has made its way to the top of every Brits travel list. With a wealth of exquisite scenery, outdoor activities, foodie delights and tourist attractions aplenty, deciding how long to spend in the Lake District can be tricky.
Luckily for you, Lake District Hotels is here to help you plan your UK holiday to the Lakes and ensure you get the most out of your Great British staycation. With many people making UK based breaks their only holiday this year, the Lake District is the ideal location to visit whether it’s with family, friends, loved ones or to celebrate a special occasion.
Just because you’re not boarding a plane doesn’t mean that you can’t have a proper holiday! How long to spend in the Lake District entirely depends on your purpose for visiting and what you want to get out of your trip.
How long to spend in the Lake District depends on what you want from your trip, however we recommend spending 3 – 5 nights in the area.
Decide where you want to visit
Although it may not look like it on a map, the Lake District National Park actually takes up a very large area encompassing most of the county!
Because the area is broken up with high mountains and vast lakes, travelling from one part of the Lakes to another may take longer than you think, which is especially important to bear in mind when you’re trying to decide how long to spend in the Lake District.
For this reason, if you are planning only a short visit to the Lake District, we would recommend that you choose a particular area that you would like to explore such as the Keswick/Borrowdale area or Ullswater. There is plenty to do in these parts of the Lakes and if you are limited by time, you can get the most out of your visit without spending a lot of it in a car or bus.
If you plan on travelling a wider area and wish to take in as much of the Lake District National Park as possible, then we strongly recommend staying for 5 – 7 nights.
Factor in travel time
As mentioned above, the Lake District National Park spans a vast area and the more you wish to see of it, the longer you will spend travelling.
No one goes on holiday to spend most of it sat in some sort of vehicle not doing a lot, so if you do want to see the more remote parts of the Lake District such as the Langdale Valley or Wasdale, we would recommend staying longer than you may have initially anticipated.
To get to some of the most picturesque parts of the area, you will be required to travel down quaint, countryside roads which will increase your travel time. If you wish to explore more, then you will naturally spend more time travelling around and less time sight-seeing or partaking in activities… so it’s better to stay a little longer!
Plan your activities
How long to spend in the Lake District is also very heavily influenced by what you want to do here! As one of the nation’s most popular UK holiday destinations, there are plenty of things to do in the area to suit a multitude of ages and tastes.
If you’re wanting to hike as many Wainwrights as possible, stay for longer than usual to ensure you have enough time to get a good amount ticked off. Remember, you may be more tired than you think after your first day on the fells and need the subsequent day to recuperate!
If you’ve come to take things slowly, spend time with loved ones, eat tasty food and immerse yourself in a tranquil environment, 3 nights in the Lake District may be ideal for you.
It is worth researching what activities you would like to do while you are here and plan a daily itinerary around them. Then you can factor in how many nights accommodation you should book to ensure you get to do everything.
Make time to relax!
Although many people visit the region to go hiking or get outdoors, the main purpose of a holiday is to relax, so we would encourage making time for relaxation amongst your jam-packed schedule.
Even if you’re planning on tackling England’s highest mountain, going kayaking on Derwentwater or heading for the region’s most popular cycling routes, you will definitely want to spend some time chilling out afterwards.
The Lake District also has a range of relaxing activities that you may want to incorporate into your visit including spa days, lake cruises or simply just sitting outside with a drink watching the world go by – we recommend trying the 1 or 2 litre jugs of Sangria at the Skiddaw Hotel!
Consider your budget
As with any holiday whether it’s a UK staycation or you’re heading abroad, consider your budget when you are deciding how long to spend in the Lake District.
The area has some of the most beautiful, opulent hotels in the UK, which make for a real treat if you’re celebrating a special occasion or even a delayed occasion brought on by COVID!
If you’re in search of a relaxing spa weekend with your significant other, the odds are a 2-night stay may be ideal for you. Be sure to take a look at our stunning Deluxe Spa Suites at the Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa – the only hotel rooms that include access to The Falls Spa.
If you’re wanting a longer getaway where you can truly take advantage of all the beauty and attractions around you, stay a bit longer and opt for one of our 13 bespoke bedrooms at The Kings Arms in Keswick. You’ll be located at the heart of all the action too so it’ll save time travelling around if you wish to ditch the car!
