The age-old battle of the Lake District vs. the Peak District has raged in England since time immemorial.
From gasp-worthy countryside vistas to mouthwatering local produce, these two one-of-a-kind locations are worthy contenders for the crown when it comes to popularity. But which is really the winner?
We try to put the argument to rest…
Lake District vs. Peak District – Landscapes
Both the Lake District and the Peak District have an arsenal of breath-taking natural beauty at their disposal, in the fight for top landscape.
The Lake District is England’s largest National Park, at just under 600,000 acres, and its wild landscapes are undoubtedly amongst the finest and most dramatic on the planet. Pikes and Fells that scrape the clouds, gargantuan lakes and meres, and a superb (yet often overlooked) coastline – it’s no wonder that its beauty moved the 18th century Romantic Poets to create their famous poetry and writings, which still resonate deeply with us today.
In fact, the Lakes shaped the writings of literary influencers like John Ruskin and William Wordsworth and actually inspired the National Trust to be founded. Not bad eh? To top it all, in 2017, the Lake District was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status, standing proudly alongside the likes of the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal, as a place of unique global significance.
Discover some of our favourite Lake District hidden gems.
The Peak District is an entirely different, yet no less stunning, location, to rival the Lakes. With deep wooded dales, jagged hills, and limestone gorges to the south and evocative moorlands and gritstone tors to the north, the Peak District is a fantastically varied and beautiful part of the UK. Its value is such that it was the very first UK National Park to be designated, back in 1951.
One of the Peak District’s most compelling and standout natural features are the many labyrinthine caves and hidden chasms that exist, just out of sight, making up an almost magical subterranean landscape that begs to be explored.
See 8 of our favourite hidden gems in the Peak District.
Lake District vs. Peak District – Walks
Obviously, locations as rich in magnificent natural beauty as these make for some pretty astounding walks – but does one place outdo the other?
Walks and the Lake District go hand in hand, and there’s not a single part of this stunning National Park that will disappoint. From gentle lakeside wanderings to serious fell hikes, the Lakes is a stellar place for outdoor adventures.
An often-overlooked hidden gem for Lake District walks surely has to be the Ennerdale valley. Tucked away in the northern stretches of the Lakes, it gets far less footfall than it’s other well-known cousins but is by far the wildest and least populated valley in the entire National Park. With some of the UK’s most superb mountain landscapes to soak up here, including the renowned and looming crag of Pillar Rock, a walk in Ennerdale will not disappoint.
For more walks in the Lakes, take a look through our Lake District Walking Guide.
Walks in the Peaks, on the other hand, are as diverse and appealing as the landscape itself: stand atop the rocky ridge of Stanage Edge and take in the panoramas for miles around; meander across the awe-inspiring moorlands of the Black Peak before ascending onto the famous Pennine Way, ramble through the lush Manifold valley and climb the heights of Ecton Hill to look out from the mouth of Thor’s Cave; walk through miles of gorges and wooded country lanes along the Limestone Way.
If variety is the spice of life, walks in the Peak District are full to bursting with flavour.
Lake District vs. Peak District – History and Heritage
In the battle to be heritage champion, both locations have plenty of standout ancient attractions to flaunt.
Frankly, the Lake District contains more castles than you can shake a stick at. From the fairy-tale ruins and endless gardens of Lowther Castle to the opulent halls of Sizergh castle, you’re spoilt for choice.
For a historical visit with a difference, why not stay in your very own cottage within the walls of Appleby Castle? Now, how could we possibly forget the ancient of Castlerigg Stone Circle? Often described as the ‘Stonehenge of the North’, this enigmatic Neolithic monument, thought to have been constructed some 5000 years ago, is one of the oldest of its kind in the country, and its dramatic location amidst the towering fells of the Lakes only adds to the sense of its awe-inspiring power.
Find even more things to do in the Lake District.
Not to be beaten, the Peak District is renowned for its array of historic houses, and you’d be hard pressed to find a period drama or box office hit that doesn’t feature one of its iconic stately homes.
Hardwick Hall, with its picturesque Elizabethan symmetry, was immortalised as Malfoy Manor in the Harry Potter film franchise; world famous Chatsworth House became Pemberley, the fictional home of the sigh-inducingly romantic Mr Darcy in the 2005 film adaption of Pride and Prejudice; the Gothic ambience of medieval Haddon Hall featured in Kit Harrington drama, Gunpowder, not to mention 2011’s Jane Eyre film. The list goes on and on.
Discover an even wider range of things to do in the Peak District.
Lake District vs. Peak District – Food
We strongly believe that the best way to experience a place is through your stomach, and both of our locations serve up basketfuls of delectable delights on their respective home turfs.
The Lake District has a delicious lineup to put forward. For traditional delicacies, you’ve plenty to whet your appetite. Grasmere Gingerbread has been a much-loved export from this part of the world since the recipe (a closely guarded secret to this day) was created by a local cook in the 1850s. And what outdoorsy Brit hasn’t heard of Kendal Mint Cake? The sweet treat has boosted adventurers’ energy levels for the last century, and it was even taken on the British Expedition to conquer Everest in the 1950s.
It’s believed by many that Sticky Toffee Pudding was first concocted in a Lake District hotel in the 1970s – and we’re eternally grateful for the fact, too! Of course, no hearty Northern meal would be complete without a Cumberland Sausage. This local titbit is so prized that it’s even protected under EU Law – in order to be officially classed as a Cumberland, it needs to be produced in Cumbria and meet specific thickness and filling requirements.
Read more about where to eat and drink in the Lake District.
Matching up to the bragging rights of its Northern counterpart, the Peaks is a also foodie’s delight. Those with a sweet tooth can’t miss a taste of Bakewell Pudding. A wonderful jam tart topped with a rich, custard-like mixture, the recipe for these sweet treats was accidentally discovered by a local inn’s cook in the late 19th century. The rest, as they say, is history!
Buxton pudding, on the other hand, is an oldie that become rather a newie again, thanks to a local baker who recently reinvented a centuries-old recipe he discovered in an local, antique cookbook. With its pastry base, raspberry filling, and sponge top, it’s proving a huge hit and is fast becoming a Peak District favourite.
Cheese-lovers will find plenty of local produce to gorge on here, too; Dovedale blue cheese is a deliciously mild, creamy made from full-fat milk, which, rather unusually for a UK cheese, is brine dipped. Dovedale has a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, which restricts its place of manufacture to within 50 miles of the Dovedale valley. Yet another top cheese, the unique appearance and herby flavour of Sage Derby, with its mottled green crazing, makes it a definite must-try.
Find out more about where to eat and drink in the Peak District.
The Lakes or the Peaks, the Lakes or the Peaks… They’re a pair of outstanding locations and when it comes down to it, how could we possibly choose?
Can’t decide between a cottage in the Lake District or a cottage in the Peak District? You’ll find plenty of inspiration by browsing our very own Lake District places to stay Guide and our Peak District places to stay Guide.
Image credits: 3. Haddon Hall via Flickr – CC 2.0, 4. Sticky Toffee Pudding via Flickr – CC2.0