Travel & Places
Hidden Corners of the Lake District That Locals Swear By
Exploring the quiet, less-traveled gems of Cumbria's scenic national park.
Published on 2025-10-08 16:25 by By Jake Rahman
While many visitors to the Lake District flock to Windermere and Ambleside, locals often speak with quiet affection about the lesser-known corners of Cumbria's landscape. These tucked-away hamlets and quiet valleys offer a deeper kind of peace, often missed by those following the main tourist routes.
One such place is the Vale of Lorton, a narrow valley west of Keswick that’s surrounded by rolling fells and quiet woodlands. It’s ideal for slow walkers and reflective travellers. The area’s hidden charm lies not in dramatic peaks, but in its stillness and timeless feel.
A few miles south, the tiny village of Stonethwaite offers a similar sense of retreat. With stone cottages, a single-lane bridge, and a babbling stream, it feels a world away from busy footpaths. Local hikers often recommend the gentle circular walk through Langstrath Valley as a meditative route.
Locals also point to places like Buttermere, often overlooked due to its remote approach roads. Yet, those who make the effort are rewarded with a postcard-perfect lake ringed by hay meadows and ancient woods. It’s particularly striking at dawn, when mist clings to the water’s surface.
Another favourite among residents is Ennerdale, a wild and lightly developed valley without a major tourist infrastructure. There’s no large café, no gift shops — just trails, clean air, and a strong chance of spotting red squirrels or peregrine falcons.
In these quiet corners, it’s not unusual to walk for hours without seeing another soul. The rhythm of the place slows your thinking. Instead of rushing to tick off views, you begin to notice smaller things — the way bracken shifts in the wind or how the scent of peat lingers in the mist.
The Lake District is not short on impressive views, but what makes these hidden spots special is their lack of pretension. They’re not curated for Instagram or overwhelmed by tour buses. They just are — and have been for generations.
Many locals express a desire to keep these areas out of travel brochures. 'It’s not that we don’t want visitors,' one retired postman says, 'but it’s nice to know there are still places people haven’t spoiled.'
Even accommodation reflects this quieter tone. Instead of large hotels, visitors will find family-run B&Bs, shepherd’s huts, and eco-lodges. Some stays come with handwritten notes and fresh scones, rather than QR codes and buffet breakfasts.
One shop owner in Grasmere said it best: 'The magic of the Lakes isn’t in the busy places — it’s in the ones you nearly miss. Take a wrong turn, get a bit lost. That’s where the soul of this place really lives.'
For those willing to wander off the beaten path, the Lake District still has plenty of secrets to share — and locals who are quietly proud to keep them just that little bit hidden.