Discover the most stunning views

Views from deep and mysterious lakes below sea level, to panoramas that stretch as far as Scotland, Wales and over 14 English counties in one vista, there are truly extraordinary sights not to be missed in the Lake District.

If you’re looking for vista’s showing off Britain’s varied landscape, then this collection of all-season walks with views are guaranteed to inspire your holiday planning. Discover 5 of the best views in the Lake District below.

Gummer’s How, Windermere

“I can see the sea from here”. These are the surprise claims heard from the trig point on Windermere’s Gummer’s How, at only 1,053 ft of elevation.

This low lying fell sits on the south east of Lake Windermere and gives those at the top, enviable views of the whole length of Lake Windermere for very little effort; west to the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Fells; to the east you can see as far as the north Pennines; and to the south the boats bobbing at Newby Bridge and on to Morecambe Bay and beyond.

Gummer’s How has become the iconic Lake District walk with a view because of the disproportionate effort required for the immense vista. The walk starts in Gummer’s How Forestry Commission car park, Lakeside, which itself delivers impressive views and is worth a  drive on a beautiful summer evening.

Take the well-managed footpath to Gummer’s How and quickly gain height. As you do so, this ‘miniature mountain’ delivers all that you would want from a fell walk, including scrambles, and steep inclines, but within a short 1.5-mile linear walk. As you quickly ascend, don’t forget to stop to admire the spectacular views as they suddenly open out before you.

If it is an evening walk with sunset view or a first fell, offering snap-worthy summit views, then the petite Gummer’s How fell delivers a vista way beyond its 118m of climbing.

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Surprise View, Keswick

As the name suggests, this is one of the most surprising views in the Lake District. Surprising because it is so well hidden, tucked off the very narrow road to the hamlet of Watendlath. There is no hint of this view at all until you come to a gap in the trees and find yourself standing on the very edge of a rocky outcrop, looking down onto Derwentwater and across to Keswick. Finding yourself suddenly on this exposed and elevated view, which does have a sharp and unprotected drop, adds to the wonder that this view delivers.

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Wastwater, Seascale

The view across the waters of Wastwater and up to Wasdale Head holds the title as Britain’s Favourite View, beating off competition from the likes of Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland and The Mountains of Mourne in Co Down, Northern Ireland.

There is much that makes Wastwater Britain’s favourite and most awe-inspiring view. Wastwater lies in the most remote and untouched part of the Lake District and looks exactly as it did centuries ago. The Lake is touched on all sides by ominous mountains, including England’s largest, Scafell Pike and Great Gable. On the south eastern flank of Wastwater are screes that rise 2000 ft from the lake and are snow-capped in winter, and give an ‘otherworldly’ look to this view.

Although it is only 3 miles in length, Wastwater is England’s deepest lake and whilst it sits alongside England’s tallest peak, it reaches below sea level meaning it has little oxygen and plant life. This gives rise to a spectacular dark water sat against the rugged mountain backdrop. A view like this is not easily forgotten and certainly one to talk about back at home.

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Black Combe, Millom

Wordsworth described the view from the top of Black Combe as “the amplest range of unobstructed prospect may seen that British ground commands”. Standing 1,790ft tall, the fell of Black Combe lies in the south-west corner of the Lake District, only 4-miles from the Irish sea.

On a clear day, views from the summit of Black Combe stretch to include Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and 14 counties in England. It is this fell’s isolated location, to the south-west of the main central Lakeland fells, that awards it these unique panoramic views. Indeed, the nearest peak of similar height is 10 miles away.

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Crinkle Crags, Langdale

Conquer and stand on the rugged jumble of shattered rocks that make up the Crinkle Crag ridge in the Langdale Pikes. From here you can drink in the view of the dramatic Langdale valley below and you can’t help but feel the power that shaped this landscape millions of years ago. Lying only 2-miles outside of the bustling town of Ambleside is the mouth of the Langdale valley. There are only two hamlets found in this rather remote valley, Elterwater and Chapel Stile yet the valley is brimming with hospitality. Indeed, the Crinkle Crag ridge walk starts at The Old Dungeon Ghyll, a mecca for walkers and climbers for over 300-years, tucked right at the end of the Langdale Valley.  This is an 8-mile circular walk that is challenging but offers the most exhilarating views in the Lake District.

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Found this inspiring? Why not read head over to our guide to Coniston on the Lakelovers blog, where you’ll find lots of inspiration for things to do and places to eat when on holiday in the Lake District.