The Best of the Lake District Lakes in Britain

Sometimes, the best destinations are the hidden gems. When many people think of England, they immediately imagine London with its red telephone booths and black taxis. However, if you want to take a holiday in the U.K. like a true British local, you should check out Lake District National Park and its surrounding areas.

16 major lakes to discover in Lake District

The Lake District is one of England’s favorite vacation destinations, covering a total area of over 885 square miles and featuring a variety of picturesque valleys, woodlands, fells and lakes. Each of the lakes offers a unique and different experience for visitors, and it can be exciting to explore a range of different ones during your trip. If you are not familiar with the Lake District, there are 16 major lakes to discover, including:

• • Windermere – England’s largest natural lake, fed by numerous rivers. Accessible to everyone and extremely popular, it is a mecca for water sports enthusiasts and is a constant hub of activity with steamers and ferries offering lake cruises throughout the day.
  •  Ullswater – The Lake District’s second longest lake at 14.5km long and 250 feet deep, is located in the north east of the National Park and has a much more tranquil air than Windermere.
  • Derwentwater – With its long literary and historical heritage, tranquil Derwentwater, at three miles long, is best known for its beautiful, moody landscapes that change dramatically with the weather.
  • Bassenthwaite Lake – Lying at the foot of Skiddaw, near the town of Keswick is Bassenthwaite, the only official ‘lake’ of the Lake District. It is the most northerly of the major lakes and one of the shallowest at 70 feet deep.
  • Coniston Water – It is a favourite spot for fishing and indulging in the opulent Gondola, a beautifully restored Victorian steam-powered yacht that sails gracefully round the lake in the summer months.
  • Haweswater – It is a reservoir controversially constructed in 1929 in the valley of Mardale to supply water to the urban conurbations of north-west England.
  • Thirlmere – Conifer clad Thirlmere is a man-made reservoir created in 1894 to supply water to Manchester, submerging the Lakeland villages of Wythburn and Amboth in the process – only the church of Wythburn village survives.
  • Ennerdale Water – it is one of the prettiest and most peaceful lakes due to its remote location – there are no roads running along its full length.
  • Wast Water – England’s deepest lake at 260 feet, lies in Wasdale to the west of the National Park and is home to the Lake District’s most compelling and memorable view.
  • Crummock Water – Situated between Loweswater and Buttermere, Crummock Water is a clear, rocky bottomed lake flanked by steep fellsides of Skiddaw slate.
  • Esthwaite Water – It is nestled between Coniston Water and Windermere and is one of the smaller and lesser known of the lakes in the Lake District.

• Buttermere – It’s a popular location for photographers who are able to capture the idyllic shots of mountains reflected in its still waters.
• Grasmere – Described by William Wordsworth as ‘the most loveliest spot that man hath found’ this small lake just west of Rydal Water is one of the most attractive lakes in the Lake District.
• Loweswater – At approximately one mile in length and half a mile wide, it provides an excellent lake circuit for walkers.
• Rydal Water – Popular with tourists because of its Wordsworth connections, Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District.
• Brothers Water – This shallow lake covered in a carpet of lily pads during the summer is abundant in flora and fauna.

In planning your holiday, make sure to incorporate a number of these lakes from the Lake District in order to explore and uncover your favorite. – Travel Feeder

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.