Windermere and Bowness lead through Ambleside, Grasmere and Rydal to Keswick and Ullswater before a main-road return. Spend five days among stone towns, public lakeshores and low-level landscapes, with the weather guiding each outdoor visit.
The Lake District: Windermere, Keswick & Ullswater is a 150 km loop (self-drive). It works best as a 5-day trip; the plan below is the 5-day version for May, built from 102 verified places, with planned transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Windermere-and-Bowness public lake-and-town circuit
Use official parking for Bowness Bay, public lakeshore and Windermere town; boats, ferries, booked houses, museums, adventure providers and summit walks remain separate.
Windermere & Bowness
Ambleside public Waterhead-and-town circuit
Use Waterhead, the public town centre and a condition-suitable low-level circuit; museums, closed castle interiors, waterfalls, boats and specialist courses remain separate.
Ambleside
Grasmere-and-Rydal public village-and-low-level circuit
Use official parking for Grasmere village and a weather-suitable low-level Rydal circuit; Dove Cottage, tarn walks, high routes and provider activities remain separate.
Grasmere & Rydal
Catbells
Ascend a popular fell with scenic lake views along the way.
Keswick & Derwentwater
Ullswater-and-Glenridding public lakeshore circuit
Use official parking at Glenridding for a bounded low-level lakeshore and village circuit; steamers, Helvellyn, winter skills and high fell routes remain separate.
Ullswater & Glenridding
Orrest Head
Enjoy panoramic views over Windermere from this gentle hilltop.
Windermere & Bowness
Stock Ghyll Force
Feel the roar and mist of a towering 70-foot waterfall.
Ambleside
Keswick-and-Derwentwater public town-and-lakeshore circuit
Use official town parking, Keswick’s public centre and a condition-suitable Derwentwater lakeshore circuit; boats, museums, brewery tours and fell summits remain separate.
