Exploring National Trust Gems in the South Lake District: A Three-Day Birthday Road Trip
February birthdays can be a little hit or miss when it comes to the weather, but this year, we packed up the van and headed off for a three-day adventure exploring the National Trust sites in the South Lake District. With the goal of running a daily 5K and discovering beautiful spots, our trip was filled with incredible landscapes, delicious vegan food, and plenty of National Trust treasures.
One of the best investments we’ve made for trips like this is our joint National Trust membership. If you’re planning to explore multiple sites in the South Lake District, a membership quickly pays for itself. Over our three days, we visited Sizergh, Aira Force, Wray Castle, Tarn Hows, Hill Top, Fell Foot, Glencoyne Bay and Claife Viewing Station—all National Trust locations where entry fees and parking costs can quickly add up. With free parking included in the membership, we covered a lot of the cost in just this one trip. Whether you’re planning multiple visits throughout the year or just a weekend exploring the lakes, a National Trust membership is definitely worth considering.
3 National Trust Road Trip in the South Lake District
Day 1: Kendal to Sizergh and Glencoyne Bay
Waking up in Kendal on a surprisingly sunny February morning, our first stop was Sizergh, a medieval house with exquisite gardens and a vast estate. As it was still winter, the house itself was closed, but that didn’t stop the crowds—it was the last Saturday of half-term, and families were out in full force.
Sizergh is a beautiful, historic estate that has been home to the Strickland family for over 750 years. The estate itself features lush gardens, a stunning lake, and expansive parkland. We took our time exploring the beautifully designed gardens, from the stunning Mirror Lake to the enchanting Stumpery, but the real highlight was the Kitchen Garden. We were inspired by its layout and use of space—perfect for taking notes for our own allotment. We also picked up a few poached egg plants from the on-site shop to take home, a great little reminder of our visit.
Not ones to sit still for too long, we laced up our running shoes and set off on a 5K route around the estate. It turned out to be an incredible run, passing St. John Helsington Church and offering breathtaking views over the surrounding countryside. It felt like the perfect way to kick off the trip.
After Sizergh, we made a brief stop at Glencoyne Bay, taking in the scenic views and snapping some photos. It was a short but sweet visit—just enough to appreciate the beauty of Ullswater before heading off to settle in for the night.
South Lake District
Day 2: Aira Force, Wray Castle, and Tarn Hows
We woke up just ten minutes away from Aira Force, with weather warnings in place for wind and rain. With the unpredictable weather, we opted for the nearest car park, which was Park Brow Car Park, only five minutes from the waterfalls. This made it an easy and convenient spot to park, and despite the rain, the short walk to the falls was beautiful, winding through moss-covered trees and along the rushing water. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, visiting the waterfall was still magical. The misty atmosphere and lack of crowds made it feel incredibly peaceful – almost like we had the whole place to ourselves.
From Aira Force, we drove on to Wray Castle, but the rain had worsened, and with the castle closed for the entire year, we made a quick (but soaking wet) dash to the café. Enter Joey’s Café, a fantastic plant-based spot that turned out to be one of the best foodie discoveries of the trip. We tucked into a steak-less pasty, saag aloo with naan, red onion bhaji, and mango chutney, plus a cinnamon swirl and a slice of carrot cake. Everything was delicious, and the friendly staff made it an even better experience. Sitting in the warmth, enjoying the food while the rain pounded outside, felt like a proper road-trip moment.
Determined to keep up our 5K challenge, we ventured to South Lake District Tarn Hows and Coniston despite the relentless downpour. Tarn Hows is one of the most picturesque spots in the Lake District, with its stunning waters reflecting the surrounding fells and trees. The circular route around the tarn is ideal for a gentle walk or run, with breathtaking views at every turn.
Originally created in the 19th century by damming a number of small pools, Tarn Hows is now a protected beauty spot managed by the National Trust. Keep an eye out, we spotted tree creeper birds! The mist and cold made for a dramatic but beautiful setting, with just us, the sheep, and the cows. We did two laps around the tarn, without spotting another soul—it seemed no one else was quite as mad as us to be out running in freezing, rainy conditions on a Sunday February evening!
For those with limited mobility, Tarn Hows offers the Tramper, an all-terrain mobility scooter that allows visitors to explore the circular track with ease. It is designed for those who can use handlebar steering and controls, and a short introductory session is provided before use. You don’t need to be registered disabled or hold a Blue Badge to access it, and it’s a fantastic way to enjoy the stunning scenery while keeping pace with walking companions. This is part of the National Trust’s commitment to making these beautiful places more accessible to everyone.
Day 3: A Birthday Morning at Hill Top and Hawkshead, South Lake District
After a cosy birthday breakfast in the van and unwrapping presents, we set off for a place I had been looking forward to the most: Hill Top, the farmhouse retreat of Beatrix Potter. We had booked ahead, but arriving early in the season meant we were the only visitors—an unexpected treat! Walking through the house and gardens, it was easy to see the inspiration behind Potter’s beloved books. The newly restored doll’s house was on display, adding an extra special touch to the visit.
With the sun finally making a return, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch at Fell Foot, sitting by the water and watching military jets fly low over Windermere. The warm February sun made the moment feel extra special, and our National Trust vegan scones were the perfect treat.
Fell Foot is a wonderful lakeside park with sprawling meadows, perfect for picnicking or stretching your legs. The views across Lake Windermere are breathtaking, and there’s even a chance to get on the water with boat hire available in the warmer months. It’s a fantastic stop to soak up the serene beauty of the area – we will have to return in a few weeks with our inflatable kayaks!
Keeping to tradition, we set off on another 5K run, this time around Fell Foot’s picturesque meadows, before making our final stop at Claife Viewing Station. It was incredibly quiet and absolutely stunning, offering panoramic views over Windermere. The peaceful atmosphere was the ideal way to end our trip.
Claife Viewing Station is a hidden gem, an architectural relic of the 18th century designed for tourists to enjoy the beauty of Windermere through coloured glass panels that enhance the landscape. Originally, visitors would gather here to experience different moods of the lake through the tinted windows, from golden sunsets to eerie blue moonlight effects.
While the building is now in ruins, the magic remains—the views are unparalleled, and you can still peer through the vibrant panes and imagine the station in its heyday. The short woodland walk up to the station adds to the charm, winding through trees with glimpses of the lake appearing through the branches. It’s an often-overlooked spot, but well worth the visit for a tranquil escape and a unique perspective of the lakes.
Joey’s Café Locations in the South Lake District
As luck would have it, Joey’s Café had another location here, so we couldn’t resist one last indulgence. This time, we tried the cauliflower, chickpea, and onion bhaji pasty, which was just as good as the steak-less one from the day before. We also grabbed a huge slice of banana cake with white chocolate and raspberry and a giant chocolate chip cookie—the perfect road-trip fuel for the journey home.
South Lake District – Joey’s Café
One of the highlights of our trip was discovering Joey’s Café, such an incredible plant-based eatery with multiple locations across the South Lake District. We loved our first visit to their café at Wray Castle, then later in the trip, finding another Joey’s Café at Claife Viewing Station, where we indulged in more of their delicious vegan pasties and sweet treats.
Joey’s Café can only be found in these two South Lake District locations currently, however they also have three additional coffee cabins scattered throughout the region, making it easy to grab a warm drink and a bite to eat while exploring the South Lake District. Their commitment to high-quality, plant-based food and friendly service made them a standout feature of our journey, and we’ll definitely be visiting again on future trips!
South Lake District Final Thoughts
Our three-day National Trust adventure in the South Lake District was an incredible way to celebrate mybirthday. From the history and charm of Sizergh and Hill Top to the breathtaking scenery of Aira Force and Tarn Hows, every stop had something special to offer. Even the wild February weather didn’t dampen our spirits—in fact, it made some moments even more memorable!
With delicious plant-based food, daily 5K runs, and the freedom of van life, our visit to the south Lake District was a trip filled with everything we love. Whether you’re planning a short road trip or just looking for great National Trust spots to visit, the South Lake District is a destination that never disappoints.
Would we visit South Lake District all again? Absolutely—though maybe next time, with a little less rain!
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