Best walks in Britain 2018
Staying at Dale Head Hall Lakeside hotel puts you in a central location to spend the days walking the fells of The Lake District.
Dale Head Hall Lakeside Hotel
In the heart of the best walks in the World Heritage Lake District
- Helvellyn
- Cat Bells
- Scafell Pike
- Buttermere Circular Walk
- Old Man of Coniston
- Coffin Route Ambleside
Helvellyn
Voted #1 walk 16.3km (10.1 miles)
If you watched 'Britain's favourite walks' on ITV recently, you will know that Helvellyn is Number One! Just a short hop from our doorstep here at Dalehead hall, you can be out the door and heading along the Helvellyn path within ten minutes! This is not a walk for the faint hearted, and can be challenging for even seasoned walkers. There are several routes up to Helvellyn, but the path from Thirlmere is considered the easiest- cutting out the ridge walk on 'Striding Edge'.
Difficulty: Challenging - Map: OS Explorer OL5
Cat Bells
Voted #4 Walk 5km (3.1 miles)
A great fell walk for families and pets, it's certainly one of the most popular walks from Keswick. There are several ways to do this fantastic Lakeside ridge walk, including a route that takes in the two other Wainwright peaks of 'High Spy' and 'Maiden Moor'. The most popular, 'straight up' route goes from the Western shore of Derwent Water.
Difficulty: Moderate - Map: OS Explorer OL4
Scafell Pike
Voted #5 Walk 11.6km (7.2 miles)
Scafell Pike is the highest peak in England. A pilgrimage for keen peak baggers and adventure seekers! There are several routes to the summit of Scafell Pike, any one of them will take a full, long day on the mountains, so be prepared and always take a map!
Difficulty: Challenging - Maps: OS Explorer OL4, OL6
Buttermere Circular Walk
Voted #7 Walk 7km (4.3 miles)
Buttermere Lake walk is a fantastic day out for the family. Even young kids will be able to do part of the shore walk, and there are some lovely places to eat or get a cold pint when you're done.
Difficulty: Easy - Map: OS Explorer OL4
Old Man of Coniston
Voted #8 Walk 12km (7.5 miles)
The Old man of Coniston is a moderate level walk with a clear, but steep path most of the way. If you are planning to do this walk with young family members, there is a lovely stop at the tarn half way up, which is an achievement in it'self.
Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging - Map: OS Explorer OL6
Coffin Trail-Ambleside
Voted #27 Walk 6.3 km (3.9 miles)
Starting in the village of Ambleside this route follows the route used to carry coffins on their final journey to St Oswald's Church in Grasmere. In addition to beautiful views and tumbling streams, it takes in two former homes of poet William Wordsworth.
A traditional route used to carry coffins from Ambleside to St Oswald's Church in Grasmere. Discover amazing views and historical buildings- including two former homes of William Wordsworth. A great family walk, with lots to see, eat and do either side.
Difficulty: Easy - Maps: OS Explorer OL7, OL4
Waterfalls in the Lake District
The Lake District has an astoundingly interesting geologic history. Initially formed by volcanic eruptions and tectonic action 450 million years ago, the area surrounding dale head hall was then carved by the movement of glaciers in the last ice age, leaving a terrain of many different rock types, dotted with lakes, tarns and waterfalls.
Aria Force-Ullswater
Aira Force is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit in the Lake District. Located just a short walk from Aira Force car park on the shores of Ullswater, this 65 foot, powerful fall tumbles to it basin surrounded by beautiful woodland.
Get the boat across from Glenridding to start your walk, then a stroll back from the falls through Glencoyne Park, taking in the surrounding fells, ancient firs and perhaps a picnic in a sunny glade. No wonder Aira Force is one of the Lake Districts favourites!
Lodore Falls-Grange in Borrowdale
Cascading down the fells from Watendlath Tarn, the Lodore Falls are a spectacular display after heavy rains (although, a mere trickle in prolonged dry spells). Visitors are able to get up-close to the falls, making for some fantastic photographic opportunities. Take care however, as the rocks surrounding the falls can be extremely slippy.
Scale Force-Buttermere
Scale Force, situated in a deep gorge on the North end of Red Pike near Crummock Water was a favorite of both William Wordsworth and Samuel Coleridge. It's dramatic, slender drop makes for a fantastic visual display, especially after heavy rains.
Moss Force-Buttermere
Moss Force is situated in the pass which connects the Newlands Valley to Buttermere and was admired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge who wrote "The remainder of the torrent is marked out by three great waterfalls – the lowermost apron-shaped, and though the rock down which it rushes is an inclined plane, it shoots off in such an independence of the rock as shews that its direction was given it by the force of the water from above".
Taylor Force-Seathwaite, Borrowdale Valley
Taylor Force is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Lake District, dropping an impressive 140 feet to the scattering of rocks below. The walk to the falls is almost as beautiful as the waterfall it'self, starting from Seathwaite farm carpark, and comprising of around a mile of gentle climbing and a spot of scrambling closer to the falls.
Whitewater Dash-Bassenthwaite
Whitewater Dash is found in Dash Beck as it descends rapidly in a series of cascades from its source on Candleseaves Bog on the north facing slopes of the upland valley between Bakestall and Great Calva. It is aptly named, as the water rushing through this tumble is often pure white. Due to the remote location a walk to Whitewater Dash is likely to be a quiet one and you will be unlucky not to have the waterfall to yourself.
- Featured Upcoming EventsThere is always something happening in the Lake District. Dale Head Hall is located in the Heart of the Northern Lakes. It is a short drive to Keswick, Ambleside, Windermere, Bowness, Windermere, Carlisle and Penrith. Rooms for the upcoming events sell out quickly. Book direct for best rates.
Park Run
9am every Saturday Morning
Keswick Park Run
Whinlatter Park Run
Park Runs are free 5k runs for the entire family. Two of the most scenic in the UK are located very close distances to Dale Head Hall Lakeside Hotel.
- Keswick Park Run takes place along the old rail line. It's an out and back course.
- Whinlatter Park Run is a more challenging course that takes place in Whinlatter forest. If you like to push yourself. This is the Park Run for you.
Things for families to do in the
Lake District
- Meet the animals at the South Lake Safari Zoo
- Designed to give you the closest possible look at 1,000 of the rarest animals found in nature.
- A day out at Muncaster Castle & Hawk-Owl Centre
- Visit on of Britain's most haunted castles and still a family home. A ticket to see the gardens at the castle also gets you in to see their birds of prey show. Be prepared to duck!
- Explore Wray Castle and the Peter Rabbit Adventure
- The House and grounds have belonged to the National Trust since 1929 but the house has only recently opened to the public on a regular basis.
- Play on the lakeside amongst the gardens of Dale Head Hall
- Go on a boat cruise or visit a waterfall
- The Lake District is home to dozens of waterfalls. Some are well known to visitors and included on many fell walks, others are hidden waiting to be discovered.
- Visit the Lakes Aquarium
- Find out which marine wildlife make the waters of the Lake District National Park their home.
- Go on a steam engine train ride
- There is lots to do on a day out at the Railway! Explore the Eskdale Valley on foot or two wheels and take a step back in time in the Railway Museum. The 'Lil Ratty' offers 7 miles of spectacular Lake District scenery.
- Explore and Go Ape at Whinlatter Forest
- Whinlatter is England's only true forest rising 790m above sea level with lots of stuff to do for people of all ages.
- Via Ferrata Xtreme
- Located at Honister Slate Mines. Via Ferrata is Latin for 'iron walkway'. they were used to carry supplies to solders during the first and second World War through the Alps at high altitude... but nowadays are just tons of fun!
Keswick Market Days
Thursday & Saturdays
Keswick market is a bustling, exciting, twice weekly event, showcasing local Lake District produce and products; as well as fantastically talented Lake District artists and crafts people. Sample hot and cold foods, listen to some very talented street musicians and have an all-round fabulous family day out in the centre of keswick!
