Attracting 15.8 million visitors each year, the Lake District is by far the most popular national park in the UK.

From the glittering lakes and majestic fells to all those literary connections – William Wordsworth, Beatrix Potter, Arthur Ransome, John Ruskin et al – there are many inspiring reasons to explore what the locals call Lakeland.

And while the Lakes are adored by hikers and ramblers, a good network of A and B roads mean that those who prefer to see the likes of Ullswater, Windermere and the Kirkstone Pass by car are well served.

Of course, few of those entering the park by car would be able to resist at least some of the area's on-foot and in-boat pleasures.

The drive

 

Autumn in Lakeland

Autumn is a wonderful time to visit the park. Together with the splendid reds and golds of the changing leaves, drivers will experience less traffic than during the peak summer months.

You can choose from a variety of routes across and around the park. Here we detail one of the most inspiring and scenic, which takes in some of the area’s best-known features and attractions.

Ambleside - Keswick - Ullswater

Before setting off from Ambleside, be sure to find the National Trust's charming Bridge House, spanning Stock Ghyll.

Following the ghyll upstream on foot will bring you to the impressive waterfall Stock Ghyll Force.

 

After less than a mile’s drive west of Ambleside town centre you'll come to the Waterhead area on Lake Windermere, where you can enjoy what is perhaps the quintessential Lake District boat trip.

Wordsworth's Rydal Mount

Just over a mile from Ambleside is Rydal Mount, where from 1813 until 1850 William Wordsworth lived – and where he penned some of his best-known poems.

You can explore the beautiful gardens for free, but entering attracts a fee – as does parking.

Dove Cottage

Four miles north-west of Rydal is Dove Cottage, where Wordsworth lived from 1799 until 1808.

Next door to this must-see attraction is a fascinating museum and library packed with Romantic art and literature.

Pay and Display parking.

Grassmere Village and Wythburn Church

En-route north, pause to wander around the picturesque Grassmere Village and the unique Wythburn Church, before enjoying a bite to eat at the pretty Legburthwaite picnic site.

Keswick

After stopping to take in the impressive Thirlmere Dam, you'll enter one of Lakeland's most famous settlements, Keswick.

Nestled between Skiddaw Mountain and Derwent Water, this popular town offers a wealth of restaurants, pubs, souvenir shops and of course views.

A boat trip around the nearby Derwent Water is a great way of taking in this area's stunning vistas.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Driving east from Keswick is the mighty prehistoric Castlerigg Stone Circle, offering breath-taking panoramic views. Free entry.

Continuing east to Troutbeck and then turning south will eventually bring you to one of Lakeland's best-known waterfalls: the 65-foot Aira Force. Enjoy wonderful views from the little bridges at the top and the bottom. Take care on the uneven ground.

A Pay and Display National Trust car park is in operation.

Inspiration for Wordsworth's 'Daffodils'

Moving south from Aira Force you'll soon drive into Glencoyne, affording lovely views of the tranquil Ullswater.

A walk towards Pooley Bridge brings you to a wooded patch which in springtime is ablaze with daffodils. Here Wordsworth found inspiration for his poem 'Daffodils'.

Pay and Display parking provided by the National Trust.

Glenridding Village

Driving south will take you to Glenridding Village (Pay and Display with toilets), where you can take in spectacular views of Ullswater and the surrounding hills.

A boat trip on the lake is highly recommended.

Cow Bridge and Brothers Water

What Brothers Water lacks in size it makes up for in beauty.

Make use of the free car park at Cow Bridge and enjoy the short walk down to the hill-surrounded lake.

Kirkstone Pass

Rising to 454m, Kirkstone Pass offers wonderful views of Windermere and the surrounding hills and is the highest point you can reach by car in the entire park.

Climbing one of the nearby mountains is made a lot easier by the high starting point.

The car park is free but there are no facilities; The Kirkstone Pass Inn is, however, available for refreshments and toilet visits.

Return to Ambleside

A steep descent southwards from the Pass will return you to Ambleside.