Areas
The lakes are easier to plan by valley than by a long list of summits. Pick a base, then the fells, water, and towns around it.
Keswick and Borrowdale
Keswick is the busiest base in the north, with Derwentwater at the edge of town and Borrowdale running south to Seatoller and Honister. Skiddaw and Blencathra stand behind the town. Catbells and the Newlands fells sit across the lake.
Ullswater
Ullswater is the long lake under the Helvellyn range. Glenridding and Patterdale are the walking bases at the southern end. Pooley Bridge is the quieter northern shore. Place Fell and Hallin Fell give shorter days above the water.
Ambleside, Grasmere and Langdale
Ambleside, Grasmere, and Great Langdale are the usual bases for the central fells. Rydal Water and Grasmere sit in the valley bottom. The Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, and the Fairfield horseshoe are the big days. Loughrigg and Silver How are the short ones.
Coniston and Hawkshead
Coniston village sits under the Old Man. The lake has the Steam Yacht Gondola, Brantwood on the east shore, and Hawkshead and Hill Top a short way inland. Tarn Hows is the easy half-day above the village.
Buttermere and the west
Buttermere and Crummock Water are the classic western lakes, with Haystacks and High Stile above them. Wasdale Head is the base for Scafell Pike and Great Gable. Ennerdale and Eskdale see fewer people and longer walks in.
Windermere and the south
Windermere is the long lake most first visits include. Bowness has the cruises and the railway link. Windermere village is up the hill at the station. Ambleside is the north end. Blackwell, Fell Foot, and the Lakeside railway sit along the shore.
Haweswater and the east
Haweswater is a reservoir under the High Street range, with the remains of Mardale at its head. Kentmere and Longsleddale are the quiet valleys to the south. These fells are grassy, long, and less visited than Helvellyn or Langdale.