Why we love glamping in the Lake District

Absolutely anyone glamping in the Lake District can find a hike to suit them, from the most experienced walkers and climbers to weekenders getting some gentle fresh air. The classic circuit around Buttermere Fells is an easy six mile meander through fields and forest, but one of most popular Lake District walks thanks to the jaw-dropping scenery.

For the more serious hiker there's the moderately difficult ascent to Orrest Head in Windermere, a magnificent viewpoint that rises 239 metres above sea level, or the Old Man of Consiton, a 2632-foot peak in the Furness Fells. While you might also make the climb up Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, Helvellyn is a less well-travelled alternative that also offers a bit of a challenge and some great routes like the one from Glenridding.

It's likely that you'll base yourself around one of the lakes when you go glamping in the Lake District, but it's easy enough and well worth your time to explore several. Windermere, the largest and best-loved of the lakes, will likely be your first port of call. It’s a great all-rounder, surrounded by quaint little cafes, quirky shops, restaurants, bars, and places to hire a boat or some equipment for trying out a new water sport on the lake. Buttermere, beside the charming village of the same name, is also well worth a visit. One of the smallest in the Lake District, it’s an easy 4km stroll around its shores, drinking in some perfect scenery as you go.

If you're after a little more excitement while you're glamping in the Lake District, Ullswater, the region’s second largest lake, offers a range of watersports including windsurfing, sailing, and paddle boarding. You can also try your hand at ghyll scrambling, if you dare, or cross the lake by boat to take a hike up Helvellyn. Derwentwater is also a popular choice, with its busy marina and a range of cafes and shops. Only a ten minute stroll from the centre of Keswick, the walk around the lake itself is a flat and easy ten miles, which takes you through both peaceful woodland and the surrounding fields. If all you want is peace, then head to Loweswater and Ennerdale in the less-travelled western side of the park.

Unsurprisingly, glamping in the Lake District offers a fair few opportunities for entertainment in and on the water, from a bobbing boat ride across Lake Windermere, to a spot of paddle boarding on Derwentwater, or kayaking across Consiton’s choppy but charming waters. Alongside conventional pursuits like canoeing, windsurfing and sailing, are more daredevil activities, from white water river rafting and tubing, to caving, and ghyll scrambling, with excursions to suit all danger levels. But you really shouldn't pass up the opportunity for the far simpler experience of wild swimming, which you can also try in a wealth of scenic locations.

A long series of fantastic pools with crystal clear waters, Tongue Pot in Eskdale is a dramatic spot to try out high jumps of up to 5m and you can leap at numerous points on the walk up to cool off. Black Moss Pot, reached by a ramble up the wonderful Langstrath Valley, at the heart of Borrowdale, is perfect for long dips on the delightful pools of Langstrath and Stonethwaite Beck. The area also has one of the best views in the lakes, and water that’s clear enough to drink.

Cumbria is famed for its fine local produce and wonderful dining experiences, from a rich red stew in a thatched pub to a glass of wine in the sunshine at the water’s edge, or fine dining at one of the restaurants that contributes to the area's 8 Michelin Stars. The Old Stamp House at Ambleside is a legendary place for the latter and you'd be hard pressed to beat Chesters by the River at Skelwith Bridge as a scenic stop and the Punch Bowl Inn Restaurant in Crossthwaite is an unbeatable gastropub.

We could list the region's famous places to eat all day, but seeking out the less well-known ones is one of the joys of glamping in the Lake District. Ask locals, wander round villages and follow your nose and you might end up discovering your own hidden gem. You can also stock up on local produce like the world-famous Grasmere Gingerbread beer from the Beer Hall at Staveley, or great meat, cheese and ales from any number of artisan suppliers.

What is glamping?

Glamping is a way of getting outdoors but staying in luxurious, creative spaces. Set in wild and wonderful locations, the Canopy & Stars range of glamping spaces in the Lake District are quirky, cool and packed with comforts that camping never brings you - especially our luxury glamping options, which take comfort and style up yet another notch.

What can I expect from Glamping?

We offer a variety of spaces for glorious glamping in the Lake District, including magical treehouses, remote roundhouses, yurts, geodomes, and boats. You can expect to be surprised and delighted, not just by the comfort, but by the luxury of living simply. You generally won't find TVs and there might not be wi-fi, but with nature all around we promise you'll feel better without them.

Why book with Canopy & Stars

Whether you’re glamping in the Lake District or elsewhere, we want you to enjoy only the finest glamping spaces. We personally visit all accommodation and accept 20% of spaces that we’re offered. We also have consistently high customer service standards and scores, so you get the best places brought to you by the best people!

About Canopy & Stars

Canopy & Stars is a small, independent travel company that’s 52% employee owned and also part-owned by a charitable trust that we established to use some of our profits to champion work around climate change. We plant a tree for every booking we make, working in partnership with TreeSisters, and are always looking for ways to make a positive impact on travel's relationship with the environment.