Discover Skelwith Bridge: A Peaceful Hidden Gem in the Lake District

In the famous Lake District National Park there are many popular spots to visit from Ambleside and Windemere and all the way up to Keswick and Buttermere in the North Lakes. However, with 22,000 UK posts on TikTok using the #hiddengems in the last 120 days alone, it’s clear Brits are searching for undiscovered treasures on their travels.

People come from all over the world to see the sites and the natural beauty the Lake District has to offer, but often miss one spot that is an underrated local gem – Skelwith Bridge.

“Just a 7-minute drive away from the ever-popular Ambleside and 17 minutes from Grasmere, the village of Skelwith Bridge is smaller and quieter than neighbouring villages, home to only 150 people,” says Jerry Rebbeck, a local expert Wheelwrights Holiday Cottages.

Described on TikTok as having ‘stunning views’, “it’s a tranquil place to stay as a base for exploring the national park; with access to the fells, river walks and lakes beyond, or great to visit when staying elsewhere,” Jerry shares.

“The village gets its name – unsurprisingly – from a stone bridge which makes its way across the River Brathway, which is lovely for walks of all kinds, filled with the best of British wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, grey herons and various species of fish.”

“A four-minute walk from the centre of the village, along the river, is the beautiful Skelwith Force, a 16-foot waterfall on the banks of the Brathway. Lesser known than the other more dramatic waterfalls in the area (it only has 69 reviews on Tripadvisor compared to 6,000 for Aira Force waterfall, located above Ullswater), it’s a small but charming natural beauty, and adds to Skelwith Bridge’s status as a UK hidden gem,” adds Jerry.

“Head slightly further up the river for about ten minutes, and you come to the Elter Water Lake, a small and serene lake 1km long. If you are looking for an easy, scenic walk with well maintained paths, this is a great place to loop around and head back down the river.”

“Also nearby are several caves to explore, such as Cathedral cave, also known as Cathedral quarry. Situated around an hour’s walk away or a ten-minute drive, the caves are fabulous relics of the Lake District’s industrial past. The interconnecting caves are now managed by the National Trust, which keeps the caves open to the public, and allows climbers in to explore the extensive tunnels.”

Looking for somewhere to stay, Jerry shares that, “there are plenty of options for places to stay, from B&Bs to Cottages in Skelwith Bridge and other villages nearby. It’s off the beaten track and yet close to an abundance of landmarks and beautiful scenery, giving you the best of both worlds for resting and exploring the Lakes.”