Lake District: Day Trips and Tours from Liverpool

Perhaps little-known to people living outside the UK, England’s northwestern region is punctuated by rocky peaks and pocked with countless lakes. The area is known as the Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover this region of unexpected beauty on a Lake District day tour from Liverpool.

Here's all you need to know about the Lake District, one of the most exciting day trips from Liverpool.

How to get to the Lake District from Liverpool

The Lake District sits in the northwesternmost corner of England, just south of the Scottish border. This national park is about 130 kilometers north of Liverpool, a drive of about 2 hours.

From Liverpool to the Lake District by car

From central Liverpool, take the A5038 and Dunnings Bridge Road to M58 for 11 kilometers. In Cumbria, take M6 to A590. Continue for about one hour. Take exit 36 to A590. After around 10 kilometers, you’ll reach the Lake District.

From Liverpool to the Lake District by bus and/or train

Don’t want to drive on the right side of the car or the left side of the road? Hop on a train! Though not as time-efficient as driving, a combination of train and bus travel is scenic and both economically and ecologically sound. The quickest option takes just over 3 hours.

From the Liverpool Lime Street Station, take the Northern line toward Blackpool North for about 30 minutes. Alight at Wigan North Western and take the Avanti West Coast line toward Glasgow Central for about 1.5 hours.

Make a 7-minute walk to Carlisle where you’ll catch the 554 Wigton Bus. Ride for about 55 minutes until you reach the North Lakes Caravan Park. From here, it is a 1.7-kilometer walk or taxi ride to the Lake District National Park.

Guided tour to Liverpool to the Lake District

By far the simplest option, hire someone else to motor you from Liverpool to the Lake District, narrating the scenery as you pass through some of England’s most rugged and wild landscapes. Take in sights like Grasmere Village, Lake Windermere, Blea Tarn and the stone circle at Castlerigg.

The convenience of a guided tour makes either driving yourself or taking public transit seem unappealing in comparison. With round-trip transportation, the help of a guide and often perks like a boat ride, you can enjoy every moment of your day.

What is the typical itinerary?

Meet at the World Museum on William Brown Street in central Liverpool 10 minutes before your departure time of around 9:30 AM. Set out for the 2-hour drive north to the Lake District, broken up part way through with a restroom break at the Underground Rheged Center.

Though the order varies, most group tours make stops at Castlerigg Stone Circle, Grasmere, Little and Great Langdale and Ambleside. Many tours schedule time for a hike at Blea Tarn in the Langdale Valley.

Small-group tours spend time at Windermere, Hawkshead Village in Langdale Valley, Tarn Hows and Lake Coniston. Relax on a 30-minute cruise on the lake before your return to Liverpool in time for dinner.

What kinds of tours are available to go to the Lake District?

Guided tours to the Lake District from Liverpool

Group guided tours whisk you from Liverpool through the verdant hills of northern England to a collection of the best sights in the Lake District. Choose economical coach tours, or for a slightly higher price, book a small-group tour that caps participant numbers at no more than 12 people. These full-day tours involve several hours of driving and chances to hike and visit villages.

How much does a day trip to the Lake District from Liverpool cost?

Group tours to the Lake District from Liverpool cost around £70 per person. They offer round-trip transportation, guided commentary, a hike and free time in a few villages. Some tours provide a gingerbread tasting in Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, which has been open for over 150 years.

Small-group tours cost £75 per person and boast group sizes from 8 to 12 people. Along with closer attention from your guide, many small-group tours also provide a 30-minute boat ride on Coniston Lake.

What will you see and do?

Lakes

The area in and around the UK’s largest national park shelters 16 lakes. Also called “tarns,” “meres” or “waters,” these placid lakes are encircled by forests, mountains and timeless villages. England’s largest lake, Windermere, is a must on most tours. Stop at Blea Tarn to spy its striking lunar landscape or at Tarn Hows, a picture-perfect lake surrounded by wooded hills.

Coniston Lake is a stop on small-group tours. It was made famous by Donald Campbell, the renowned speed record-breaker. He met his end on these waters after his final attempt to set the water speed record. Some tours include a 30-minute boat ride on Coniston’s mirror-like waters.

The Langdales

This untamed corner of the country is divided into the Little and Great Langdale and encompasses some of England’s tallest peaks. Many tours pause long enough here to stretch your legs on a short but spectacular hike.

On a clear day, you may be able to make out the summit of Scafell Pike, England’s highest mountain at 978 meters above sea level. Tucked among the peaks, you’ll encounter lakes, waterfalls and grazing Herdwick sheep.

Ambleside

Made famous as the home of both William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, Ambleside holds enough charms to attract tourists even without its celebrated former residents. Ambleside has engulfed several nearby villages into one township filled with charm and history.

Medieval Grasmere village sits at the edge of the lake by the same name. The hamlet features many of Wordsworth’s former haunts, including Dove Cottage. Visit the famous gingerbread shop, and enjoy a tasting provided in most tours. Do note that lines can be very long in the busy tourist season.

Beatrix Potter, a beloved children’s author, made the Lake District home for much of her life. Her house, Hill Top, sits just a matter of kilometers from Grasmere near Hawkshead, and serves as a museum featuring much of what inspired her Peter Rabbit stories.

Castlerigg Stone Circle

Capping a hill near Keswick, Castlerigg Stone Circle has been standing sentry for as many as 5,000 years. This late-neolithic or early-Bronze Age structure is made up of hulking glacial boulders that allegedly align with the sun and moon on certain points in the year.

When is the best time to visit the Lake District?

The best time to visit the Lake District would be from late April to early June. At this time, the Lake District experiences milder weather, making it perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and biking. The crowds are also typically less compared to the peak summer months of July and August, offering a more peaceful and enjoyable experience.

Are there any tours to the Lake District from other cities in England?

Yes, there are tours departing from other cities in England:

• Lake District day trips from London
• Lake District day trips from Manchester

Travel tips

• The Lake District is known for its unpredictable weather, so pack layers and be prepared for everything from sunshine to rain, no matter the time of year. Waterproof clothing and sturdy shoes are a must if you plan on hiking.
• Follow the Countryside Code: leave no trace, keep dogs under control, and respect local wildlife and residents.
• Be sure to try out local dishes and products like the famous Cumberland sausage, Grasmere gingerbread, or Kendal Mint Cake.