10 Breathtaking Hidden Gems in the Lake District
I have so much to say about the Lake District and all the natural beauty it holds. Every corner of the region has its own character.
But for this list, I wanted to focus on the places that capture the real charm of the district: the spots that sit a little off the beaten track, away from the coach parties and car park queues.
Here are 10 of my favourite hidden gems in the Lake District.
At a glance
🏊♀️ For wild swimming: Whorneyside Force, Thirlmere Infinity Pool, Duddon Valley
🥾 For walkers: St Sunday Crag, Rannerdale Knotts, Ennerdale Water, Eskdale Valley
📜 For history and atmosphere: Cathedral Cave, Hardknott Roman Fort
🌸 For gardens and grandeur: Holker Hall and Gardens
Map of hidden gems in the Lake District
Use my map to see where all my favourite secret Lake District spots are located.
1. Whorneyside Force
Whorneyside Force is one of my favourite waterfalls in the Lake District, and it’s every bit as good as it looks in photos.
From the crystal-clear pool to the tall stream of falling water and the greenery all around it, everything about this spot feels a world away from the road.
You can swim here, and I’d recommend it if the weather’s on your side. It has a warmth and colour to the water that catches people off guard for the UK.
🚗 Getting there: Park at the National Trust’s Stickle Ghyll car park (LA22 9JU) and follow the path up Oxendale. It’s around 8km (5 miles) there and back, and a moderate walk rather than a gentle stroll, so wear sturdy boots and allow a few hours.
2. Cathedral Cave
Cathedral Cave is an unconventional spot, and it has a beautifully haunting atmosphere once you’re inside.
The cave gets plenty of light from a gap in the rock above, so even if you’re not keen on the dark, there’s still enough daylight flooding in to enjoy the scale of the place. As with several of these hidden gems, part of the appeal is the walk to get there.
💡 Worth knowing: a large rockfall has led the National Trust to close the upper sections of the quarry and the tunnels while they carry out safety inspections. The main lower chamber, the atmospheric bit most people come to see, remains open, but it’s worth checking the National Trust’s page before you go in case access has changed.
3. Thirlmere Infinity Pool
The road to Thirlmere Infinity Pool is a bit of a challenge, with steep inclines and bumpy terrain that need some care underfoot. The reward at the end makes it worth it.
Not many spots in the Lake District compete with the view and the glassy, clear water here. It’s picked up a bit of recognition in recent years, so time your visit outside peak weekends if you want it to yourself.
Bring your swimsuit if you fancy bathing in the natural infinity pool.
🚗 Getting there: the pool sits on Fisherplace Gill, reached from a path between Legburthwaite and Thirlspot. It’s about 3.5km (2.1 miles) each way with roughly 260m of ascent, so allow around half an hour each way at a steady pace.
4. Rannerdale Knotts
I love visiting Rannerdale Knotts in late April to catch the bluebells at their peak, when they cover the fellside in a vivid purple haze.
Local legend has it that the flowers grew from the blood of Norman warriors killed here by Cumbrian and Norse resistance fighters in the years after 1066. It’s a good story, and one that’s stuck around for a reason.
For the best view of the bluebells, head towards Crummock Water and walk the trail down into the valley. Outside bluebell season, it’s still a lovely place to visit in the Lake District, just a quieter one.
5. Ennerdale Water
Ennerdale Water sits deep in the western fells, with clear water, dense greenery and mountains rising steeply on either side.
It’s a good choice if you’d rather avoid crowds. It’s also the only lake in the Lake District with no road running alongside it, so even in peak season, you won’t find many people there.
6. St. Sunday Crag
I’ll admit St Sunday Crag isn’t for everyone. It’s for those happy to break a sweat for a serious ridge walk above the Patterdale valley.
Most people take it in as part of a circular route from Patterdale via Grisedale, which runs to around 8-9 miles and takes 5-6 hours depending on pace and stops.
Stick to the ridge line, wear sturdy boots, and take care on the descent, as the flanks drop away sharply in places.
7. Hardknott Roman Fort
Hardknott Roman Fort is one of the most isolated spots in the UK, and you’ll understand why the moment you start driving to it. The roads in are narrow, steep and winding.
It’s easy to miss the fort’s significance at first glance, since from a distance it’s just a stone perimeter in the middle of nowhere. In reality, it was a key part of the Roman network that helped control this stretch of the Lake District, home to a garrison of Dalmatian cavalry.
The fort was first abandoned during the Antonine advance into Scotland in the mid-2nd century, then reoccupied around 200 AD and used for another two centuries after that. What you’re walking through today is the ruin of that longer story, not a single abrupt ending.
8. Holker Hall and Gardens
Step into Holker Hall and you’re transported straight back to the Victorian era, all warmth, elegance and quiet grandeur.
The architecture and the grounds work together well, and the gardens are as well kept as the house itself, with colour and structure that changes through the seasons.
💡 Worth knowing: Holker Hall and Gardens usually opens for the season from mid-March, Wednesday to Sunday plus bank holiday Mondays, with the gardens open from 10am and the hall itself from 11am. Opening days and times can shift, so it’s worth checking the Holker Hall website before you set off.
9. Duddon Valley
The Duddon Valley has some of the most soothing scenery in the Lake District, and it’s usually far quieter than the more famous valleys nearby.
If you fancy cooling off, Birks Bridge is the pick of the spots, an 18th-century stone bridge over deep, clear pools that are ideal for a dip. There’s also a quieter swimming spot reached via a field path near Holy Trinity Church in Seathwaite, if you’d rather have the water to yourself.
After all the walking and swimming, I’d recommend booking a cosy cottage nearby to rest up in, ideally one with a view over the valley.
10. Eskdale Valley
Eskdale Valley is a paradise for nature lovers, with waterfalls, rivers and woodland walks that make it easy to lose an afternoon.
The main draw is Stanley Ghyll Force, a 60-foot waterfall tucked into a wooded gorge near Boot, surrounded by ferns and moss. It’s a fitting reward for a short, pretty walk in.
While you’re here, it’s worth the short detour north to Blea Tarn, a small, still tarn near Beckfoot with lovely views back down the valley. Don’t confuse it with the more famous Blea Tarn near Langdale; this one is Eskdale’s own, quieter version.
FAQs
Do I need a car to reach these hidden gems?
Yes, for the most part. Public transport in the Lake District is limited outside the main tourist routes, and most of these spots involve a walk in from a car park rather than a direct bus stop.
Is wild swimming safe at these spots?
Generally yes, but water temperatures stay cold year-round and currents can be stronger than they look, especially after rain. Check conditions before you get in, and never jump into water you haven’t checked for depth and hazards first.
When’s the best time to visit for bluebells at Rannerdale Knotts?
Late April to early May is typically the peak, though this shifts slightly depending on the season.
Are these spots signposted?
Some are, some aren’t. Part of the appeal is that they’re not heavily promoted, so a downloaded map or GPX route is worth having before you set off, especially for Whorneyside Force, Thirlmere Infinity Pool and the fort.
Plan your Lake District adventure
These 10 spots are proof that the Lake District still has plenty left to discover, even after you think you’ve seen the postcard version. Some ask for a bit more effort than others, but that’s usually what keeps them quiet.
Pack sturdy boots, check access and opening times before you set off, and leave a bit of room in your itinerary for the ones that catch you by surprise.
If you’re planning a visit to the Lake District, have a read of my guides before you go:
