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The Lake District is one of England's most stunning reigons, with it's rolling hills, mirror-like lakes and old stone villages. We recently spent three weeks exploring this stunning corner of England while house sitting and absolutely fell in love with it.
In this guide, we're sharing a 2-day Lake District itinerary, perfect for a weekend getaway or short break. We'll cover the best things to do, villages to see and must do hikes!
Day 1 – Explore Windermere, Ambleside & Grasmere
We'd recommend spending your first day exploring three of most charming villages - Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere. These towns are all just a short drive from each other and are packed with cafés, scenic lake views, peaceful walks and shops.
Morning: Windermere & Bowness-on-Windermere
Start your day in Bowness-on-Windermere, one of the most popular spots in the Lake District. It's a lively little lakeside town where you can walk along the waterfront or hop on a Windermere Lake Cruise for beautiful views from the water.
There's also plenty of shops and cafes, so you can have a wander and grab some breakfast. It can get quite busy here so we definitely recommend visiting early, especially to get a parking spot near the lake.
After that, head up to Windermere, just a 5 minute drive away. Windermere is a bit smaller but has some great cafes and restaurants. We highly recommend grabbing a coffee and cake at Homeground Coffee + Kitchen, they had some of the best cakes we've ever had and a great atmosphere.
Late Morning: Ambleside
Next, drive about 10 minutes north to Ambleside, one of the Lake District’s prettiest little towns. We loved wandering through the streets here, there are loads of great outdoor shops and cute cafés. Make sure to visit Bridge House, a quirky 17th-century building perched over a stream, it’s a great photo spot!
You can also do a short walk to Stock Ghyll Force, a hidden waterfall just ten minutes from the town centre, which we didn't know about at the time! Ambleside is a great spot to grab some lunch before heading to the next town, you'll find plenty of cafes and restaurants here.
Afternoon: Grasmere
After lunch, head to Grasmere, a picturesque village that’s just 15 minutes from Ambleside. There's a beautiful walk you can do around Grasmere Lake, which is a 20 minute walk to the start of the trail from the main car parks in Grasmere. Or, you can head up to Allan Bank, a National Trust property with peaceful walking trails and panoramic views.
Grasmere is famous for it's iconic gingerbread, so make sure to stop at Grasmere Gingerbread, a tiny bakery famous for its spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and a cake.
We actually did the Helm Crag hike for sunset, which is just behind Grasmere and has beautiful views over the village. However, on a two day trip i'd prioritise seeing the villages and doing a better hike the next day!
Evening: Sunset & Dinner
End your day by watching the sunset over the water, there's plenty of spots to do this but it depends on where you're staying. If you're close to Bowness-on-Windermere, head to the waterfront here. This is also a great spot to have dinner, with plenty of restaurants overlooking the water and in the town.
Day 2 – Hike One of the Lake District’s Most Iconic Trails
Day two is all about getting out into the hills and experiencing the Lake District's epic hiking trails and incredible views. Two of the most popular walks are Helvellyn via Striding Edge and Catbells, both of which are absolutely stunning. We did both during our three weeks in the Lakes, so we can highly recommend either one.
Option 1: Helvellyn via Striding Edge
If you’re up for a challenge, Helvellyn is one of the Lake District’s most iconic peaks and the third-highest in England. The route via Striding Edge is steep and demanding, but the views from the top are absolutely worth it.
- Distance: 13km round trip
- Time: 5–8 hours
- Start point: Glenridding
- Difficulty: Hard (exposed ridge walking)
If you’re not a fan of heights or exposed edges, this route might not be for you, there is a fair bit of scrambling involved (classed as grade 1). An easier alternative is to hike up via Swirral Edge (still scrambly) or take the path from Thirlmere, which is less technical but still scenic.
We started the hike from Glenridding at around 3:15, and it took us around 5-6 hours with plenty photo stops.
Option 2: Catbells – A Short but Scenic Hike
If you'd prefer something a bit shorter and more beginner-friendly, Catbells is the best option. It's one of the most popular easy hikes in the Lakes and its easy to see why - the views are breathtaking, especially at sunset.
- Distance: 5.5km round trip
- Time: 2–3 hours
- Start point: Hawes End (car park nearby)
- Difficulty: Moderate (short steep sections)
The trail definitely isn't easy, with a few steep climbs and a small scramble towards the top, but it's very do-able for most people (including kids). Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best panoramic views in the Lake District; it’s hard to believe how much you can see for such a short walk!
It’s just a short drive from Keswick, so you can spend some time exploring here before or after your hike. If your visit falls on a Thursday or Saturday, make sure to check out the Keswick Outdoor Market!
Evening: Sunset & Dinner
Depending on what time you decide to hike, catch the sunset and go for a well-deserved dinner in the evening. We hiked for sunset for both trails, so we watched the sunset at the peak before quickly heading back down (only do this if your confident in decending at dusk).
If you choose Helvellyn, check out the villages of Glenridding or Patterdale for dinner, there's a few cosy pubs to eat at. If you do the Catbells hike, you'll be driving through Keswick, which has plenty of dinner options!
Where should I stay for a weekend in the Lake District?
Windermere, Ambleside, and Keswick are all great bases with plenty of accommodation, restaurants and access to walks. Windermere and Ambleside are more central so these would be ideal for this itinerary.
We stayed in a small village 20 minutes from Windermere as this is where our house-sit was, but if we we're to visit again we'd choose Windermere or Ambleside. Some great options we'd pick if we visit again:
- Gilpin Hotel, Windermere (Luxury) - Luxurious lodges with hot tubs, beautiful interirors and even a Michelin-starred restaurant on-site - its been added to our bucket list!
- Rothay Manor Hotel, Ambleside (Mid-range) - Love the vibe of this place, looks comfy and right in Ambleside so it’s easy to explore the town.
- Bowness Guest House (Budget) - If you’re after something more affordable but still lovely, this guest house is a great option.
Is 2 days enough to see the Lake District?
While you won’t be able to see everything, 2 days is a great amount of time to explore a few highlights. You can visit some of the prettiest villages like Windermere, Ambleside and Grasmere on Day 1, and then spend Day 2 doing a scenic hike like Helvellyn or Catbells. It’s the perfect short break if you want a mix of sightseeing and adventure.
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Do I need a car for this 2 day itinerary?
Having a car definitely makes it easier to get around, especially if you only have 2 days. Public transport exists but can be slower and limited in more remote areas. If you're planning to do a hike or visit smaller villages, driving gives you the most flexibility.
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