Lake District, Cumbria Bucket List

Packed with adventure, the Lake District, Cumbria is home to experiences to savour. Here are a few to add to your bucket list - including some hidden gems you simply can’t miss.

Experience Michelin starred dining

With the most Michelin stars outside of London, a trip to one of our highly awarded restaurants is a bucket list experience you won’t forget. Get a taste of Cumbria, with menus inspired by local flavours and packed with flair and creativity.

Allium at Askham Hall

Walk in the footsteps of the Romans

Patrolled by Roman soldiers, the majestic Hadrian’s Wall once protected the area from invaders. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Museums and Roman forts can be found as far south as the coastal village of Ravenglass, and welcome visitors to learn more about this impressive landmark.

Shop Local

Our vibrant community of artisan makers creates unique products, handmade with love; while on high streets across the county you’ll find independent shops offering everything from handmade gifts to outdoor clothing. Don’t miss our bustling markets - whether weekly or seasonal, they’re not to be missed. 

Kendal

Eat Local

We’re known for our food, and there are some local delicacies you can’t leave without trying - from sweet treats like Grasmere Gingerbread™, Kendal Mint Cake and Sticky Toffee Pudding, to potted shrimps from Morecambe Bay and Cumberland Sausage. Where better to try them than in the place they were created.

See Seasonal Colour

In the autumn months, the countryside is painted with reds, golds and oranges. It’s a photographer’s dream, and a cosy time to visit. Winter brings breathtaking views, with frosty mornings and snow capped peaks; while in spring, our landscapes come alive with new colour. Think blossom walks, lambs in the fields, and daffodils on the lake shore.

Akay Wood, Sedbergh

Discover Our Only City

Carlisle stands proud in the north of the county, combining modern city living with a rich history and heritage.It’s also Cumbria’s only city, and a visit here offers plenty to enjoy: from food & drink to arts, culture and history.

Walk Cumbria’s coast

Already on many people’s bucket list is completing the challenge of all 214 Wainwrights. For something a bit different, why not tackle the King Charles III English Coast Path: a long distance route which runs from Walney Island in the south to Silloth in the north. Along the way, take in stunning coastal views and stop for fish and chips by the sea.

Watch the sunrise over Morecambe Bay

Watch the sunrise over the sands of Morecambe Bay. The coastal town Grange over Sands offers an east-facing vantage point, as do the natural landscapes of the South Walney Nature Reserve and Bardsea on the coast road.

Walney Island, Barrow

Immerse yourself in the Yorkshire Dales

Cumbria is proudly home to a small part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This picturesque area is dotted with traditional market towns and scenic countryside walks: a visit here is a must. Fancy a walk? The Dales Way runs through Dent and Sedbergh all the way to Bowness on Windermere.

Watch the sunset on the western coast

Come evening, Cumbria’s western coast is the perfect place to watch the sunset as it dips into the Irish sea. From Barrow-in-Furness in the south to Bowness-on-Solway in the north, via towns like Whitehaven and Maryport, grab a drink and be wowed. 

Bowness on Solway

Live like a lord or lady

Explore our impressive country halls and castles: some are historic ruins, others are still lived in today. Immersive experiences offer the chance to get closer to the action, while some even offer accommodation - so you can sleep in a castle yourself!

Cycle the Solway Coaster

A flat, tarmacked 14.1km route between Allonby and Silloth, the Solway Coaster forms part of the Hadrian’s Wall Cycleway 72. Admire the view, with the ocean to one side and Cumbrian fells to the other. Be sure to stop for an ice cream along the way!

Solway Coaster

Visit a National Landscape

We’re home to three: the Arnside & Silverdale National Landscape, the North Pennines, and the Solway Coast. Each offers something a bit different and completely unique.

Visit our two UNESCO World Heritage Sites

We’ve got not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Lake District National Park and the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, which runs all the way down the coast to the village of Ravenglass. Spent some time exploring both, with plenty to discover.

Keswick Market

To market!

Head to a local market and meet the makers. Peruse stalls selling everything from locally made jewellery to artisan food and drink. Whether it’s a weekly charter market or a seasonal event - think summer farmer’s markets and Christmas fairs - it’s an experience not to be missed. 

We'll be adding to this list, so please do share your favourite bucketlist ideas with us on social media - we're @lakedistrictcumbria.