Hidden Corners of Cumbria | Off the Beaten Track in the Lake District with Linthwaite House
Most people arrive in the Lake District with Windermere on their list and Bowness as a bucket-list stop. But not everyone knows that Cumbria keeps its best secrets for those willing to leave the main road, follow a lesser-trodden path, or simply take a turn they haven't planned.
Here are some of our favourite corners of Cumbria that deserve closer attention…
Gummer's How
Just south of Windermere, Gummer's How is one of those quiet rewards that feels entirely out of proportion to the effort required to reach it. At 321 metres, it sits modestly among the southern fells and yet the view from its summit takes in almost the full length of Windermere, the Coniston fells, and on a clear day the broad sweep of Morecambe Bay stretching south to the horizon.
The walk from the free Forestry Commission car park at Astley's Plantation is short and steep in places, taking around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the top. Guests are likely to encounter a few other visitors on sunny days but it tends to be pleasantly quiet. The summit plateau is wide enough to find a quiet spot, lay out a picnic blanket and simply sit with the view.
Distance from Linthwaite House: Approximately 20 min by car
Rydal Water
Most visitors passing through Grasmere overlook the quieter water just to the south. Rydal Water rewards those who make the detour with a walk that combines open lakeside beauty with unexpected and dramatic man-made slate caves carved into the hillside above the shore, vast and cathedral-like in their silence.
The route follows the lake's northern edge through mixed woodland before climbing to the cave entrances, which open onto sweeping views back across the water. From here, the path can be extended onwards into Grasmere for those with time and appetite for more.
Distance from Linthwaite House: Approximately 20 minutes by car
Loughrigg Fell
Most walkers in the area fix their sights on the higher peaks and overlook what lies closer to hand. Loughrigg Fell, just fifteen minutes from Linthwaite House, offers something quietly exceptional. A circular route that earns its views without demanding a full day's commitment, it opens up a panorama from the summit where Windermere, Rydal Water and Grasmere are laid out together, taking in much of the southern Lake District at once.
The walk is accessible enough for most fitness levels, yet the sense of reward at the top feels genuine rather than easily won. It is one of the most consistently recommended routes among guests returning for a second or third visit.
Distance from Linthwaite House: Approximately 15 minutes by car
Claife Viewing Station
Directly across Windermere from Bowness, the Claife Viewing Station on the western shore is one of the most curious and overlooked spots on the lake. Built in the late 18th century for the pleasure of tourists who came to experience the landscape through specially tinted glass in each window, designed to make the view look like different seasons, it has been sensitively restored by the National Trust and now offers one of the finest panoramic outlooks across Windermere available anywhere. Taking the Windermere Lake Cruises from Bowness adds to the sense of occasion, and the woodland walk from the ferry landing up to the station is beautiful in spring when the bluebells are out.
Distance: Approximately 10 min from Linthwaite House to Windermere Lake Cruises and a 10 min walk up towards the viewing station upon arrival.
The Cathedral Cavern, Little Langdale
About 15 minutes from Ambleside, the Cathedral Cavern in Little Langdale is a disused slate mine that has become one of Cumbria's most extraordinary and least visited natural spaces. The main cave features a vast, cathedral-like interior with a stone column supporting the roof and a circular opening above that sends a shaft of daylight down into the chamber, creating an effect that genuinely takes the breath away. The walk from Little Langdale village takes around 20 minutes each way and is accessible for most levels of fitness.
Distance from Linthwaite House: Approximately 30 min
Back at Linthwaite House
After a day spent in the quieter corners of Cumbria, returning to Linthwaite House has its own secrets to share. The private tarn is perfect for a gentle row as the evening light settles over the water. The Bar and Conservatory is made for long, unhurried evenings, with traditional, seasonal menus, cocktails and views over Windermere that rarely lose their effect no matter how many times you have seen them. For those who want to plan a full day of exploration with a considered dinner to end it, Henrock by Simon Rogan MBE sets the standard. Think seasonal ingredients, beautifully executed, in a setting that feels like the right reward for a day well spent in the landscape outside.
Planning Your Exploration of Cumbria
The hidden gems of the Lake District reward slow travel and an early start. Many of the best viewpoints and quieter trails are at their finest before the main visitor arrivals of the day, particularly in spring and summer when the light is at its most generous in the early morning hours.
Reach out to the Linthwaite House guest liaison team before your arrival to start building an itinerary that goes well beyond the obvious.
FAQs
What are the best hidden gems in Cumbria near Windermere?
Some of the most rewarding lesser-known spots near Windermere include Gummer's How for elevated views of the lake, the Claife Viewing Station on the western shore, and the Cathedral Cavern in Little Langdale. For those willing to venture further, Rydal Water and Loughrigg Fell near Grasmere in the southern central part of the national park offer experiences that most visitors to Cumbria never find.
Are there any quiet viewpoints away from the crowds in the Lake District?
Yes. Gummer's How at the southern end of Windermere is a consistently quiet viewpoint with outstanding views of the lake and surrounding fells. The Claife Viewing Station on the western shore of Windermere is another excellent option, accessible by ferry or lake cruise from Bowness and rarely as busy as the viewpoints on the eastern side of the lake.
What are the best lesser-known walks in the Lake District?
Loughrigg Fell between Ambleside and Grasmere offers superb fell walking with plenty of views of the southern Lake District . The walk to Rydal Water combines open lakeside beauty with unexpected and dramatic man-made slate caves. Both are well off the main visitor routes and reward those willing to travel a little further into the national park.
Is Linthwaite House a good base for exploring the Lake District?
Linthwaite House is ideally positioned above Windermere for exploring the national park in every direction. Get in touch with the reservations team to help plan tailored itineraries based on your interests and the season.
What is the best season for exploring the hidden corners of Cumbria?
Spring and early summer offer the most rewarding conditions for exploring the quieter parts of the Lake District. Wildflowers are out on the lower fells, the light is generous and long, and visitor numbers have not yet peaked. Early mornings in particular offer an experience of the landscape that is almost entirely your own.
