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Things to do Together in the Lake District

When looking for romantic things to do in the UK for couples, then the Lake District often comes out on top. From endless trails where you won’t see another soul to stacks of adventure, it has it all. A couples weekend break in the Lakes is the place to interlock hands and drink in the stunning scenery and adventure together.

In this blog post, we give you a round-up of 6 romantic things to do in the Lake District that you will both love.

1. Michelin Star Gazing  

For those where food is the way to the heart, a Michelin restaurant is sure to turn first-date butterflies into fireworks of joy. Cumbria has the most Michelin starred eateries in the UK so you will be spoilt for choice!

Michelin stars come and go in the Lake District, but Simon Rogan’s Cartmel culinary temple, L’Enclume. Last year this longest-standing dining establishment received a third Michelin star, also they were named the number one restaurant in The Good Food Guide and Chef of The Year at the National Restaurant Awards, plus collecting other accolades along the way. Surprise a loved one with a booking a table at L’Enclume and be prepared to be amazed, or alternatively why not try the Valentine’s ‘At Home’ Menu, which uses the best local and seasonal ingredients, including produce Rogan’s Farm, to bring you the ultimate ‘at-home’ dining experience.

Another great spot is Gilpin which is a Michelin-starred, four AA rosette restaurant at Gilpin Hotel. High quality Lake District produce and classic methods are used to deliver unbelievable textures and flavours – modern British cuisine with a twist. New for 2023 are 3 head chefs who have joined the Gilpin Hotel & Lake House family, creating fabulous dishes in the hotels two other restaurants, Gilpin Spice and Knipe Grill.

The Old Stamp House is located in the heart of the Lake District this intimate Michelin starred eatery is a 28 cover restaurant is a hidden gem tucked away in a quiet corner of Ambleside.  The brothers behind it head chef, Ryan Blackburn, and restaurant manager, Craig Blackburn, offer a unique glimpse into the food, cultural heritage and landscapes of Cumbria.

In the north of the county is the Michelin star restaurant The Cottage in the Wood. Perched 1,000ft up in the Whinlatter Forest above Keswick in the northern Lake District, The Cottage in the Wood is a unique Michelin-listed Restaurant with Rooms combining Sam Miller’s creative cooking, boutique-style rooms, friendly service and a warm welcome in a stunning natural setting. The Restaurant is listed in the Michelin and Good Food guides, and retained a position in the UKs top 100 restaurants.

These are just a few of the many fantastic places to eat, there are too many to list..

2. Cheeky Skinny Dip 

The Lake District has some of the very best wild swimming spots in the UK and a skinny dip has to be one of the most fun experiences for couples. As long as you are safe when wild swimming then an early morning dip in a freshwater tarn or mountain river is an experience you’ll want to add to your couple’s bucket list. There are popular and well-used swimming spots across the Lake District. Check out Cumbria Tourism wild swimming guide for one near where you are staying. 

 

3. Love on the Rocks

Rock climbing is one of the best couples activities as you are literally working together to tackle a climb or scramble. Eskdale in the central Lakes is home to the sport of rock climbing and is where you will find many of the pro-climbers, there’s also plenty for novice climbing couples at the popular Fisherground boulders too. Both Borrowdale and Langdale valleys, are popular due to their ease of access, some crags are road side, again both valleys have bouldering rocks. There are many other areas in the county to climb, all depends on your capabilities!  

Kendal, Ambleside and Keswick all have superb indoor climbing walls and for a truly memorable experience why not try the famous via Ferrata at the Honister Slate Mine – hearts are sure to race.

4. Cycle to your hearts content 

The stunning Lake District, Cumbria region is perfect for cycling – home to two UNESCO sites (Lake District National Park and Hadrian’s Wall), three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, over 100 miles of stunning coastline plus much more, giving cyclists of all capabilities the chance to shift the gears through one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Staveley village is a mecca for cyclists, located at the start of the Kentmere valley there are a plethora of bike routes, road or off road, its a good base to start a bike ride. Staveley boasts the UK largest cycle store, Wheelbase, the famous Wilf’s Cafe and the popular independent brewery, Hawkshead Brewery plus many other eclectic mix of shops to browse around.

There are so many areas to explore, enjoy one of the most popular cycling routes in the Lake District – take a nostalgia-fueled ferry across Lake Windermere and then cycle the gentle bridleway along the western shore to National Trust Wray Castle then on to Hawkshead, returning along the same route. To get deep into the Lake District, away from the crowds, adrenaline junkies will want to try the Northface trail at Grizedale and Whinletter Forest or you can just cycle along the nature trails at your own pace and take in even more of the wonderful Lakeland scenery.

5. Ride into the sunset

What kind of horse riding couple will you be? Hands confidently on the reins and lips locked as you trot side by side; holding hands and taking in the scenery, making the experience a truly joint one; teasing your loved one by cantering off into the sunset; luring your partner into the waves for a salty horse-back frolic? The west coast of Cumbria has some beautiful, clean, white sand beaches, with the most popular for Lake District visitors being between Ravenglass and Millom. Just between the two, you’ll find Cumbrian Heavy Horses where you can take a stunning Clydesdale on an unforgettable riding experience along the Irish Sea coast.

6. The sky’s the limit!

Something different? Show off your flying skills and take your loved one on a flight over the stunning Lakeland landscape. Carlisle Flight Training Centre is a family run business that will take you on an adventure and let you take control. What a way to end your trip to the lakes with fun, happy memories!

Love and the Lake District really do go hand-in-hand – read more in our blog post here.

The Lake District has become a popular choice for honeymooners too. From romantic log-cabins to three-wheeling, read more about why the Lake District has become the place to honeymoon.

Fall for our cottages in the Lake District for 2 . We also have a select collection of luxury cottages with private hot tubswhich really are perfect for treating that special person in your life.

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