Julie Smith
19 March 2021
You can't beat a scenic walk in the beautiful Lake District followed by delicious pub grub and a selection of local ales. The Lakes has lots of pubs and inns in remote locations which make for perfect refreshment stops or ideal finishing points after long walks. Here are some walking suggestions to get you started!
1. Muncaster Fell and King George IV Inn
Muncaster Fell is not just a walk but a steam adventure, taking in our favourite miniature railway! Starting out from Ravenglass, you can take a 6-mile walk parallel to the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway along Muncaster Fell, finishing at Eskdale Green Station. The King George IV Inn is just 300 yards away, and then you can take a fun ride on La'al Ratty to return you to your starting point!
View our cottages in Ravenglass.
2. A circuit of Buttermere to the Bridge Inn
Buttermere provides the ultimate pub walk. Take in a beautiful 4.5-mile circuit of this serene lake, which should take around three hours (allowing time to stop and soak up the beauty of your surroundings) and passes through the 100ft-long Hassness Tunnel. This man-made tunnel was created in the rock for a wealthy mill owner in the 1880s so that he could walk around the lake with minimal effort! Afterwards, return back to Buttermere village to the Bridge Inn at The Bridge Hotel. Dogs are welcome in the Walkers bar (named after the inn's founder, not the many walkers who use it!) and on the outside patio, although not in the lounge bar.
We have lots of holiday cottages in Buttermere
3. Elterwater and The Britannia Inn
One popular route which begins in the village of Elterwater takes in both Colwith Force and Skelwith Force, two beautiful waterfalls in the area that are well worth seeing, especially after rain. This 4.5-mile route then returns past the small lake of Elter Water and back to the village, where you can find great food and speciality beers at The Britannia Inn. Sit outside in summer, or cosy up by a warm fire in the winter.
4. A circuit of Loweswater and the Kirkstile Inn
Here at Sally's Cottages we love a waterside walk, so it's no surprise that the 4-mile circuit of Loweswater is among our many favourites. You can start this lovely walk from Maggie's Bridge, a National Trust car park at the southern end of Loweswater. This area is often particularly quiet (an undiscovered gem), with much of the shoreline surrounded by trees. Although not on the route itself, the Kirkstile Inn is just a short distance away.
View our cottages in the Loweswater area.
5. Scale Force and The Fish Inn, Buttermere
Scale Force is the tallest waterfall in the Lake District, at 38 metres high, and is best seen immediately after it has rained. A walk from Buttermere and back is around four miles long and should take about two hours. On your return to Buttermere village, stop off at The Fish Inn, which is known for the story of Mary Robinson, the 'Maid of Buttermere', who lived and worked there. Mary married John Hatfield, who was actually an imposter and a bigamist calling himself Colonel Hope - he was later hanged in Carlisle for forgery! The tale is told in Melvyn Bragg's novel, Maid of Buttermere.
6. Easedale Tarn and Tweedies Bar, Grasmere
From the centre of Grasmere you can take a fabulous walk up to Easedale Tarn, a route which is about five and a half miles in total, and completely takes you away from the world. On returning to the village, enjoy something to eat at Tweedies Bar, a CAMRA award-winning pub with some of the best pub food in the area.
Take a look at our cottages in Grasmere and Rydal.
7. Walla Crag above Derwent Water and the George Hotel, Keswick
If you're in Keswick and you're after a serious walk with steep climbs and descents, then this is the route for you. From the Lakeside car park next to the Theatre by the Lake, the walk is just under five and a half miles and passes through Cockshot Wood and Castlehead wood to Castle Head, a fantastic viewpoint and believed to be the site of an Iron Age hill fort. The route continues through Springs Wood before leading to Walla Crag, which has incredible views across Derwent Water and beyond. You then descend towards the lakeshore before making your way back to your starting point. You'll be spoilt for choice for pubs in Keswick, which include the George Hotel, the town's oldest inn.
View our cottages in and around Keswick.
8. Patterdale to Silver Point and the White Lion Inn
Ullswater has a distinctive and dramatic atmosphere, and is the second-largest lake in the Lake District after Windermere. William Wordsworth once walked among the wildflowers here, inspiring him to write his famous poem, Daffodils. This four-mile walk of moderate difficulty begins in the hamlet of Patterdale and takes a route through the buildings of Side Farm, then along the side of Place Fell to the viewpoint of Silver Point - some say one of the best views in the Lake District. You can return back to Patterdale on a parallel and rugged path passing disused quarries on the way, and then sit back and relax with a well-deserved meal at the White Lion Inn.
View our cottages in Patterdale and Glenridding.
Note for all walks: If you plan to try out any of the walks mentioned here, remember that these are summary descriptions only and that you should always get hold of a map and full route description before setting off. Remember to wear appropriate footwear and clothing, and to take plenty of food and drinking water too - even if there is a delicious pub meal waiting for you at the other end!
Wherever you're planning to start your Lake District getaway, Sally's Cottages has the perfect property for you - find yours by using our online search facility. For more inspiration on things to see in the area, with some further handy walking ideas, take a look at our 10 best-kept secrets in the Lake District.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.