If there’s one thing you’ll find as a frequent visitor in the Lake District, it’s that no matter how often you see a place, you don’t truly see it until you take the time to plan a visit to each viewpoint. The Lake District has some of the finest viewpoints in the country, and while you can get a guidebook to help you get where you want to be, you can also find a range of viewpoints near me just by using your car.
Some of these car viewpoints are unexpected, and others you can get to on foot, so you may not even need to bring the car with you. These aren’t all of the best views in the Lake District—we don’t have space to list them all!—but here’s a selection of those you must go to at least once in life. Pack a picnic, bring the kids, and make a weekend of it. Searching for the best views in the Lake District ensures that you and the family will have a true adventure!
Table of Contents
Queen Adelaide’s Hill
Windermere
Whether you arrive in summer or winter, Queen Adelaide’s Hill in Windermere is spectacular. You don’t have to put in too much effort to enjoy a beautiful view, and there is parking at the bottom of the hill so you can walk up to see the scene.
Millerground
Windermere
You can visit this viewpoint on the same day as Queen Adelaide’s Hill, as Millerground is just below it. There are Lake District views of jetties and the bay, and it’s accessible by foot if you don’t want to bring the car. Find the footpath at the entrance of the Miller Howe Hotel.
Monk Coniston
Coniston
What do you need but a walk to the beach? Right next to Monk Coniston car park is a quiet bay that is simply stunning in the autumn. At the tip of Coniston Water lies Monk Coniston, where you’ll see beautiful autumn colors through the season. The panoramic Lake District views are fantastic whether you stand on the jetty—just a five-minute walk through the trees—or by the still bay visible from the car park.
Claife Viewing Station
Windermere
On the west shore of Lake Windermere, you’ll find the Claife Viewing Station. You can use the Windermere Car Ferry as a treat for the family—it only costs 50p each way for foot passengers! The original viewpoint still stands since the 18th century. You can use the colored window glass to create amazing effects that the kids will love
Bassenthwaite
Whinlatter Pass
Opposite Noble Knott car park is a layby at Bassenthwaite along the Whinlatter Pass. Summertime is the best time to visit this viewpoint as there’s always an ice cream van in the car park! You’ll find the Noble Knott car park on Whinlatter Pass, just outside Keswick and near the Whinlatter Forest. It’s England’s only true mountain forest—so have your camera ready! The layby is an ideal place for a photo.
Glencoyne
Ullswater
Ullswater is perfect for avid walkers. With a beach here and some of the best views in the Lake District accessible from boats for hire, it’s ideal for those seeking viewpoints near me for a bit of adventure. A National Trust car park is directly across, so you can sort out your passes easily. Spend a couple of days here building sandcastles and exploring the beautiful National Trust park for unforgettable family moments.
Crow Park
Keswick
The views along the Derwentwater here are stunning. Crow Park may not look like more than a plain hill. But it’s accessed through a gate opposite the theatre in Keswick and the children will love rolling around on this one. It’s a five minute walk to the top and it’s a beautiful place to spend an afternoon picnic.
Kirkstone Pass
The scene from the very top of the Lakeland pass is beautiful and you can see the road snaking away into the distance here. Once you get over the Kirkstone Pass from Ambleside, you’ll find a car park and you can stop here for a photo-op! There is plenty to see here and you can go for a walk with the whole family and take exciting photos as you go.
Friar’s Crag
Keswick
One of the most popular viewpoints in the Lake District is Friar’s Crag in Keswick. Many visitors don’t realize it’s a wonderful spot to catch some of the best views in the Lake District. It’s a local favorite, easily reachable on foot from the Derwentwater Foreshore in just ten minutes. A bench here provides a tranquil spot to soak in the scene—a must-visit Lake District viewpoint for families with kids.
Surprise View
Derwentwater
Surprise View truly lives up to its name! Right near Derwentwater, it’s not as widely known as Ashness Bridge, so it’s often less crowded, making it an ideal Lake District viewpoint. Though you won’t get the full view from Ashness Bridge, that’s what Surprise View is for—it’ll take your breath away. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Wastwater
This one we’ve saved until last as it’s been voted several times as the best view in the UK. The deepest lake in the whole of the Lake District is Wastwater, and it’s sitting right in the Wasdale Valley. It’s also home to England’s tallest mountain and one of the smallest churches in the country. The backdrop is stunning for a photograph and it’s a popular place for those who love to cycle and walk – and even canoe! The nearby car park allows you to take in some of the most awe-inspiring Lake District views.