I spend a lot of time in the Lake District. Each summer, my husband and I, along with family and friends, head to this spectacular corner of England. From its rolling fells and shimmering lakes to the winding lanes that lead to postcard-perfect villages, the region never fails to capture our hearts. Every visit feels like both an escape and a homecoming.
I’m a little ashamed to admit that, until this year, I could count on one hand the number of times we’d actually seen a lake. Our visits were always centred around food and drink rather than the scenery. But at the start of this year, we made a conscious decision to get fitter and live a healthier lifestyle—and that included changing the way we spent our time in the Lakes. It was time to expand our horizons and experience the real Lake District.
Don’t get me wrong—there are bountiful supplies of amazing food and drink in the Lakes, packed with regional and seasonal produce. And yes, we still eat out (of course we do!), but now we push ourselves to try new places and go further afield. The best part? I get to tell you all about the gems we discover!
So, on our last visit over the weekend, we set off early to check out Galleny Force Waterfall. Lately, I’ve really got into chasing waterfalls and exploring fairy pools—and yes, I’ve even tried wild swimming! But that’s a whole other story, and one I’ll save for a separate article because there’s just so much to say.
We often set off before 8am, as the Lake District can get so busy on a weekend, and while the weather is still holding, I’d recommend you do the same. Car parking is limited at many of these incredible spots. Luckily, we were early enough to grab a space and head up the gentle hill, with a rocky stream babbling away on our left. I’d found some really useful details for walks—including this one—on lifehop.co.uk. It’s an easy, short route, perfect for a burst of fresh air and, of course, to see the waterfall. And see it we did! The stream tumbles down from the steep valleys in crystal-clear ribbons, and before long—after dodging a few sheep and navigating the rocky path—we arrived at a glorious waterfall cascading into beautiful blue pools below. The dream!
The whole walk took us about an hour and a half, up and down, but there are plenty of trails if you’re after something longer. By 11am we were absolutely starving, so we headed back down to the car. I had my heart set on lunch at the Borrowdale Hotel—it looks beautiful and has the most gorgeous garden—but we were a bit too early. So, we made a mental note to try it another time and jumped in the car to head for Keswick instead.
Keswick was such a joy to explore—we absolutely loved it. It’s a beautiful town with a real buzz, especially on weekends when the market fills the square. Stalls were piled high with everything from quality outdoor gear to handmade truffles and local treats. It’s the kind of place you can happily wander for hours, soaking up the atmosphere and picking up a few treasures along the way.
We stumbled across what looked like the tiniest little bistro-slash-cocktail bar and decided to give it a whirl. Outside, there was a cute patio for al fresco dining, plus a gorgeous bar area with poser tables and a fully stocked cocktail counter. To our surprise, the place actually extended upstairs into a full restaurant—much bigger than it first appeared from the street.
Derwent Walker turned out to be a brilliant little find, serving mix-and-match tapas dishes alongside a nice selection of wines, draught ales, and cider. We grabbed a poser table and ordered a spread of Spanish-style small plates—chilli prawns with seaweed, mini pork tacos with jalapeño coleslaw, cream cheese–stuffed jalapeños, bacon mac ’n’ cheese, and (of course!) my all-time favourite, patatas bravas. Every dish was tasty, full of flavour, nicely presented, and just the right portion size. The staff were wonderfully friendly and welcoming, and we left feeling like we’d stumbled across a real little gem—one we’ll definitely be heading back to.
Our weekend in the Lakes reminded me just how much this place has to offer beyond the scenery (though that alone is worth the trip). From peaceful walks and sparkling waterfalls to vibrant little towns and hidden foodie gems, there’s always something new to discover. Derwent Walker was the perfect example—a tiny spot that turned into a big highlight of our trip. If you find yourself in Keswick, I’d definitely recommend popping in. And as for us, we’ll be back in the Lake District soon, chasing more waterfalls, exploring new trails, and, of course, sampling plenty more local delights along the way.
Read more from Crave, the lifestyle magazine UK audiences turn to for inspiration and trends.