Lake District: Day Trips and Tours from London

Few places in England are as green and alluring as the Lake District National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest National Park in the country.  On a day trip from London to the Lake District, you can swap the hustle and bustle of the city for a calmer and more serene ambiance — where glassy lakes, soaring mountains, dense woodlands and an abundance of hiking trails await.

Read on for your guide to visiting the Lake District, one of the most quintessential day trips from London.

Directions to the Lake District from London

Located in Cumbria in the northwestern corner of England, the Lake District is almost 500 kilometers away from London.

• By car: Driving to the Lake District from London will take around 5.5 hours along the M40 and M6 highways.
• By train: Services from London Euston to Oxenholme Lake District take around 2.5 to 3 hours. From there, you can take a train to Windermere followed by a taxi to the Lake District.
• By bus: Buses from London Victoria Station to Penrith via Keswick, take around 10 hours.
• Guided tour to the Lake District from London: For a comfortable and stress-free excursion to the Lake District, opt for a guided tour. Organized tours will take care of all your transportation needs, where roundtrip train travel from London is provided.

Typical itinerary of Lake District day tours from London

The Lake District is a hiker’s haven and the perfect jaunt for those looking to unwind. While every tour is different, day trips departing from London usually include roundtrip rail travel from London Euston station.

A scenic guided cruise across the lakes follows, where you’ll take in breathtaking viewpoints and charming medieval towns with endless photo opportunities.

At the park, tours will take you on some of the best forest walks around lakes, rolling mountains and flowing waterfalls. Some tours also include a traditional afternoon cream tea and visits to the charming Hill Top, the beloved author Beatrix Potter’s former home.

You’ll return to the same departure point in London.

Best Lake District excursions from London

Guided tours to the Lake District

After a scenic train ride, you'll explore the region by a comfortable and air-conditioned minivan, visiting some of this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s top attractions such as Lake Windermere, Hawkshead, and Tarn Hows.

In the summer, you’ll also be able to enjoy a tasty traditional afternoon cream tea and visit the Hill Top, Beatrix Potter’s former home and the source of great inspiration for her books.

Our pick: Lake District Rail Day Trip

• Includes: Roundtrip train tickets, tour guide, lake cruise, afternoon cream tea
• Price: £289 for adults, £279 for children (5-15)
• Duration: 13 hours

2-day tours to Lake District with afternoon tea and cruise

On these 2-days tours from London to the Lake District, you’ll take a beautiful rail route from London Euston station before spending a day exploring the National Park’s highlights with a knowledgeable guide, followed by a cruise on Coniston Water.

After staying in the accommodation of your choice, you’ll be served a full English breakfast and spend the day exploring on your terms before returning to London.

Our pick: Overnight Lake District Trip

• Includes: Roundtrip train tickets, 3- or 4-star hotel, tour guide, lake cruise, breakfast, afternoon cream tea
• Price: £444 for adults, £433 for children (5-11)
• Duration: 2 days

Prices of tour to the Lake District from London

Full-day guided tours cost around £280 per person, including roundtrip train transportation and an expert guide.

Overnight tours with afternoon tea and cruise cost around £440 per person, which includes return rail transportation, expert guide and one night’s hotel stay in the Lake District.

Best time to tour the Lake District

The Lake District is drenched in beauty year-round, so anytime is a good time to visit. Spring, from April to June, is a popular time of the year to tour the Lake District region, when days are pleasant and longer than the winter months. Between July and August, the weather is often the sunniest and warmest, but also comes with large numbers of tourists.

What to see and do at the Lake District

Lake Windermere

This is the largest water body in the region and acts as a hub for water-based activities while offering a spectacular backdrop of mountain peaks and villages.

On several trips, you will tour the lake on a boat tour, but kayaking, canoeing and sailboat excursions are also popular activities to take on the water.

Hawkshead village

Situated north of Esthwaite Water, Hawkshead village is a pretty jumble of centuries-old stone houses, arches and squares that left their mark on William Wordsworth – who attended school here.

This is a tourist hotspot with plenty of charming teashops, inns, breweries and gift shops where you can grab a souvenir for loved ones back home.

Hill Top

This historic building in Hawkshead was purchased by the beloved author Beatrix Potter in 1905 and acted as a strong source of inspiration for her stories. The author left the building to the National Trust with the condition that her belongings and decoration be left as they were.

Bowness-on-Windermere

Because of its position on the banks of Lake Windermere, this town and former civil parish have become a tourist honeypot.

Visitors flock here for the array of sailing and watersports activities on offer, as well as to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere of this bygone town steeped in Victorian history.

The viewpoint of Orrest Head is just a short walk away and offers delightful views of the Lake District from above.

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your tour well in advance, particularly during the peak summer season when tickets get snapped up quickly.
• Warm layers will be handy while on cruises or come evening when the sun goes down.
• Bring binoculars and a camera – you’ll want to document this region’s outstanding beauty.
• Comfortable footwear is a must, particularly for forest walks and hiking trails.

Tours to the Lake District from other UK cities

There are tours departing from other cities in England:

• Day trips to the Lake District from Manchester
• Day trips to the Lake District from Liverpool