Top Things to do in Lake District
Top Hotels in Lake District
- 1. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 2. Applegarth Villa Hotel and Restaurant (Adult Only)
- 3. Ambleside Salutation Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 4. The Keswick Country House Hotel
- 5. The Daffodil Hotel & Spa
- 6. Ravenstone Manor Hotel
- 7. Riverside Hotel
- 8. Damson Dene Hotel
- 9. The Wordsworth Hotel
- 10. Castle Green Hotel in Kendal, BW Premier Collection
The 10 Best Castles in Lake District, England
Cumbria's valleys and fells (as the low mountains are known) are home to idyllic villages, high moorlands and picturesque lakes. Literary buffs will enjoy Wordsworth's Dove Cottage (go in March to see daffodils), and if you've got kids in tow, visit The World of Beatrix Potter. Or just enjoy a leisurely drive through beautiful scenery.
Restaurants in Lake District
1. Castle Crag
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By edm1887 - Birmingham, United Kingdom
An hours walk from our hotel and even in the rain, well worth the effort. Stunning views over Derwent Water - easy to see why AW loved it. Don’t miss the slate quarry with its countless statues. Very eerie!
2. Muncaster Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,581 reviews
The historic and reputedly haunted Castle dating from the medieval age has been home to the Pennington family for over 800 years. It is a treasury of beautiful art and antiques, collected through the ages by the family who still live there. The Castle sits majestically in over 70 acres of wild, woodland gardens famous for collections of rhododendrons and azaleas set against the stunning backdrop of the Lakeland fells including Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain. The Hawk & Owl Centre is well worth a visit with daily displays at 2pm and watch the wild herons come in to feed at 4pm. The indoor MeadowVole Maze is an entertaining ecological attraction to entertain the young at heart. Playground, cafe, gift shops and an ancient church are all within the gardens. Regular events programme, including festivals, outdoor theatre, historical re-enactors and Halloween Week.
Reviewed By JimM453 - Kilmarnock, United Kingdom
My wife and i visited Muncaster Castle which was lovely set in lovely gardens and surrounded by beautiful scenery ,we also took in the hawk and owl displays which were great .
3. Sizergh Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,404 reviews
Reviewed By Y7972VAmichaelh
Sizergh Castle, the home of the Strickland family since 1239, turned out to be a most memorable day and of tremendous interest. The Hall didn’t open until midday so we spent a good hour wandering through the stunning gardens, thankfully in brilliant warm sunshine. The limestone rock garden was made in 1926 and contained beautiful Japanese maples and ferns of spectacular golden colours (mid-September). The mid-14th-century Solar Tower dominates the south-east front effectively landscaped with stone terraces and steps leading down to the lily pond. The interior contained some wonderful pieces of furniture and stunning bronze figurines. Cecilia Strickland transformed the Hall from 1773 onwards but was stricken with chronic arthritis forcing her to resort to using a wooden chair which had been fitted with wheels in quite a homespun but nonetheless ingenious fashion. This National Trust owned property really was a highlight on our week-long holiday and the restaurant is geared up in a very professional way to serve good meals which was attracting a significant number of visitors. The staff throughout the whole complex were engaging, polite and extremely knowledgeable without being over intrusive. A really great find which could have easily been missed due to the high charges for car parking .... something that seriously needs looking at National Trust! Visitors WILL spend in so many other ways and be quite generous with their giving too, but hitting them hard from the outset is not the way to do it. A property that totally justifies a 5-star rating.
4. Lowther Castle and Gardens
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,220 reviews
Lowther Castle sits on a majestic elevated spot a few miles south of Penrith. Surrounded by acres of woodland and ancient gardens, the ruined castle is a stunning place to visit for families of all sizes and ages. An adventure playground in the woods is amazing for the younger visitor; the gardens are a feast for the imagination; the café offers food for all palates; and the shop sells a range of delightful Lowther and other goodies. Dogs on leads very welcome.
Reviewed By P5649OCemilyd
Lovely gardens, different sections, e.g rose garden (still being developed), Japanese garden etc., gorgeous views from the edge and lots of little interesting things scattered around There is a HUGE children’s play castle at the back which me and my 26 year old boyfriend enjoyed playing on so it’s for the big kids as well :P We ate at the cafe, very nice tasty food, a little bit pricey but typical for similar places. Would visit again
5. Penrith Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 274 reviews
Reviewed By deanoooo1982 - Manchester, United Kingdom
I think if I’d visited this *just* for the castle, I might be a tad disappointed. But as part of a trip into Penrith, it’s a nice addition. The park next to it is also a great place for kids with open fields and a play park
6. Brough Castle Ice Cream Parlour
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By hewi2016 - Preston, United Kingdom
Dropped in at this ice cream parlour and glad we did. All covid-19 safety measures in place which was reassuring. The lady behind the counter was lovely. We ordered two scones, clotted cream, jam and hot chocolates. The scones were so delicious, they were warm and lovely and soft and the hot Chocolate were divine. This is a little hideaway that we are glad we came across and will certainly return when in the area. Thank you.
7. Kendal Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 465 reviews
Reviewed By A4218PAjackc
If you enjoy a nice walk with something of interest to see then you could do a lot worse than have a gentle amble around Kendal Castle
8. Appleby Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 223 reviews
Deep in the heart of the Eden Valley, nestling alongside the meandering river Eden, stands Appleby Castle. This spectacular motte and bailey castle has been held by the Kings of England and Scotland and boasts one of the few remaining intact Norman keeps (not a ruin). Experience the tranquil stunning scenery of this special place. The most important fortification in the Eden valley raises it's portcullis for guided tours. A unique, entertaining and exciting experience awaits visitors to tour one of Cumbria's oldest, most prestigious and beautiful castles. Appleby Castle has a rich history dating back to Roman times.
Reviewed By yvonneh335 - Blackburn, United Kingdom
We enjoyed a walk by river and in the castle grounds. Everything in good condition. Cottages to rent. Quiet and relaxing.
9. Brough Castle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By David_Lorraine111
You could easily miss this little gem. Set at the back of the village of Church Brough, south of the A66, this is a great place for a short visit. There is no entry charge but there is also very little posted information. The views on a sunny day are magnificent and we practically had the place to ourselves so we could explore and spot the various elements of a typical Motte and Bailey arrangement on the site of a Roman Fort that once guarded the York to Carlisle passage across the stunning moorlands. We drove over from Middleton-in Teesdale and looked down on the castle from the top of the hills and then looked back up to the moors from the castle. There was no charge but the adjacent ice-cream parlour may tempt you to part with some cash or cashless funds which would be a just reward for discovering this delightful ruin. Calling it a northern Corfe would not be out of keeping, just somewhat more quiet and personal.
10. Wray Castle
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,933 reviews
In the 1840s a surgeon and an heiress from Liverpool began building a castle with panoramic Lake District views that would only ever have to defend itself from the Cumbrian weather. With all the furniture and artwork long gone and the last family moving out in the 1920s, the castle has had mixed uses and first opened to visitors in 2011. The castle has church-like interiors but it’s a work in progress and the National Trust are continually learning about its past. Discover more of the castle’s colourful history by joining one of the daily talks or tours. Families can explore the activity rooms, where there’s plenty of space for creative play inspired by the story of Wray Castle.
Reviewed By ejg7983
We visited Wray castle on a rainy, windy day during February half term with children aged 6, 8 and 12 years old. My 8 year old said it was the most fun castle he'd ever visited. There are soft play rooms, a table tennis table, snooker table, drawing activities, a dress up room, a pretend campsite, a nautical themed room, a miniature dry stone wall to build, Peter Rabbit themed rooms and more. The food in the cafe was delicious. We did a drawing activity and found out lots about the history of the castle and the fact that Beatrix Potter stayed there for 3 months on her first ever visit to the Lake District. The views across Windermere are stunning. We didn't explore the grounds due to the weather. If you are expecting your usual National Trust property you may be disappointed but if you have young children they won't be!
