The Best Viewpoints in the Lake District
The best viewpoints to see the Lake District are now the stuff of instagram legend.
But way back in 1778, Thomas West published A Guide to the Lakes in which he listed the best spots for visitors to stand and admire the landscape. Before then it was considered a wild and desolate place!
Then came the Romantic poets, who promoted the beauty and splendour of the landscape to a nation eager to escape the growing cities. And in 1820 William Wordsworth published his own guide book, A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England, which sold rapidly and encouraged many more visitors.
Fashions change, but the best viewpoints are the ones we still love today. Here’s our favourites.
Orrest Head
This our local hill, a 25-minute easy walk from the Cedar Manor. And while it’s relatively small in height, it offers the best viewpoint of them all. This is where guidebook writer Alfred Wainwright first fell in love with the Lakes. In fact, we love it so much we named our favourite suite here the Orrest Head Suite.
More than 60,000 people visit the viewpoint each year, and left unchecked, the erosion around the summit would have got worse. And then the ground would have been washed away by heavy rain. But a brilliant engineering project led by the Lake District National Park, with Windermere Town Council and South Lakeland District Council, fixed the problems. And now the path has access all the way up for people with pushchairs, powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
The work involved restoring sections of the Victorian carriage-drive to create an easy-gradient path to the summit, while leaving the existing footpath through the gate and up the steps in place for those who prefer the challenge.
And there’s some splendid new seating, and a giant compass at the top, to help you identify all the surrounding hills.
Stock Ghyll
Stock Ghyll is a tributary of the River Rothay, draining eventually into Windermere. It has an industrial past and used to be nicknamed Rattle Ghyll. Many of the old mill buildings whose wheels it used to turn can still be seen in Ambleside. Here's another of the best viewpoints in the Lake District.
Now it’s a popular and easy walk from the centre of the village to the spectacular 70 foot waterfall. You can view it safely from a railed viewpoint.
It’s easy to find. Just head up the minor road behind the Salutation Hotel and watch for the opening onto the footpath on your left. In the spring the woodland here is a mass of daffodils and then bluebells.
Aira Force
This is one of the most popular Lake District attractions, and one of the best viewpoints in the Lake District. It welcomes around 300,000 visitors every year. And at peak times (bank holidays, school holidays and sunny weekends) it can get busy in the car parks, with most filling up by around 10am.
The waterfall plunges down a rock ravine leading ultimately to Ullswater. At the moment the closest viewing platforms are out of bounds following severe tree fall in the winter storms, but you can still get a great view from the footpaths. Why not beat the crowds by arriving early in the morning or later in the evening. When it’s quiet, there’s more chance you’ll see some wildlife on your walk, maybe even red squirrels. The main waterfall is a one-mile round trip from the car park but longer walks are available.
The Grot
The Grot, or grotto, at Rydal Hall was built in 1668 by Sir Daniel Fleming. It was designed as a place to frame and enjoy the spectacular Rydal Falls. And today you can walk into this strange little building, opening the door onto the most spectacular view through the window opposite.
Rydal Hall has more than 30 acres of magnificent gardens and woodland. The formal gardens were designed by Thomas Mawson, and they present a total contrast to the naturalistic landscape which William Wordsworth began creating just up the hill at Rydal Mount. The Grot is open daily; you’ll find it by taking a gated path off the main track through the grounds, and then doubling back under a stone bridge.
Claife Viewing Station
At Claife Heights, near the Ferry on the quiet western shore of Windermere, is Claife Station. This is an historic building dating from the 1790s as a viewpoint where visitors could look at the lake of Windermere. It was most fashionable with tourists in the 1830s and 40s.
It looks like a miniature castle, perched on an outcrop of rock. Originally it was the local clergyman's summer house. The windows of the drawing room were the Station’s most celebrated feature; each had a different aspect, viewed through different coloured glass to enhance variations in weather and seasons.
Today a staircase takes you up to the first floor where the windows are framed with large sections of stained glass. You can park nearby, or walk (or cycle) along the lake shore from Wray Castle. There’s a small cafe on site. Toilets are a short walk away at the ferry car park.