Lake District hidden gems and secret spots

England’s largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lake District is visited by tens of millions every year. While many who visit want to explore the area’s spectacular landscapes and picture postcard villages, others are looking for peace. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite Lake District hidden gems, but shhh don’t tell everyone!

A calm lake reflects the surrounding green hills and a blue sky. A partially submerged metal gate stands in the water near a wooden fence, adding a rustic element to the scene.

Buttermere Infinity Pools

Situated in the northwest of the Lake District National Park, Buttermere doesn’t attract the same number of visitors as more southerly lakes. However, in the summer months, it can get busy, so if it’s tranquillity you’re seeking, we recommend heading off the path around the mere to discover a series of infinity pools that feed into the lake. The perfect place for a peaceful dip, the glistening clear water and views of the surrounding fells are not to be missed.

The path around Buttermere is relatively flat but can be uneven and narrow in places, while the path to the infinity pools involves a small climb that can be boggy after wet weather.

Find the pools using What3Words: famed.wonderfully.gazes

Ancient stone ruins are set against a backdrop of rolling hills and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky. The grassy landscape contrasts with the weathered stone walls.

Hardknott Roman Fort

Visit Hardknott Fort and discover what it felt like to be posted to one of the Roman Empire’s loneliest posts. Built between AD120 and AD138, the fort was founded under Hadrian’s rule to guard England from Scottish invaders. Now you can walk the well-marked remains, of the headquarters, commandant’s house and bath house.

Owned and managed by the English Heritage, entry is completely free, and the site can be accessed at any reasonable time during daylight hours.

A true Lake District hidden gem, the journey to get to the fort is not for the faint-hearted. Whether you approach from the east or west, you must navigate the challenging Wrynose and Hardknott Pass roads. Mainly single-track roads with steep gradients of one in three and hair-raising hairpin bends, we don’t recommend attempting the journey in poor weather conditions.

A close-up of a mug of hot chocolate topped with large marshmallows and sprinkled with cocoa powder. Cinnamon sticks and chocolate pieces are scattered on a wooden surface nearby.

Kawkaw

Looking for a quiet spot to refuel after a busy day exploring. For the best hot chocolate in the Lake District, we recommend visiting Kawkaw’s. Serving sustainable and ethically sourced chocolate, you simply choose your desired chocolate button and let their master brewer’s do the rest.

A cavernous rocky cave with jagged stone walls and a reflective pool of water at the bottom. Ferns and moss grow on the rocks near the cave entrance, adding greenery.

Cathedral Quarry

The Lake District may be well-known for its stunning lakes and fells, so a quarry may not be the first place you think of visiting, but if you’re looking for tranquility, that’s exactly why you should. Cathedral Quarry is a small network of interlinked quarries that take their name from the main chamber known as the ‘cathedral cave’. This spectacular cave stands 40ft high and features two ‘windows’ where light pores in lighting the cave up.

Once a working quarry extracting green slate, the site was bought by Beatrix Potter in 1929 and gifted to the National Trust who have cared for it ever since.

There is no car park on-site, but you can park at Hodge Close Quarry nearby and walk to the quarry.

A person is dining in a cozy restaurant, eating a salad with greens and roasted vegetables from a large bowl. Glasses with beverages are placed on the wooden table nearby.

Shill’s Cockermouth

One of the best Lake District hidden gems for food, Shill’s of Cockermouth offers a quintessential taste of the region’s delights. The ground floor is a delicatessen offering up local delicacies for you to take away and enjoy, while upstairs the café and restaurant serve up delicious meals. The restaurant also hosts regular events throughout the year.

A historic stone building with a tall red brick chimney stands in a wooded area. Logs are stacked under a covered shelter, and a path winds through the grassy yard.

Stott Park Bobbin Mill

Nestled on the shore of Windermere, Stott Park Bobbin Mill might be located in one of the Lake District’s busier towns, yet it remains one of the best Lake District’s hidden gems for rainy Lakeland days.

Originally built in 1835, it is now the only working bobbin mill left in the Lakes. A visit, encourages you to step back to a time when the area produced millions of wooden bobbins for the spinning and weaving industries in nearby Lancashire.

English Heritage now owns and manages the site. Tickets cost £11 for adults and £6.50 for children, with daily tours are available.

A picturesque estate with a stone manor house, surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage and a reflective pond in the foreground. Rolling green hills stretch into the background.

Holehird Garden

Located just a mile from Windermere, Holehird is another of our favourite Lake District hidden gems. A 17-acre hillside garden run by volunteer members of the Lakeland Horticultural Society, it is a must-visit for keen and amateur gardeners alike. With walled formal gardens, alpine houses, herbaceous borders and woodland paths, there is something for everyone to enjoy. There are even fully mapped accessible routes for those with disabilities.

The garden is open every day from dawn to dusk with donations for entry welcomed. There is no café on site, but there are toilets and picnic benches.

Rest and recharge

A home from home for everyone, The Ro is a family-friendly hotel where you can relax and recharge after a busy day exploring the Lake District.

Book your stay today and experience the tranquility for yourself.