Lake District in the summer

[Jungfraujoch]

Never been but really don’t like hordes of people - any recommendations for quieter areas in the height of summer or am I asking too much?!!

Hmm, we stayed in Coniston Water a couple of years ago - supposedly a quieter area - and it was absolutely heaving. It was the week before school holidays started as well.

Try the Eden Valley, although not Appleby when the horse fair is on.

Thank you. Wouldn’t be school holidays anyway but I guess it’s such a popular place!

The west coast, Seascale, st bees, etc. you might be the only one on the beach in the height of August holidays. Lots of gorgeous lakes and villages around and none of the people.

my personal Lake District hell would be Ambleside, Keswick etc though you can visit for the day from the west coast if you want to and return to the tranquility that evening!

That looks a lovely area - thank you!

We were in Coniston for a long weekend in the middle of last summer and it was extremely busy because the camp sites are huge there now. The lake side was rammed and the beer gardens full. But even with all the humanity we managed peaceful fell walks and found tarns to swim in where it was just us. And I did like being in the centre because it gave us different options of places to eat (though defo needed to book first) I think all the towns are going be the same. Bowness is the only place I'd actively avoid as too touristy. I like Keswick as a centre as the lake is gorgeous and there are so many lovely walks in all directions. For solitude I think you'd have to avoid the centres.

Another shout for the west coast. Near Muncaster castle is good. Anywhere north or south of there eg Haverigg, Ravenglass, Eskdale Green, Seascale. Gives you accessibility to most parts of the Lakes, but the opportunity to stay away and have quiet days.

We can't tell you because then everyone will want to go 😄
But surely common sense dictates that you avoid the touristy villages like Coniston, Ambleside, Grasmere, Keswick, etc in the height of summer.

It won’t be too bad if you avoid school hols, Keswick, Ambleside, Bowness.

Do you want to be near shops etc? You can find more isolated cottages outside the big well known valleys and dales (such as the villages in Langdale and Borrowdale).

Away from school hols and Bank Hol weekends, you should be fine.

If you want shops and a pub or two, Glenridding could work outside peak holiday times. Busier at weekends with people setting off for Helvellyn.

If you’re fell walking it’s fine - a couple of miles up and you lose all the crowds, even in high season. Although obviously some mountains are more popular - last summer when we got to the summit of Helvellyn there were about 50 or so people dotted about. But hardly hordes of people and coming down the Grisedale valley we probably saw 6 or so people over the course of several hours.

But in the valleys and around the lakes very busy - can still escape though if you’ve got your own kayak.

Lots to explore - thanks for all your thoughts. X

This route avoids most of the crowded places
www.donthibernate.co.uk/route-9-the-lakes/